Naval warfare has a rich history dating back to ancient times, spanning countless conflicts that have relied on access to the world's oceans. Fleets and flotillas have been crucial for the logistical transportation of materials, goods, treasures and troops. In combat, naval vessels have the capability to strike decisive blows against the opponent in battle, blockade their cities or conduct interdiction missions to sever their supply lines. Undoubtedly, this is an important branch of a nation's military, but how does this element of warfare translate to videogames?
The answer, as it so often is with wargames, is that you can find something out there for every scale or taste. There are many naval warfare games that are worth an investment, whether you're into stripped-down, arcade-style combat, action-oriented simulators that put you inside a single craft, tactics games focused on individual battles, or even grander strategic titles that have you developing strategy for an entire battlefleet.
The following titles have been selected to cover all these bases – and each counts as an absolute must-play for admiral-minded types looking to expand their naval-themed experiences.
So, seal all hatches and all hands to battle stations – let's do this.
What are the best Naval War Games?
- World of Warships
- Carrier Battles 4 Guadalcanal
- Naval Campaigns: Wolfpack
- Command: Modern Operations
- Cold Waters
- Rule the Waves II
- Supremacy at Sea WW2
- Atlantic Fleet
- Victory at Sea
- Silent Hunter 3
- Ironclads 2 Collection
- Enigma: Rising Tide
- Navyfield
- Fighting Steel: World War II Surface Combat 1939-1942
The following list includes games that were announced four or more years ago but which have not been released nor may have not seen progress updates in years. These games may be in development hell or deemed as vaporware in the future. World War II history buffs can take their place alongside famous generals and historical figures in these top-rated strategy games within the war genre. About World War II Strategy Games World War II strategy games. Future Total War Historical Games. Fosterberg Registered Users Posts: 1. As above, although I'd also say I don't see any hope of a WW1 or WW2 TW game. Given that he thinks that WW1 in 18 years. Play war games at Y8.com. The fog of war is coming, master the techniques of Sun Tzu, the art of war. Become victorious for your land and people. Experience the storming the beach of Normandy during World War II and get a glimpse of the darkness of war. Y8 has many combat and war related games.
World of Warships
Developer/Publisher: Wargaming.net
Play World of Warships for free
While its definition as a ‘war game' is understandably debatable, we decided to include this on our list because not only does it offer a refreshingly different experience to everything below it, but it's also a fun and surprisingly cerebral game. Featuring ships that range from WW1-era right through to the end of WW2 and a bit beyond, World of Warships is what happens if you take the concept of something like Battlefield, or Call of Duty, except everyone is controlling a warship.
The F2P grind sets in at higher levels, but Tier 6 unlocks the special PVE scenarios
What sets it apart from most free-to-play arcade games though is that there's a surprising amount of forethought required in order to play well. You've got to consider your direction and the time it'll take you to change course, gun emplacements can take time to turn (especially in the big battleships), and when it comes to attacking your distance and lead-time with your shots are also important.
It's a lot more fun to play with friends, and being free-to-play means a grind does start to set in at the higher tiers, but once you get to Tier 6 you can do the special PvE scenarios which are a nice change of pace. The late James Cobb was always a quiet fan of this arcade ‘war' game, and we can easily see why. It's also recently added Submarines!
Carrier Battles 4 Guadalcanal
Developer/Publisher: Cyril Jarnot/Avalon Digital
Buy it on:Steam
Carrier Battles was originally released a few years ago on iOS, and was a hit with the mobile crowd as it was a pretty decent turn-based wargame, one of the few that existed on mobile. Now it's finally been ported to PC with some help from Avalon Digital and its ready to take its place on our list of top naval war games. It's worth caveating that as much as this features a tight design, deep gameplay and smart abstractions to cover the Pacific Theatre, it IS a port of a mobile game at the end of the day.
Land (and air) ahoy: Check out our list of the best WW2 games
It's gotten fancier graphics and some other upgrades, but it can't shake the essence of being a more simplistic game for a simpler platform. That's not a detriment, but it is something to bear in mind. Other than that though, Carrier Battles makes smart of use of Fog of War mechanics, as well as making you feel the tension of far-off air battles as you manoeuvre your task forces in an attempt to control the Pacific. Future upgrades that will elevate it beyond it's mobile progenitor are planned, and you can read our Carrier Battles 4: Guadalcanal review for more thoughts. It's a pretty decent game, all in all.
Naval Campaigns: Wolfpack
Developer/Publisher: John Tiller Software
Buy it on:Direct
A rare naval-themed outing from the fabled JTS house, Wolfpack is the latest entry in the Naval Campaigns line and takes you to the till-covered Atlantic theatre. You are in charge of a varying number of U-Boat ships as you try and disrupt the Allied supply lines in the Atlantic Ocean. Alternatively, you're in charge of the Allied fleets trying to keep Britain's life-line up and running.
There are 50 scenarios in total, along with two campaigns covering a wide range of battles and set-pieces. Not all of them can be played from both sides, but most of them can. There is also a powerful editor as standard, and the usual JTS bells and whistles to go with it. It's still fairly old-school in that JTS fashion, but this is a more straight-forward game in many ways.
