15 Best War Games: Where History, Emotions, and Explosions Collide
The best war games let you experience battles, explosions, and military action – all from the safety of your couch. Whether you’re charging into enemy lines, commanding armies, or making world-changing decisions, these games turn war into something that fits neatly on your screen.
They bring world wars, civil wars, and historical conflicts to life, letting players rewrite history. And the best part? There aren’t any real-life consequences if things go horribly wrong.
What makes them special? These games take inspiration from the Cold War, the Great War, and famous battles, blending action, strategy, and pure adrenaline. Some games throw you straight into intense firefights, while others turn you into a master strategist.
I’ve spent my whole life playing war games – leading troops, defending fortresses, and watching my brilliant strategies crumble the moment some sniper lands an impossible shot from the other side of the map.
The gameplay? Unpredictable. Whether it’s fast-paced shooters like Call of Duty, massive strategy battles in Total War: Warhammer III, or the emotional weight of This War of Mine – All these games deliver thrilling fights, smart tactics, and moments that will either make you feel like a hero or make you doubt your every move.
Now, let’s jump into my favorite list of the best war games – where strategy meets destruction, and even the best plans can fall apart in the blink of an eye.
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Our Top Picks for War Games
War games hit differently! You’re tossed right into the action, trying to make the perfect move while knowing deep down you’ll probably mess up at some point – and blame it on bad luck. It’s like chess, but with more explosions and fewer rules.
So, here are my top picks from the list – games that know how to keep you on your toes, while testing your ability to survive.
- Call of Duty 4 (2007) – you start as a soldier in the middle of a modern war, hoping to survive while your team makes you look good.
- Arma 3 (2013) – dive into one of the most realistic military sims out there, where one wrong move can turn you into a casualty.
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (2019) – take charge of civilization, building empires and armies – but don’t get too attached to your villagers.
- Total War: Warhammer III (2022) – command legendary creatures and forces, where victory feels sweet until you’re overwhelmed by the enemy.
- Battlefield 5 (2018) – jump into WWII with fast-paced action where every corner hides danger, and you’ll definitely die a lot.
Still debating which one to dive into? Well, hold on tight – I’m about to break down exactly why these games will make you want to replay them, over and over again.
15 Best War Games: Plan, Execute, and Get Jebaited
War games are where you can lead your troops to glory one moment and watch them get obliterated the next. Over the years, these games evolved from simple battlefield simulations to full-on emotional rollercoasters filled with strategy, mayhem, and a fair share of rage-induced controller throws (speaking from experience).
What makes them so special? The thrill of being flanked, getting killed by a camper in the blink of an eye, the satisfaction of respawning and experiencing the humiliation all over again. But still, I wanna keep coming back for more!
1. Call of Duty 4 [Best for Fast-Paced Action Lovers]
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Mac | 2007 | Infinity Ward |
Back in the day, Call of Duty 4 felt like a revolution. Gone were the endless World War II settings – this was modern warfare, with high-tech gear, gritty urban battles, and a campaign that had me questioning if I was actually in a Hollywood blockbuster.
The missions threw me into every kind of battlefield, from sneaky stealth ops to full-blown city shootouts. And let’s not forget All Ghillied Up – the mission that turned every player into a wannabe sniper.
The multiplayer? Absolute madness – but the fun kind. Killstreaks, perks, and tight gunplay made every match a test of reflexes. As a professional COD player, I’d advise newcomers to learn every nook & cranny of the maps Crash, Crossfire, Strike, District, and Backlot – these five are the only maps that pros play.
If you love fast-paced combat, unpredictable fights, and a game that still holds up years later, this is the greatest Call of Duty game to jump into. Just be ready to rage when someone noob-tubes you from a ridiculous distance.
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2. Arma 3 [Best for Hardcore Military Simulation Fans]
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| PC | 2013 | Bohemia Interactive |
If you think you’ve played realistic war games, Arma 3 is here to tell you: Nope, you haven’t. This isn’t a run-and-gun shooter – it’s an actual military simulator where you’ll spend more time planning than shooting. It’s one of the top open-world games that lets you fight across mountains, towns, and vast military bases.
Every bullet has weight, every fight tests your critical thinking process, and teamwork is the only way to survive. Lone wolves? Yeah, good luck with that. The graphics are stunning, the physics are brutal, and the combat is as close to real-life warfare as you’ll get without enlisting.
