While the Military genre isn’t a distinct gaming genre, there are games that perfectly encapsulate the feeling of being a soldier. Being it a strategy game, war game, or any other kind, military games carved a respectable place in the gaming community. I decided to create this list for you because I feel the need to give some props to these games. I grew up playing military and war games and those memories still follow me. Now, enough about me, and let’s get straight to the list of best military PC games, which is just below.
What are Military Games?
The simulation of battle and military activities is the major or primary focus of the “Military Games” subgenre of video games. Players usually play as troops, commanders, or strategists in these games, taking part in a range of military missions and combat scenarios.
In addition to historical conflicts like World War II and the Vietnam War, a variety of real-world or fictitious fights can be the setting for military simulation games. They were designed to provide players a realistic representation of joining the military, complete with infantry combat, vehicle warfare, tactical decisions, and long-term planning.
In an effort to create a realistic and immersive military experience, these games frequently place an emphasis on realism with regard to weaponry, gear, and tactics.
Best Military Games to Play on PC
1. ARMA 3
ARMA 3 isn’t the newest nor the prettiest game on this list, but it’s helluva military game! The game perfectly blends a great singleplayer story filled with thrilling moments and a fantastic multiplayer, especially when played with friends. The thing that makes ARMA 3 special is its gameplay. You can just go running and gunning here, as this is a simulation game playable on PC. So, every vehicle, aircraft, and weapon behaves relatively realistic. If you are wounded, then you’re going to bleed out, so you’ll need to patch yourself up. Also, it takes a maximum of two bullets to get yourself killed! I’ve had so much fun with this game, but it punished me whenever I tried to rush.
2. Call of Duty WWII
Call of Duty WWII is a brand new COD game, and now we have this “boots on the ground” gameplay like they said. Indeed, COD WWII offers that kind of gameplay, and you are once again back into the trenches as you kill every goddamn Nazi you see. Its renewed singleplayer campaign is solid, and although it’s been criticized for its length, I still see it as a good one. Another great thing is that there aren’t annoying Russian kids in multiplayer! Goodbye, kids, this is a mature game, without your jetpacks and God knows what things!
3. Battlefield 1
Battlefield 1 is my favorite war game, but it made very sad. Remember that saying that everything sweet is short? Well, that’s the case here. Its campaign blew me away! I mean, those visuals, gameplay, weapons, vehicles, characters and you name it… it’s incredible! The whole representation and feeling of WWI are perfectly displayed here. You’ll often be outnumbered and outgunned, forcing yourself to push your mind into survival mode and tear the crap out of your enemies! Load your gun, and let’s go! Godspeed and good luck!
4. Sniper Elite 4
Sniper Elite series is known for a fantastic X-Ray camera, displaying exactly where you’ve hit the enemy. However, Sniper Elite 4 is more than that, and guess what? This one is a full-fledged AAA title! Surely, it feels like an AAA title, with better animations, awesome visuals, and a streamlined gameplay. Most of the game you’ll spend sneaking behind enemy lines or go straight for the sniper kills, which are very satisfying here. The multiplayer component is a let-down, but don’t let that drag you away from this game! It’s so much fun and you’ll get into it very fast.
5. Company of Heroes 2
Unlike the first four FPS games on the list, Company of Heroes 2 is a real-time strategy game. Strategy games aren’t that immersive, but this one manages to be immersive enough for me to play it. And, you know… I’m not a huge fan of strategies. Company of Heroes 2 is a compelling and worthy military game, with a great story that’s focused on the Soviet Union in WW2. The characters are great, the environment is harsh and beating the game is hard. Expect some balls-to-the-wall battles and DO NOT expect to survive that easily!
