8 Games that push your gaming laptop to the limit

PC gaming is bleeding edge. It's ahead of the curve. It demands forethought and investment so that, in return, you get gaming experiences the likes of which you couldn't dream of on a console. 

This is why, sometimes, you really want to test your equipment's limits. You didn't get into PC gaming to only play with the minimum specs. You want tons of information, real-world physics, and facial textures that make you feel like you're sitting right next to your NPC companion. 

To get results like that, you need a computer that can keep up with developers always looking to push the envelope. Having a computer like the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i, the world's most powerful 16" AI-tuned gaming laptop with groundbreaking cooling technology and head-of-the-pack visuals on a 16" display, is a great place to start. Below are some games that will make your jaw drop.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

You already knew this would be on the list. It's one of the most stunning PC games in recent memory. The story is compelling with plenty of back alleys to navigate. Getting to explore a fully realized Night City, though, is the real appeal. When I played the pre-DLC game on my console, it sounded like my machine was about to blast through my entertainment center like a jet engine. Having a groundbreaking cooling system like the Legion Coldfront 5.0 makes your time with Johnny Silverhand a much more enjoyable experience. I can actually hear the dialogue now.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Here's a moment of fun vulnerability in the middle of this listicle. Every few months, I find myself watching the trailer for Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC and getting really emotional. Seeing the depth Rockstar put into the environments just blows me away. Being able to dive into a rich experience like this with the highest possible graphical fidelity is the promise of video games made real. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go watch that trailer again. No, don't worry, that's just a speck of sand in my eye.

Skyrim (Modded Out Like Crazy)

Skyrim came out over a decade ago, and you can probably play it on your toaster by now. Still, in that intervening time, the modding community has invested time and energy into making it look gorgeous (and weird). You don't need to have a top-of-the-line rig to run Skyrim, obviously, but if you want 4K resolution, improved weather effects, and realistic lighting, a high-powered machine might be just what you're looking for.

Kerbal Space Program 2

Demanding games aren't all about graphical fidelity. Sometimes you just have a lot to keep track of. Kerbal Space Program 2 is a perfect example of why you need a heavy-duty CPU at your disposal. This sim is trying to keep a lot of complex physics calculations going at the same time. You can't let an old CPU get in the way of your Kerbals exploring the vast outer reaches of space.

Alan Wake 2

The team at Remedy are pros at making haunting games with arresting imagery that look great even in non-optimal settings. But there's a lot of technology running under the hood of their follow-up to the similarly demanding Control. If you want the mesh shaders and moody ray tracing, you'll need an exceptional machine. Still, it's worth it to find yourself immersed in this Lynchian nightmare in the way Remedy intended.

Total War: PHARAOH

One of the great questions of any RTS worth its salt is simple: How many units can I cram on screen at the same time? Sure, you might be covering up the beautifully realized Egyptian countryside, but I need just one more batch of Medjay Warriors to push us over the edge. A game like Total War: PHARAOH is going to push your processor, so make sure you've got a gaming PC up for the task.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Earlier this year, Jorg Neumann, the head of Microsoft Flight Simulator, said, "We are not a game. What we're doing is accurate aviation activities." That kind of boast requires nothing less than total fidelity. From physics modeling to real-time weather to the insane detail of its 1:1 world map, MFS requires a lot of buy-in. Your computer is going to need to be pretty beefy to manage such an intense workload, but hey, it's not like we're asking you to buy a $500 flight stick accessory. Yet.

Fortnite

It's sort of surprising to see this on the list, isn't it? Hear me out. Fortnite is not the heaviest lift when it comes to computer hardware. In fact, Epic Games made sure this cultural monolith could run on everything from the newest consoles to phones your grandmother might get for free. That's exactly the point, though. You'll be playing this in the optimal conditions—no shuddering connection, slow-to-refresh monitor, or lackluster graphics cards to blame when you don't get the Victory Royale. The hardware won't be pushed to the limit, but you will be.

To play these games at their best, you can't go wrong with a powerhouse like the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i. The 7i equips you with everything you need to play all these games and then some.

If you want a laptop that’s going to crush these requirements, the Legion Pro 7i will provide the performance you’re looking for.