[Top 20] WW2 Strategy Games (Ranked Fun To Most Fun) (2024)

Table of Contents
20. Strategic Command WWII: World at War - 2018 (PC) System Requirements: Minimum: 19. Gary Grigsby's War in the East - 2010 (PC) System Requirements: Minimum: 18. Order of Battle: World War II - 2015 ( PC, Xbox Series S & X, MacOS ) System Requirements: Minimum: 17. Blitzkrieg 3 - 2017 ( PC, MacOS ) System Requirements: Minimum: Recommended: 16. Through the Darkest of Times - 2020 ( PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, MacOS ) System Requirements: Minimum: Recommended: 15. Steel Division: Normandy 44 - 2017 ( PC ) System Requirements: Minimum: Recommended: 14. Codename: Panzers – Phase One - 2004 ( PC ) System Requirements: Minimum: Recommended: 13. Partisans 1941 - 2020 ( PC ) System Requirements: Minimum: Recommended: 12. RUSE - 2010 ( PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, MacOS ) System Requirements: Minimum: Recommended: 11. KARDS – the WWII Card Game - 2019 ( PC, MacOS ) System Requirements: Minimum: Recommended: 10. Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines - 1998 ( PC ) System Requirements: Recommended: 9. Bomber Crew - 2017 ( PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, MacOS, Android ) System Requirements: Minimum: Recommended: 8. Close Combat: The Bloody First - 2019 ( PC ) System Requirements: Minimum: 7. Sudden Strike 4 - 2017 ( PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, MacOS ) System Requirements: Minimum: Recommended: 6. Unity of Command 2 - 2019 ( PC, MacOS ) System Requirements: Minimum: Recommended: 5. Panzer Corps 2 - 2020 ( PC ) System Requirements: Minimum: Recommended: 4. Men of War: Assault Squad 2 - 2014 ( PC ) System Requirements: Minimum: 3. Hearts of Iron 4 - 2016 ( PC, MacOS ) System Requirements: Minimum: Recommended: 2. Company of Heroes 2 - 2013 ( PC, MacOS ) System Requirements: Minimum: Recommended: 1. Steel Division 2 - 2019 ( PC ) System Requirements: Minimum: Recommended:

In this article, we will explore some of the best WWII strategy games on PC.

Fought on several continents, World War II was one of the most important conflicts in human history that still attracts history buffs and younger generations with its epic battles and war stories. World War II video games existed from the early days of gaming, giving us hundreds of interesting titles to choose from.

Let's take a look at some of the most fun WWII strategy games currently on the market.

20. Strategic Command WWII: World at War - 2018 (PC)

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Strategic Command WWII: World at War is a complex name for a complex game.

Strategic Command WWII: World at War - Release Trailer

Strategic Command WWII: World at War is a turn-based big-scale WW2 strategy game where you can play almost any nation that participated in this worldwide conflict. This epic WW2 game takes from 1939 to 1945 and could be played in European, African, and Asian theatres of war using a huge variety of sea, land, or air units.

Simple to learn, hard to master

This title is quite simple to get a grasp on, but it takes time to learn how to use all the tools at your disposal. You will need to learn how to expand and use your supply lines and support units to be able to finish the grand campaign. This game has little to no building as it centers on actual strategic operations and unit management.

Deploying your units and using them when needed is the key to victory here, as this hex-based game is all about positioning your units and using their abilities to counteract the enemy.

Fun Factor Score: 70/100

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Afrika Corps is on its way to stealing all the tea from the British.

Strategic Command WWII: World at War - Gameplay

System Requirements:

Minimum:

  • OS: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10
  • Processor: 1.5 GHZ Processor or Equivalent (Running the game in higher resolution requires more processing power.)
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: 8MB video memory
  • DirectX: Version 9.0c
  • Storage: 1108 MB available space
  • Additional Notes: Minimum screen resolution: 1024x768

19. Gary Grigsby's War in the East - 2010 (PC)

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Gary Grigsby's War in the East will make you love and hate it at the same time. I am still having nightmares about this complex game. Won't change anything about it though.

Gary Grigsby’s War in the East - Steam Release Trailer

Gary Grigsby’s War in the East is one of the most realistic and hardcore WWII strategy games currently on the market. This game has very simple graphics but offers an incredible level of detail and complexity. Here you will need to manage supplies, morale, manpower, and generals on the battalion or division level.

Hardcore WWII strategy game

This title is quite difficult to learn, as it can be overwhelming how many options you have at the very start. But if you learn the basics you will find a whole world full of possibilities at your disposal. This game is also very realistic when it comes to historical battlegroups, as you will find all of the most important battalions and divisions that fought on the eastern front with their historical leaders and special quirks.

Gary Grigsby’s War in the East is very beloved by many WWII history buffs, as you won’t find anything even similar to this complex gem of a game.

