Video games are hugely popular. One of the major themes seen in the best-selling titles is war. For instance, the Call of Duty (CoD) franchise is estimated to have made $31 billion throughout its various iterations [source]. In fact, CoD is only one of the hundreds of examples of games oriented around the concept of war. They come in all different sub-genres. Each game’s scale, realism, and mechanics are unique to that individual product. Some focus on small-scale light infantry. Others embrace arcadey yet exciting jet combat. Still more mesh multiple different aspects of warfare to varying degrees of balance. Ultimately, the question of what the best game is available comes up. So, without further ado, what is the “best” war game out there?
1.0: Defining the concept of “best” war game
First, defining what “best” means in this context is necessary. Best as a term is, of course, extremely subjective. However, best, as used in this article, will refer to the scope and modularity of a given game.
Scope refers to the actions available to a player. War is not one-dimensional. Indeed, there is much more to a good war game than pointing and clicking. Games that can engagingly portray this will score higher on the list of best war games. This does not necessarily imply that games that only focus on one aspect of war are at a disadvantage as long as they can do so in a realistic, convincing, and engaging manner.
Modularity is in reference to the ability of a game to be customised to a player’s liking.
1.1: A Disclaimer
As stated in the introduction, there are dozens upon dozens of war games on the market, all with different gameplay, narrative and mechanical choices made by their respective developers. Because of this, it is extremely difficult to rank the best war games in a 1-10 list. Instead, there will be several categories. These categories will be;
- Overall Best War Game
- Best Simulation
- Best Strategy
- Best Multiplayer Focused
2.0: Overall Best War Game
Arma III is a military sandbox game released on PC in 2013 [source]. This means the game is nearly ten years old, but don’t let the age fool you. The developers, Bohemia Interactive, have been hard at work pushing content and gameplay updates since its release [source]. This includes numerous downloadable content (DLC) expansions, which further fleshes out its 2035 environment [source]. Also included in its DLC releases are historical settings, ranging from Europe during the Cold War to the Vietnam War [source].
Additionally, multiplayer is a huge component of what makes Arma III successful [source]. To this end, groups of players, called Units, have developed. Some units lean hard into the military simulation aspect of Arma III and require players to act and speak as if they were in the military [source]. Most do not, but the option is there. Having dozens or even hundreds of players on a server in a sandbox environment can lead to incredible moments of coordination.
2.1: Gameplay Scope
Players can expect to fly helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft on transport, attack, resupply, or scouting missions. Take to the ground as a tank crewman or a truck driver, with vehicles ranging from the T-14 Armata to HEMTTs and everything in between. Additionally, players can call in artillery or even cruise missiles to devastate enemy positions. Infantry combat is the sandbox’s bread and butter [source]. Indeed, in the base game, there are dozens of different weapons to choose from, including the fictional MX (designed by a real gun manufacturer for the game), the GM6 Lynx, the Negev NG-7, and the NLAW [source][source][source][source].
As shown above, Arma III is a sandbox game, allowing for unparalleled modularity in approaching scenarios. The game comes with several to choose from (including campaigns), designed by developers to be as smooth as possible [source]. Players can approach their objective in a variety of manners, going in guns blazing or opting for a more tactical approach thanks to the truly massive map sizes [source]. Also included in the Eden system, which facilitates the easy creation of custom scenarios [source]. Indeed, custom is meant in every sense of the word; players can alter unit load-outs, available equipment, objectives, fortifications, weather, time of day, faction relations, etc. [source].
2.2: Modularity
Arma III also comes with native Steam workshop support [source]. The modding community for Arma III remains very strong even 9+ years after release. In fact, there are over 100,000 uploaded mods on Steam [source]. Consequently, finding almost anything to build a scenario around is possible. Below are some great examples of this point. With mods, a player can:
- Become a Roman legionnaire [source],
- Reenact the age of sailing, complete with piracy [source],
- Fight in World War II [source],
- Operate with modern-day US, Russian, and Serbian equipment [source],
- Play as Halo’s UNSC against the Covenant [source],
- Or join the Warhammer 40,000 universe [source].
In brief, the opportunities for choosing a setting are limitless. Moreover, mechanical mods are also present in addition to these content mods. With these, players can:
- Operate in a more realistic environment, including medical treatments and hearing loss [source],
- Improve AI performance to have them respond to threats realistically [source],
- Or create an immersive radio environment with different channels and terrain interference [source].
This doesn’t even mention the inclusion of DLC, which focuses on,
- A first contact scenario with aliens [source],
- Cold War East and West Germany [source],
- And the Vietnam War [source].
2.3: Conclusion
Arma III has it all and, as such, is the best war game currently available. This makes sense given that its developers, Bohemia Interactive, have created VBS3, which is in use by militaries across the world for training purposes [source]. Moreover, Arma footage has, on more than one occasion, been pushed as real-life combat footage [source]. As they say, the proof is in the pudding. Arma III provides such customisability and scope that it is impossible not to rank it as the best war game.
3.0: Best War Game: Simulation
DCS World is the best simulation war game on the market. It is, in fact, free to play [source]. In terms of gameplay, DCS is an aircraft simulator, with a heavy emphasis on simulation.
3.1: Gameplay Scope
Players must know and press individual buttons within cockpits while flying [source]. DCS provides manuals on how to fly individual aircraft; be ready to read [source]. Accordingly, the flight model is highly detailed, meaning that turbulence will occur and accidents will happen [source]. Indeed, dropping a bomb on a target will noticeably reduce the drag on your aircraft [source]. High-G manoeuvres will shear off an airframe’s wing [source]. Ordinance must be precisely aimed, considering airspeed and weather conditions [source]. The list of features goes on, making DCS the best war game in terms of realism and accuracy.
