Highlights

  • PC gaming offers a wide variety of games, but one drawback is the massive size of game files, with some PC games reaching file sizes of 100GB or more.
  • Quantum Break, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, and Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 are PC games with large file sizes, ranging from 68GB to 75GB.
  • Despite the large file sizes, these games offer immersive gameplay, stunning graphics, and engaging storylines that make them worth the space on your hard drive.



For those who, for one reason or another, consider consoles to be an inconvenience, PCs are one of the best things to happen to gaming since the turn of the century. And why wouldn’t they be? Every day, gaming rigs that obliterate traditional gaming consoles in performance are mass-produced and there is the existence of laptops that can be conveniently carried around for the gamer on the go. But PC gaming is not all roses and sunshine; one of the drawbacks of the controversial platform is the massive size of game files, many of which must be downloaded, especially here in the age of digital distribution.

Some of the PC games with the largest file sizes can be a downright pain to run for players who try their hardest to make some space on their drives for these titles. As long as players are assured that they’ll have a great time playing the titles of their choice, there’s no denying that these games will be worth installing, even if the space they occupy can be downright mind-blowing at times.


Updated on May 8, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: PC gaming continues to be one of the best ways for players to enjoy some of the best titles around as long as they have the hardware to run some of the more taxing titles of this generation. As games have become bigger and better than ever before, so has the need for hard drives and SSDs to boast as much space as possible for games to function properly. Some of the biggest games on the PC occupy a ridiculously high amount of space, meaning that players have to check their available space a few times before downloading state-of-the-art games that boast some impressive graphics.


29 Quantum Break

68 GB


This third-person shooter from Remedy Entertainment and Microsoft Studios asks for 68 GB on most hard drives. Hailed as a masterful fusion of gaming and live-action, Quantum Break boasts arresting graphics, a plot many writers would consider daunting, and a litany of rich characters.

Time travel is a theme many works of theater and television have found impossible to hit the mark, and Quantum Break has done a respectable job with the same. It’s not the greatest game on the list, but it’s a fun time for fans of Remedy Entertainment’s games.

28 Call Of Duty: Infinite Warfare

70 GB

soldiers standing in a line

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
Released
November 4, 2016

Developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision, Infinite Warfare is one of the lesser-liked titles in the Call of Duty series. The series chose to deviate from its norm by setting its thirteenth installment in the boundless frontiers of space.


The campaign sees players filling the boots of Nathan Reyes, a Lieutenant of Special Combat Air Recon (SCAR). Along with his robot, Ethan lets all hell loose in space to foil the antics of the Settlement Defense Front (SDF) in their attempt to gain control of the Solar System.

27 Helldivers 2

72 GB

helldivers 2 combat-1

Helldivers 2
Developer(s)
Arrowhead Game Studios

Genre(s)
Shooter

Released
February 8, 2024

The recent controversy surrounding Helldivers 2 and Sony’s attempts to force players into linking their PSN accounts to continue playing the game on PC is something that may have marred the reputation of this title quite a bit, but the quality of this sublime live service title is so immense that players won’t let this tarnish the amazing reputation this game has for too long. In a sea of greedy live-service games that try to milk players for all they’re worth, it’s always nice to play a game that makes the most of this genre and lets players enjoy a cinematic third-person shooter for the ages.


Players will love linking up with others and dishing out freedom in the most violent manner possible. The enemies in this game are pretty challenging and require a lot of teamwork for players to accomplish missions successfully, with some last stands being as awe-inspiring as they come.

26 Tom Clancy’s The Division 2

75 GB

The Division 2 Destiny 2 Killer

Tom Clancy’s The Division 2
Released
March 15, 2019

Genre(s)
Third-Person Shooter

The Division 2 serves as a great successor to the first game that understood the strengths and weaknesses of this format. The end result is a brilliant online ARPG that understands what makes it tick.

Related

The Division 2: 23 Pro Tips For Beginners

The Division 2 can be fun for new or veteran gamers, but these tips will surely help those just starting off with the title.

Engaging in missions with allies and taking other enemies down is a gameplay loop that never ceases to be tiring. Unfortunately, players need to free up a substantial amount of gigs before even thinking about downloading this game.


25 Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

75 GB

Screenshot from Deus Ex Mankind Divided showing Adam Jensen hiding from a patrolling enemy.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Released
August 23, 2016

Genre(s)
Action RPG

True lovers of FPS-RPG hybrids will be more than familiar with the Deus Ex gaming titles. Being the fourth game in the series and the successor to Human Revolution, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided was developed by Eidos Montreal and published by Square Enix.

It was released for Microsoft Windows and Linux systems in 2016 and 2017 for the macOS. Mankind Divided is one of the few action games out there that combine role-playing with stealth while allowing players to customize certain aspects of the game and even influence the trajectory of the storyline. Little wonder why the game’s file size culminates in a whopping 75GB.


