Alternative Engines: 10 Games That Outperform UE5 😱🔥
Unreal Engine has established itself as a dominant engine in video game development, especially with the arrival of Unreal Engine 5. However, this popularity is not without its critics, particularly in the world of gaming and PC.
Issues like stuttering on PC, excessively large installations, low frame rates (FPS), and poor visual feedback have given UE5 a bad reputation among gamers. While not all of these problems are directly attributable to the engine, many UE5 games on PC end up being poorly optimized experiences. If you're tired of these issues, here are some exceptional games that don't use Unreal Engine and offer great performance and optimization.
1. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 1 & 2
The games of Kingdom Come: Deliverance They use a modified version of the Crytek CryEngine, famous for the saga CrysisThis graphics engine is much more efficient in terms of optimization, delivering stunning visual results with fewer performance issues. The second installment stands out even more, showcasing remarkable improvements in graphics and gameplay fluidity on similar hardware.
If you're looking for an experience without technical complications, I recommend playing Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2A medieval RPG with exemplary optimization and an impressive open world.
2. Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3 use the Divinity Engine 4.0 Developed by Larian Studios, renowned for their CRPG titles, this engine guarantees a smooth and well-optimized experience without sacrificing graphical quality. It's compatible with DirectX 11 and Vulkan. After several updates, the game runs perfectly even on mid-range PCs and laptops like the MacBook Pro.
3. Ring of Fire
Ring of Fire It's one of FromSoftware's most iconic titles, renowned for its innovative open world and challenging gameplay. Despite not using a widely known third-party engine, its proprietary engine achieves a great balance between graphics and performance. Some technical challenges remain on PC, but the game's quality is undeniable, and its design minimizes common problems in modern open-world games.
4. Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077Developed with the RED Engine, it has improved immensely since its initial release. It is now a polished title packed with graphical innovations, compatible with both laptops and powerful PCs. While demanding, the game offers exceptional levels of detail and a unique visual experience within the futuristic RPG genre.
It's unfortunate that the next installment will abandon RED Engine in favor of Unreal Engine 5, but this version remains a benchmark in optimization and graphic quality.
5. The Horizon Games
The sagas Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon: Forbidden West Developed using Guerrilla Games' proprietary Decima Engine, they offer stunningly beautiful open worlds and stable performance. Despite their graphical complexity, they run smoothly on moderately sized hardware, even on last-generation consoles.
They stand out for their polished optimization, almost total absence of frame drops, and for a masterful visual and technical design that delivers epic adventures against mechanical dinosaurs in a post-apocalyptic world.
6. Death Stranding
Death Stranding It blends genres and styles into a unique work created with the Decima Engine. Its flawless performance spans multiple platforms, from PC to iPad, maintaining a smooth and immersive visual and gameplay experience. Its story and setting stand out as major attractions in addition to its technical achievements.
7. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
This game, one of the last directed by Hideo Kojima with Konami, uses the Fox Engine, renowned for its high performance and quality graphics. Although the content and story are incomplete, the stealth and open-world gameplay experience is exceptional. Furthermore, its execution is remarkable on both older and modern hardware.
It's a shame that Konami didn't exploit this engine more outside of its sports games.
8. Metaphor: ReFantasy
Metaphor: ReFantasyAlthough it initially suffered from performance issues on PC and consoles, it has improved with official patches and now runs stably. This modern JRPG is acclaimed for its quality and depth, making it an excellent choice for those seeking unique experiences outside of Unreal Engine 5.
9. The Last of Us Games
The games of The Last of Us They stand out for their balance of emotional storytelling, stunning graphics, and a proprietary engine developed by Naughty Dog. Although they had some performance issues in their PC version, they run very well today, especially on PS5, where their capabilities are fully utilized.
10. Modern DOOM Games
id Software's engines, from the iconic Quake II (id Tech 2) to the current id Tech 8 used in Doom: The Dark AgesThey are synonymous with technical perfection. Their focus on high FPS without sacrificing graphical quality makes them the dream of many competitive gamers.
Although some modern titles require robust hardware to enable ray tracing, performance is consistent and reliable even on more modest machines, outperforming many UE5 games in stability.
The reality is that many developers choose Unreal Engine 5 not only for its quality, but also for its ease and cost-effectiveness in development, seeking to maximize profits. While UE5 has its place, games with alternative engines offer optimized and unique experiences that deserve our support. Try these gems and enjoy seamless gaming! 🎮✨
