Glad to know you might be able to fix the GPU. I've never had anything put my GPU over 20%-30%, at least not for the entire duration of a program running. (Yes, I have Task Manager open way too much XD). I have played Unreal games before, but never had to install Visual C++. Visual C++ also appeared to install through my Epic Games app, leaving me to wonder if the game would have worked if I did not have it installed.
Good luck finishing the game!