Command: Modern Operations
Developer/Publisher: WarfareSims / Matrix Games
Buy it on: Fanatical
Command's definition as purely a ‘naval' war game is getting rather stretched now, but despite improving the ground operations part of the simulation most of the scenarios and focus is on naval (and air) assets for the most part. Regardless of how you want to define it, it's a damn good piece of software and deserves to be on every list it can fit under. Since it's predecessor was here, feels right to continue the tradition.
The finest, deepest simulation of modern warfare you will ever see
You can read our Command: Modern Operations review to find out more about what we thought, but here's the basic break-down: this game is the finest, most-in depth simulation of modern warfare you will ever see, and the new version definitely has a number of improvements in terms of U.I. and accessibility.
If you've never owned Command: Modern Air / Naval Operations (CMANO) but have a passing interest, then buying CMO is a must. If you're an existing owner, there's not as much new as perhaps justifies the asking pricing. Existing owners of the base CMANO game get a 50% discount until January 31st, but even then what's on offer may not be enough for some. Still, you can always take the Paradox mentality and think of it as an investment in the game's future in terms of new free content.
On Feb 24th, 2020, CMO received its' first piece of Command LIVE micro-DLC, Broken Shield 300. To date it's the best example of such DLC that's been released since the project started, and bodes well for the future of such smaller releases on the new platform.
Cold Waters
Developer/Publisher: Killerfish Games
Buy it on: Fanatical
Killerfish Games manages to hold two titles on this list, and with good reason. Cold Waters manages to walk a perfect line between arcade and simulation with this submarine-based naval game. Establishing itself in a modern setting, the player sets out in nuclear submarine and strike against surface targets and warships while evading modern ASW countermeasures.
Budding U-boat captain? Read our Silent Victory review
Great mission and unit variety, outstanding visuals and intuitive UI enables Cold Waters to stand tall among the greatest naval wargames out there. Content for Cold Waters is still being released, with the latest addition being a South China Sea campaign. Those looking for a more immersive sub sim, please note that this isn't Silent Hunter – you may be disappointed if that's what you're looking for here.
Rule the Waves 2
Developer/Publisher: Naval Warfare Simulations
Buy it: Direct
While the sequel to Rule the Waves won't be ground-breaking for anyone experienced in the original title, Rule the Waves 2 is a clear improvement over its predecessor in more ways than one. With an expanded timeline through to 1950, air forces and Air Craft Carriers now make their appearance in the mid-to-late game, shifting the priority of naval doctrine from Dreadnoughts and super-ships to platforms capable of fielding large amounts of air power.
A long-form, emergent narrative experience similar to Hearts of Iron
Other little improvements, such as changed naval invasion ranges, mean that this takes on a more long-form, emergent narrative experience similar to Hearts of Iron – it's less about painting the map your colour, and more about the strategic and long-term naval performance of your nation. There's still room for improvement – in-game events and politics remain a eurocentric affair, the game is terrible at explaining itself, and we'd love to see mechanics that cater towards large-scale warfare between alliances.
As with the first game, this is a unique experience in naval wargaming, and anyone even remotely interested should definitely try it out for themselves. Read our Rule the Waves 2 review to find out more about what we thought.
Supremacy at Sea WW2
Developer: Naval Warfare Simulations
Buy it:Direct
In many ways, SaS is a counter-point to NWS' other entry on this list, Rule the Waves 2. It's not getting a sequel and hasn't had the same amount of support as the other game, but provided you can still get a hold of it (you can only purchase what few physical copies remain from the NWS store) it's a very engaging naval warfare game that focuses on the big-picture. There are three campaigns covering the Pacific, Atlantic and Mediterranean theatres, and you're tasked with managing and deploying fleets and task forces based on operational needs of the campaign. Along with fleets and ships, you can also manage air assets, and even intervene in ground battles.
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It's a little bit fiddly to get working on Windows 10 machines, but it is doable and this is one of those rare games that clearly has been designed by someone with immense knowledge and passion for the subject, and have offered a unique take that makes best use of the resources and technology they had available. The quintessential ‘indie' wargame.
Atlantic Fleet
Developer/Publisher: KillerFish Games
Buy it on: Steam, iOS
Initially released on iOS as a sequel to Pacific Fleet in 2015, Atlantic Fleet excels as an arcade-style turn-based naval strategy game. Slug it out in single battles, scenarios or an Atlantic campaign as the Kriegsmarine or the Royal Navy. Both factions offer a wide variety of naval vessels, from famous ships such as the Hood and Bismarck, all the way to 'paper' battleships such as the Lion-class and H-44! The use of land based or carrier aircraft for strikes against ships is also present and can give an edge over the enemy.
The turn-based combat is perfect for the surface ship engagements, but submarine and aircraft carriers are a bit sub-par. The price of admission is just right for the amount of content in the game.
Victory at Sea
Developer/Publisher: Evil Twin Artworks
Buy it on: Fanatical
Victory at Sea is an excellent game for those who want a fast-paced experience of WW2 naval warfare across multiple theatres of operation. Simplified combat controls and real time management allows for the action to be quick and engaging.
Nation variety spans the traditional naval powers of British, American, Japanese and German fleets to the lesser represented Dutch, Italian and French forces for custom battles. There is a lot of content for Victory at Sea due to free updates from the developers, and an enticingly cheap purchase price.
