Choose a PC game genre based on the kind of experience you’re looking for: story and exploration, tactics and competition, relaxed building, or short gaming sessions. Then check the system requirements, adjust the graphics and controls, and choose a convenient way to launch the game—through a game store or an installed launcher.
PC games differ in more than just genre: settings affect smoothness, visuals, and control comfort, while launchers help you start and update games. Let’s look at where to begin and what to check before your first gaming session. For a broader look at formats and getting started, see our article “I Play Games: How to Choose the Right Format and Get Started.”
| Game type | First option to try | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| First-person shooter | Mouse and keyboard | Mouse sensitivity and key bindings |
| Racing game | Controller or wheel | Controller support and smooth controls |
| Platformer | Controller or keyboard | Button prompts and ease of jumping |
| Turn-based strategy | Mouse and keyboard | How easy it is to select units and issue commands |
- 3 stores The comparison mentions Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG.
- 2 levels Game requirements worth comparing: minimum and recommended.
- 2 types Control devices to compare: keyboard and mouse, and controller.
- 3 components Key hardware specifications to check: processor, graphics card, and RAM.
How do you choose a PC game genre that suits your pace?
Choose a PC game genre based on how much time you’re willing to spend playing and which controls you find comfortable: puzzles and turn-based strategy games are good for short sessions, while shooters and racing games suit more active play. In role-playing games, focus on whether you’re interested in the world, dialogue, and character progression—not just combat.
Pace and session length
Puzzles and turn-based strategy games are easy to pause between decisions: you can think through a move and return to the game later. First-person shooters are usually faster-paced—you need to react quickly and aim precisely with a mouse—so choose this genre if you enjoy intense action.
- Need short breaks: puzzles and turn-based strategy games let you stop between turns.
- Enjoy a fast pace: first-person shooters call for quick reactions and precise mouse aiming.
Preferred controls
In racing games, smooth control with a wheel or controller matters more; if you prefer this setup, consider the racing genre. For role-playing games, base your choice on whether you want to explore a world, read dialogue, and develop a character: combat is just one part of the experience. If you’re not sure which format is right for you, read more in our guide “I Play Games: How to Choose the Right Format and Get Started.”
- Wheel or controller: racing games are a good fit if smooth controls matter to you.
- Exploration, dialogue, and character progression: these interests can help you choose a role-playing game.
How can I check whether a game will run on my computer?
To check whether a game will run on your computer, compare its minimum system requirements with your processor, graphics card, RAM, storage, and operating system. Check the exact model names and available disk space: matching only the component family name isn’t enough.
What to compare first
- Processor: compare the full model name. The Intel Core i5-12400F is a specific processor, while the Core i5 label alone doesn’t guarantee the required performance.
- Graphics card: check the exact model, such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060, and compare it with the one listed in the game’s requirements. The manufacturer or series name alone isn’t enough.
- RAM and storage: check the amount of installed memory and available disk space against the requirements. If the game needs more space than is available, installation won’t finish.
- Operating system: check which versions and configurations are supported. A “Windows 10” label doesn’t automatically mean compatibility with every edition or system configuration.
Consider minimum and recommended requirements separately: the former describe a baseline configuration for running the game, while the latter indicate more comfortable conditions. If your computer only meets the minimum requirements, that doesn’t mean the game will run at recommended settings; compare the processor and graphics card models especially carefully.
How do you choose a store and check the purchase terms?
Editions, launchers, and refunds
Choose a store based on the specific game edition: compare the same game on Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG, checking the included add-ons, online mode, and system requirements. The game title may be the same, but the content and launch requirements can differ.
- Steam: before paying, check the edition’s page for the supported operating system, required disk space, and hardware requirements.
- Epic Games Store: check the same details for the specific edition you’ve selected rather than relying on the game’s page in another store.
- GOG: compare online mode access and included add-ons with the versions on Steam and Epic Games Store.
