2019 was a pretty interesting year as we’ve gotten some truly amazing PC games (tech-wise). However, we’ve also seen some truly awful PC ports. Therefore, and prior to our Top 10 Most Optimized PC Games of 2019, today we are presenting you our Top 10 Worst Optimized PC Games of 2019.

But what do we consider an unoptimized PC game in 2019? In our opinion, a game that is not optimized for the PC is one that cannot scale well multiple CPU cores and that is plagued by ‘console-ish’ side effects (like really low FOV, controller only on-screen indicators and mouse acceleration/smoothing issues). We also take into account various side-effects, like stuttering. A game that also requires a high-end GPU for average visuals is also a game we consider poorly optimized for the PC.

In short, we’re examining a game’s technical aspect for both our Top 10 Worst and Most Optimized lists. This means that not only must game engines scale well on modern-day hardware, but developers must also ensure that things like PC-specific graphical features, PC technologies and PC controls are properly supported.

So, without further ado, here are the Top 10 Worst Optimized PC Games of 2019.

10) Rune 2

“Rune 2 is a mixed bag. On one hand, it can run really smooth on older CPUs. On the other hand, its Cinematic settings do not justify their GPU requirements. Thankfully, PC gamers can improve performance by lowering their settings to Epic or High. Unfortunately, there are A LOT OF pop in issues on High settings, so that’s something that will disappoint a lot of PC gamers. So yeah, Rune 2 definitely needs a performance optimization patch.”

9) Devil’s Hunt

“Devil’s Hunt currently suffers from some optimization issues. Due to its single-threaded nature, the game can under perform even on high-end CPUs. Moreover, it does not take advantage of more than three/four CPU cores/threads. The game also suffers from some annoying stuttering issues, and its Epic settings do not justify its GPU requirements. And while we can all acknowledge – and understand – its smaller budget nature, we can all agree that this game should be running better.”

8) Greedfall

“Greedfall is mostly a GPU-bound title. The game does not require a high-end CPU and will run fine on older CPUs. However, PC gamers will need powerful graphics card in order to run the game even at 1080p/Ultra settings. Furthermore, the game’s visuals do not justify these huge GPU requirements. Not only that, but the game suffers from some major stuttering issues that can be really annoying, especially if you are not equipped with a G-Sync monitor.”

7) MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries

“MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries is a mixed bag. While the game does not require a high-end CPU, it has some missions that do not really justify its GPU requirements. Take for example the Tutorial area. That area performs similarly to all of Anthem’s maps; a game that looks significantly better than MechWarrior 5. Piranha Games will have to further optimize it via post-launch performance patches, otherwise numerous PC gamers may encounter performance issues in specific missions.”

6) Detroit: Become Human

“Detroit: Become Human is a really demanding title. And while the game’s visuals somehow justify its GPU requirements, it certainly does not justify its CPU requirements. Seriously, we don’t really understand what is consuming all the CPU cycles of an eight-core CPU. One would expect this game to behave similarly to The Dark Pictures Anthology – Man of Medan. After all, both of these games share similar gameplay mechanics. However, that’s not the case and Detroit: Become Human requires a lot of CPU raw power. Thus, we believe that Quantic Dream should further optimize its title via post-launch updates.”

5) Blair Witch

“Blair Witch needs major optimization and performance fixes/patches. Thankfully, the game does not require a high-end CPU for gaming at 60fps, though it’s still limited by the DX11 API. As said, the game requires high-end GPUs, does not justify its high GPU requirements, and does not scale on older graphics cards. Here is hoping that Bloober Team will be able to resolve the game’s performance issues via post-launch updates.”

4) Assetto Corsa Competizione

“Assetto Corsa Competizione has some optimization issues on the PC right now. The game is being held back by its DX11 API and requires high frequency RAM modules in order to overcome its optimization issues, and requires really powerful GPUs for gaming at resolutions higher than 1440p. Moreover, and despite its higher GPU requirements, the game does not look as great as Project CARS 2 or Forza Motorsport 7; two titles that run significantly faster than this latest racing sim.”

3) Kingdom Under Fire 2

“Kingdom Under Fire 2 suffers from major optimization issues. Our guess is that these are mainly due to the DX11 API and the overwhelmed amount of game’s draw calls. This is mostly a memory frequency limitation and not a CPU bottleneck. However, it will impact all PC configurations and that’s something that Blueside needs to address. Here is hoping that the team will improve things via some post-launch patches!”

2) LEFT ALIVE

“LEFT ALIVE is a disappointment. The fact that a GTX980Ti is unable to run a game that looks like a PS3/Xbox 360 title with 60fps at 1080p speaks volumes about its current optimization. Still, LEFT ALIVE is not the worst optimized PC game of 2019. While the game requires a high-end GPU, it does not need a powerful CPU. Not only that but it displays proper K&M on-screen indicators and we did not experience any major mouse smoothing/acceleration issues.”

1) Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout

Our initial plan was to have a PC Performance Analysis article for . However, the game still suffers from major optimization issues.

“Our biggest gripe with Atelier Ryza, however, are the awful stuttering/frame pacing issues from which the game suffers. These stutters are due to the lack of a gamepad. According to reports, the game constantly “searches” for a gamepad, resulting in stutters every two seconds. The only way you can resolve this is by… connecting a gamepad. Yeap, you read that right; as soon as we connected an X360 controller, these stutters went away. Hilarious.”