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Add in modding tools that expand unit rosters (such as can be found here) and ship variety, and you have here a great title for people looking to expand their naval libraries. This game also received a sequel – Victory at Sea: Pacific. Sadly, the added campaign layer has added a whole new pool of potential problems for the developer.
It's got a solid foundation, but there's still work to do yet before it's in a good enough place to knock the original game off its perch. It's also worth pointing out that the developers are working on a new game – Victory at Sea: Ironclad.
Silent Hunter 3
Developer/Publisher: Ubisoft
Buy it on: Ubisoft store Free online games for pc to play now pubg.
As a U-boat captain of the Kriegsmarine, you will find yourself prowling for unsuspecting targets, ambushing convoys, or fighting against aircraft as you're surfaced. Interacting with the ships interior is also a major component of managing your submarine. Of the Silent Hunter series, Silent Hunter 3 easily remains the undisputed champion.
What pushes Silent Hunter 3 beyond its sequels is the incorporation of the GWX3 GOLD mod. This mod gives the game an even more immersive experience, with quality of life changes, environment improvements and added variety still unmatched by the later titles. If you can sacrifice the visual fidelity that the later versions have, you'll find afternoons and evenings lost as you develop into a successful U-boat Commander.
Ironclads 2 Collection
Developer/Publisher: Totem Games
Buy it on:Steam
Where previous Totem Games releases can be considered misfires, the Ironclads 2 series of games bundled as a collection on Steam are a great addition for any armchair admiral out there. This collection of games has you fighting forgotten engagements in the late 19th century. While the strategic element is turn based, engagements are in real time. But don't be fooled; managing ships can get complicated when you split columns or try and envelope an opponent's fleet.
New players might be frustrated by the lack of tutorials here
Opponent AI, ship models and unique settings allow these naval engagements to really come alive and provide wonderfully varied experiences. Impatient players or newcomers might be frustrated by the lack of tutorials (other than just a manual) and hardcore sim fans might be disappointed by the basic mechanics for tactical engagements. However, for the price of four games, and the unique setting each brings, these titles definitely deserve the attention they get.
Totem also makes the Clad in Irons series, which is what it's currently focusing on. It recently released a DLC for one of its games entitled Clad in Iron: Carolines 1885.
Enigma: Rising Tide
Developer/Publisher: Tesseraction Games/Dreamcatcher Interactive
Play Enigma: Rising Tide for free
Enigma: Rising Tide is a very strange but excellent naval wargame. What makes it so strange is the alternative history the game is based upon; the Germans won the first world war, and everything stems from that. Now that you've digested that twist, it is easy to see what makes Enigma: Rising Tide such a compelling game to play. Focusing on small unit actions, such as operating a corvette, submarine or a destroyer.
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The game pits the player on the bridge of these vessels and manages to operate a fine balance of arcade action and command options. Where it lacks in patience and finesse, the pace of the missions and the satisfaction of a ship sinking is still gratifying in this title. Enigma: Rising Tide is for those who are wanting to take a break from the hard-fought battles of stratagem and are looking add a few more hulls to the bottom of the sea in at what sometimes can be a neck breaking pace.
Navyfield
Developer/Publisher: SDEnterNet / Naiad Games
Buy it on: Free, Free (Steam)
Navyfield is a curious naval game. Recommending it is like telling somebody to go see Woodstock today. As an MMO, its time in the sun has passed by a few years, but at its peak it was a phenomenal game. Although Navyfield has been overshadowed by modern releases, the game is still strong to this day. Pitting teams of up to 32 players against one another with an assortment of ships, Navyfield has a surprising amount of variety and modes, backed by quick and addictive battle sessions.
Leveling up your crew and unlocking newer arsenals are still key mechanics here - but this has its benefits
Typically, fleets are a combined assortment; battleships, carriers, cruisers, destroyers and even frigates are some of the options available (unless the hosted room decides otherwise). The beauty starts as you see the players naturally forming to picket the larger ships, or the carriers and more agile craft either laying torpedoes or scouting for incoming spreads. Players that aren't part of the pack, or are inexperienced, can find themselves isolated and destroyed. Anti-Aircraft is also an important element as, although machine gun fire from your ships is automatic, it requires a keen eye to manage those flak bursts to take out incoming aircraft – which can sway the battle in mere seconds. Matches are quick and full of action in an easy-on-the-eye isometric view.
Navyfield was (and still is) grindy, making the drive to those bigger ships a pain if you're unwilling to cough up some compensation. Leveling up your crew and unlocking newer arsenals are still very much mechanics here. However, a side benefit of this is understanding the types of ships and the benefit of different play styles. Rushing to play as a King George V-class may not necessarily be as enjoyable as wiping out many unsuspecting players with a perfect torpedo spread from a Japanese light cruiser. Every faction has a distinct feel and doctrine.
Although there is a Navyfield 2, it tries too hard to compete with World of Warships – rather than capture the ‘magic in a bottle' that the first game had – and suffers for it. Both newer titles feel more about smaller engagements and which captain has the widest bow (a matter of speaking). The original Navyfield, by contrast, managed to capture fleet combat exceptionally well in a multiplayer setting and is still supported and played by players today. It's well worth giving a whirl in 2021.
Fighting Steel: World War II Surface Combat 1939-1942
Developer/Publisher: Divide By Zero Software Inc./ Strategic Simulations, Inc.