Fun Factor Score: 70/100

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With that many menu options, this feels like homework sometimes.

Gary Grigsby’s War in the East - Gameplay

System Requirements:

Minimum:

  • OS: Windows Vista/7/8/10
  • Processor: Pentium 4 1.5 GHz
  • Memory: 1 GB RAM
  • Graphics: 128MB DirectX 9+ Compatible
  • DirectX: Version 9.0c
  • Storage: 2 GB available space
  • Sound Card: 16-bit DirectX 9+ Compatible

18. Order of Battle: World War II - 2015 ( PC, Xbox Series S & X, MacOS )

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Order of Battle World War II is a simple but fun WWII game with very balanced combat.

Order of Battle: World War II - Trailer

Order of Battle: World War II is a hex-based WWII strategy game that lets you fight in several historical theatres and battles. This game is quite easy to learn, as it comes with a very intuitive interface and user-friendly menus compared to other WWII titles. Every level here is almost like a sandbox, as you can approach the objectives in any way you want.

Well-know turn-based formula

This turn-based game has a very similar gameplay to games like Panzer Corps, where you can choose numerous types of units from your rooster pool and deploy them on the battlefield using the points you get from capturing objectives on the map. This simple but addictive game loop is what made this game so loved by many fans all around the world.

Fun Factor Score: 70/100

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Stalingrad is the longest battle in WWII. But Russians are trying to speedrun it here.

Order of Battle: World War II - Gameplay

System Requirements:

Minimum:

  • OS: 8 / 10 (the game runs on Windows 7 but no support will be provided)
  • Processor: Pentium 4 or equivalent
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM
  • Graphics: 512 Mb DirectX 11 video card with shader model 2.0
  • DirectX: Version 9.0c
  • Storage: 1 GB available space
  • Sound Card: DirectX-compatible sound card

17. Blitzkrieg 3 - 2017 ( PC, MacOS )

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Blitzkrieg 3 lets you play as a nazi and actually win the war, don't tell polygon about this one.

Blitzkrieg 3 - Teaser Trailer

Blitzkrieg 3 is a real-time world war 2 tactics game in a similar style to the Company of Heroes series, meaning this game is all about fast-paced combat and unit special abilities. This title comes with 3 main campaigns: Allied, Axis, and Soviet. Each campaign has several missions based in Eastern, European, and African theatres.

You start with a very small army, but with each completed mission you get new types of units and a bigger roster of units. It's fun to see how your army grows, as at the end of the campaign you will get a really big army roster with units from the late period of the war.

Simple but addictive fast-paced action

The actual combat is more on the arcadey side compared to other games like Men of War. Here you won't be able to control individual soldiers, but only whole sections or platoons.

There is also a very basic cover system and no ammo limit for your units. But there are also some interesting features like trench building, heavy weapons, recon, bombing, or fighter air support.

Overall, this is a nice fast-paced WWII game with several modes like PvE and PvP and a simple but fun game loop.

Fun Factor Score: 70/100

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All soldiers here are looking for Tom Hanks. Cause they know he will survive.

Blitzkrieg 3 - Gameplay

System Requirements:

Minimum:

  • OS: WindowsXP (Service Pack 3) 7/8/8.1/10
  • Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo 2,66 GHz or AMD Phenom™ X3 2,4 Ghz
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GT 240 / Radeon HD 6570
  • DirectX: Version 10
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection
  • Storage: 10 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: INTERNET CONNECTION IS REQUIRED TO PLAY

Recommended:

  • OS: Windows 7/8/8.1/10
  • Processor: Intel Core i7
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780
  • DirectX: Version 10
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection
  • Storage: 10 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: INTERNET CONNECTION IS REQUIRED TO PLAY

16. Through the Darkest of Times - 2020 ( PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, MacOS )

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If you ever wanted to experience true survival in nazi Germany, this game is for you, you masochist.

Through the Darkest of Times - Official Cinematic Trailer

Through the Darkest of Times is a narrative-driven strategy game where you take control of a small resistance group operating in Nazi Germany. This is a unique but fun hand-drawn game that aims to be accurate to the history of Germany in the 30s and 40s. This game is more about a struggle of an ordinary man against tyranny than being an actual soldier fighting nazis on the frontlines.

The rise of the nazi party

This game does many things very differently when compared to other WWII strategy games. Rather than starting from the beginning of world war II and focusing on the actual fighting, this game starts in the 30s and shows the gradual descent into radical ideology and fear-mongering that actually happened in Germany around that decade.

This game is all about making tough decisions that could mean certain death to the characters around you.

Fun Factor Score: 70/100

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All those spies are true professionals. All of them use glasses with fake noses.

