How do you like your war games?
It’s no secret PC is home to the best war games available. Whether you’re looking for strategy or simulation, Sci-Fi or something Medieval, there’s a title to fit your needs.
Let’s take a look at what I think are the best on offer. Who knows, you may come away with a new favorite:
Call to Arms (Strategy/ FPS War Game)
You could control either one of these snipers and pick off enemies yourself.
A follow up to the Men of War strategy series, Call to Arms drops you in a fictional modern conflict. Fight as one of two distinct factions. Play as a daring commander with whole units at your fingertips, a single soldier in the middle of the action, or switch on the fly between the two.
What makes Call to Arms fun:
- Everything in your unit can be controlled manually from vehicles to individual soldiers.
- The troops in your unit have good combat know-how which means less time babysitting and more time strategizing.
- Utilize fully destructible environments to keep the advantage.
Official Trailer.
Heart of Iron IV (Strategy War Game)
Play as Poland, if you're brave.
Lead a nation and do anything it takes to make sure they end up on the right side of history in Heart of Iron IV. While WWII rages on around you, assert you might on the world stage or work in the shadows and let other nations fight your battles for you.
What makes Heart of Iron IV fun:
- Develop your nation with unique research projects.
- Practice diplomacy with like-minded allies, create alliances, and establish trade.
- Compete not only with rival nations’ armies but also with rough terrain, harsh weather, and ever-changing seasons.
Official Trailer.
Total War: THREE KINGDOMS (Strategy War Game)
Ancient China is up for grabs in Total War: Three Kingdoms.
Choose from 12 different warlords and trek across a landscape in desperate need of peace. Build your dynasty by assembling an army of warriors, creating alliances, and emerging victorious from beautifully rendered real-time battles. The fate of China hangs in the balance.
What makes Total War: Three Kingdoms fun.
- The different regions of China offer so much variety. You’ll never feel like you’re fighting over the same ground.
- How you further your empire is up to you. Lead with honor and integrity by establishing systems of mutual trust and respect or let your inner despot run wild by conducting acts of despicable betrayal and intrigue.
- Supporting characters are fleshed out with their own unique personalities, so who you choose to recruit actually makes a difference.
Official Trailer.
Ultimate General: Civil War (Strategy War Game)
Assume the high-stakes role of an army general in Ultimate General: Civil War.
Earn the respect of your troops by leading them to spectacular victories. Defy the odds and become the most lauded general in the entire war. Or get countless men slaughtered and face an unceremonious retirement.
What makes Ultimate General: Civil War fun:
- From Antietam to Fredericksburg, Gettysburg to both battles of Bull Run, there are 50 plus historic battles to fight.
- The AI is a strong adversary, capable of giving even the best strategist a run for their money.
- Intuitive controls allow for a large degree of unit manipulation. Split units into small squads or combine all your troops into one big division. The tactical options are staggering.
Official Trailer.
Total War™: ROME II (Strategy War Game)
Will your military prowess match your ambition?
Welcome to Total War™: Rome, where seedy politics galore. Rival nations aren’t your only worry, as betrayal is not just common but expected. Will you lead Rome to the glory she deserves or be done in by an angry group of barbarians?
What makes Total War™: ROME II fun:
- Feel like a master statesman as you navigate the nuanced political system.
- Orchestrate massive battle on land and sea to exalt Rome as a superpower.
- Rome’s rival nations are also playable, and each offer their own unique experience.
Official Trailer.
Men of War: Assault Squad 2 (Strategy War Game)
Prepare for causalities as explosions send debris flying in all directions.
No punch is pulled in the meat grinder that is Men of War: Assault Squad 2. Watch tanks decimate cover and fighter planes crash from the sky in a recreation of WWII true to the brutality of the time.
What makes Men of War: Assault Squad 2 fun:
- Choose from leading the armed forces of the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, Germany, or Japan and the unique gameplay opportunities they each offer.
- Utilize over 250 vehicles and cause numerous explosions.
- Hop into a robust multiplayer featuring 65 maps and five game modes.
Official Trailer.
Age of Mythology (Fantasy War Game)
Curry favor with the gods in Age of Mythology.
Use the might of your army to fight off waves of fantastical enemies, hoard resources to expand your settlement, and add minor gods to your inventory as you progress through four “Ages” which act as the game’s ranking system.
What makes Age of Mythology fun:
- Choose from a selection of Greek, Egyptian, Norse, or Atlantean gods, each god with their own unique ability.
- Build sprawling settlements
- Create a mix of mythical and human units to fight for you.
Official Trailer.
Total War: WARHAMMER II (Fantasy War Game)
Total War: WARHAMMER II puts the world in your hands.
An arcane vortex keeping the Realm of Chaos at bay is disrupted. With catastrophe looming, a race to the vortex ensues. The fate of the lands will be determined by who reaches the vortex first and successfully harness its power.
What makes Total War: WARHAMMER II fun:
- Explore vast continents, capture settlements and recruit others on your journey to the vortex.