6. Medal of Honor: Warfighter
Medal of Honor: Warfighter marked the shutdown of a great shooting games series. I’m sad to say this, but MoH series is finished with this game. Warfighter seems to be the weakest link in the chain of the series, but I can’t find any negative stuff about it. The usage of Frostbite engine makes the game look great, the story is amazing and the ending left me in tears. If you want, you can try Medal of Honor (2010) before playing this one, it’s a prequel and it’s also fun. Just make sure to prepare some tissues when you cry in the end.
7. Titanfall 2
Titanfall 2 is like a very delicious dish, served in a small portion. Literally! This game kicks ass, and it’s easily the best shooter of 2017 for me… well, at least one of the best! The story follows a marine with his Titan companion, as they fight their way through the game. You’ll fight both human and Titan enemies using your character or that badass Titan of yours. It’s a very fast-paced game, with lots of going on. Explosions, gunshots, killing, screaming and machinery squeaking when you hit the enemy Titan. I bet you can finish the article in a single afternoon, but you’ll have so much fun with it!
8. Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty
If you love real-time strategy games, you’ve surely heard about this giant. Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty is one of the greatest strategy games ever! Although I don’t like this genre that much, I have a huge respect for real-time strategies, for their smooth and ongoing gameplay. The mastermind behind this game is Blizzard, which I’m very glad. Blizzard knows their business and I can’t name a single bad game coming from that company. Or maybe you can?
9. XCOM 2
XCOM 2 is a game that you either love or hate. Forget about anything in between. The story of the game is simple. The aliens have invaded our planet and we lost a goddamn war. So, you are a member of XCOM forces that are trying to put an end to those dangerous species. There is a lot of fighting in the game, and you’ll have to carefully manage your tactics, resources, and pacing. It’s all about teamwork here, and if you do it well, you’ll kick the aliens’ ass back to where they came from!
10. Spec Ops: The Line
I’m really sorry that this game didn’t sell that well, just because of the poor reviews. Spec Ops: The Line might seem like your ordinary third-person shooter game, but there is a DEEP layer of story underneath. The game is always questioning your morale and tests you in some dangerous situations. By playing this game, you can create your own personality and let your mind steer the story in a certain direction. By the time you finish it, I’m sure you’ll immediately spin it for another turn; it’s that good!
11. Gears of War 4
When it comes to Microsoft exclusives, I’m a little disappointed. I mean, there are some great games, but I’m not a fan of some of them. However, Gears of War fulfilled my expectations. It’s a brutal, filthy, dirty and badass shooter that you’ll love immediately! The old characters from the series are back, and the game looks phenomenal, even on the lowest graphical settings. Be sure to enjoy this game to the maximum and stomp some heads on the way!
12. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier
While Ghost Recon: Wildlands is a solid game, and the newer one, I gotta give some props to Future Soldier. This game is criminally underrated and represents a worthy game in the series. After all, this game introduced a third-person perspective in the franchise. It looks gorgeous and plays even better! It’s all about teamwork here as you venture through the well-balanced missions; both stealth and guns-blazing. There isn’t a strong accent on the story here, but it’s not why we play military games.
13. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas 2
Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 is another game focused on teamwork. While it’s not a strictly military game, it can be said that it is at some point. You are a member of a special force trying to fight a terrorist group. This is a tactical shooter and relies more on realism and slow-paced gameplay. It exploits the strength of a single bullet, which can be lethal here! Don’t expect to be a bullet-sponge; everyone is vulnerable, and so are you. Unfortunately, Vegas 2 is the latest game in the series and having a sequel would by dream-come-true for me!
14. Halo Wars 2
Halo series took a slightly different turn with Halo Wars 2. I mean, Halo Wars isn’t even a part of Halo series, as it’s a real-time strategy game series. So, Halo Wars 2 is the same, but with better graphics, awesome gameplay and its satisfying cinematics. The cinematics is jaw-dropping here, with their graphics and animation, and many, including me, praised it. On the other side, this strategy game isn’t exactly the most strategic, as it’s tailored for the newcomers to the genre. So don’t expect it to be an in-depth strategy, but a solid strategy for newbies.
