A couple of days ago, we talked about best helicopter games for PC, and those games were awesome as hell. Today, I kind of felt the need to talk about airplanes since these bad boys are quite faster and more powerful than the helicopters. Airplane games aren’t the most played games of today mostly because they require additional skill to be enjoyed, but that doesn’t prevent us from giving them a shot, right? If you want to fly on the wings of an airplane, check our list of 20 Best Airplane Games for PC which is below. Ignite the engines and thrust yourself into the sky!
1. Microsoft Flight Simulator X
Again, the granddaddy of airplane games takes the first spot on our list. I mean, how you can say that this game is bad? You might not like what it has to offer, but the selection of airplanes and even helicopters in this game is mind-boggling. The graphics aren’t the strongest point here since the game was released in 2006 and that might turn some graphics enthusiasts off. On the other side, this game encapsulates everything that you need for a perfect simulation game. And yes, it’s cheap at the moment, so go grab it and forget about the real world!
2. War Thunder
War Thunder sounds exactly like it looks and feels. It’s a free-to-play game which takes you on an epic journey as you conquer the skies in the WW2 era. War Thunder is probably one of the best WW2 games, due to its fantastic multiplayer and wide array of vehicles and airplanes at your disposal. Not only that you can use airplanes and engage in dogfights, but tanks and armored vehicles are here, too! I’m not kidding, folks. This game looks astonishing, its gameplay is highly-polished and the fun factor is stronger than never before. It won’t cost you a single penny, so you can try it at this very moment.
3. IL-2 Sturmovik
Back in the days where the gaming was at its best, there were some really cool games including IL-2 Sturmovik. IL-2 Sturmovik took the gaming community by storm and showcased how airplane games can really be amazing. It’s another WW2-based multiplayer game that leaves nothing to be desired. It even lets you pick various factions and countries and use your airplane to engage in dogfights. Dogfights are awesome in this game and you’ll love them! Don’t neglect this title simply because it’s old. I bet it can still kick your precious ass!
4. Ace Combat: Assault Horizon
If you are tired of simulation games and want a more arcade feeling, then it’s time to introduce Ace Combat: Assault Horizon on our list. The developer behind the game is NAMCO, which is known to produce relatively quality games. As an airplane game, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon pretty much brings everything to the table. The first surprise is a singleplayer campaign, and the second is a stellar multiplayer component of the game. The graphics aren’t something that’ll make you amazed, but it’s passable at best. Overall, this is a highly enjoyable game.
5. Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X
Ubisoft and Tom Clancy released some of the finest shooter games and stealth games on the Earth. But, Tom Clancy’s name has been written on several new games and some not-so-new games like H.A.W.X. This Tom Clancy guy must be a dangerous fella, you think? I don’t know the man, but we should all thank him for this great airplane game for PC. It’s another game that comfortably sits between arcade and simulation, which is quite nice for the newcomers to this genre.
6. EVERSPACE
Are you bored of skies? The first solution is to quit airplane games and the second is much, much better. That solution is to move to space! EVERSPACE is a game that will let you do so and you’ll enjoy it almost like you enjoy your fresh portion of food. It’s an action game released in May of 2017 and relies heavily on fast-paced space battles, crafting and creating the elements needed to survive in space. It’s a singleplayer game, so don’t expect any kind of co-op or any other online components.
7. SimAirport
SimAirport is a building game in which you build, design and manage your airport. And guess what? You’re gonna do it all by yourself with zero help from the other players or who knows what. It’s not exactly a game that will let you fly the airplane but more like a game where you’ll manage those airplanes and everything tied to your airport. You’ll start from the zero and slowly make progress, which is interesting and very challenging. If you like this type of game, I highly recommend it.
8. Battlefield 1
Battlefield 1 is a war game that puts you in the shoes of the bravest soldiers of the past decade. As you’ve probably known, WW1 is regarded as one of the most brutal wars that ever hit the planet and now, you get the chance to participate in such war! Although it’s an FPS game at its core, Battlefield 1 offers both singleplayer airplane levels and using your airplane in multiplayer. These old-school, hardcore airplanes are all you need to kick your enemies’ ass and mock them for being weak!
9. SimplePlanes
SimplePlanes is probably the most creative airplane game you’re going to see. The whole point of this game is to build your own plane and test it across the various levels and scenarios. Yes, you are going to build your own plane, isn’t that beautiful? If you don’t mind the outdated graphics and simplistic objects and physics, SimplePlanes might be the greatest thing you’ve seen in this genre. However, there isn’t a multiplayer component, which is a pity, as it would be interesting to see what the other players can build and test it together.
