Best War Games For Fans Of Single-Player

War games have been a consistent part of the video game landscape for years. Covering multiple genres, they offer players a taste of what it means to fight in a violent and chaotic warzone. Many of these titles have sat at the very top of the industry, setting records in sales and pushing gameplay to new and exciting areas.

Related

29 Great Story-Driven FPS Games

These FPS games aren’t just about moving from gunfight to gunfight. They also tell a great story as players progress.

Although in today’s modern gaming landscape where online multiplayer is king, single-player games still have an important place in the industry. A solo campaign immerses players like no other mode could. They tell exciting stories that challenge the player. They depict all the explosive action, as well as the horrific consequences that make war games so compelling to play. Single-player war games are a cornerstone of the games industry and continue to engage with players worldwide.

Updated February 9, 2025, by Andy Chapman: Single-player games are still an important part of the gaming industry. While multiplayer titles continue to dominate the mainstream, numerous single-player games have found critical and financial success in recent years. Video games set around or based on large-scale wars have always been a popular area for developers to explore. These games plunge players into the chaos of combat, where humanity shows both its best and worst sides. War continues to be a subject that fascinates and horrifies in equal measure, with numerous games depicting the highs and lows of devastating conflicts that affect millions. This article has been updated to include additional entries showing a broader range of single-player war games.

1

Ad Infinitum

A Descent into the Horrors of War

This first-person psychological horror game takes players deep into the tortured mind of a German soldier. The game follows his struggle to come to terms with his experiences in the trenches during WW1, and with the family that has been torn apart as a result. On top of his inner demons manifesting into monsters in the game, players will also need to solve various puzzles to progress further.

Related

10 Worst Post-Apocalyptic Game Worlds To Live In

Any post-apocalyptic world would be a nightmare to live in, but the following entries would be the absolute worst of the worst.

The game is a dark descent into a broken mind, and while some of the horror aspects have been done better in other games, Ad Infinitum should please most fans of the horror genre. The game has had a mixed critical reaction, but the strong visuals and haunting atmosphere complement a game attempting more than just scares.

2

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine

The Original 40k Cult Classic

Over the years, video games set in the Warhammer 40k universe have been mixed, with far more misses than hits. One of the standout releases of the popular setting was Space Marine. This popular action game follows Ultramarine Captain Titus and his unit of Astartes as they take on a large invading army of Orks.

This hack-and-slash cult favorite throws players right into the carnage, as waves of greenskins try to overwhelm them. As the game progresses, new weapons become available, and new enemies reveal themselves. While the game suffered from uninspired missions and repetitive combat, the pure joy of being an overpowered Space Marine on the front lines of a planetary conflict kept players coming back.

3

Valiant Hearts: The Great War

Delves into the Human Cost of War

Valiant Hearts is a puzzle game set during the First World War and deals with the human aspect of the conflict. The game follows individual soldiers as they struggle to survive the many horrors of war. With a strong emphasis on accuracy, the game was developed for the WW1 centenary and offers players a powerful depiction of the great war.

The game was well-received by critics, who praised its strong emotional storytelling. Although many of the puzzles are simple, Valiant Hearts offers an experience unlike other war games, moving away from action and concentrating on the people who fought and died during WW1.

4

UBOAT

Delve Deep Into Dangerous Waters

• Platform: Windows
• Released: 2024
• Developer: Deep Water Studio
• Genre: Submarine Simulator

This survival sandbox WW2 simulator game puts players in control of a German U-Boat as it explores the distant oceans. Players must navigate the dangerous waters during wartime. UBOAT goes deep into the simulator mechanics, where players must monitor the crew’s health and mental well-being as well as the running of the ship itself.

UBOAT caters to different gameplay styles, offering casual to complex levels of difficulty, where the player has high levels of control over almost every aspect of the ship. UBOAT will appeal to fans of strategy games looking for a new challenge to overcome.

