They say that the hardest battles are fought in the mind. As much as I agree with that, we’ll leave that topic to someone more competent than me, and talk about some great battle games for PC. Battle games are amazing! Actually, these games are with us since the beginning of PC gaming, especially WW2 games for PC which ruled the world back in the day, when we had 128MB RAM and 32MB GPUs… those were the times! To avoid wasting your time any further, I’ve completed the list and it’s just below!
What are Battle Games?
Video games that feature some real thrilling clashes and battles between players and other characters or monsters are referred to as battle games, sometimes known as combat games. Imagine yourself as a valiant hero or warrior who must use tactics and talents to vanquish adversaries.
In battle games, you typically take on the role of a character and battle other players who are attempting to outwit you. If the game allows multiplayer, you could run into monsters, robots, or even other players. You must overcome the adversaries using your character’s skills, such as punching, kicking, shooting, or using spells, in order to win.
Numerous different settings, including fantasy realms, outer space, and even the Middle Ages, are regularly used in these computer games.
1. PUBG
As battle royale games are popular nowadays, I decided to give the crown to PUBG. PUBG is a brand new game that focuses on large-scale battles across the huge in-game world. Of course, it’s an open-world game which has a lot of survival elements in it. You are parachuted onto the island with the other players, and without any weapons or gear, you are in search of the weapons and food needed to survive. PUBG is a very tactical game, so matches could last a little longer, which is quite intense. Don’t expect to stay alive.
2. Fortnite
Another battle royale game is Fortnite. However, as good as this game is, it’s price might tell you the opposite, since it’s a free game. I don’t want to bash free games, but it’s far from a full-fledged AAA title. Regardless of that, Fortnite is an amazing game that follows the same gameplay principle as PUBG but played from the third-person perspective. Also, Fortnite allows for building various shelters and constructions in order to protect yourself from the enemies. Oh, and you do that in real-time, so someone can bust your ass if you aren’t careful!
3. Star Wars Battlefront II
When the first Battlefront game emerged, I was amazed by its great graphics, visual fidelity, and smooth-as-butter gameplay. This year, EA launched Star Wars Battlefront II and we once again get to play those large-scale battles with our favorite heroes from the Star Wars universe. Battlefront II isn’t strictly a multiplayer game for PC anymore since they introduced a singleplayer campaign, which is short but sweet. There were a lot of controversies plaguing the game because EA decided to introduce microtransactions, which is a very evil move and turns the game into P2W crap. Remove the microtransactions for God sake!
4. World of Tanks
World of Tanks is the world’s greatest tank game. This juggernaut is one of the most popular game at the moment and since it’s a PC war game, expect some bloody battles! As the game’s name says, World of Tanks lets you buy your tank, upgrade it, tweak some stuff and make your magnum opus. Furthermore, the game allows for deep customization and even selling your old machine to buy a new one. One could not believe how fun this game is, even though all you do is driving a tank and waging war against the opponents online.
5. Rainbow Six Seige
Rainbow Six Siege is a difficult, tactical first-person shooter that focuses mainly on team-work and plan. Players are parted into two groups for this game: the attackers and the defenders. The Defenders in the game must defend their position and prevent the attackers from achieving their objective while the attackers plan and carry out their attack on the target.
It stands out from other first-person shooters due to its emphasis on destructibility and ambient interactivity. To outwit their opponents, players can climb obstacles, establish new lines of sight, and make use of equipment. A variety of operators, each with their own specialties and playstyles, are included in the game to increase its depth and replayability.
6. Battlefield 1
How could I even continue to write this list without Battlefield 1? Battlefield 1 was like a Nutella on fresh pancakes. It’s refreshing, satisfying and emotional experience of WW1 that we all waited for quite some time. Continuing the tradition of Frostbite engine, Battlefield 1 impresses with its visuals and smooth gameplay. It’s also important to mention that the game is optimized as fuck! You can easily run it on your few-year-old machine and still enjoy what it has to offers. Simply an amazing effort!