Buy it on: Free (Abandonware)
Fighting Steel is a lesser known title for those looking into the war chest of naval wargames; as a game, it primarily focuses on fleet action. Pitting capital ships against others in often historical context or user created scenarios, in real time ships square off to lob shells until somebody capsizes or breaks off under the cover of smoke screen. What Fighting Steel does well is the variety through a large variety of ships and how they perform in battle, and it's attempt of authenticity, through its scenarios and mechanics. Although the graphics are simple and dated, they are crisp and serviceable. It's easy to distinguish targets by their silhouettes for the experienced admiral.
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For Jutland players, the games are very similar, only standing out on a few overlay mechanics and time period of course. A rocky release might have damaged the hull of Fighting Steel a bit, but since 1999, the game has improved to be a compelling and immersive through patches from the dedicated. Work such as Fighting Steel Project which delivers an improved combat simulation and fixes a lot messy bugs along the way has Fighting Steel still on the fleet roster for those looking to see if their admiralty skills are still sharp.
Other Naval War Game Recommendations
We regularly update these lists with new or looked-over games, and to keep things manageable we'll rotate out some entries to make way for others. Past members of this list include:
- Rule the Waves
- Battlestations: Pacific
- Fleet Command
- Dangerous Waters
- Action Stations
- Jutland Pro
- UBoat
Token tabletop tip: If you're looking to expand into tabletop games and are looking for something a little different, read our Silent Victory review – it's a solitaire submarine warfare game from GMT games, set during WW2's pacific theatre.
Author note: Additional words by Zach Zimmerman.
True to form, being as it is the war of the ‘greatest generation', the allure and appeal of World War Two have been hyped beyond all reason. In the gaming world – as in almost every cultural medium – it has effectively become a whole genre all of its own, with the war's many different international conflicts and battles forming the backdrop for thousands of classic computer games over the years.
For us wargamers, of course, the second war is particularly familiar territory: aside from perhaps the ancient world, it is the single most fertile ground for strategy and war games and has spawned some of the hobby's finest digital titles. With so many takes on this globe-spanning conflict, however, it can be difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Enter Wargamer: in this guide we've tried to include a range of different types of games, from close-up tactical experiences to sweeping strategic overviews. So, without further ado, here's our guide to the best World War 2 strategy games. We're a computer war games website, we can't be wrong!
What are the best WW2 Strategy Games?
- World of Tanks (F2P)
- Panzer Corps 2
- Unity of Command 2
- Panzer Campaigns (series)
- Steel Division 2
- Strategic Command WW2: World at War
- Command Ops 2
- Combat Mission: Final Blitzkrieg
- Men of War: Assault Squad 2
- Gary Grigsby's War in the East
- Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault
- The Operational Art of War IV
- Close Combat (series)
New WW2 Strategy & Wargames
- Carrier Battles 4 Guadalcanal (naval wargame)
- Krim: The War in the Crimea 1941 – 42
- Undaunted: North Africa (board game)
- Winter War
- Cauldrons of War: Barbarossa
World of Tanks
Publisher/Developer: Wargaming.net
Play World of Tanks for free now
We're kicking things off with a Free-to-Play recommendation, because not all wargaming has to be super-serious or sim focused. If you've read our guide to the best naval games, you'll know that some of us are fans of Wargaming.net's World of Warships. It's a super-arcadey take on 20th century naval combat for sure and the free-to-play nature introduces an element of grind, but it's also surprisingly cerebral.
Urban eenvironments require careful manoeuvring and positioning
It's not quite the same for World of Tanks – it's a slightly dumb tank game at the end of the day – but there is something refreshing about zipping along the countryside, blasting shells at enemy vehicles on the other end of the map. The most tight-knit urban environments as well require a lot of manoeuvring and positioning, so there is room for some very tactical gameplay.
These are online-only mass-multiplayer experiences, so if that's not your thing you probably won't enjoy WoT. If you are curious about this action/strategy gaming phenomenon, then we also recommend you try and bring a friend as these things are infinitely more enjoyable with people you know. Just be prepared to put in a lot of work to climb your way to the upper ranks.
Alternate Recommendation
Another game you might want to look at is War Thunder, which encompasses land, air AND naval combat and features fighting vehicles from WW2 right through to the Cold War. It's debatable which time-period features the ‘best' game play, which is why it hasn't been given a full entry in this list.
Panzer Corps 2
Publisher/Developer: Flashback Games / Slitherine
Buy it on: Fanatical
The first Panzer Corps game has been a staple on this list for a while, but we can confidently say it's been replaced by the long-awaited sequel. Panzer Corps 2 updates everything from the engine, to the mechanics… it even adds a semblance of a logistics system! You can take your hard-as-nails corps of German tanks and infantry units from the invasion of Poland in 1939, all the way through Barbarossa, Normandy and even some alt-history scenarios involving the invasion of the American mainland.
Panzer Corps 2 has almost as much content as the first game, including expansions, with the exception of scenarios for non-German factions. Those will probably be coming in future DLC, but in the meantime you can always make your own using the powerful Scenario Editor. Multiplayer is also souped up, with hot-seat, PBEM and ‘true' live multiplayer options available. The ‘King of Wargames' indeed.
