Eh, I remember it required the equivallent of Clarke's Monolith to run well at the time was released. The only reason the requirements seem lower is because the game was older. And besides, the particle effects when you break a crate will make the game stutter even on the contemporary equivallent of Clarke's Monolith, and I have no idea why the hell that is.
With everything said, the game is still amazing.
I'm trying to think of another obscure game to post here, but honestly, my brain has switched to "retarded automaton simulation" mode and I'm helpless
Well that's kinda my point, isn't it. They managed to get the same effect years earlier on hardware that was a lot less powerful. As for the crate breaking, that's not particle effects, that's actual physical simulation (which, incidentally, was also groundbreaking for the time). I'm thinking it has to be something about your box, because I can't remember having any trouble with that and certainly don't have any now, and my computer wasn't great even when I got it those oh so many years ago and it certainly isn't now. But yes, the game is amazing. I finished it again just a few months ago, as a matter of fact, and I thoroughly enjoyed it as usual.
Oh, and let's not forget those amazing blood stains! I have yet to see another game where blood splattered on a wall actually flows down, creating a vertical smear.
As for other obscure games of this genre, I guess Die by the Sword might count. Has that been mentioned yet? I've lost track.