Through the Darkest of Times - Gameplay

System Requirements:

Minimum:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows 7+
  • Processor: 2.4 GHz
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: 1 GB
  • Storage: 2 GB available space

Recommended:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM

15. Steel Division: Normandy 44 - 2017 ( PC )

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Steel Division Normandy 44 is a great game for you, your mom, and even your grandma.

Steel Division: Normandy 44 - Release Trailer

Steel Division: Normandy 44 is a real-time strategy game with an emphasis on combined arms and realism when it comes to unit types. This game can be played in a campaign against AI or in massive 10 on 10 multiplayer battles.

King of the WWII RTS Games

Steel Division: Normandy 44 is one of the most popular WWII RTS games out there. This is probably because this title has a very polished and well-balanced gameplay and huge attention to detail when it comes to single-player campaigns. Here you have three main campaigns: USA, Germany, and UK. Each one will become progressively more challenging with each mission.

Most of the missions are based on real battles and have a very dynamic nature, meaning that the actual objective could change during the mission, forcing players to adapt and improvise on the go.

Steel Divison: Normandy 44 has a huge multiplayer community, as its uniquely balanced gameplay makes it quite fitting for PvP tournaments and competitions.

Fun Factor Score: 80/100

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Hans just told me that he is tired of this war and he is taking the whole battalion to Berlin to drink some schnapps.

Steel Division: Normandy 44 - Gameplay

System Requirements:

Minimum:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: 64-bit Windows 10 / 8.1 / 7 with Service Pack 1
  • Processor: Intel Core i3-2100 (3.1 GHz) or equivalent
  • Memory: 3 GB RAM
  • Graphics: 1 GB AMD 5570 or nVidia 450
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection
  • Storage: 32 GB available space
  • Sound Card: DirectX Compatible Sound Card

Recommended:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: 64-bit Windows 10 / 8.1 / 7 with Service Pack 1
  • Processor: Intel i5-2300 or equivalent
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: 2GB AMD 7970 or nVidia 770 or greater
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection
  • Storage: 32 GB available space
  • Sound Card: DirectX Compatible Sound Card

14. Codename: Panzers – Phase One - 2004 ( PC )

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Codename Panzers: Phase Two is a great codename for a panzer game.

Codename: Panzers - Phase One - Trailer

Codename: Panzers - Phase One is a real-time WWII strategy game in a similar style to Blitzkrieg and Sudden Strike series. But this WWII title adds some personal touch to the gameplay as each campaign is focused on a main hero/general and his story.

Hero-driven WWII strategy game

Codename: Panzers - Phase One could be defined as Warcraft 3 in a WWII setting, as the best part is the story and the main campaign here.

You can choose from 3 campaigns: the German campaign, where you start from the Poland invasion, France, and later Russia, Russian Campaign, where you defend against nazi Germany and push back to berlin, and the Allied campaign which starts from Normandy invasion.

This game has little building as it focuses on real-time tactics. Here you will need to resupply and repair your units, as you will have a limited roster of them throughout the mission.

Fun Factor Score: 80/100

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America is bringing democracy to Nazis one shell at a time.

Codename: Panzers - Phase One - Gameplay

System Requirements:

Minimum:

  • OS: Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 10 32 or 64 bit
  • Processor: Intel or AMD 1,0 GHz
  • Graphics: 64MB 3D Video Card with Hardware T&L
  • DirectX: Version 9.0c
  • Storage: 3 GB available space
  • Sound Card: DirectX compatible

Recommended:

  • OS: Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8 /10 32 or 64 bit
  • Processor: Intel or AMD 2,0 GHz
  • Graphics: 256MB 3D Video Card with Hardware T&L
  • DirectX: Version 9.0c
  • Storage: 3 GB available space
  • Sound Card: DirectX-compatible card

13. Partisans 1941 - 2020 ( PC )

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Partisans never go out on a mission without a bottle of vodka. It's obligatory.

Partisans 1941 - Trailer

Partisans 1941 is a real-time tactics game in a similar style to Commandos games. Here you take control of a small group of resistance fighters on the eastern front, as they fight the enemy occupation forces.

This game alternates actual combat missions and downtime in your base hub, where you can level up your characters, build makeshift weapons, and more. All of this is mixed with an interesting narrative thread and some unique characters, each one with their own special abilities

A successor to the Commandos series

You can really feel the huge inspiration the developers of Partisans 1941 took from Commandos games, as the game loop has some of the features o those games. But here we get a more action-packed type of tactics, as you will need to use carefully placed ambushes and engage in long firefights with nazi patrols and guards.

Fun Factor Score: 80/100

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Partisans are looking forward to teaching the Nazis how to behave in a more amicable way.

