Summary
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.
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 playerslike 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 gamesare a cornerstone of the games industry and continue to engage with players worldwide.
Although some of the following games possess multiplayer components, it is their single-player features that will be the focus.
Updated May 18, 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.
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 inthe 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.
The game is a dark descent into a broken mind, and while some of thehorror aspects have been done betterin other games,Ad Infinitumshould 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.
Over the years, video games set in theWarhammer 40kuniverse have been mixed, with far more misses than hits. One of the standout releases of the popular setting wasSpace Marine. This popular action game follows Ultramarine Captain Titus and his unit of Astartes as they take on a large invading army of Orks.
Thishack-and-slash cult favoritethrows 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.
Valiant Heartsisa puzzle gameset 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 Heartsoffers an experience unlike other war games, moving away from action and concentrating on the people who fought and died during WW1.
4UBOAT
Delve Deep Into Dangerous Waters
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.UBOATgoes 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.
UBOATcaters 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.UBOATwill appeal to fans of strategy games looking for a new challenge to overcome.
For anyone who has ever dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot,Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknownis 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 Combatwill 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.
TheSniper Eliteseries 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 5is the latest in the series and has refined the mechanics and gameplay to new interactive levels. Although thegame 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 5is an enjoyable and addictive gaming experience.
Returning to the setting the series started in,Call of Duty: WW2places 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: WW2is a welcome return to the single-playerFPS style that started the genre.
Before its announcement, few would have expected a sequel to the 2011 cult hitSpace Marineto be as successful as it has. However,Space Marine 2has 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 inSpace Marine 2feels like a small part of a large planetary war and perfectly captures whatWarhammer 40kis 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 2is one of the best single-player war games available right now and a must-play for fans of the40ksetting.
Inspired by the real-life siege of Sarajevo, thisbleak survival gamerevolves 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.
This War of Minehas 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, butThis War of Mineis a stark reminder of the effects of conflict on everyday people, creating a memorable survival experience.
Set around the first Mongol Invasion of Japan in 1274,Ghost of TsushimafollowsSamurai Jin Sakaion 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 Tsushimablends 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 Tsushimaoffers that and a whole lot more.
