Some of us are veterans who try to forget the horrors of war while others dream of life behind enemy lines. Plenty of games nowadays try to emulate war as authentically as possible, even going as far as to create near “war simulators” with mods and various engine updates.
This list will go over the Top 15 Military Games on PC that I’ve enjoyed or heard about that will appeal to a large variety of gamers who are interested in living their military fantasies.
15. Hearts of Iron IV
Kicking our list off with a great installment in the Hearts of Iron franchise, Paradox Development Studio provides an authentic real-time war simulation as you take charge of the greatest commanders of WWII. You can assume control of any nation ranging from superpowers to the smallest nations.
Team up with friends from around the world in epic competitive and cooperative multiplayer mode for up to 32 plays. Hearts of Iron also boasts a rich DLC offering and constant updates.
This game is an RTS (real-time strategy) game that allows you to take control of individual units from a top-down perspective as a real-life military general would in actual combat. Hone your skills and train for your future military career, dominating the battlefield the only way a kid behind the monitor of a PC can!
14. Age of Empires
One of the oldest and most popular PC RTS games on the market is Age of Empires. This immersive experience of a game allows you to take control of dozens of civilizations and change the history of humanity as we know it today.
Grab your best friend (or worst enemy) and duke it out over countless historical venues to prove once and for all who reigns supreme in your small group of friends. Age of Empires is crow-platform multiplayer and offers a slew of DLC, giving you a cutting-edge advantage over your opponents.
With the new Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition, command vast civilizations and transport you and your friends to battlefield across the world in stunningly clear 4K Graphics.
13. Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2
The Sniper franchise has been one to push the limits of what being a sniper in warfare is truly like and Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 continues to live up to that legacy. This visceral FPS puts you in the shoes of Raven, a Contract Sniper Assassin, who travels around the Middle East to take out a series of targets in a beautiful, stealthy fashion.
Described as “pure cathartic and exhilarating action” and “delivering one of the best shooters of the year…” SGWC 2 is a satisfying blend of authenticity and fiction that provides a truly awe-inspiring sniper experience. Plan your assault with state-of-the-art equipment and replay missions to experiment with different approaches in the sand-box-like environment.
As a first time for the series, tackle the immense challenge of sniping targets 1000m away with an exceptional arsenal at your fingertips. Customize your rifles your way and prepare for the challenge of your life. Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 is one hyper-realistic roller coaster ride you won’t want to miss.
The Free Major Expansion, “Butcher’s Banquet” is out now!
12. Ghost Recon: Wildlands
If you’ve ever been wondering if you should jump into Ghost Recon, this is the time to do it. With the mediocre experience that has been Ghost Recon: Breakpoint, Ghost Recon: Wildlands is one of the best Ghost Recon Co-Op experiences I’ve ever played in my life.
The 4-player co-op is refined and the amount of added DLCs is perfect for those who love the sandbox environment that Ubisoft is so well-known for.
In normal Ghost Recon fashion, this is a 3rd-Person experience but has options to switch to a 1st-Person view when aiming down the sights. Imagine GTA only military edition where instead of doing the drug deals, you’re stopping them in the name of patriotism! For any fan of the series, this is the time to jump into one of the best installments in the well-known franchise.
11. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
Although this title cannot be purchased on Steam, the 2019 installment of Call of Duty is one of the best military first-person shooters to date. This immersive experience reintroduces you to familiar characters such as Captain Price and Gaz while providing you with fun gunplay and stunning graphics.
This gritty installment is, in my opinion, one of the best in the series offering a redefined engine and dramatic single-player campaign. You can also dive into Warzone, the widely acclaimed Free-To-Play Battle Royale mode for Call of Duty that has continued to grow immensely over the last couple of years.
Call of Duty is one of the world’s most popular, if not, the most popular first-person shooter known to man. Although it may not be the most realistic or authentic multiplayer experience, the single-player campaign offers a cinematic view into the world of “going dark” that you would be sorely disappointed to miss.
10. Insurgency: Sandstorm
For those looking for a tactical experience based on lethal close-quarters combat, Insurgency may be the game for you. Where it lacks in visual fidelity, it thrives in its intense atmosphere as you move through war-torn environments set in the Middle East.
Positional voice chat, vast 14v14 game modes, tactical 8 player co-op, and immersive customization options really place you safely but relentlessly in the virtual battlefield in the gritty world built on the Unreal Engine.
This game is not for the mindless players of other games and requires finesse, teamwork, and communication to come out on top.
9. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
The cult classic that has aged exceedingly well is still looked at as one of the most successful military games to date. This Free to Play FPS is a game based on tactical maneuvers and thorough teamwork that took the gaming industry by storm and quickly became the most online played PC game in the world after its release in 1999.
Don’t let its age fool you though, veteran developer Valve continues to support CS:GO with a controller, and remote play support on TV, Tablet, and Phone devices. New maps, characters, weapons, and game modes are continually added to keep up with the ever-growing community that loves the First Person Shooter.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to the franchise, CS:GO is a game that thrives off its loyal community and constant support. This game is available on a variety of computer platforms such as PC, MAC, and Steam and is a must-play for any FPS enthusiast looking for a retro but different experience.
8. Battlefield V
The Battlefield series is one of the most incredible and immersive military experiences on console and PC for those who are looking for more of a cinematic, fun experience rather than a simulation. Unfortunately, due to EA and Dice’s horrible fiasco that has been Battlefield 2042, many fans have felt cheated and therefore abandoned the franchise.