10. The First Class VR
Not all of us are able to afford a first-class flight, but we can do it in the game. The First Class VR has one HUGE advantage and it’s a VR support. Actually, this game is all about that VR and it does a pretty good job at this. You aren’t going to do much in this game. Instead, you’ll enjoy your first-class flight as you witness your ultimate journey to the stars, revolution of human aviation and much more. To back up this, the game looks absolutely stunning, giving you a VR experience that you can only dream of!
11. Iron Wings
Iron Wings is a full-fledged arcade airplane game that should give you a nice experience. In my opinion, this is an underrated game since it offers a solid singleplayer campaign which is a guilty pleasure. However, the price we paid for that is that there isn’t a multiplayer component, but I don’t think we really need it here. You can get this game for a couple of bucks and I think it’s very well worth it.
12. Wings of Prey
Speaking of wings, we have a pretty good WW2 game called Wings of Prey. It’s very similar to Iron Wings, but a tad more streamlined and polished. Also, it gives a pretty good overview of the WW2 airplane combat which was amongst the most brutal ever. Once again, you’re going to engage in battles as you are in your cockpit and do it across the crushed cities and buildings or oceans. If you aren’t a skilled pilot, get ready to meet your demise soon. However, if you are a worthy pilot, you might get a medal and a ribbon for the bravery and honor!
13. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 3D
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 3D will celebrate its 20th birthday in December this year, so it’s a quite old game, just a couple years younger than me! But, we “guys” know a little bit about the games and the gameplay, and this game is absolutely amazing. Sure, the graphics are… ugly? Well, that’s a pretty inappropriate word, but its definitely dated for today’s standards. On the gameplay side, this game still manages to be a pretty appealing singleplayer game that glances back at the old Star Wars days which were pretty fun.
14. Airport Madness 3D
Do you know how I knew this game is a simulation game before I even played it? The developer of this game is called Big Fat Simulations, so it’s pretty obvious! Aside from this crazy but authentic name for a company, these guys are pretty skillful, too! Airport Madness 3D is a great simulation game that will let you manage your airport and every single aspect of your flights. You aren’t going to directly drive the plane, which may be a turn off for some guys and girls, and that doesn’t mean that the game is bad. For fans of simulation games, this is a must-play.
15. Luftrausers
Luftrausers is a 2D game that is a lot easier to play than to read. This game costs a couple of bucks but offers so much fun that it’s practically underpriced. Also, its cartoonish artwork is what I like a lot since it has that yellow-ish tint and there aren’t that many colors, which makes the game much more comprehensible. It’s a fast-paced airplane game in which you’ll use your planes and over 125 combinations of weapons and systems to rule the planet. If that isn’t badass enough for you, then I don’t know what is!
16. X-Plane 11
X-Plane 11 is the most complex and the most expensive airplane simulation at the moment. And I’m not kidding, you’ll pay a price that’s a tad higher than a price of a full-fledged AAA game! What makes this game so special is its selection of various airplanes, gameplay mechanics and a HUGE world to explore and fly. The cockpit camera is awesome, 3D effects are jaw-dropping and the overall game is fucking top-notch. If you are willing to pay a little more for an airplane simulation, now is the time to do it.
17. Bomber Crew
Bomber Crew is a great game for kids, mostly because it looks cartoonish and very colorful. This isn’t a bad thing at all, as Bomber Crew offers a really enjoyable gameplay and features. As its name says, Bomber Crew is all about keeping your crew alive, customizing various aspects of your plane and giving the best of yourself in WW2 dogfights. It’s quite challenging, so prepare well for this game.
18. DCS World
DCS World is one of the best flight games ever and it’s a highly enjoyable simulation game. It lets you fly various planes and even helicopter and enjoy the beautiful scenery that this game offers. You might be disappointed to see that the game doesn’t have a compelling story, but you really don’t need it here! In the end, who the hell buys an airplane game because of a story? Screw the story! DCS World is here to bring you a fantastic flying experience over and over again.
19. Aerofly FS 2 Flight Simulator
Aerofly FS 2 Flight Simulator might cost you a little more, but this game justifies every single penny you give for it. Oh, where should I begin? The game looks phenomenal, the aircraft is detailed like never before and the whole presentation is simply unmatched. I think that the main point here is the size of the in-game world in which you’ll explore not only the skies but the cities, deserts and various airports. If you like a flight simulator like this one, you’ll be happy to buy it. The controls might get a little tricky, but that’s all to it.
20. Dogfight 1942
City Interactive is known for mediocre games that didn’t really catch that much attention. Dogfight 1942 isn’t a ground-breaking game, but it’s fun and it includes airplanes, which is enough. This is an arcade experience that puts you in a cockpit of your WW2 airplane and immediately drags you in the middle of a war in the skies. Dogfight 1942 is a fairly cheap game and I really think it can bring you a few hours of fun. In the end, you get what you pay for, and that’s important.