War isn’t always about having a sheer force and just going guns blazing. In war, there are no rules, so you’ve got to be smart. War games are here to replicate that feeling of war, as best as possible, so you can get the feeling of that brutality, killing, and overall sense of dread. Now, I’m talking about some FPS games for PC, but make no mistake, War Games are here in all shapes. Whether it’s an FPS, RPG game, MMORPG, Strategy or any other genre, I’m here to bring you the 20 Best War Games for PC. So, grab your gear and weapons, and follow me. I’m the commander now.
1. Battlefield 1
What was the most brutal war ever? Oh, yes, it was the WW1. Battlefield 1 is a brand new game, that will blow you away with its graphics, yet perfect optimization that will let the game run perfectly on almost every machine. The gameplay is smooth and more fluid than ever! Here, you’ll indulge in the interesting singleplayer campaign, where you’ll wage war with a different protagonist, and in multiplayer, you’ll be able to show off your skills in war. If you are for a REAL war experience, Battlefield 1 will bring the war to you, right in the face… with a punch!
2. Call of Duty WWII
Call of Duty WWII is the most badass WWII shooter I’ve ever played. Sure, the campaign isn’t lengthy, BUT it’s a classic COD campaign, that we all know and admire. It will offer you around 7 hours of gameplay, and you’ll kill Nazis, drive vehicles, shoot Stukas and enjoy good visuals in the game. It’s a game that you must play if you like war games. Plus, Call of Duty WWII is a new game, so go get it and brag about being one of the first to play it, like a boss!
3. XCOM 2
In XCOM 2 PC war game, you’ll not wage war against humans, but a much more dangerous threat. In this game, humanity lost the war against aliens, and guess who rules the world now? And guess who will have to do something about it? If you are brave enough, step into the world of XCOM 2, a great strategy game that will blow you away with its visuals, gameplay and a great upgrade and progression system. It’s much more than strategy, as the camera often shifts when you get an attractive kill, and has a great singleplayer story. So, it’s not just a “point & click” game.
4. World of Warcraft
How about waging a war in a fantasy world? Well, count me in! World of Warcraft is the most popular MMORPG, and if you ask me, it’s a damn fine piece of a game. Here, it’s all about being the best that you can be, so you’ll have no luck in this unforgiving game, but just a pure skill. To do that, you’ll need to learn how to play it, and with complex controls, attack and spells at your disposal, WoW will bring you much to use, but you’ll need to know how and when to utilize it. The only downside here is that World of Warcraft is a little expensive, but nothing like a great fantasy war experience, right?
5. World of Tanks
Just a century ago, tanks were the ultimate force on the battlefield, raging, killing and turning enemies into ground meat with their sheer power. In World of Tanks, you gain access to those beasts, and wow! The effect is amazing. Here, you’ll wage war in your tank, against the other players and tanks, and don’t expect them to caress you. This is a WAR, soldier! Get into your tank, upgrade it, customize it and repair it from damage to survive. And the most important thing- don’t get killed!
6. Star Wars Battlefront
Star Wars Battlefront is badass as it can be. I remember playing it with my friend constantly and I simply couldn’t get enough. That fast-paced action, and Star Wars thematics is what got me in love with the game. Aside from several game modes, there are some heroes from the series, like Luke Skywalker and Darth Wader who are the most powerful characters in the game, and if you get lucky to play with them, then I admire you. I really do.
7. Total War: Warhammer 2
Total War series always brings the best strategy war games. The fantasy world in Warhammer 2 is huge… and I mean really HUGE. This breath-taking game offers a fantastic campaign, with a combat and visuals that will amaze you once you see and feel it. Also, the game offers both real-time and turn-based gameplay, which you’ll use in your battles and civilization management respectively. It’s a fine balance between harshness and creativity. Simply amazing game.
8. Stellaris
While Stellaris is a great grand strategy video game, its main topic is war and management in space. Space is a great environment for exploration, and for waging war, so the setting is perfect. In Stellaris, you’ll get the true feeling of how it is to lead your own civilization on the planet, where you’ll indulge in stuff like wars or diplomacy. Sure, you can do almost everything the peace way, but you can also go and kick the butt of your enemy if you are strong enough. Stunning visuals and great gameplay are the highlights of this war game- more the reasons to buy it!
9. War Thunder
Cross-platform gaming was never this refined with War Thunder. It’s an MMO war game, where you’ll wage war across the huge world in the game, using military vehicles. Do you want to assault from the ground? No problem, tanks, and armored vehicles are here. Do you want to assault from the air? You can do that too! Get on the plane and eradicate every living soul on the ground, like a true badass! It’s a game where you’ll need to think your every move and plan ahead, but once you get that first kill, you’ll smile like a baby!
