The 11 Best WW2 Games for History Buffs (2024)

Historical accuracy is often an important aspect of a video game set in a specific era of human history. When it comes to the best World War II (WW2) games, capturing the realism of war and its terrifying consequences can be challenging for game developers to create.

This article assembles a selection of titles that have mastered the art of using different game genres to attain the level of complexity, grit, and realism found in WW2 games.  

The 11 Best WW2 Games

1. Battlefield 1942

• Genre: First-person shooter, action-adventure
• Release date: September 10, 2002
• Platforms: Windows
• Gameplay features: Co-op gameplay, authentic WW2 weapons, first-person perspective, multiplayer modes
• Developer: DICE
• Payment model: Free to play
• Rating: 89/100 on Metacritic
• Best for: Players looking for a co-op experience based on older gameplay mechanics

Battlefield is a franchise known for its large-scale battles, and this one keeps that aura alive by emphasizing teamwork within a World War II setting. It combines essential aspects of warfare such as infantry, aerial, and vehicular combat, keeping the gameplay diverse across the board.

The playable map’s size makes Battlefield 1942 a unique game compared to other shooters in the genre. Its multiplayer mode builds on the foundation of strategic elements, such as controlling points on the map filled with up to 64 players at a time.

2. Call of Duty 2

• Genre: First-person shooter, action-adventure
• Release date: October 25, 2005
• Platforms: Windows, Xbox
• Gameplay features: Choice-based gameplay, multiplayer modes, large-scale battles
• Developer: Infinity Ward
• Payment model: $19.99
• Rating: 89/100 on Metacritic
• Best for: Fans of the WW2 theme looking to experience one of the earliest games in the Call of Duty franchise

Call of Duty 2’s portrayal of war through cinematic sequences makes it a great entry into the genre of WW2 games. It features realistic battles, highly detailed environments, and historically accurate weapons. The chaos of combat is a regular feature, never letting you feel disengaged from the game.

The gameplay stands out as squad-based tactics that immerse you into a story from the perspective of the British, American, and Soviet soldiers. WW2-based weapons with accurate sound design also add to the overall experience.

3. World of Warships

• Genre: MMORTS
• Release date: September 17, 2015
• Platforms: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox
• Gameplay features: Naval combat, strategy-based gameplay, realistic combat situations
• Developer: Wargaming Group Limited
• Payment model: Free to play (with in-app purchases)
• Rating: 81/100 on Metacritic
• Best for: Players who wish to experience the excitement and thrill of naval combat set in the WW2 era

It’s not too often that you play a game with RPG elements based on naval warfare. World of Warships is a unique take on the genre, as it offers a balance between engaging gameplay and historical accuracy across the seas.

You can take control of battleships that replicate major WW2 vessels belonging to naval powers like Japan, Germany, the U.S., and the U.K. World of Warships’ intricate inputs and controls let you simulate the confrontations between battleships, offering a wide range of possibilities that make it one of the best WW2 games on PC. 

4. Commandos 2: Men of Courage

• Genre: Action-adventure, real-time strategy (RTS)
• Release date: August 30, 2002
• Platforms: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
• Gameplay features: Tactical and stealth mechanics, strategy mechanics 
• Developer: Pyro Studios
• Payment model: $4.99 on Windows, $19.99 on consoles
• Rating: 67/100 on Metacritic
• Best for: Players wanting a stealth-based tactical game with a WW2 backdrop

Commandos 2: Men of Courage makes deft use of its game engine to blend multiple genres within the WW2 context. Its challenging and tactical gameplay revolves around intricate level design set across various global locations.

You take control of a group of commandos with unique skills, where missions are focused on stealth, sabotage, and espionage operations. The historical setting elevates this experience by including puzzle-solving mechanics throughout different levels.