7. War Thunder
Because of games like War Thunder, I’m proud to say that battle games are amongst my favorite games. War Thunder is a free-to-play game that looks and feels almost like an AAA title! It further expands where World of Tanks shined, so you can now use both aircraft and vehicles in order to win the battle. Armored vehicles, tanks, anti-aircraft guns and lightning-fast dogfighters are here waiting for you to jump in! It’s an amazing WW2 experience which is more fun when played with your friends. The hardest battles are only for the bravest soldiers!
8. Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of the Pacific
Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of the Pacific continues in similar fashion to aforementioned WW2 games, but this time the focus is on naval battles. Since this is a simulation game for PC, it offers realistic physics and slower gameplay. Silent Hunter 4 relies on its beautiful graphics and atmosphere which can suck you in the moment you start playing. The naval battles were never this fun and immersive, but beware that the game is very hard until you get more into it. Launch that bloody torpedo and blast some enemy ships and submarines!
9. Overwatch
A first-person shooter with a team-based structure called Overwatch blends frantic action with a wide range of heroes. Players are split into two teams for this game, and they must cooperate to secure goals, move payloads, or protect particular areas.
Overwatch stands apart because of its focus on team dynamics and hero skills. The heroes available to players each have different playstyles and skill sets. As players must combine their skills to obtain the advantage and win, teamwork and coordination are essential.
Additionally, the maps of Overwatch are colorful and comprehensive, providing a wide range of tactical choices. Every player can find a hero and playstyle that suits them, whether they enjoy long-range sniping, close fighting, or supporting their team.
10. World in Conflict
World in Conflict speaks about literally world in conflict. This amazing real-time strategy is probably one of the best strategies ever, although it isn’t that popular. The story takes place in an alternate 1989 when the economic collapse hit the world, leading the Soviet Union to attack Western Europe. And of course, our “friends” USA are always there to “assist” along with NATO forces, creating a WW3! As this is a real-time strategy, you’ll experience huge battles in real time, which is quite cool, especially when the planes start flying and bombs start smashing the ground.
11. League of Legends
League of Legends is a masterpiece. You can say whatever you want about its simplicity or visuals, but the numbers tell us a different story. Today, League of Legends is amongst the most popular games due to its simple gameplay and great progression system. On top of that, the game is one of the rare games where you don’t have to pay for certain items in order to win. If you are a fan of MOBA games, I’m sure that League of Legends will hit a perfect spot for you. If you get addicted, it’ your fault, though!
12. World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft changed the whole perspective on role-playing games for PC upon its release. Being an online game, WoW lets you immediately jump into the game’s world and have a great experience by exploring the world, fighting and leveling your character. There are tons of new characters, an environment is varied enough and the community is great. I’m happy with this Blizzard’s creation, so it’s not strange that they are amongst the best game developers out there. Long live, Blizzard!
13. Total War: Warhammer 2
Total War carved its name into the gaming industry by releasing one of the best strategy game ever. This year, Total War: Warhammer 2 hit the market, and oh boy, does it delivers! After a long period of time, we get an AAA strategy game that looks, feels and plays godlike. Being a turn-based strategy, Warhammer 2 allows for advanced tactics as well as careful resource management. Also, the battles and the environment is huge, giving you a feeling of really being down there and fighting. Total War: Warhammer 2 is for pure strategy fans, ready to take on the world!
14. Call of Duty WWII
Call of Duty WW2 is a brand new FPS game for PC. This year, Call of Duty went “boots on the ground” as the developers say, so no more jetpacks and futuristic crap… thank God! So, what you can expect from this shooter game? Upon finishing it, I was amazed by its singleplayer campaign and I can confidently say that the old Call of Duty is back! Multiplayer part is your standard “shoot ’em up” game, using the classic WW2 weapons and war-inspired maps. If you like simple stuff like me, then you’ll enjoy CoD WW2.