10. ARMA 3
ARMA 3 is here to teach you that being in a war isn’t the most pleasant experience. The constant danger is lurking behind every corner, every tree and every plant in the open world of Altis and Stratis, the two fictional islands in the game. The world is HUGE here, and you are just a soldier trying to survive. The realistic physics, great visuals, and slow-paced gameplay are something you should be ready for. The multiplayer component is amazing, and the singleplayer campaign is surprisingly good for a game like this. ARMA 3 is truly an amazing war game for PC.
11. Ghost Recon: Wildlands
War isn’t always about the military, as it’s shown in Ghost Recon: Wildlands. This game will take you on an epic journey through Bolivia, as you fight versus the Narco cartels, whose presence and force is strong and threatening. You are a member of a Ghost squad, consisting of four members, each specialized in weaponry and advanced combat, whose mission is to infiltrate various Narco encampments, neutralize the required targets and get out. Wildlands will also let you use various vehicles and weapons for your missions, so expect an explosive action, fast cars, and motorbikes and excellent air combat.
12. Company of Heroes 2
With the focus on the Eastern Front, and Soviet Red Army, Company of Heroes 2 manages to bring us such a memorable, yet unforgiving WW2 experience. This real-time strategy will amaze you with its singleplayer campaign, great characters, and a simple gameplay, that will let even strategy newbies like me enjoy the game, and I really did. Although the game is more than four years old now, Company of Heroes 2 is one of my favorite strategy games ever, and I’m for sure going to give it another spin.
13. Ashes of the Singularity
I often see Ashes of the Singularity in benchmark videos on YouTube, and… come on! Have more respect towards this epic real-time strategy war game! Its scale is massive even for a strategy game, so you can really get that feeling of being small and miserable, versus the machines who are seeking to destroy the human race. And what replicates that feel of war better than feeling miserable and small? Well, just a few of the war games can do that, and that’s why I respect this game so much.
14. Heroes & Generals
This game will let you choose your favorite WW2 force and play as Germany, United States or the Soviet Union in the unforgiving multiplayer experience. It boasts a huge arsenal of weapons, so you can tailor your experience to your needs and skills. Do you want to be an infantry soldier? Or perhaps, you would like to be a general, tank crew or fighter pilot? No problem, Heroes & Generals is here to give you that experience, plus it’s a FREE game, so grab it on Steam and enjoy it.
15. Crusader Kings II
Crusader Kings II is a memorable PC strategy war experience, that will give you some of the most satisfying yet unforgivable gameplay. The game starts at the beginning of 1066 or 1337 and ends until the 1453 year. It’s all about surviving as a Dynasty, so you’ll need to be successful in your diplomacy, peace or war through the years. It’s not that simple as you have to indulge in various activities in your country, to try and be the most influential dynasty at the time. It’s so hard, but satisfying in every sense of that word.
16. World in Conflict
Although I hate that cliche setting, where the Soviet Union are the main threat, World in Conflict manages to bring a solid singleplayer RTS experience. Of course, you are in a role of USA army officer, who is in charge of preventing the world to fall in the wrong hands, as the economic collapse took its toll. Aside from the multiplayer, World in Conflict will let you play with up to 16 players online, and it offers classic skirmish battles as well as domination maps, where you’ll need to give your maximum to be the best.
17. Halo Wars 2
Halo Wars 2 is a breath-taking RTS experience, where the game puts you in a Halo universe, battling in a huge, open-world and colorful environment. Although the graphics in a strategy game isn’t of high importance, I simply can’t help myself and stop to admire its visuals. The game looks amazing! Its animations are top notch and the physics are almost real-life. The game offers a more laid-back approach to a strategy genre, giving players a forgivable experience, so the newbies like me can play it.
18. Empire: Total War
Naval battles are so badass, especially in a real-time mode, like it is in Empire: Total War. This game is released in 2009, but it looks gorgeous and plays even betters. The setting is in 18th century, where you’ll need to clench your teeth and go balls-to-the-wall against opposing military force, in war, economics, espionage, and diplomacy. Empire: Total War offers both naval and land-based combat, so the game remains interesting at all times. After you win your first battle, you’ll feel like a true general, which is such an overwhelming feeling.
19. Gears of War 4
If you own an Xbox or use Windows OS, Gears of War 4 is probably familiar to you. It’s a third-person shooter game, with a high focus on gore and violence. This game is violent, and lets you do some gruesome executions apart from shooting. Although the story is pretty linear, the singleplayer campaign is packed with action and breath-taking moments that will make your heart beat faster and faster. The multiplayer mode might not be that strong, but Gears of War 4 is a great contender for our list of best war games for PC.
20. Valiant Hearts: The Great War
Valiant Hearts: The Great War is such an emotional experience, that I get goosebumps even now when I’m writing this. It’s a cartoonish-style game, where you’ll not experience a reality of combat, but get an exact feeling of WW1, and its melancholy, depression, and overall dark atmosphere. This is a true adventure game, that will make you run for your life, fight in the game, and solve puzzles. And in the end, you’ll probably shed some tears, and probably shed them again if you play the game another time.