NEW: Slitherine has released the first two DLC packs for PC2. The first one covers the Spanish Civil War and is the first in the new Axis Operations series of DLC packs which will follow the German Army's various campaigns through-out WW2. The next installed – Axis Operations: 1939 – was released at the end of August 2020 and covers various campaigns that took place in 1939 including Poland and Denmark.
You may also like: Order of Battle
If you're a fan of the Panzer Corps format and looking for something else to play, then Order of Battle is another Matrix-owned series that may entice you (assuming you haven't come across it already). It was once described to me by a Producer at Matrix as 'Panzer Corps, but with logistics', so you'll find a very similar experience.
The base game Order of Battle WW2 is actually free-to-play and comes with a handful of scenarios so that you can try it out. To date there are over 12 expansions you can purchase to then enhance your game and play through different parts of the war from various perspectives. Unlike it's sibling it's not looking at doing a sequel any time soon (that we know of), and is currently working on a new trilogy of expansions that follow the Soviet Union's trials through WW2. The latest entry in the expansion set is Order of Battle: Red Storm.
Unity of Command 2
Publisher/Developer: 2×2 Games
Buy it on: Steam
We'd have been very surprised if the recently-released Unity of Command 2 wasn't good enough to knock the original game off its top spot. UoC 1 will always be remembered as a wonderful simple wargame, and a great gateway into the hobby, but Unity of Command 2 just takes all of the core concepts and turns it up to 11. Better visuals, better mechanics, better scenarios… it's a knock-out sequel.
Want more? Read our Unity of Command 2: Blitzkrieg review
Common criticisms of the first game usually centre around it being more of a puzzle than a 'true' wargame, which is a similar accusation levied against games like Panzer Corps. You can still see traces of that in Unity of Command 2's design – many scenarios present you with an initial set-piece or deadlock that you need to break through – but the ways in which you can achieve it have multiplied. Plus, once you do break-through it's still a pretty gripping fight to claim your objectives, and the AI will punish and push through to your back-lines if it sees an exploitable gap.
This is definitely one of the year's best releases to date, however, and if you're even remotely interested it's well worth picking up.
Panzer Campaigns Series – Japan '45 & Japan '46
Publisher/Developer:Wargame Design Studio
Buy it: Direct
John Tiller is a house name with a certain generation of computer war gamers. While he's not as involved in game-making as he used to be, his legacy stands proud through his wide-ranging series of hex-based operational and tactical wars that look like old-school counter board wargames rendered on a screen.
Future Ww2 Games List
They're not much to look at, but they've always provided a level of depth and detail not seen in many other places. Wargame Design Studio is a small development team that's taken up the mantle of JTS, remastering a lot of the old games but also making brand-new experiences in the same style.
We're highlighting one of their more recent endeavours on this list, because it covers something not really seen before – the hypothetical invasion of the Japanese mainland. Officially part of JTS' Panzer Campaigns series, there are currently two titles that follow this ‘what if' conflict – Japan '45 and a sequel Japan '46.
True to form, being as it is the war of the ‘greatest generation', the allure and appeal of World War Two have been hyped beyond all reason. In the gaming world – as in almost every cultural medium – it has effectively become a whole genre all of its own, with the war's many different international conflicts and battles forming the backdrop for thousands of classic computer games over the years.
For us wargamers, of course, the second war is particularly familiar territory: aside from perhaps the ancient world, it is the single most fertile ground for strategy and war games and has spawned some of the hobby's finest digital titles. With so many takes on this globe-spanning conflict, however, it can be difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Enter Wargamer: in this guide we've tried to include a range of different types of games, from close-up tactical experiences to sweeping strategic overviews. So, without further ado, here's our guide to the best World War 2 strategy games. We're a computer war games website, we can't be wrong!
What are the best WW2 Strategy Games?
- World of Tanks (F2P)
- Panzer Corps 2
- Unity of Command 2
- Panzer Campaigns (series)
- Steel Division 2
- Strategic Command WW2: World at War
- Command Ops 2
- Combat Mission: Final Blitzkrieg
- Men of War: Assault Squad 2
- Gary Grigsby's War in the East
- Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault
- The Operational Art of War IV
- Close Combat (series)
New WW2 Strategy & Wargames
- Carrier Battles 4 Guadalcanal (naval wargame)
- Krim: The War in the Crimea 1941 – 42
- Undaunted: North Africa (board game)
- Winter War
- Cauldrons of War: Barbarossa
World of Tanks
Publisher/Developer: Wargaming.net
Play World of Tanks for free now
We're kicking things off with a Free-to-Play recommendation, because not all wargaming has to be super-serious or sim focused. If you've read our guide to the best naval games, you'll know that some of us are fans of Wargaming.net's World of Warships. It's a super-arcadey take on 20th century naval combat for sure and the free-to-play nature introduces an element of grind, but it's also surprisingly cerebral.
Urban eenvironments require careful manoeuvring and positioning
It's not quite the same for World of Tanks – it's a slightly dumb tank game at the end of the day – but there is something refreshing about zipping along the countryside, blasting shells at enemy vehicles on the other end of the map. The most tight-knit urban environments as well require a lot of manoeuvring and positioning, so there is room for some very tactical gameplay.