- Choose from 4 races and play as one of eight Lords. Your selection determines everything from your motives for reaching the vortex to your abilities in combat
- Command a vast array of soldiers, monsters, and mythical creatures in fantasy battles unlike any you’ve never seen.
Official Trailer.
Age of Wonders III (Fantasy War Game)
Turn-based combat shines bright in Age of Wonders III.
Unleash magic spells and wield special weapons as you fight monsters or lay siege to an enemy city. Use the Adjacent Hex Rule to draw more armies in and create chaotic battles.
What makes Age of Wonders III fun:
- Choose your leader from classes such as Sorcerer, Theocrat, Rogue, Warlord, Archdruid, Dreadnought classes and rank them up using the game’s RPG elements.
- Explore over 50 locations.
- Create your own scenarios using the map generator.
Official Trailer.
Endless Legend™ (Fantasy War Game)
Conquer regions and build your civilization not just to survive but to thrive.
In Endless Legend™ you must save your home from forces unknown. The land of Auriga is in the throes of unrelenting cold seasons. While others are trying to weather the cold, explore Auriga and discover the secrets it holds.
What makes Endless Legend™ fun:
- Choose to lead 1 of 8 civilizations, each having their own storyline and unique gameplay mechanics.
- Find and utilize rare artifacts to grow your civilization.
- Engage in trade with other civilizations or wage bloody war on them.
Official Trailer.
Dominions 5- Warriors of the Faith (Fantasy War Game)
Those you rule in your dominion will fight to the death for their faith in you.
You are not just a leader in Dominions 5- Warriors of faith. You’re also a god. Send your zealots to conquer other dominions and snuff out the other false gods from existence. There can be only one.
What makes Dominions 5- Warriors of the Faith fun:
- Choose from different nations and gods to play as.
- Your army of crusaders will have special abilities relative to which god you pick.
- Customize the blessings your god can bestow
Official Trailer.
Gloria Victis (Medieval War Game)
Undertake quests or craft items.
Take your guild up the food chain in Gloria Victis. Experience an epic low fantasy setting. Search for treasure or team up with friends and take on mythical beasts.
What makes Gloria Victis fun:
- You are not constrained by a class system, so you can build your character however you want.
- Learn a deep crafting system and master the 8 different crafts.
- Challenging PvP combat has you fighting in large scale battles.
Official Trailer.
M&B Warband (Medieval War Game)
Shape the lands of Calradia in M&B Warband.
Ride around on your trusty steed. Become a figure of good and win the heart of many a landed lady. Marry one and garner her many resources. Tell yourself it was for love, but know otherwise.
What makes M&B Warband fun:
- Start off with a small band of followers and slowly work your way up to political power.
- Be an honorable swordsmith or a terrorize Calradia as a bandit.
- Fight massive battles of horseback while dealing with a challenging morale system.
Official Trailer.
Crusader Kings II (Medieval War Game)
In Crusader Kings II, the Dark Ages are about over.
Christendom has spread throughout Europe. You want a piece of the action and healthy heirs to carry on your legacy. Court important ladies or marry your sister. Whatever it takes.
What makes Crusader Kings II fun:
- Start your journey anywhere from 1066 to 1337 and potentially reign up to 1453.
- The RNG mechanic means the events that unfold during your adventure are completely unscripted and unpredictable.
- You have almost total license to make any absurd decision you’d like. Want to appoint a horse to your council? Done.
Official Trailer.
Stronghold HD (Medieval War Game)
See how far you can expand your walls.
Sit back and enjoy life in the castle in Stronghold HD. Defend your walls from invaders, tax peasants to death, and expand your fortress from fledgling to grand.
What makes Stronghold HD fun:
- Be the king you want. Choose to be cruel and indifferent to the plights of your subjects or be kind, and nurturing.
- Take part in impeccable siege warfare and watch your enemies walls crumble.
- The voice overs are a treat to listen to.
Official Trailer.
Medieval 2 Total War (Medieval War Game)
It’s the Inquisition all over again in Medieval 2 Total War.
As Christianity wars with Islam, rule your empire, gain allies, and dominate enemies. This your chance to relive or rewrite the Crusades.
What makes Medieval 2 Total War fun:
- Expand your kingdom to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the New World.
- Experience medieval warfare with real time battles of up to 10,000 men.
- Offers optional short campaigns to get in on the action quick.
Official Trailer.
Arma 3 (FPS War Game)
Death comes quickly to unwary souls in Arma 3.
You and your squad must stay three steps ahead of the opposition. Ambush convoys, conduct drone reconnaissance, and launch covert patrols in a vast military sandbox.
What makes Arma 3 fun:
- Engage in edge of your seat firefights.
- There 20 plus vehicles to pilot and 40 plus weapons to take into battle.
- Hosts plenty of scenario editors and modding tools to foster player-created content.
Official Trailer.
Insurgency: Sandstorm (FPS War Game)
Canvas bombed out buildings and coordinate breaches.