15. World of Tanks
World of Tanks is a fantastic E-Sports title for the tank lovers. The tank game isn’t that simple as you think it is. Don’t ask me how I know you are thinking, but I know! World of Tanks isn’t just about driving your tank and shooting at the other tanks. You’ll buy different tanks, with the different features, strength, and weaknesses. On top of that, you can customize your machine and have your unique piece of the vehicle. As this is a multiplayer game, don’t expect it to go easy on you. You must be at your hundred percent, or the others will wipe the floor with you!
16. Delta Force: Xtreme 2
Do you remember that first Delta Force game? It’s released in 1998, believe it or not. And no, I’m not old, stop it! Delta Force: Xtreme 2 came 11 years later and brought back that old gameplay and better visuals, of course. Story-wise, the game sucks. But, in the gameplay department, Xtreme 2 offers a very interesting experience, especially for the newcomers. This FPS game is great if you just got into these games and want to enjoy. It’s not too hard nor too easy, but very enjoyable.
17. World in Conflict
Just a decade ago, World in Conflict was released and the result was incredible! This RTS game brings that classic feeling to the game, with the guns, tanks, and cannons pounding all over the place as you fight versus your enemy. The game is set in an alternate 1989 where economic collapse somehow leads the Soviet Union to attack Europe. And then the US Army somehow jumps in to “help” as they always do, and you know… everything else is cliche! You don’t want to wage war against USSR, they are powerful as hell!
18. Total War: Rome II
You’ll never know how gigantic Rome was until you play this game. Total War: Rome II is all about that size. Size, size, and freaking size! The battles in this strategy game are huge, and you’ll have hundreds of soldiers at your disposal. It’s a brutal, intense and very unforgiving strategy games that will make you feel like a true general in battle. If you are smart enough, you just may win the battle, but not the war!
19. Hearts of Iron IV
A grand strategy game based in World War II is called Hearts of Iron IV. You have total authority over choices pertaining to the military, politics, and economy as the head of a country. You can control any nation in the game and alter the course of history. Every facet of combat and nation-building is at your fingertips, from commanding your armed troops and fighting wars to forging diplomatic alliances and investigating cutting-edge technology. Hearts of Iron IV is a must-play for aficionados of the genre because of its intricate strategic gameplay and historical realism.
20. Operation Flashpoint: Red River
Operation Flashpoint: Red River is for those who prefer slow-paced shooters. The best way to describe it is to compare it to ARMA 3. Both games tend to have that simulation feel, but Red River isn’t that realistic. I actually like the game because it’s more accessible. Not all gamers know how to play ARMA and often get killed numerous times. Well, you’ll die a lot here, but not that much, making this game a perfect balance between arcade and simulation, although it strongly leans towards the second one.
21. Men of War: Assault Squad 2
A real-time tactics game called Men of War: Assault Squad 2 focuses on close-quarters combat and meticulous unit control. The game, which takes place during World War II, features a number of single-player adventures as well as cooperative tasks and violent multiplayer combat. You can instantly make tactical decisions because you have direct control over certain soldiers and vehicles. Additionally, the game has a thriving modding scene that offers countless opportunities for enhancing and customizing your gameplay.
22. Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway
Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway is a masterpiece of Ubisoft. This tactical WW2 shooter is all you need to have fun. If you like to be in charge during the battle, this is for you. The main focus here is to manage your group of soldiers as you try to fight the Nazi forces. BiA: Hell’s Highway also puts a strong emphasis on story, so you’ll enjoy every bit of the game, and that’s the goal!
Which is Your Favorite Military Game for PC?
So, what do you think about military games? Have you played any of the games from the list, and if you did, what that game was? Military games aren’t a distinct genre, but they are something we gamers adore. As holidays are approaching, it’s that time of the year again to put your PC to good use and do some gaming. I’m eager to find out what game will you buy and enjoy? I’ll be very happy to find out!