If you’re new, expect to spend hours learning how not to die instantly. Pros, on the other hand, will love the insane depth – custom missions, realistic ballistics, and enough military jargon to make your head spin. This game isn’t for the faint-hearted, but if you want a war experience where every decision matters, Arma 3 is the ultimate test. Just don’t expect to respawn fast when things go south.
3. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition [Best for Strategy Buffs]
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | 2019 | Forgotten Empires |
Some games let you sprint into battle with guns blazing – Age of Empires II makes you build an empire first. This is the ultimate test of patience and strategy, where you start with a handful of villagers and, if you play your cards right, end up with a thriving kingdom.
The campaign throws you into legendary conflicts like the Great War (or at least the medieval version of it), while multiplayer matches turn into ruthless war zones where one bad move can end your civilization.
The remastered graphics and updated AI make this version the best way to experience classic RTS goodness. Whether you prefer outsmarting enemies with siege tactics or just hoarding resources until you can send an unstoppable army, the game gives you endless ways to dominate.
New players might struggle to multitask, but veterans know the true joy of turning an enemy city into ruins. If you love out-thinking opponents rather than outgunning them, this is one of the best strategy games to master.
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4. Total War: Warhammer III [Best for Large-Scale Battles Fans]
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| PC | 2022 | Creative Assembly |
What happens when you mix strategy with chaos? You get Total War: Warhammer III – where instead of tanks and soldiers, you command armies of demons, dragons, and warlords.
Unlike traditional war games, this one throws magic, monstrous creatures, and uneasy alliances into the mix, but still, it has a few ways to go before I crown it as the best total war game. One second, you’re leading armored knights into battle; the next, you’re watching a giant hell beast tear through their ranks. Fair? Nope! Fun? Hell yeah!
The strategy layer is just as deep as the battles. You’ll be managing cities, forming fragile truces, and deciding whether to backstab an ally for the greater good. The game’s world is stunning, packed with grim landscapes and towering fortresses that make every fight feel epic.
It’s a dream for strategy fans, but newcomers might feel overwhelmed at first – don’t worry, getting steamrolled is part of the learning process. If you’re ready for warfare on a scale beyond imagination, this one’s worth every second.
Get your copy of Total War: Warhammer III >
5. Battlefield 5 [Best for Large-Scale Warfare Fans]
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| PC, PS4, Xbox One | 2018 | DICE |
Welcome to one of the nicest battlefield games, where strategy means not standing in the open for too long. If you’ve ever wanted to experience the sheer madness of World War II, Battlefield 5 delivers it with explosions, flying bodies, and enough destruction to make you question your every move.
This isn’t one of those shooters where you feel like a one-man army – Ah no, you’re just another soldier in the meat grinder. Tanks roll in, buildings collapse, and somewhere in the distance, a sniper you never saw just ended your kill streak.
Visually, the game is stunning – massive maps, dynamic weather, and destruction that keep every battle unpredictable. The gunplay is smooth, and the sound design is so realistic that hearing a distant explosion will trigger your fight-or-flight response.
New players might struggle at first (translation: you’ll die a lot), but once you learn the maps and mechanics, there’s nothing quite like leading a charge through the trenches. It’s a war game that thrives on teamwork, but lone wolves can show their true skill here too.
Grab a copy of Battlefield 5 >
6. This War of Mine [Best for Story-Driven and Survival Fans]
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Mobile | 2014 | 11 bit studios |
Forget heroism – This War of Mine doesn’t care about your kill count or tactical skills. Instead, it drops you into the grim reality of civilians trying to survive a conflict they never asked for!
No guns blazing, no super-soldier moments – just hunger, disease, and the daily struggle of deciding whether to help a stranger or steal their last piece of bread. War is brutal, and this game makes sure you feel every bit of it.
The art style is bleak, the choices are unforgiving, and the emotional weight of your actions will stick with you long after you close the game. It’s not about winning – it’s about lasting one more day. Veterans!
It’s one of the top survival games, and you’ll appreciate the challenge, while newcomers will quickly realize that war is far less fun. If you thought war games always glorify combat, this one will make you rethink everything.
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7. Sniper Elite 5 [Best for Stealth and Precision Kill Lovers]
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | 2022 | Rebellion Developments |
There’s something deeply satisfying about lining up the perfect shot, pulling the trigger, and watching your bullet turn some unsuspecting officer’s day from bad to nonexistent. Sniper Elite 5 isn’t about charging in like a lunatic – it’s about patience, stealth, and making every shot count.
