5 – Call to Arms – Gates of Hell: Ostfront
Now we are entering the top 5 games! Of course, and of course, the spiritual successor to the amazing Men of War, Call to Arms – Gates of Hell: Ostfront had to make a show, and I think this is the most played World War 2 game around aside from Hearts of Iron IV and War Thunder. Call ot Arms takes the rela-time strategy formula of Men of War, which focused on semi-realistic engagements, physics based cover, vehicle armor behaviour simulation and tactical micromanagement and improves on every single aspect, making it more beautiful, more authentic, eaiser to control, more missions and campaigns, better AI, and just overall being what Men of War 2 failed to live up to.
Players can command their units from a top-down perspective or take direct control of any soldier or vehicle for a truly immersive experience in third or first-person perspectives (the former for soldiers, the latter for vehicles). The game is celebrated for its highly detailed unit models, realistic damage mechanics, and explosive and tough battles, making it a fantastic choice for players who want a tactical game that combines strategic depth with a visceral, hands-on feel. It’s one of the best RTS games you can play right now.
4 – Graviteam Tactics: Mius Front
For those who want a blend of operational strategy and tactical realism, Graviteam Tactics: Mius Front is in a class of its own. This game allows you to manage a battalion on the Eastern Front, seamlessly transitioning from a turn-based strategic map to a real-time tactical battle. The game’s uncompromisingly realistic physics, damage models, and fog of war make every engagement a genuine strategic puzzle. It’s a deeply rewarding and challenging simulation for players who want to command at a granular level. The reason the game isn’t higher on this list is that it’s quite a pain to learn its user interface, which looks like it was designed by an alien with a really bad understanding of how human beings interpret things. Also, to enjoy this, you really need to understand that there’s very little abstraction in this game, to the point that if you want to communicate with some units, wires need to be deployed (and can be destroyed too). Realistic? Yes. Interesting for your average World War 2 afficionado looking for a fun experience? Well, maybe not so much.
3 – Combat Mission: Battle for Normandy
A true masterpiece of tactical realism, Combat Mission: Battle for Normandy puts you in command of platoons and companies in the bloody hedgerows of France. The game’s unique “WeGo” system, a hybrid of turn-based planning and real-time execution, creates a tense and unpredictable battlefield where a single mistake can cost you dearly. Fear not, for the game also has real-time with pause, which is my favorite way to play (and the most realistic one, too). With an astonishing level of detail in its modeling of infantry, armor, and terrain, it is the quintessential game for understanding the tactical challenges of the Normandy campaign and the brutal realities of small-unit combat. A lot of other games from the Combat Mission franchise could be here too, and like the games of Close Combat, and Wargame Design Studio, it all boils down to whatever battle/campaign/theater of war you are more interested in.
2 – Burden of Command
I know, I know, I can already listen to some of you typing away as to how much I praise the refreshing and innovative entry that is Burden of Command. It’s not my fault; it stands out as the only tactical RPG that focuses on the human element of war in the whole market of World War 2 games. You play as a U.S. Army captain, in charge of the fictional Nickel Company, in the very real 7th Infantry Regiment of the United States, also known as the “CottonBalers”. Your decisions, both in combat and in narrative interactions with your men, directly impact their morale and effectiveness.
This isn’t a game about high kill counts, tactical prowess, or grand strategic considerations; it’s about leading a squad through a grueling campaign, struggling with the fact that some things are just outside of your control, and that no matter how hard you try and save everyone, the game will force you to confront the emotional and psychological weight of command. It’s a poignant and powerful experience that’s a must-play for its unique take on the genre. The game is beautiful, the turn-based combat is excellent, and the story is just next-level stuff. In my review, I called it my new favorite World War 2 game, and I wasn’t exaggerating. The reason it’s not in the first place is that this is not a favorite kind of list.
1 – Gary Grigsby’s War In The East 2
In terms of sheer scale, complexity, authenticity and realism, I don’t think anyone would ever dare to argue with me that there’s a title that comes close to the ultimate strategic simulation of the Eastern Front that Gary Grigsby’s War In The East 2 offers, by bring with it a level of historical detail that is unmatched in any other World War 2 title, ever. In Gary Grigsby’s War In The East 2, players act as the commander of either the Axis or Soviet forces. You will manage everything from logistics and supply lines to individual divisions and army groups on a vast, historically accurate map. Its deep and challenging gameplay is a testament to its design, and for those willing to master its complexity, it provides the most authentic and rewarding World War II experience available. I would advise you, however, before jumping in. Dozens of hours of learning are required, dozens in practice, and hundreds or thousands to run a full campaign. Are you up for the task?
Conclusion
It’s clear that the video game industry has done more than just memorialize World War II; it has created an enduring and evolving tribute. The games on this list, from the massive operational scale of War in the East 2 to the personal and emotional Burden of Command, collectively serve as a digital archive of a pivotal historical moment. Not only that, but players everywhere constantly flock to the human and emotional experiences a conflict like this inevitably brings. Certainly motivated by the fact that some of their own family members, some even still alive, had to endure and live through one of the toughest periods of human history. They are not merely forms of entertainment but are interactive experiences that challenge us to think, plan, and feel the weight of history. As we continue to honor the 80th anniversary, these games ensure that the stories of the Second World War will not fade into the past, but will continue to be retold, re-examined, and remembered by new generations of players for years to come, especially in today’s day and age, while the last remaining veterans are still alive.
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