These are online-only mass-multiplayer experiences, so if that's not your thing you probably won't enjoy WoT. If you are curious about this action/strategy gaming phenomenon, then we also recommend you try and bring a friend as these things are infinitely more enjoyable with people you know. Just be prepared to put in a lot of work to climb your way to the upper ranks.
Alternate Recommendation
Another game you might want to look at is War Thunder, which encompasses land, air AND naval combat and features fighting vehicles from WW2 right through to the Cold War. It's debatable which time-period features the ‘best' game play, which is why it hasn't been given a full entry in this list.
Panzer Corps 2
Publisher/Developer: Flashback Games / Slitherine
Buy it on: Fanatical
The first Panzer Corps game has been a staple on this list for a while, but we can confidently say it's been replaced by the long-awaited sequel. Panzer Corps 2 updates everything from the engine, to the mechanics… it even adds a semblance of a logistics system! You can take your hard-as-nails corps of German tanks and infantry units from the invasion of Poland in 1939, all the way through Barbarossa, Normandy and even some alt-history scenarios involving the invasion of the American mainland.
Panzer Corps 2 has almost as much content as the first game, including expansions, with the exception of scenarios for non-German factions. Those will probably be coming in future DLC, but in the meantime you can always make your own using the powerful Scenario Editor. Multiplayer is also souped up, with hot-seat, PBEM and ‘true' live multiplayer options available. The ‘King of Wargames' indeed.
NEW: Slitherine has released the first two DLC packs for PC2. The first one covers the Spanish Civil War and is the first in the new Axis Operations series of DLC packs which will follow the German Army's various campaigns through-out WW2. The next installed – Axis Operations: 1939 – was released at the end of August 2020 and covers various campaigns that took place in 1939 including Poland and Denmark.
You may also like: Order of Battle
If you're a fan of the Panzer Corps format and looking for something else to play, then Order of Battle is another Matrix-owned series that may entice you (assuming you haven't come across it already). It was once described to me by a Producer at Matrix as 'Panzer Corps, but with logistics', so you'll find a very similar experience.
The base game Order of Battle WW2 is actually free-to-play and comes with a handful of scenarios so that you can try it out. To date there are over 12 expansions you can purchase to then enhance your game and play through different parts of the war from various perspectives. Unlike it's sibling it's not looking at doing a sequel any time soon (that we know of), and is currently working on a new trilogy of expansions that follow the Soviet Union's trials through WW2. The latest entry in the expansion set is Order of Battle: Red Storm.
Unity of Command 2
Publisher/Developer: 2×2 Games
Buy it on: Steam
We'd have been very surprised if the recently-released Unity of Command 2 wasn't good enough to knock the original game off its top spot. UoC 1 will always be remembered as a wonderful simple wargame, and a great gateway into the hobby, but Unity of Command 2 just takes all of the core concepts and turns it up to 11. Better visuals, better mechanics, better scenarios… it's a knock-out sequel.
Want more? Read our Unity of Command 2: Blitzkrieg review
Common criticisms of the first game usually centre around it being more of a puzzle than a 'true' wargame, which is a similar accusation levied against games like Panzer Corps. You can still see traces of that in Unity of Command 2's design – many scenarios present you with an initial set-piece or deadlock that you need to break through – but the ways in which you can achieve it have multiplied. Plus, once you do break-through it's still a pretty gripping fight to claim your objectives, and the AI will punish and push through to your back-lines if it sees an exploitable gap.
This is definitely one of the year's best releases to date, however, and if you're even remotely interested it's well worth picking up.
Panzer Campaigns Series – Japan '45 & Japan '46
Publisher/Developer:Wargame Design Studio
Buy it: Direct
John Tiller is a house name with a certain generation of computer war gamers. While he's not as involved in game-making as he used to be, his legacy stands proud through his wide-ranging series of hex-based operational and tactical wars that look like old-school counter board wargames rendered on a screen.
Future Ww2 Games List
They're not much to look at, but they've always provided a level of depth and detail not seen in many other places. Wargame Design Studio is a small development team that's taken up the mantle of JTS, remastering a lot of the old games but also making brand-new experiences in the same style.
We're highlighting one of their more recent endeavours on this list, because it covers something not really seen before – the hypothetical invasion of the Japanese mainland. Officially part of JTS' Panzer Campaigns series, there are currently two titles that follow this ‘what if' conflict – Japan '45 and a sequel Japan '46.
We've reviewed both and are pretty impressed with not only WDS' attention to detail in terms of the research they've done into the Operations that never were, but also in terms of how they've tried to modernise the format somewhat. If you're looking to explore some plausible alt-history in an old-school package, these are some excellent games to start with.
You may also like: John Tiller's Panzer Battles
If you're a fan of the John Tiller style of games in general then there have been some other newer releases that may take your fancy. Other recent Wargame Design Studio releases include a ‘Gold' edition of El Alamein '42 and the brand new Battles of North Africa 1941. If you want to consider something a bit more ‘old school' then there's always John Tiller's Campaign Series.
Close Combat Series
Publisher/Developer: Matrix Games / Various
Buy it on: GOG.com, Steam
No WW2 list would be complete without the father of modern WW2 tactical strategy games. Close Combat struck the perfect balance between ‘grog'-like wargaming tradition and mainstream strategy design. Depending on which title you played, it managed to straddle the line between hardcore and mainstream with remarkable grace.
