The Best 12 Strategy Games Set In The Cold War

4 – Armored Brigade 2

The first Armored Brigade was, for the longest time, one of my favorite wargames due to its powerful scenario editor, but the 2D graphics were rough to play with. The game looked good, don’t get me wrong, but the lack of a proper height indication really made the decision-making process of where to move/place my troops a long and cumbersome one. Fortunately, the transition to 3D has done wonders for Armored Brigade 2. This game is all about the detailed weapon systems, realistic fields of view, and a brutal command delay system, which means you cannot react instantly to every threat, nor can you micromanage every action your troops are taking; you have to plan ahead and trust your initial orders. It features one of the best random map generators in the business and a deep simulation of 1980s ground combat that feels both brutal and rewarding.

3 – Command: Modern Operations

Command Modern Operations Screenshot of a battle on the Korean Peninsula

Command: Modern Operations is less of a game and more of a professional-grade simulation, so much so that it is used by actual armies for a reason. That reason essentially comes down to the fact that C: MO has, without a shadow of a doubt, the most complete database of weaponry on Earth, and is able to simulate it to the most minute detail. The scope is the entire planet, and the database pretty much includes every aircraft, ship, and submarine built since the end of WWII. If you want to simulate a full-scale NATO vs. Warsaw Pact air war with terrifying precision, there is simply no substitute for Command: Modern Operations. Be aware, however, that getting into it is far from easy, and the game has the steepest learning curve I have ever encountered.

2 – Flashpoint Campaigns: Red Storm

Flashpoint Campaigns Red Storn Screenshot of a unit that is selected and the player is checking out its stats

Flashpoint Campaigns: Red Storm is a dedicated Cold War wargame that uses a unique “Asynchronous WEGO” system that perfectly encapsulates the idea of control and command into an ever-evolving battlefield. Instead of taking turns, you and your opponent give orders and then watch them play out simultaneously. As your command structure takes damage, your ability to give orders slows down, representing the chaos of the battlefield. The rest of the simulation is equally impressive, and it’s a wargame that exudes detail in every aspect, alongside high-quality 2D-counter graphics and a clean, but information-rich user interface. It is a brilliant, cerebral wargame that offers an experience no other game in this list does.