When talking about war and the military in gaming, the easiest titles that come to mind are FPS games where you’re right in the trenches, slinging guns, and throwing bombs to fight for your side.
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That said, the world of games is so vast that tons of other great titles deal with the concept using other genres. Whether you’re looking for an emotional gut-wrenching experience or an adventure that will test your strategic prowess, there’s bound to be a war or military game that can pull you in without making you stare down the barrel.
10Hearts Of Iron 4
So, you’re seeking out a World War 2 game that isn’t justCall of Duty. Hearts Of Iron 4 scratches that itch with strategic gameplay that is as complex as you would imagine a worldwide war would be.
You need to dabble in politics, think about how your military will thrive with the proper armaments, consider long-term supply lines, and build structures to support your cause. You get to choose what country you’re taking control of, and you must cover all aspects of the armed forces instead of just one branch. This is a game where you really need to think about the wars you wage.
9Call To Arms
Call To Arms is an interesting blend of genres that aims to give you a well-rounded experience in terms of military gameplay. It actually has a first-person mode when you take control of your soldiers, but you are not limited to this alone.
It integrates RTS gameplay from a third-person perspective, where you must control your units and map out your tactics. From there, you’re able to switch to first-person and manage individual soldiers and their inventory. The Ultimate Edition is a must if you’re looking for content and quality-of-life upgrades.
8Command & Conquer
If we’re talking aboutgames that simulate the military experience, a classic series to go for isCommand & Conquer. The remastered collection is a great place for new players to find enjoyment in the definitive strategy and base-building war game.
The concept is simple - you command your troops, construct resources and buildings, and conquer the battlefield. It’s in real-time, so you need to consider how you expand your military and its structures while controlling your units.
7Airships: Conquer The Skies
As the name suggests, this game has you building airships to take on aerial battles and expand your empire. As you reach the skies, you command your fleet and face off against not only other airships but also structures and a bevy of huge creatures. Beyond that, you must also manage your towns and engage in diplomacy (should that be your goal.)
This is the game to play if you care about a focus on tailoring your tactics and design choices to prepare for the coming battle. While soldiers must do the legwork in the heat of the battlefield, someone’s got to manage them.
6NavalArt
NavalArt lets you take on naval warfare but adds a construction element that allows you to design the warships that you’ll take out to the waters. Creating your ship is the main draw as it not only stretches your creativity but also becomes imperative in determining the outcome of your battles.
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You get to determine the design and material used in your ships, so it truly feels like you’re trying to emulate the days of achieving feats of engineering to win the war. After you complete the design of your fleet, you also take on the role of commander as you enter combat in the open ocean.
5Fallout
Falloutkicks off along and iconic video game seriesdealing with the post-apocalyptic repercussions of war. Although you aren’t part of the military in this game, you must explore lands left in ruin due to nuclear fallout. As you create your unique Vault dweller, you can see not just the aftermath of war itself but how time and propaganda lend themselves to the way history is told.
Unlike the modern entries in the series, the gameplay here is classic CRPG with a trimetric viewpoint. The attributes and tactics you put into play actually matter if you want to make it through the wasteland, taking more care with how often you choose aggression.
4This War Of Mine
This War Of Mineis one of the most impactful games that dive into the horrors of an ongoing war for civilians. It’s a gripping experience that doesn’t shy away from the tough choices and challenges of survival that come with living in a war-torn place.
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The mechanics serve the game well, but it’s the stories and people you meet in the game that really tie everything together. One of the characters you’re able to have in your group is even a deserter, so it’s an interesting perspective on the other side of war. It’s a heavy experience, but a masterfully crafted one.
3Papers, Please
Papers, Pleasemanages toflip the mundanity of paperwork on its headby putting you in the shoes of an immigration inspector dealing with the high tension of post-war communist society. Here, the war has just officially ended, but its repercussions are still in full force.
You’re not out there with guns drawn, but you also bear the weight of the government’s eyes and moral responsibility while dealing with smugglers, terrorists, and immigrants affected by the troubles of war.
2For Honor
If you’ve ever wanted to fight in a perpetual war,For Honoris the one to get. There are different types of campaigns to explore, with story mode and multiplayer options that should fit varied play styles.
No matter what you prefer, you essentially take on the role of a soldier in one of five main factions: the Warborn, Iron Legion, Dawn Empire, Wu Lin, and Outlanders. Despite aiming for peace, each faction inevitably gets thrown into battle. What you choose just depends on the lore you like, as you will have access to various heroes who have their own strengths, abilities, and weaponry.
1Mount And Blade 2: Bannerlord
Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlordtakes it back to the medieval era as you raise your armies and command them to do your bidding in the name of conquest. Of course, you could deal with things more diplomatically. However, one of the main themes within this game is how you build up your troops.
Content-wise, its predecessor may have a little more meat, but Bannerlord offers a smoother vanilla experience if you’re not keen to try out mods. As you expand your lands in this open sandbox, keen tactics and skill will be your arsenal in surviving every real-time battle.