15. Titanfall 2
Titanfall 2 was released this year and I’m very sad about the game because it’s so underrated. Upon its release, Titanfall 2 fell into the oblivion very fast as more popular games like Battlefield 1 emerged. However, Titanfall 2 is not to be overlooked. This fast-paced FPS shooter offers exciting Titan battles as well as on-foot fights. The levels in the game are well-crafted, allowing for smooth shooting experience and when you get into your Titan friend, the game is twice as fun! You can customize your Titan, change its loadout and show the world how great you are, especially in multiplayer. Luckily, the game is very cheap now, so feel free to try it and fall in love with its greatness.
16. Mass Effect 3
Mass Effect 3 might be the greatest RPG of all time, but it’s also a bloody good battle game. The truth be told, Mass Effect 3 pissed me off with its ending(s), but that didn’t decrease my love for the title. Mass Effect 3 looks stunning and our Commander Shepard is back once again to kick the reaper’s ass! The game begins as they brutally terrorize the whole planet, immediately showing you how great threat they are. You are then launched into an adventure filled with heart-pounding moments and emotional story.
17. IL-2 Sturmovik
Back in 2001 when IL-2 Sturmovik was released, it was way ahead of its time. The graphics, the physics and a great selection of WW2-inspired dogfighters was simply amazing. IL-2 Sturmovik is a combat flight simulator which focus is on huge aircraft battles, supporting up to 100 players in a single session! Just imagine 100 planes flying in the sky; the bullets are flying and everything is exploding around you as you try to survive. That’s so badass! Don’t let the release date steer you away from this game, as I am sure you’ll love it.
18. World of Warships
Silent Hunter series is great and it’s famous for its naval combat simulation. However, those games are really advanced, so if you want something more simple and free, World of Warships might be your best bet. World of Warships is by no means similar to Silent Hunter 4, as this is a strategy game featuring real-time combat. That being said, you’ll need some skills to play this game. Controlling your boat while you try to launch a torpedo towards your enemy isn’t that simple, so you’ll often get destroyed by the other players until you get more into the game. World of Warships is a beautiful game meant only for the real battle game lovers.
19. Heroes & Generals
Heroes & Generals is a famous MMOFPS game in which US, Germany and the Soviet Union are fighting for a victory in WW2. From its initial release, Heroes & Generals amazed me with its great visuals and atmosphere. Being a strictly multiplayer game, Heroes & Generals lets you participate in large-scale battles by taking advantage of infantry, tank, pilot, paratrooper, recon or general forces in the game. Think of it as a free Call of Duty game.
20. ARMA 3
ARMA 3 is a realistic military game that’s one of the best in its class. The game has a thrilling singleplayer campaign, but I’m sure that this isn’t the only reason to play ARMA 3. Where this game vastly succeeds is multiplayer. Its huge, open environment is a great place for battles between the two or more opposing forces. Being a realistic experience, ARMA 3 won’t let you go guns blazing on your opponents, but take a more cautious approach and think twice before you make a move. Furthermore, ARMA 3 offers a co-op campaign, which I would gladly play again; it’s that great!
21. Total War: Shogun 2
While Total War: Warhammer II is a fantasy game for PC, Shogun 2 is a game based on the Samurai era. If you like Samurais like me, Total War: Shogun will be an amazing experience for you. Gameplay-wise, the game combines both real-time and turn-based elements to make combat more approachable for the newcomers. Simply put, Total War: Shogun 2 is a friendly strategy game that satisfies both newcomers and experienced strategy lovers.
22. EVE Online
If one game has an amazing community, that would be EVE Online. In fact, EVE Online is completely community-driven game where the players can use their spaceships to explore the world and participate in jaw-dropping space battles. There are PvE and PvP battles, so you can play according to your mood. I suggest you start from PvE battles, do some exploration and then move on to the more hardcore space fighting. EVE Online is a beautiful, satisfying and rewarding experience that costs you literally zero pennies!