You’re dropped into World War II, sneaking through beautifully crafted open maps, setting traps, and taking down Nazis with pinpoint accuracy. And I absolutely fell in love with the X-ray kill cam – a brutal, slow-motion masterpiece that shows you exactly how badly you just ruined someone’s day.
The game rewards planning and creativity, so if you think running and gunning will work, you’ll quickly learn why that’s a terrible idea. Enemy AI is sharp, making sure you feel like you’re actually being hunted if you mess up.
For new players, it’s a tense but rewarding experience – for veterans, it’s a masterclass in tactical warfare. No matter how good your sniping skills are – just don’t get too overconfident – remember it’s all about stealth and you’re not the only one with a rifle.
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8. Command and Conquer Remastered [Best for Classic RTS Fans]
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| PC | 2020 | Petroglyph Games |
Before there were hyper-realistic shooters and cinematic cutscenes, there was Command & Conquer – a game that let you command entire armies and feel like a genius when your strategy actually worked. This remastered version brings back nostalgia with updated visuals, modern controls, and that same ruthless AI that punishes your mistakes.
Whether you’re building bases, managing resources, or watching your army get obliterated because you didn’t think about air defenses, this game reminds you why traditional real-time strategy games were so addictive.
The campaign throws you into different warzones, each with unique challenges that require actual thinking – yes, thinking, in a war game! Newcomers will struggle at first (and probably lose miserably), but once you get the hang of it, watching your perfectly executed strategy unfold is incredibly satisfying.
If you grew up on RTS games, this one’s a must-play – if you didn’t, well, enjoy the game where clicking fast doesn’t guarantee victory.
Grab a copy of Command and Conquer Remastered >
9. Brothers in Arms Road to Hill 30 [Best for Tactical Shooting lovers]
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| PC, PS2, Xbox | 2005 | Gearbox Software |
This game throws you right into the chaos of World War II, where you play as Sergeant Matt Baker, leading your squad through intense firefights and making sure you don’t get everyone killed because of your terrible tactical decisions.
You won’t just be pressing the trigger all the time – you’ll be leading your team, coordinating hold-fire situations, and feeling the pressure of warfare
The AI in this game is out to make your life miserable, as they’ll outsmart you if you try to play it like a run-and-gun shooter. Nope, combat here is about precision, managing cover, and making sure your squad stays alive. It’s not just a game, it’s a lesson in why leadership in warfare is harder than it looks.
Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 appeals to those who love tactics and team-based combat. But if you prefer to go solo and ignore strategy – well, expect to be the one who ends up on the wrong end of a sniper shot.
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10. Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut [Best for Samurai Lovers]
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| PS4, PS5 | 2021 | Sucker Punch Productions |
When Ghost of Tsushima first hit, it made us all want to become samurais, so naturally, I tried and failed miserably. If you ever wanted to experience the chaos of an American revolution but with swords and honor, this is where it’s at.
Set during the Mongol invasion, this game takes you through an open-world adventure where you can fight your way through hordes of enemies, sneak through the night, and maybe even become the ghost – because why not add some stealth into your combat training?
The world is gorgeous, full of forests, beaches, and temples, where every step you take feels like part of a grand narrative. Graphics? Stunning! Combat? Satisfying! The samurai duels will make you feel like a total badass – until you get smacked by a Mongol warrior and realize you’re not nearly as skilled as the game made you think.
For new players, games like Ghost of Tsushima are an exhilarating ride – for pros, it’s a reminder that war isn’t just about guns – it’s about honor, swords, and maybe a little bit of sneaky backstabbing.
Get your copy of Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut >
11. Hearts of Iron IV [Best for Strategy Fanatics and Control Freaks]
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| PC | 2016 | Paradox Development Studio |
If you’ve ever looked at a history book and thought “I could’ve done better”, then Hearts of Iron IV is your chance to prove it.
This is a warfare simulator where shooting isn’t the only thing you do – you run entire nations during World War II. That’s right, instead of getting headshot by some 13-year-old, you get to control the military, economy, and diplomacy of any country in the great war and try not to ruin everything, no pressure.
This game isn’t for casuals! Every decision, from industrial output to battlefield tactics, matters. Do you focus on combat tech? Strengthen coalitions? Or betray everyone and create an uneasy alliance that won’t last? The choice is yours, but don’t come crying when your empire collapses because you ignored logistics.
