Top 10 World War II Games

Top 10 World War II Games

There’s nothing quite as satisfying in the world of video games as shooting or blowing up some Nazis. Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’ll be counting down our Top 10 World War II games.

For this list, we’ll be looking at the games that made their mark on this historical setting.

#10: Day of Defeat: Source (2005)

Developed by Valve, this FPS was a remake of the original 2003 “Day of Defeat.” Featuring several game modes, the game allowed players to compete against each other as either the United States or German army. The many maps and levels of the game are based on real battlefields in France, Italy, and Sicily. Though dated now, the graphics were pretty great for the time and the gameplay featured realistic weapons and grenades. The classes, atmosphere, and intense gameplay lead this to being one of the highest rated World War II games of its time.

#9: Il-2 Sturmovik (2001)

Rule the skies with this classic flight sim. 1C:Maddox Games took attention to detail and depth to a whole new level with this Eastern Front focused game. The game itself is named after the infamous soviet ground-attack fighter which played a prominent role in World War II. Up to 100 players could play on online servers and fly in planes from Japan, the United States, the Soviet Union, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The combination of great graphics and realistic flight based gameplay made this a truly special title.

#8: Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad (2011)

Developers Tripwire Interactive didn’t shy away from making a difficult game. In a day when the player HUD could show all kinds of helpful information, this game chose to forego most of that in the name of realism. By taking away those hand-holding devices, “Red Orchestra 2” ramps up the tension and the sense of satisfaction when you win. This FPS also boasted incredibly detailed tank interiors and gameplay. Altogether, this made for a one of a kind gaming experience that is still remembered fondly.

#7: World of Tanks (2010)

Combining both shooter and MOBA, this free-to play game has turned out to be a massive success for it’s developer Wargaming. This game is for all of us who love the chaos and explosions of a great tank battle. It’s easy to think of yourself as a digital Rommel or Patton when rolling through the beautifully detailed terrain. And who doesn’t love knocking your opponents tracks off with a perfectly placed hit? This game has spawned several other similar games, but for our money, the original is still one of the best.

#6: Medal of Honor: Allied Assault (2002)

Perhaps one of the best games in the Medal of Honor franchise, this 2002 first-person shooter was the first of the series to be released for the PC. Like so many other World War II games, this takes place during the invasion of Europe on the battle of D-Day. The multiplayer featured 4 modes. Along with typical deathmatch modes, it had a great Objective mode which required teamwork to complete map specific missions. Allied Assault was loved by critics and players alike for it’s gritty atmosphere and fun gameplay.

#5: Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 (2005)

If you you’re a fan of HBO’s “Band of Brothers,” then this is the game for you. It’s hard for developers to innovate when it comes to story because we all have a pretty good idea of how World War II happened, but where this game really shined was in its squad based combat. Not only were you squad mates vital to your success, but they were based on the actual members of the 101st Airborne Division. Squad based gameplay has since become a popular feature in many shooters.

#4: Wolfenstein 3D (1992)

This is perhaps the most realistic and historically accurate title on our list… okay, not really. This game is older school than old school and is one of the fathers of the modern day first-person shooter. You play as a spy set on killing as many Nazis as possible. Along the way you shoot rockets at guards, SS, mutants, and fake Hitlers. The fast-paced action and brutal violence was revolutionary for its time and it is the foundation for many of the games we play today.

#3: Battlefield 1942 (2002)

DICE changed the way we play World War II shooters forever with this classic multiplayer game. It encouraged a cooperative playstyle that was different from the deathmatch type combat we’re usually used to. Players had to work together to capture spawn points and deplete the enemy. If this sounds just like every other modern World War II shooter, that’s because it is and Battlefield lead the way. Battlefield 1942 was also unique in that it allowed players to command vehicles and infantry on the same map.

#2: Call of Duty 2 (2005)

Another classic that created a gaming phenomenon, CoD 2 took the familiar World War II setting and made it new again with great graphics and intense sound design. It redefined the genre and established itself as one of the premiere first-person shooter series on the market. One of the innovations the game featured was regenerating health. This may seem like a small and common thing now, but at the time it really allowed players to concentrate more on shooting each other’s face like no other game before it. Another great World War II shooter from the CoD series was 2008’s Call of Duty: World at War.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Silent Hunter III (2005)

Commandos 2: Men of Courage (2001)

Sniper Elite 4 (2017)

#1: Company of Heroes (2006)

Probably one of the best real-time strategy games ever, this classic follows the invasion of France by the allies during World War II. You fight your way through Europe in a fantastic single player campaign and test your micro-ing skills in the intense multiplayer. Among some of the unique features of this game were the squad and cover systems. Your units would actively seek out the best places to hide from incoming enemy fire. This was a revolutionary mechanic for the RTS genre and few games have used it as successfully as this one.