So, if you’re looking to build a high-end gaming rig, then you better stock up on storage space if you want to keep a lot of AAA titles readily available in your drives.
But how much space is enough? Find out yourself by looking at the six biggest game installs below. We’ve listed them in reverse order, so make sure you read until the end to find out number one!
6. DCS World (120GB)
DCS World, or Digital Combat Simulator, is a massive free-to-play combat simulator first released in 2008. The game delivers the most realistic simulation of various combat equipment, including aircraft, tanks, other ground vehicles, and even ships.
While the game’s initial area of operation is set in the Caucasus region, this highly-detailed map also includes 20 operational bases, countless buildings and trees, and an extensive road and rail network. You also get the two-seat TF-51 Mustang and the Su-25T Close Air Support Aircraft as part of the free download.
You should note that this game is as realistic as it could get when it comes to controls. Several users even say that you have to read the actual manual of the aircraft you want to use so you can play it. All this realism adds to the game’s initial download and installation size.
But when you consider the over 100 downloadable campaigns, maps, aircraft, and other assets you can separately purchase, then expect this game’s install size to balloon even further.
5. Microsoft Flight Simulator (123GB)
This 2020 flight simulator is the epitome of open-world. Microsoft compiled the entire world using its in-house graphics and physics engine from over two petabytes of global data. The fact that they’ve been able to shrink the install file size to 123GB is a feat of software engineering.
The developers used satellite imagery and advanced mapping data to faithfully recreate over 37,000 airports—ranging from massive international hubs to quaint and quiet grass airstrips. They’ve also added over 40 “handcrafted” locations, offering detailed architecture and locales, enhanced lighting models, and highly-accurate mapping.
You also get 40 highly-detailed airplanes, thus adding to the game’s download size. And as the game’s developer introduces more handcrafted airports and aircraft, plus additional features and patches, we can expect this game to grow larger in the future.
4. Red Dead Redemption 2 (150GB)
Despite launching in 2018, this open-world game from Rockstar still holds the fourth spot in download and install size. Its massive 75-square kilometer (18,560 acres) map is definitely the primary reason for this size, plus the complex storylines and missions.
One added reason is that the game is already optimized for 4K gaming. This means that the texture maps and other elements in the game’s open world require more detail, thus adding to the file size. If you factor in the 18 updates the game received since its launch, then there’s no question why Red Dead Redemption 2 install size keeps growing and growing.
3. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (175GB)
This 2019 game is a reboot of the iconic Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Although it doesn’t follow the exact storyline of the 2007 title, some characters from the original game are in the reboot.
Despite its large install size, the campaign itself is only about six hours long. The massive download size for this game is attributed to it having several unnecessary high-quality assets. And while it does add to the game’s immersion and visual quality, it takes longer to download, install, and update.
Another reason is that the game includes the free-to-play multiplayer Call of Duty: Warzone. The game contains three battle royale maps. The two largest ones, Verdansk and Caldera, are estimated to be nine square kilometers (2,224 acres) large, while the smaller Rebirth Island seems to be less than a quarter of these maps.
The game developers are aware of the bloat of COD and its updates. According to Paul Haile, Production Director of Modern Warfare, they are working on trimming down the download and install size to make it easier to update and play.
2. Call of Duty: Vanguard (177GB)
Call of the Duty: Vanguard is the 18th installment in the Call of Duty franchise and the fifth COD title to focus on World War 2. This game, released in November 2021, features nine missions, each taking an average of 45 minutes to complete.
You will also find several multiplayer maps that feature different game modes. The game had 16 maps at launch, and the release of its first multiplayer season added three new maps. The game modes include the typical Free-for-All, Team Deathmatch, Search & Destroy, Domination, Kill Confirmed, and Hardpoint. You also get the new Patrol, Control, and Champion Hill modes.
Some future updates may also include the release of new high-definition skins, vehicles, and weapons, adding to the game’s install size.
We can expect new maps and game modes in the future, as the developer releases updates with every new season of the game. These could increase the storage requirement as the game gets more new features in the future.
1. Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond (180GB)
This first-person shooter (FPS) virtual reality (VR) game is the latest title in the Medal of Honor franchise. The game, released in 2020, returns to its World War 2 franchise after eight years since the release of Medal of Honor: Warfighter.
Aside from being in VR, the game’s massive size comes from its ten-hour plus single-player campaign, 12 multiplayer maps, and various game modes.
Although the topic was already covered several times in hundreds of titles, the VR immersion makes it a fresh take, allowing the player to experience the Second World War in an authentic first-person point-of-view.
You’re Going to Need a Bigger Hard Drive
You can expect game developers to take advantage of better technology. Because as graphics quality continues improving, and fast storage solutions grow cheaper, it just makes sense for gamers and game publishers alike to demand more immersive titles.
If you’re not a hardcore gamer and only actively play a couple of AAA titles at a time, then a 1TB hard drive would most likely be sufficient for your needs. But if you’re the type to play all the games you want and keep them all installed on your system so you can access them anytime you want, then you better invest in some large storage solutions.