There are mixed opinions on the series but it is a big part of WW2 strategy game heritage
The one I played the most was Close Combat 2: A Bridge Too Far – it what made me fall in love with the idea of persistent forces and armies, and I don't think I ever completed it.
There are mixed opinions regarding the ‘Matrix-era' of Close Combat games, but the series in general remains a shining example of WW2 strategy game heritage.
And, thanks to GOG.com, you can now legally purchase the original classics once more.
OPTIONAL EXTRA: Close Combat – The Bloody First
This isn't an official entry in the list but, since Close Combat as a series is mentioned, we'd be remiss if we didn't at least mention the latest entry into the game – Close Combat: The Bloody First. It was always going to struggle in the face of the significance of the series, and it also didn't help that the game took a bit longer than planned to actually release (it's at least a couple of years ‘late' at this point).
Still, it did the best job it could and it's actually a pretty decent game in most respects. It's perhaps not good enough to knock the classics off their camouflaged thrones, but it's a decent modern Close Combat game that just has a few kinks that need ironing out. You can buy Close Combat: The Bloody First on Fanatical buy Close Combat: The Bloody First on Fanatical now.
Hearts of Iron IV
Publisher/Developer: Paradox Interactive / Paradox Development Studio
Buy it on:Paradox store
Hearts of Iron 4 finally made the list following the release of 2019's Man the Guns expansion. This WW2 sandbox game has been going from strength to strength, and while its still got some ways to go Paradox's flagship war game can now finally attempt to stand amongst its contemporaries. Take command of any nation in existence in 1936, and try to guide them through turbulent period leading up to the second world war. With an open-ended nature and three competing ideologies, what form the second world war takes could be different through multiple playthroughs.
Iron it all out: Check out our Hearts of Iron 4 tutorial
You can create your own Divisions, specialising them for specific tasks. A Battle Planner allows you to draw detailed strategies for your armies that the AI will execute for you, and there's plenty of DLC worth checking out that help elevate the base package into something special.
There is actually an important caveat to add to this entry. While Hearts of Iron 4 is becoming a great WW2-era game, it's not necessarily a great ‘WW2 game' in the sense that getting a historical outcome is now only one of many possibilities, and we're not sure if it's the most common one at this point. While plenty of historical events and key decisions are modelled, the course of the war can vary, so if you're an enthusiast who wants a more ‘on rails' experience, this may not actually be the game for you.
Steel Division 2
Publisher/Developer: Eugen Systems
Buy it on:GOG.com, Steam
We had to stop and think about this one before committing it to the list – there's no denying that Steel Division 2 has its problems. Multiplayer balance is an ongoing concern, and generally the new campaign mode is a little bit rough around the edges. Still, we're confident in our assessment that it's overall a better game than its predecessor, and the new campaign mode is one of the finest solitaire wargaming experiences we've ever played (warts and all).
The realities of the Eastern Front make for some brutal fights
If you were a fan of the real-time tactical battles in Normandy '44, then you may have trouble warming to this – the operational realities of the Eastern Front and how it's been translated into the game make for some brutal fights, both in single player and multiplayer.
If you felt that the first Steel Division game needed more in the campaign space, however, we dare you to not be impressed by the new Army General mode. Once Eugen sorts out the last of the kinks, this will truly be a war game for the ages. Check out our Steel Division 2 review for more. The Fate of Finland is pretty good, although the most recent Black Sunday DLC could have been better.
Strategic Command WW2: World at War
Publisher/Developer: Matrix Games / Fury Software
Buy it on: GOG.com,Direct, Steam
World at War easily supplants its younger sibling, War in Europe, for the simple fact that while this is, in some ways, ‘more of the same', it is nonetheless ‘more of the same' but now on a global level. Our initial concerns that this one might fall prey to the same problems the SC Classic entry Global Conflict suffered turned out to be ill-founded.
Fury has learned the lessons of the past and managed to create a compelling grand-strategy sandbox, at scale, that leaves plenty of meaningful gameplay options whether you're in Europe, or the Korean peninsula.
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As fun as tactical or even operational level warfare is, there's something empowering about taking control of a nation's entire strategic resources; from industry and production to the military assets. Fury Software's Strategic Command series has been around since at least the early 2000's and is a great example of grand-strategy wargaming.
You command either the Axis or the allied powers (and you can have the AI take over individual nations if you want) and must decide where to invest your nation's production capacity across research, mobilisation, diplomacy and maintaining your armed forces. Units represent Corps, Army Groups, Fleets & Air Groups.
Command Ops 2
Publisher/Developer: Lock'n Load Publishing
Buy it on: Steam
Lock'n Load's flagship computer wargame makes its debut on our list of best games. This more recent iteration of the series approaches a very detailed and complex subject with a system of play that is both easy to learn and smooth as silk to play. Mastering play is not easy, but that's the hallmark of an exceptional product. Other games of this subgenre should take note.
The base version of this game is free, and the download comes with three scenarios that include Return to St Vith, Manhay Crossroads and Greyhound Dash. In this respect LnL has taken the same approach as the World War I flight simulator Rise of Flight, where they charge for additional expansion modules.
Combat Mission: Final Blitzkrieg
Publisher/Developer: Battlefront
Buy it:Direct Treyarch call of duty games.