5

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

High-Octane Aerial Combat

For anyone who has ever dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is the game for them. Players take on the role of fighter pilot ‘Trigger’ as they battle in the fictional setting of Strangereal. This arcade-like game offers fast and realistic maneuvers across many different airplane types.

While the plot of the game falls into absurd territory, the gameplay shines with adrenaline-filled dogfights through lifelike skies. Ace Combat will make players feel like aerial gods as they take down enemy jets while expertly dodging fire. The game will appeal to every player level, from casual to expert, and offers a fun and immersive fighter jet experience.

6

Sniper Elite 5

A Standout Stealth Shooter

The Sniper Elite series has become the stand-out name for WW2 stealth shooters. This long-running series has only improved over time, with each release building on the previous entry. Snipe Elite 5 is the latest in the series and has refined the mechanics and gameplay to new interactive levels. Although the game does offer co-op modes, the series offers a primarily single-player experience, with its stealth mechanics working best when played solo.

The game follows series protagonist Karl Fairburne, as he joins an Army Ranger battalion to assist in the preparations of Operation Overlord. With its satisfying kill cams, easy-to-use shooting mechanics, and emphasis on stealth, Sniper Elite 5 is an enjoyable and addictive gaming experience.

7

Call Of Duty: WW2

A Solid WW2 FPS Experience

Returning to the setting the series started in, Call of Duty: WW2 places players into the European theater of war following Ronald “Red” Daniels, as he and his squad battle on the Western Front, pushing the Nazi threat back through France and beyond. Although the game does little to innovate the genre, it is a solid modern WW2 shooter that will please fans of the series.

The game has some great visuals, mixed with responsive and fluid gameplay. The story campaign is by far the best aspect of the game, featuring a strong sense of momentum as the player progresses through the war. Call of Duty: WW2 is a welcome return to the single-player FPS style that started the genre.

8

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Warhammer’s Most Successful Video Game

Before its announcement, few would have expected a sequel to the 2011 cult hit Space Marine to be as successful as it has. However, Space Marine 2 has become one of the standout games of 2024. With its fun gameplay, exceptional visuals, and dedication to the beloved source material, it has become an instant hit.

Every moment in Space Marine 2 feels like a small part of a large planetary war and perfectly captures what Warhammer 40k is all about. Players control the returning Lieutenant Titus, a genetically enhanced super soldier, as he battles his way through swarms of enemies. Every moment in the game has an epic feeling, from Cadian infantry pushing forward toward the enemy to aerial battles in the far distance filling the horizon. Space Marine 2 is one of the best single-player war games available right now and a must-play for fans of the 40k setting.

9

This War Of Mine

A Bleak Survival Experience

Inspired by the real-life siege of Sarajevo, this bleak survival game revolves around a group of civilians living within an active combat zone. Players will need to make tough decisions, as they work to keep the group alive. Gamers can only emerge at night to search for items and interact with other characters in the city.

Related

10 Games That Feel Oppressive To Play

The dark atmospheres of these games make them downright oppressive for players to experience.

This War of Mine has received widespread acclaim for its tough depictions of civilian life during wartime and excellent in-depth survival gameplay. It may not be the action-packed war game fans of the genre often play, but This War of Mine is a stark reminder of the effects of conflict on everyday people, creating a memorable survival experience.

10

Ghost of Tsushima

Battle the Invading Mongol Hordes

Set around the first Mongol Invasion of Japan in 1274, Ghost of Tsushima follows Samurai Jin Sakai on his quest to protect the people of his island from bloodthirsty invaders. The large open world recreates the stunning beauty and bloodshed of the turbulent time. In the game, players choose their way and can follow the warrior code by fighting head-on, or the path of the ghost, by using stealth.

Ghost of Tsushima blends beautiful visuals, exciting melee combat, and an engaging narrative. The game features a true historical setting that few other games have depicted. For players seeking an immersive open-world experience, Ghost of Tsushima offers that and a whole lot more.