5. Company of Heroes

• Genre: Action-adventure, RTS
• Release date: September 11, 2006
• Platforms: iOS, Android, Windows, Nintendo Switch (may change depending on the game)
• Gameplay features: Single-player, tactical and strategy mechanics
• Developer: Relic Entertainment
• Payment model: $14.99 on iOS, $4.99 on Android, $19.99 on Windows, $29.99 on Nintendo Switch (as part of Company of Heroes Collection)
• Rating: 93/100 on Metacritic
• Best for: RTS fans who enjoy a strategy game set in the WW2 period

Company of Heroes is a clever approach to how the events of WW2 could be seen as a real-time strategy game. The titles in the series give you a deeper look at the setting by mixing emotional narratives with tactical gameplay.

The gameplay builds on battles taking place on the Western Front, putting you in charge of a squad of tanks, soldiers, and artillery. You have to use the game’s destructible environments and adaptive AI to make the best of every situation, leading to victory (or defeat).

6. Hell Let Loose

• Genre: First-person shooter, multiplayer
• Release date: June 6, 2019
• Platforms: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox
• Gameplay features: 50 vs. 50 game modes, large-scale maps, chaotic multiplayer battles
• Developer: Team17
• Payment model: $49.99
• Rating: 79/100 on Metacritic
• Best for: Players who want to be in the middle of intense multiplayer battles on large-scale maps

Hell Let Loose paints a gripping game aesthetic for the WW2 era thanks to its 100-player matches woven by brutal realism. Due to the size and intensity of different matches, the game emphasizes teamwork and communication to ensure engaging playthroughs.

Realistic weapon mechanics, detailed historical maps, and class-based roles make Hell Let Loose the ideal game for a flexible experience that shows you the terror of World War II from different perspectives within the same game. 

7. Red Orchestra

• Genre: First-person shooter, multiplayer
• Release date: March 14, 2016
• Platforms: Windows (may change depending on the game)
• Gameplay features: 16 controllable vehicles, more than 50 players in a single match, over 30 usable weapons
• Developer: Tripwire Interactive
• Payment model: $4.99
• Rating: 81/100 on Metacritic
• Best for: Players who want to control a wide variety of weapons and vehicles based on WW2 events in a multiplayer setting

Set primarily on the Eastern Front, Red Orchestra sets itself apart as a game focused purely on realism. The game’s weapon mechanics make you feel like every single bullet matters, and the option to manually reload a gun adds flair.

Thanks to minimal heads-up display (HUD) elements, games in the Red Orchestra series build a reputation for WW2 video games that immerse you completely. After a battle or two, you’ll face the raw nature of chaotic sequences that require heightened situational awareness.

8. Call of Duty: WWII

• Genre: First-person shooter, action-adventure
• Release date: August 25, 2017
• Platforms: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox
• Gameplay features: Detailed campaign, multiplayer modes, co-op mechanics
• Developer: Sledgehammer Games, Raven Software    
• Payment model: $59.99
• Rating: 79/100 on Metacritic
• Best for: Players who want an immersive WW2 campaign with detailed gunplay mechanics

Call of Duty: WWII’s focus on cinematic gameplay makes it one of the highest-grossing games set in the WW2 context. The game highlights the intensity of war through a fast-paced and immersive single-player campaign set at pivotal moments in history.

Sequences like the Battle of the Bulge and the Normandy invasion are part of the campaign, where story elements are balanced with the series’ trademark gunplay. Authentic weapons from the period with an approach to boots-on-the-ground gameplay make this game a fan-favorite for many. Thanks to its high graphics quality, the title feels like a new game despite having a historical theme.

9. Enlisted

• Genre: MMO, First-person shooter
• Release date: March 2, 2021
• Platforms: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox
• Gameplay features: Role-based combat, large-scale multiplayer battles, co-op and squad-based mechanics
• Developer: Darkflow Software
• Payment model: Free to play (with in-app purchases)
• Rating: N/A
• Best for: Players looking for a role-based MMO experience set in the WW2 period

Unlike the other games on the list, Enlisted finds a neat balance between squads of soldiers and individual members as you command AI teammates. This unique mechanic is brought to life by key campaigns set in the many events that took place during World War II.

From infantry to tanks and aircraft, there’s a lot to take control of here. Add the detailed and dynamic large-scale maps, and you have a game that’s easy to recommend to any fan of the WW2 genre. Plus, cross-platform matchmaking allows you to play with players across different platforms.

10. Hidden & Dangerous 2

• Genre: Shooter, action-adventure
• Release date: October 21, 2003
• Platforms: Windows
• Gameplay features: A mix of first-person and third-person shooter mechanics, multiple campaigns, interactive environments 
• Developer: Illusion Softworks
• Payment model: $9.99
• Rating: 75/100 on Metacritic
• Best for: Fans of the WW2 genre who want to experience multiple stories and interactive environments in a video game

Deep, tactical gameplay that focuses on realism and strategy makes Hidden & Dangerous 2 a solid WW2 game. You'll lead a squad of elite soldiers from the British Special Air Service (SAS) on covert missions across different places.

Resource management is a key part of the gameplay here, and many instances let you switch between first- and third-person perspectives. This gives the game a flexible approach, letting you experience historical events through different lenses.

11. Brothers in Arms

• Genre: First-person shooter, action-adventure
• Release date: March 15, 2005
• Platforms: Windows
• Gameplay features: Detailed campaign, authentic weapons from the WW2 period, multiplayer mode
• Developer: Gearbox Software
• Payment model: $9.99
• Rating: 88/100 on Metacritic
• Best for: Players who want story-driven gameplay with a focus on WW2 weapons and gunplay

Brothers in Arms is a WW2 shooter game that pays a lot of attention to a gripping narrative. It’s set during crucial operations like the Normandy invasion, where you’re in charge of commanding a squad of soldiers.

Authentic military tactics, such as flanking and suppressing fire, are part of the gameplay here, bringing the real-time strategy mechanic to life. Thanks to the game’s character-driven story, its emotional depth will stay with you long after you’re done playing.

The Best WW2 Games at a Glance

The best WW2 games make it a point to immerse you in an experience that highlights the brutalities of war. Whether it’s a turn-based strategy game or a first-person shooter, you’re bound to feel at one with the experience. Here’s a quick glance at some of these games.

How To Choose a WW2 Game

Historical accuracy, authentic portrayals of battle, and engaging mechanics should take priority when choosing a WW2 game. These key criteria can help you decide:

• Identify your preferred WW2 game genre: Do you wish to see the game through a first-person perspective or have a bird’s-eye view of everything? Depending on your preference, you can go for an immersive FPS campaign or choose an RTS game that focuses on strategy.
• Consider historical accuracy: While some games take the narrative seriously and focus on historical accuracy, others take a more fictional approach. Historically accurate games often depict realism through their campaigns and storytelling. 
• Check gameplay mechanics: If you prefer a first-person shooter, look into how authentic and engaging the gunplay feels. Battlefield 1942 and Call of Duty: WWII do this quite well. On the other hand, a multiplayer RTS game might focus on turn-based and strategy mechanics. 
• Read reviews on multiplayer experiences: If you're diving into a multiplayer game, look into how the community has spoken about content updates and experiences within the game, especially if it supports between 60-100 players every match. 

Relive History Through Epic Gameplay

The best WW2 games aren’t just interactive experiences; they're storytelling tools for an era in history that’s full of brutality, chaos, and heartfelt narratives. Feel free to explore these games at your own pace and dive into a WW2 title that’s best suited to your personality and preferences.

FAQ

What Are the Best WW2 Games for Single-Player Campaigns?

Call of Duty: WWII and Brothers in Arms are often considered the best single-player campaigns set in the World War II era. The narratives are action-packed yet have emotionally woven stories combined with masterful gunplay mechanics. 

Which WW2 Games Offer the Most Realistic Historical Experiences?

Hell Let Loose and Enlisted take the crown when it comes to realism-focused gameplay that blends multiple mechanics by balancing a rewarding gameplay loop with punishing consequences for losing a match. Remember, every bullet counts in these games.

Are There Any Free-to-Play WW2 Games?

Enlisted and World of Warships are free WW2 games with no price of entry and make high-quality gameplay a part of the experience. Some content, such as cosmetics, can be purchased within the game but is completely optional.