It seems you can't have one of these lists without at least one Combat Mission game. To be fair, they remain at the fore-front of tactical combat simulations and are must-plays for anyone who enjoys the hardcore-end of WW2 games. Combat Mission offers an immersive military experience, with a fully 3D engine and a turn-based/WEGO strategy layer that then plays out in real-time. Units are represented down to individual squads and tanks, however players can play anything from a Company-sized force, to a reinforced Battalion.
You could have a passionate debate about which CM game is the best CM game, but the 2016 iteration mightily impressed the late Mr. Cobb in his Combat Mission: Final Blitzkrieg review with its attention to detail and the general improvements to the legacy of Combat Mission as a whole: 'The series remains the epitome of World War II tactical simulations. Is it too early for a Game of the Year nomination?'.
Final Blitzkrieg is set in Europe, 1944-45 and mainly centres around the Battle of the Bulge.
Men of War: Assault Squad 2
Publisher/Developer: 1C Company / Digitalmindsoftau
Buy it on:Fanatical
The Men of War series is one with humble (and slightly confusing) origins, but also one that's grown to become a must-have staple of real-time WW2 tactical combat. For fans of Company of Heroes 2 (see below) wanting a little more bite, this is one of the most immersive experiences you'll ever have the pleasure of playing. There's a depth and granularity to combat that you rarely see outside of hardcore turn-based counter wargames, and yet it remains easy(ish) to learn and interact with. It can be brutal and punishing (I don't think they've ever gotten the balance quite right between tanks and infantry), but it is also thrilling.
Assault Squad 2, despite being four years old at this point, represents the pinnacle of the series' development. The series in general has seen many different iterations and experiments, but all of that learning finally comes to together here. As official support has waned, a dedicated mod-community has arisen to provide scenarios ranging from WW1 to the Cold War. If we ever see a new Men of War game, it will be world-class.
Gary Grigsby's War in the East
Future Ww2 Games 2019
Publisher/Developer: Matrix Games / 2by3Games
Buy it on: Fanatical
No conversation on digital wargaming can exist without starting, ending or at the very least, co-existing with, a nod towards the beast set in the east. Gary Grigsby's 2010 opus represents what happens when you take traditional hex-and-counter wargaming and use computer software to bring out its maximum potential. No-one ever said it would be accessible or easy to get to grips with– but it is the ultimate military simulation of war in the eastern front of World War 2.
The Not-So-Great War: Here's our guide to the best WW1 games
To paraphrase the game's official blurb:
Gamers can engage in massive, dramatic campaigns, including intense battles involving thousands of units with realistic and historical terrain, weather, orders of battle, logistics and combat results. Factors such as supply, fatigue, experience, morale and the skill of your divisional, corps and army leaders all play an important part in determining the results at the front line. The game comes with 4 massive campaigns as well as many smaller scenarios all with different strategic and operational challenges. This is not for the faint-hearted.
Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault
Publisher/Developer: SEGA / Relic Entertainment
Buy it on: Fanatical
One of the most mainstream games on this list, the advent of the Western Front Armies, overhaul of its War Spoils system and years of balance refinement cemented Company of Heroes 2‘s place as a respectable and enjoyable competitive RTS.
this is the perfect choice if you're after something less hardcore
With the creation of the Ardennes Assault campaign, Company of Heroes 2 now boasts one of the best replayable single player experiences in modern WW2 strategy games. It's even available as a stand-alone expansion, if you really don't want to get the core game. Ardennes Assault provides players with a strategic territory-capture meta-game layered over the single-player missions; including semi-random events and time-based objectives that change with each playthrough.
You have four Companies to command (of which you can utilize 3 in each campaign run) and hard choices in an Iron Man setting that forces the player to think through each move and live with sub-optimal strategies. If you're looking for something less hardcore, or something with a larger player base, then this is a perfect choice.
The Operational Art of War IV
Publisher/Developer: Matrix Games / Talonsoft
Buy it: Direct, Steam Sims 4 disc.
The world's secret best wargame of all time, it's surprising The Operational Art of War hasn't made all other hex-based wargames obsolete by now. Infinitely flexible, this game has the potential to contain all other wargames inside… a bit like Google and the internet, I guess?
the 300+ scenarios span everything from WW1 to the Korean War
The fourth iteration of the series may have only offered a modest amount of improvements, but it keeps the series in place as one of the best titles for deep, operational level warfare. While the 300+ scenarios span everything from WW1 to the Korean War, there are plenty of meaty WW2 scenarios for players to enjoy, and the easy-to-use (ish) editor means that you can add plenty more. From Bill's The Operational Art of War IV review:
'Trust me it's worth it. Whether you have all the previous editions as I do, or you are a newcomer just starting out, this game is a must buy. Now toss in over 300 included scenarios, online play not to mention a Jim-dandy scenario editor, and plunking down a few shekels is an even easier decision to make.
Yes, I know, most film sequels are never as good as the original, so what are the odds here? They're pretty good actually. This latest TOAW edition has indeed made an almost perfect classic even better, well deserving a five star rating if not an entire constellation. Two thumbs up for a job very well done.'
All it needs now is a WEGO option, and then it'd be damn-near perfect.
Rest assured, with truckloads of new WW2 games getting released every year – in every genre, format, shape, size and flavour – we'll be keeping this guide updated regularly to keep you posted on the cream of the crop.