Find out separately whether the game requires a publisher account or an additional launcher: buying it on Steam doesn’t guarantee that the Steam client alone will be enough to launch it. This is especially important if you want to play without extra software or accounts.
Before paying, review the selected store’s refund policy and make sure it fits your situation. If you’re unsure whether the game is compatible with your graphics card or controller, check the requirements and refund terms before buying.
Which graphics settings should you change if performance is poor?
If performance is poor, first keep the screen resolution at your monitor’s native resolution, then lower graphics quality one setting at a time: shadows, reflections, or anti-aliasing. This will show you what improves performance on your PC without reducing image sharpness unnecessarily.
Change settings one at a time
- Resolution. Matching your monitor’s resolution preserves the original image sharpness. A lower resolution may improve performance, but the image will look less sharp.
- Shadows, reflections, and anti-aliasing. If the game is stuttering, lower these settings one at a time rather than all at once. Compare the built-in frame counter or the same gameplay segment after each change so you don’t have to judge the result from memory.
Before launching the game, check your NVIDIA or AMD graphics driver and update it using the manufacturer’s official tool. Also make sure that power-saving mode hasn’t been enabled for the game: this will help you distinguish its effect from the impact of graphics changes when comparing settings.
How do you set up controls and sound for your first gaming session?
Set up controls and sound before your first match: in a shooter, check the keyboard layout, mouse sensitivity, and the function assigned to each button you need. Adjust music, effects, and dialogue separately if the game has individual sliders. This gives you time to fix any awkward settings before playing online.
Check your input device
- Shooter: check the keyboard layout, adjust mouse sensitivity, and see which actions are assigned to the buttons. It’s better to do this before an online match, not during one.
- Controller: if the game supports one, connect the controller before launching. Check whether the menus and tutorial show controller button prompts: if the game displays keyboard keys instead, the controls may not be set up as expected.
- Racing games and platformers: try the same section using both a keyboard and a controller. An analog stick lets you adjust direction smoothly, while a key sends a digital input: pressed or not pressed.
Sound: first check the music, sound effects, and dialogue volumes separately if the game has individual controls for them. Then play a section with speech and game sounds: this makes it easier to tell whether effects drown out dialogue or the music makes it harder to find your way.
When does this process not help, and what are the most common mistakes?
Requirements don’t guarantee performance
A game’s minimum requirements indicate whether your PC is suitable for running it, but they don’t guarantee a stable frame rate: results depend on screen resolution, graphics settings, and apps running in the background. Check the requirements for the specific game and assess the whole configuration, not just one component.
Free disk space and RAM are different things: having enough space to install a game doesn’t make up for a lack of RAM, and vice versa. Compare both items in the system requirements separately. Graphics card series names aren’t enough either: compare the exact model with the game’s requirements rather than drawing conclusions from the series name.
What to check before paying
Before buying, compare the game’s requirements with your computer’s specifications and check the store’s terms. Pay particular attention to the supported operating system and whether an additional account may be required: incompatibility with your setup or not wanting to create another account could make the purchase inconvenient.
- Performance: resolution, graphics settings, and background apps can affect the frame rate even if your PC meets the minimum requirements.
- Compatibility: check the exact graphics card model, RAM capacity, and available disk space separately.
- Purchase terms: before paying, find out whether your operating system is supported, whether an additional account is required, and what the refund policy is.
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a game if my computer only meets the minimum requirements?
What matters more when choosing a game: the genre or my computer’s specifications?
Can I play PC games with a controller?
What should I change first if a game is stuttering?
Key takeaways
- Start by choosing a genre, pace, and control scheme that suit you.
- Compare the exact processor and graphics card models with the minimum and recommended requirements.
- Before paying, check the edition, launcher, account requirements, and refund policy on Steam, Epic Games Store, or GOG.
- When adjusting graphics, change the resolution and individual settings one at a time.
- Minimum requirements help you assess whether a game can run, but don’t guarantee stable performance.