24 Hitman 2

93 GB

Hitman 2 Ghost Mode

Hitman 2
Released
November 13, 2018

With Hitman 3 giving players a ton of new content to work with, it’s easy to forget about just how big Hitman 2 is. Like the rest of the titles in IO’s World of Assassination trilogy, Hitman 2 brings Agent 47 to a variety of countries and locations, each of which is unique and filled with endless assassination possibilities.

With the DLC factored in, Hitman 2 essentially allows players to play through its predecessor as well, making it a sort of 2-for-1 type deal. Given how much work is put into making these games as open and creative as they are, this should be much of a surprise.

Hitman 2
is now part of
Hitman World of Assassination
, which has a smaller install size of 69.63 GB.


23 Middle Earth: Shadow Of War

98 GB

Middle Earth Shadow of War Game Poster

Middle-Earth: Shadow of War
Released
October 10, 2017

Genre(s)
Action RPG

Middle Earth: Shadow of War is without a doubt a favorite of Lord of the Rings aficionados. Set in the fantasy world of Peter Jackson’s Middle Earth, players assume the role of Talion, a ranger partly possessed by the spirit of the elf Celebrimbor, and continue from where the events of Shadow of Mordor left off.

The open world in which the game is set is rather sizable, with five fairly large zones that are all inundated with bands of Uruks and a host of other enemies which, regardless of appearance, are not to be taken lightly.


22 Tekken 8

100 GB

Likely Tekken 8 DLC Characters- Eliza

Tekken 8
Genre(s)
Fighting

Released
January 26, 2024

The latest entry in the Tekken series boasts the same fighting gameplay that has become so beloved by the masses. Players will watch the hours fly by as they clock in numerous hours in this game and beat down their opposition in a fighting game series that needs no introduction.

3:20

Related

Tekken 8: Characters Most Likely To Return As DLC

With Tekken 8’s base roster finally solidified, it’s interesting to speculate who may make a return as DLC.

Given the amazing graphics present in this title, it’s easy to see why the space Tekken 8 occupies on a drive is so high. Players will have to free up some space to ensure that this game runs smoothly without any hitches, letting them wail on their opponents with a string of hard-hitting combos that can melt health bars in no time.

21 The Last Of Us Part 1

100 GB

the-last-of-us-joel-tess


The Last of Us Part I
Released
September 2, 2022

Genre(s)
Action-Adventure

The Last of Part 1‘s PC port was widely anticipated, especially considering the fact that the TV show was all the rage then. It was clear that Sony wanted to capitalize on the hype of this title, but it seems that the studio jumped the gun with the PC port, leading to an absolutely messy release that was full to the brim with several graphical glitches, slow shader loading, and horrible CPU usage.

The end result is a port that clearly needed more time on the chopping block… especially since Iron Galaxy could also reduce the 100 GB load which is completely unjustified for this title. Regardless of the visual makeover, the game is still pretty old and doesn’t need to take up that much drive space!

20 Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege (HD Texture Packs Included)

100 GB

Two operators in Rainbow Six Siege


Rainbow Six: Siege
Released
December 1, 2015

Genre(s)
Shooter

Rainbow Six: Siege has come a long way since it was first released back in 2015. The game has undergone countless reworks and updates, adding a variety of maps, operators, and features. Ubisoft continues to build Siege up as it seems that the game will only continue to get bigger going forward.

Siege’s HD texture packs aren’t exactly the straw that breaks the camel’s back when it comes to total installation size. The game is big enough without them thanks to all the maps and operators, but including the HD textures beefs up its total install size considerably.

19 Destiny 2: Lightfall

102 GB

Destiny 2: Lightfall Threadrunner Hunter


Destiny 2: Lightfall is a first-person shooter game that needs no introduction. Players get to explore the planet of Neptune and everything it has to offer, making for a fresh and engaging setting that fans will have a great time with.

Despite the moon having been used as a location previously in the series, the game features several innovations such as with the Player Versus Player (PvP) and Player Versus Environment (PvE) matches. The addition of new destinations, guns, and artifacts also helps to make gameplay more varied.

18 Gears Of War 4

103 GB

Motorbike chase sequence from Gears of War 4

Gears of War 4
Released
October 11, 2016

Genre(s)
Third-Person Shooter

Being able to look through the scope of a gun while shooting has its charm, but there is something special about actually getting to see the playable character during the action. Gears of War 4 is one of the many third-person shooter games to capture the sentiment perfectly.


Related

10 Best Cover Shooters If You Like Gears Of War

Gears of War is one of the most famous cover shooters, but these titles certainly give that franchise a run for its money thanks to fun mechanics.

With amazing mechanics that render gameplay seamlessly enjoyable, the game’s plot also threatens to engage the emotions of players by centering on a protagonist from the earlier games in the series, Marcus Fenix, passing on the mantle of badassery to his son, JD, and his two friends, Kait and Del.