Forget about obnoxious attack choppers eating your lunch. In Insurgency: Sandstorm, it’s all about the infantry combat. Watch your buddies get blown to bits from IEDs and RPGs. There’s never a dull moment.
What makes Insurgency: Sandstorm fun:
- The dense urban setting keeps the action at a fever pitch.
- From gunfire to explosions, the sound design is nothing short of phenomenal.
- Customize your soldier with a wide selection of tactical gear.
Official Trailer.
Project Reality (FPS War Game)
Starting life as a mod for Battlefield 2, Project Reality has long since become a staple in the MILSIM genre.
Teamwork is not optional in Project Reality. It is a necessity. Build bases of operation, construct defensive positions and capture objectives to come out on top.
What makes Project Reality fun:
- Fight on sprawling maps with as many as 100 players.
- Play as over 15 factions.
- Realistic ballistics and an immersive sound design keep you planted firmly in the action.
Official Trailer.
Squad (FPS War Game)
You and your squad must work in unison to tackle the numerous obstacles thrown your way.
Squad builds on the mantra of Project Reality. Use the building mechanic to lay down cover. Place a heavy machine gun to stop an enemy advance in its tracks. Set up guided missiles to take on heavy armor. In a game decided by the best squads, it’s good to have options.
What makes Squad fun:
- Large sandbox-style maps support up to 100 players.
- Commanders and squad leaders are given a substantial amount of ways to shape the battlefield.
- A chain of command system complete with integrated VoIP makes communicating with your teammates an immersive experience.
Official Trailer.
War Thunder (Vehicular War Game)
Who knew vehicles could be so addicting?
It’s hard not to drool over the copious amount of meticulously rendered WWII and Cold War-era vehicles in War Thunder. Build your collection and take part in dog fights, tank battles, and naval skirmishes.
What makes War Thunder fun:
- There are over 1,500 vehicles and counting to experience.
- Experience 80 historic maps built for PvP battle
- Play with friends on console thanks to cross-platform servers
Official Trailer.
Age of Wonders: Planetfall (Sci-Fi War Game)
Explore the aftermath of a fallen galactic empire in Age of Wonders: Planetfall.
Usher in a new order as you build your empire in a unique Sci-fi setting. Experience turn-based combat akin to XCOM and experiment with different strategies offered by the game’s many factions.
What makes Age of Wonders: Planetfall fun:
- Explore a varied amount of environments while uncovering numerous secrets and lore.
- Satisfying turn-based combat features awesome Sci-Fi weaponry.
- Research secret tech unique to your faction.
Official Trailer.
Starcraft 2 (Sci-Fi War Game)
Get your feet wet in campaign or co-op before graduating to the ultimate stage: Versus Mode.
Choose a race, build a base. Starcraft 2 has perfected this formula. Compete in high-stakes real-time battles against other players and see how your strategy stands up.
What makes Starcraft 2 fun:
- Choose from three insanely deep races: the Terran, Zerg, and Protoss
- Contend with one of the most competitive player bases in gaming
- Play a wide variety of custom and arcade games. Or use the editor and create your own.
Official Trailer.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War (Sci-Fi War Game)
The Space Marines are a formidable foe if you choose to go against them.
In the very distant future of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, Space Marines are locked in a bloody war with the Orks, Eldar and servants of Chaos for control of the galaxy. Will you lead the Space Marines to victory or take delight in crushing the Imperium of Man?
What makes Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War fun:
The four playable races each have their own abilities and tactics.
Cover systems and morale add depth to combat.
Customize units by choosing insignias, banners, colors, and assigning them unique names.
Official Trailer.
Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance (Sci-Fi War Game)
The Infinite War didn’t go so great for mankind, but now's your chance to bounce back.
Man is all but extinct in Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance. Unite those that remain and launch a last-ditch effort against a foe superior both in technology and numbers.
What makes Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance fun:
- Develop 110 different types of units for land, sea, or air use
- Stockpile various experimental ordnances to give you the strategic edge.
- Enjoy a combat system that is easily one of the best, if not the best, in the RTS genre.
Official Trailer.
Planetary Annihilation: TITANS (Sci-Fi War Game)
Colonize the galaxy in Planetary Annihilation: TITANS.
Two warring robot factions fight for supremacy across a galaxy of different planets. Master multi-level terrains and command a mechanized army in the thousands.
What makes Planetary Annihilation: TITANS fun:
- Wield 16 units and 5 massive Titans
- Destroy entire planets.
- Intuitive interface allows for hassle-free management of multiple planets at once.
Official Trailer.
Stellaris (Sci-Fi War Game)
Take to the cosmos in Stellaris.
Lead expeditions, examine anomalies, and continue to discover new planets. Defend your colonies from aggressors and forge diplomatic relations with new races in a space opera of giant proportions.
What makes Stellaris fun:
- Much of the gameplay is procedurally generated, from the planets you discover to the races you encounter, so each playthrough feels wildly different.
- Customize your own race with an extensive list of traits ranging from ethics to preferred habitat.
- Use the ship designer function to create a unique and powerful fleet.
Official Trailer.