However, don’t let children suffer for the sins of the father as previous installments in the Battlefield franchise like Battlefield 4, V, and 1, live up to an amazing reputation that rivals none other.
Battlefield V specifically, is the ultimate battlefield experience with remastered expansions bringing back classics such as Battlefield 1943 and offers unparalleled warfare gameplay like no other.
My recommendation for lovers of the franchise is to trust the awesome developer that is DICE and give them time to improve Battlefield 2042 while we continue to enjoy the masterpieces that are the previous installments.
7. DCS World
For those who love Flight Simulator but find it can be too boring and want more action in their lives, look no further than the fighter jet simulator that is DCS World.
DCS World is an authentic, free-to-play experience that can be tailored to the talents of the player. This game provides a unique and incredibly immersive experience into the cockpit as Eagle Dynamics offers an extremely realistic approach to what it's like to be in military aircraft, tanks, ground vehicles, and even ships.
Working in a sandbox environment, DCS allows the player to create simulations and tailor experiences to his or her liking and also covers multiple time periods with different aircraft ranging from WWII to present-era aircraft and vehicles.
This is not for the daily, casual player who enjoys an easy, mindless experience but for the more veteran player who is looking for a simulation-like environment and is willing to pour hours and hours into the game.
DCS World is a masterpiece that claims “the only next step is the real thing!”
6. War Thunder
Yet another FTP MMO military game this is dedicated more to the vehicular and mechanical aspect of warfare is War Thunder. In War Thunder, you take control of a vast arsenal of various military vehicles ranging from aircraft to armored vehicles and take part in battles on land, in the air, and at sea in one of the most evolving environments known to gaming.
With over 2,000 vehicles, War Thunder delivers intense gameplay in full-scale missions that appeal to all players of all types of styles and experiences. The game offers seamless cross-platform gameplay with everyone on the same server. Jump into over 100 maps from various historical wars in beautiful graphical fidelity and immerse yourself in an incredible warfare atmosphere. War Thunder is available on all computer and console platforms allowing for an incredible experience with immense amounts of players in one battle to provide an authentic combat simulation.
5. Total War Series
Although Total War ranges over vast historical theaters, even diving into the fantastical territory, this franchise can appeal to any RTS enthusiast who appreciates commanding troops in any fashion. Total War ranges from epic battles such as the Trojan War in 1200BC to commanding Roman troops in 4K environments. Total War: Warhammer brings a fantastical element to the series as you take control of “giant monsters, flying creatures, and storms of magical powers.”
Total War is a great series for any RTS enthusiast and provides an incredible, commanding experience over a vast choice of worlds in conflict. However, for those more on the die-hard military side, Total War may be a bit too far out for their liking.
4. World of Tanks
If you’re interested in solely tank-on-tank battles, World of Tanks is the game for you. Wargaming’s most recent title in the franchise, released in 2021, boasts an incredible roster of vehicles and delivers stunning graphics to provide an authentic yet fun armored warfare experience.
With over 600 machines to choose from in dozens of landscapes, World of Tanks pulls no punches in its visceral, gritty take on armored warfare over the last century.
However, although it is an FTP game, much of the progression is bottle-necked by the purchase of a subscription. Yet, if armored warfare is something that interests you, you would have no problem choosing from the vast arsenal of vehicles and jumping into all-out warfare of explosions and steel.
3. Rainbow Six: Siege
When this game was released in 2015, it didn’t very much appeal to me but it appealed to so many people who love the “Search and Destroy” sort of gameplay. This game is so tactical, so visceral, and so intuitive that it has amassed an incredible community of amazing players over the past 7 years.
In Seige, you and 5 other players either attack or defend in visceral close-quarters combat that is founded on an incredible engine of destruction and gadgetry. Coordination and attention to detail are necessary to succeed with minutes on the clock as the opposing team is barreling down on you.
Rainbow Six: Siege was built to evolve as Season Passes continually provide unending support, new characters with new abilities, and new maps to deliver an unparalleled tactical experience to the loyal fan base.
2. Squad
Second to the best military simulation experience, Squad is a lot like ARMA 3, however, for fans of RTS games, this experience would appeal to you as it plays much like an RTS through the eyes of the ground-pounding soldiers.
Squad creates a gritty, authentic warfare experience with a revolutionary VOIP communication system, 20 large-scale maps, and player-controlled vehicles that make you feel like you are actually a soldier on a battlefield.
Work with your squad and place your life in the hands of your squad leader, just like in real life. Use real-world tactics to fortify your base and protect the lives of your men in an unmatched virtual warfare experience.
1. ARMA 3
Battle-tested and tried, ARMA 3 stands as the “PC’s premier military game.” With billions of hours logged into the game, Bohemia Interactive has provided an authentic military experience that allows players to create and tailor simulations to their liking for hundreds of players on one server.
Experience massively large-scale battles on foot, in armored vehicles, or take to the skies in helicopters. ARMA 3 is like Battlefield but with a less “arcadey” approach. Immerse yourself in asymmetric warfare in dynamic worlds and drop into the sandbox-type gameplay that can help you escape from the real world for hours and hours on end.
ARMA 3 offers an unparalleled content creation experience with scenario editors allowing players to create storylines and experiences using incredible modding tools. This powerful mode enables the player to basically create their own version of Call of Duty or Battlefield in an experience like no other.
For those looking for a unique military experience, ARMA 3 is the best thing next to enlisting.