Newcomers will probably spend hours just figuring out how not to destroy their own country, while veterans will be busy rewriting history one strategic blunder at a time. If you love grand strategy, this is the game to sink hundreds of hours into – and still feel like you barely scratched the surface.
Grab a copy of Hearts of Iron IV >
12. World of Tanks [For Those Who Like Blowing Things Up]
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| PC, PS4, Xbox One, Mobile | 2010 | Wargaming |
Most of the shooters I’ve played lacked this key war component – Tanks! Well, say hello to World of Tanks, where war is all about steel beasts rolling across battlefields, blowing everything to pieces.
No running, no hiding – just pure combat between massive machines of destruction. Sounds fun, right? Until you find some veteran player with a maxed-out tank approaching you like they own the battlefield and obliterate you before you even get a chance to respond.
I love the variety, it’s insane! Hundreds of tanks from different nations, all with unique strengths, weaknesses, and ways to make you feel miserable. The matches are fast-paced, and strategy actually matters.
New players will get wrecked, but don’t worry – this is what war games do to you initially. For veterans, it’s about fine-tuning tactics, exploiting enemy weaknesses, and proving that tank superiority is a real thing. If you love vehicles, explosions, and a good old-fashioned conflict, this is where you wanna be.
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13. War Thunder [Best for Military Vehicle Nerds]
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | 2012 | Gaijin Entertainment |
I introduce you to War Thunder – where planes, tanks, and ships battle it out in messy, explosive matches. Unlike other war games, you don’t just pick a gun and run in – you pick a machine of destruction and hope you don’t get vaporized in the first five minutes.
Whether you’re soaring through the skies, rolling over trenches, or commanding naval fleets, one thing’s for sure – something will go horribly wrong.
The level of detail is ridiculous! Shell penetration, damage physics, and vehicle handling are all so realistic that you might just start respecting your history teacher. New players will experience the joy of getting their tank turned into scrap metal instantly, while veterans will be out here calculating ballistic trajectories like it’s a math exam.
It’s brutal, it’s unpredictable, and this is exactly why I love it. If you enjoy combat across land, air, and sea, this is the battlefield for you.
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14. Call of War: World War II [Best for Armchair Generals]
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| PC, Mobile | 2017 | Bytro Labs |
Ever looked at a World War strategy game and thought, I need more intel to strategize my next move? Well, say hello to Call of War: World War II – where you take control of an entire nation and guide it through one of history’s deadliest conflicts. Forget running around with a rifle – here, you’re operating resources, producing weapons, and deciding which unfortunate country to invade next. It’s all the fun of war, minus the actual running and screaming.
This is a slow burn, a game where patience and planning win battles, not just brute force. Newcomers might feel overwhelmed by all the options – do I build tanks or invest in espionage? While experienced players will be busy plotting world domination. And because it’s multiplayer, you get to deal with real people betraying you at the worst possible moment. If you think you can outsmart history, go ahead – lead your country through the conflict and see if you can do better than the actual leaders did.
15. Conflict of Nations: World War III [Best for Future Strategists]
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| PC, Mobile | 2017 | Dorado Games |
If you ever wondered what would happen if the entire world spiraled into an all-out war – here’s your chance to find out. Conflict of Nations: World War III is a grand strategy game where you control an entire modern nation, making decisions that could either lead to global domination or complete annihilation. Every choice matters – will you focus on diplomacy, build an unstoppable military, or just nuke your problems away? The game’s slow pace means you’ll spend days watching an uneasy alliance tremble because someone got greedy.
The modern setting adds a different kind of tension. You’re not dealing with muskets or trenches – this is all about high-tech warfare – jets, missiles, and enough firepower to make the planet regret existing. New players will struggle to keep up with veterans who’ve been running world campaigns for years, but watching your plans actually work? That’s worth the stress.
FAQs
What is a realistic war game?
A realistic war game is all about making you feel like you’re actually in the heat of battle. It focuses on real-world tactics, authentic weaponry, and environments that are as close to the real thing as possible.
What is the longest war game?
War in the Pacific: The Struggle Against Japan 1941–1945, released in 2004, takes the crown for the longest war game, with matches potentially lasting up to 1,700 turns. Then there’s games like Hearts of Iron IV keeping you glued to your seat for hours at a time.
Is there a modern War strategy game?
Yes! Conflict of Nations: World War III lets you control an entire nation, making the world’s worst decisions in real-time. If you ever wanted to start a Cold War, here’s your chance.