17 Mass Effect: Legendary Edition

110 GB

Legendary Edition cover.

Mass Effect: Legendary Edition

The announcement of the Mass Effect: Legendary Edition was something that took both old and new fans by storm. Commander Shepard’s story is one of the most memorable in gaming, and having the opportunity to explore it all once again with updated visuals was a treat indeed.


If there’s one thing that the Legendary Edition taught gamers, it is that texture packs can take up a ton of space. This collection might have all three games, but 110 GB is still a massive install size for any title.

16 Call Of Duty: Black Ops 3

112 GB

Call of Duty Black Ops 3 Evac Map

Call of Duty: Black Ops 3
Released
November 6, 2015

Easily one of the more popular titles in the series, Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 was developed by Treyarch and published by Activision. Upon its release in 2015, the game was met with much positive acclaim, especially for the Zombies mode which proved to be especially difficult.

Its multiplayer mode also provides an unprecedented level of exhilaration with the array of ten soldiers it presents to players, all of whom possess one unique weapon or ability that makes them more lethal than the last.


15 Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

125 GB

Call Of Duty Black Ops Cold War 6 Tips For The Jungle Map featured image

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Released
November 13, 2020

Genre(s)
First-Person Shooter

It was only a matter of time before another Call of Duty game would make its way into this list. After all, each and every game in the series is notorious for having an unrealistically massive download size.

This is the case for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War as well. The entire game takes a whopping 125 GB on a person’s hard drive, which is simply ridiculous since developers should be responsible for optimizing their games on PC. The worst part is that this tweaked file size comes after optimization patches, with the size of the game upon release being 250 GB!


14 Gears 5

127 GB

gears 5

Gears 5
Released
September 10, 2019

Genre(s)
Third-Person Shooter

Released in 2019, Gears 5 took The Coalition’s franchise in a new direction by incorporating a less linear playstyle. While not adopting a typical open world, the campaign eventually opens up and allows players to explore more so than usual. This change was generally received well, and the same could be said for the overall game.

Related

Gears 5: The 10 Most Powerful Enemies, Ranked

Gears 5 solidified the new enemy types of the franchise, including the Swarm and DeeBees, and here are the most powerful enemies in the game.

Considering that the next Gears of War game will probably use Unreal Engine 5, the install size should easily eclipse its predecessor.

13 Microsoft Flight Simulator

127 GB

plane flying through evening sky


Microsoft Flight Simulator
Released
August 18, 2020

Genre(s)
Flight Simulator

It might sound like a niche genre, but flight simulators tend to be some of the most detailed games on the market. Microsoft Flight Simulator is one of the most impressive titles within the genre to date, with its keen attention to detail and focus on realism making it a huge game overall.

The game’s standard edition comes with more than 20 types of aircraft players can pilot, with the deluxe and premium deluxe editions adding in five and ten additional aircraft respectively.

12 Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare

133 GB

call of duty modern warfare 2019 stairs key art

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Released
October 25, 2019

Genre(s)
First-Person Shooter

With the release of many remarkable games into the waiting hands of gamers, 2019 was a year that lived up to its hype. For many, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is one such game. Its campaign is placed in a modern setting, true to its name, and follows the unlikely alliance between a CIA officer, the British SAS, and Urzikstan rebels as they combat Russian invaders.


Realism remains the hallmark of this particular title as decisions that were once either absent or automatically made by the CPU are now left to players. Modern Warfare also features multiplayer and Special Ops mode.

11 Borderlands 3

135 GB

borderlands 3 jabber jumps at player corrosive

Borderlands 3
Released
September 13, 2019

The Borderlands series is one that holds a special place in many gamers’ hearts. Borderlands 3 was one of the most anticipated titles of 2019, and though there were some noticeable technical hiccups, fans were happy with the overall product.


Though initially coming in at a 75 GB installation size, various DLCs and the Season Pass content are added to the current total. The “Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot”, “Guns, Love, and Tentacles”, “Bounty of Blood”, “Psycho Krieg” and the “Fantastic Fustercluck” DLCs give players hours worthy of additional Borderlands content, making the increase in file size well worth it for hardcore fans.

10 Halo: The Master Chief Collection

136.63 GB

halo-mcc-promo-art

Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Released
November 11, 2014

Genre(s)
First-Person Shooter

Speaking of legendary sci-fi games that were repackaged and remastered for a whole new audience, it would be impossible to not talk about Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Xbox’s greatest mascot now has all its best games wrapped up in a neat bundle for players to check out.


Related

Halo: Every Form Of Flood, Ranked From Weakest To Strongest

A frightening enemy type in the Halo series is the Flood, and here is a ranking of every form from weakest to most powerful.

Watching Master Chief tear through his opponents in the games present in this collection is a blast every single time… quite literally! However, the install size can be a problem for gamers who can’t free up this space without making some serious adjustments.

Shares:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *