War Thunder
Nov 12, 2020 6 years ago
War Thunder is a free-to-play vehicular combat MMO featuring aircraft, ground vehicles, and naval craft spanning from the early 20th century to the modern era. Players progress through technology trees across multiple nations, unlocking increasingly advanced military vehicles. The game offers three realism tiers for each vehicle type: arcade, realistic, and simulator modes. Originally developed as a flight simulator under the name "World of Planes," the game expanded to include tanks in 2014 and naval forces later, becoming a combined-arms experience. A mobile version was released in 2023.
What it’s like
War Thunder delivers a sprawling, combined-arms vehicular combat experience that prioritizes historical authenticity and mechanical depth over arcade-style accessibility. The core loop revolves around mastering the physics of aircraft, tanks, and naval vessels across three distinct realism tiers, ranging from casual dogfights to punishing simulator modes where every bullet trajectory matters. Visually and audibly, it captures the visceral thrill of mid-20th-century warfare, with breathtaking aerial vistas and heavy, impactful sound design that grounds the player in the chaos of battle. The progression system is extensive, offering hundreds of vehicles across numerous nations, encouraging long-term investment in technology trees. While the atmosphere is undeniably intense and immersive, the experience is defined by its steep learning curve and reliance on precise mechanical skill rather than narrative or character development.
Strong in Co-op / MultiplayerCombatSimulation / ManagementSystems Depth / Build VarietyAtmosphere / MoodAudio / MusicDifficulty / ChallengeGameplay / MechanicsProgression / Replayability
Keep in mind The game suffers from significant balance issues and 'money-ship' complaints, where premium vehicles often outperform standard unlocks, which can frustrate new players. · Its hardcore simulation elements and punishing matchmaking make it inaccessible to casual gamers seeking quick, low-stakes entertainment.
AI-generated from catalog data, informed by reviews from pcgamer.com, metacritic.com, steamcommunity.com, ign.com, opencritic.com, steambase.io.
Screenshots
Releases
| Platform | Region | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC (Microsoft Windows) | Worldwide | Full release | Jan 28, 201314 years ago |
| Mac | Worldwide | Full release | Apr 07, 201412 years ago |
| PlayStation 4 | Worldwide | Full release | Jun 03, 201412 years ago |
| Linux | Worldwide | Full release | Nov 06, 201412 years ago |
| Xbox One | Worldwide | Full release | Jun 19, 20188 years ago |
| Xbox Series X|S | Worldwide | Full release | Nov 10, 20206 years ago |
| PlayStation 5 | Worldwide | Full release | Nov 12, 20206 years ago |