3.2: Modularity
DCS is similar to Arma III in that it is a sandbox-style game [source]. Players can customise missions to their liking or choose from pre-generated scenarios or campaigns [source][source]. DLC comes in the form of aircraft from WWII to the present day [source]. Some of the choices include;
- The Mirage F1 [source],
- The A-10C [source],
- The JF-17 [source],
- The MiG-21bis [source],
- The F-86F [source],
- And the Spitfire LF Mk. IX [source].
Further, DLC is present in the form of maps and campaigns [source][source]. Campaigns follow fictional plots but are based on real-world events [source]. For example, one campaign has the player defend Georgia during a Russian invasion [source]. Both the campaigns and scenarios are multiplayer compatible [source].
3.3: Conclusion
The realism and complexity of DCS world make it the best war game in the simulation genre. Indeed, it is the very definition of simulation. The learning curve is high but very rewarding once grasped.
4.0: Best War Game: Strategy
Strategy games are largely focused on war, or at the very least have it as an essential component of gameplay, but the best war game in the strategy subgenre is Hearts of Iron IV (HoI). HoI is at the top of the list because it focuses solely on a period of war. Specifically, players are tasked with guiding a nation of their choosing through WWII [source].
4.1: Gameplay Scope
While the tumultuous events of the late 30s and early 40s occur, players need to juggle domestic and foreign policy and maintain armies in the field [source]. This includes establishing logistics for frontline units, maintaining peace and production on the homefront, and husbanding the labour force [source][source][source]. Players get a say in how their divisions are structured, giving extra depth to the gameplay and a degree of customisability [source]. Tactically, encirclement is presented through gameplay mechanics [source]. Technology development, absolutely essential during WWII, is present through a tech-tree where different technologies can be researched and put into production [source]. HoI is also multiplayer, allowing up to 32 players to engage in the campaign either cooperatively or against one another [source].
4.2: Modularity
Moreover, like Arma, HoI has a thriving modding community [source]. Mods include improving base game systems, such as enabling the Caspian Sea to become another battlefield [source]. Also included are different era mods, such as:
- Kaiserreich, taking place in an alternate history mod where Germany wins WWI [source],
- Millenium Dawn, a mod based on the modern-day [source],
- And Cold War Iron Curtain: focused on the Cold War [source].
HoI also has many different DLCs available, expanding the available nations and specialisations available to players. These include;
- Waking the Tiger, focusing on China [source],
- Death of Dishonor, focusing on Eastern Europe [source],
- And La Résistance, focusing on the French resistance [source].
4.3: Conclusion
HoI is the best strategy war game because it takes into account all of these factors. War is not just fought on the battlefield. In modern contexts, there needs to be massive resources behind armies on the field, possible only through great exertion on behalf of the nations that send them there.
5.0: Best War Game: Multiplayer
The best war game with a focus on multiplayer is War Thunder. War Thunder is a free-to-play simulation game focusing on realism [source]. In it, players can choose from many nations, from Japan to Russia to the United States, and progress their tech trees into the modern era from pre-WWII designs [source].
5.1: Gameplay Scope
War Thunder has ground, air and sea components, each with its own realistic damage models [source]. In tank duels, shot placement matters, as does your ammunition type and where you store it [source]. In fact, the thickness and angle of the armour of a given spot is the difference between surviving a shot and dying to it [source]. The same applies to air combat; fighters can cleave off bombers’ wings or tailfins through careful shot placement [source]. Developers have meticulously detailed flight models. If players try to turn their aircraft too sharp, the G-force inflicted will shear off their wings, making each engagement a careful dance [source]. Ships might experience one of their magazines exploding with an opponent’s well-placed or lucky shot [source].
Matches involve an air and ground/sea component [source]. Players must choose different vehicles fit for different roles to be successful as a team. A mix of traditional armoured vehicles, mobile anti-air and aerial cover is important in ground-based matches. Similarly, bombers are essential for sinking enemy warships in sea battles but vulnerable to enemy fighters unless they have a protective screen around them. The juggling of different roles makes War Thunder one of the best war games out there.
5.2: Modularity
As stated before, War Thunder allows players to pick a nation of their choice and progress their technology into the modern age [source]. Moreover, players can alternate between different countries at will, enabling hundreds of different vehicle choices over different eras. War Thunder has over 1,900 meticulously detailed vehicles to choose from [source]. Each of them has its own unique characteristics to play with.
Realism is a core part of War Thunder’s gameplay. Players have invariably stolen state secrets to ensure that their vehicle of choice is best represented by the standards they expect. War Thunder players have illegally uploaded manuals or information on the F-16, the Challenger 2, the LeClerc, and China’s DTC 10 125mm rounds [source]. Once again, the proof is in the pudding; if these players are willing to risk prison, there must be something special about War Thunder.
5.3: Conclusion
From a multiplayer perspective, War Thunder is the best war game out there. The mix of tactical necessity, balancing different battlefield needs, and highly intricate damage and flight models mark War Thunder as a step above its competitors.
6.0: General Conclusion
While Arma III remains the best war game in terms of overall quality, there are many more to choose from. Not counting the ones on this list, there are dozens of genuinely fantastic war games to choose from. Foxhole accurately simulates large-scale wars with logistical lines, manufacturing plants, and on-the-frontline gameplay [source]. Gunner, HEAT, PC! is perhaps the best-armoured simulation available [source]. Games like Squad, Hell Let Loose, Beyond the Wire, and Post Scriptum are intense light infantry-focused games with a heavy emphasis on teamwork [source][source][source][source]. Ultimately, players will have their own preferences, which this article represents.