Partisans 1941 - Gameplay

System Requirements:

Minimum:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows 7 SP 1 64bit
  • Processor: Intel Core i3 - 8100 / AMD Ryzen 3 2200G
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 / Radeon HD 7790
  • DirectX: Version 9.0c
  • Storage: 10 GB available space

Recommended:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows 10 64bit
  • Processor: Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Graphics: GeForce GTX 1060 6GB / Radeon RX 590
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Storage: 10 GB available space

12. RUSE - 2010 ( PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, MacOS )

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Apparently, all WWII generals have the same chad-like chin which gives +15 leadership to all units.

RUSE - Trailer

RUSE is a real-time WWII strategy game with an emphasis on recon, building, and large-scale tactics. One of the most interesting features of this game is the interface. Here you will see a map similar to tabletop games with some chips that represent your division and battalions. If you zoom in closer you will see all the detail including singular units, explosions, and close combat between those units.

The art of deception

RUSE has some interesting ideas when it comes to tactics and recon. In this game you can create false armies, that will show up as real for the enemy, create decoy airfields and use several different types of military deceptions as you see fit. This is something you will rarely see in WWII strategy games, making it the primary feature of this game.

This game has a good amount of base building, as you will need to build airfields, bunkers, and small bases that can spawn units. Overall, RUSE is a quite unique game with some interesting ideas that inspired later games like Steel Division.

Fun Factor Score: 80/100

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After creating a decoy army, I managed to actually deceive myself, thinking I still have a full tank army.

RUSE - Gameplay

System Requirements:

Minimum:

  • CPU: 2.8 GHz Intel® Pentium® 4 or AMD® Athlon™ 64 3000+ or higher
  • CPU SPEED: 2.8 GHz Intel® Pentium® 4 or AMD® Athlon™ 64 3000+ or higher
  • RAM: 1 GB for XP / 2 GB for Vista and Win7
  • VIDEO CARD: 128 MB DirectX® 9.0c-compliant video card (ATI® Radeon X1000/GeForce® 6 Series or better)
  • TOTAL VIDEO RAM: 128 MB
  • PIXEL SHADER: 3.0
  • VERTEX SHADER: 3.0
  • HARDWARE T&L: Yes
  • OS: Windows® XP (with Service Pack 3) or Windows Vista® (with Service Pack 2) or Windows® 7
  • SOUND CARD: Yes

Recommended:

  • CPU: 3.5 GHz Intel® Pentium® D or AMD® Athlon™ 64 3500+ or higher
  • RAM: 2 GB
  • VIDEO CARD: 256 MB DirectX® 9.0c-compliant video card (ATI® Radeon X1900 series / GeForce® 7800 or better)
  • TOTAL VIDEO RAM: 256 MB
  • PIXEL SHADER: 3.0
  • VERTEX SHADER: 3.0
  • HARDWARE T&L: Yes
  • OS: Windows® XP (with Service Pack 3) or Windows Vista® (with Service Pack 2) or Windows® 7
  • SOUND CARD: Yes

11. KARDS – the WWII Card Game - 2019 ( PC, MacOS )

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Even wanted to kill nazis with a stack of cards? Now you can.

KARDS - the WWII Card Game - Release Trailer

KARDS - the WWII Card Game is an interesting WWII card game with beautiful art and well-balanced and addictive gameplay. KARDS takes the well-known Magic The Gathering formula and brings it into the world of WWII. Here you will fight through several historical battles with a deck of cards you select, which have a huge variety of events, units, and special ability cards.

Historically accurate WWII card game

KARDS takes some time to get into, as you will need to learn the stats of each unit and how to use them correctly on the battlefield. The art style and overall design are impeccable, as they will transport you to this dark decade with its historical music, as well as realistic and historical battalions and events.

KARDS is a recently released game, which actually attracts a lot of new players, giving this game a very active community with a big number of PvP encounters.

If you are a big WWII history buff and looking for a fun card game with a unique spin, KARDS is a great title for you.

Fun Factor Score: 80/100

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Against their Waffen SS full house I will use my Allied royal flush.

KARDS - the WWII Card Game - Gameplay

System Requirements:

Minimum:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows 7 SP 1
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Storage: 5 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: Not recommended for Intel-integrated graphics

Recommended:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system

10. Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines - 1998 ( PC )

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Commandos used a mix of well-mannered "please" and colt.45 to your face, which became quite effective when it comes to reducing German patrols.

Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines - Official Trailer

Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines is a very old game nowadays, but it still holds up as one of the most influential WWII strategy games to date. Commandos is a real-time strategy game where you take control of a small group of special forces on a mission to sabotage important objectives behind enemy lines.

A type of genre inside WWII games

Commandos created its own unique type of game, as this title is sometimes more similar to a puzzle game than a full-on action-packed WWII experience. Here you will need to watch and learn the patrol’s movements and how to sneak around them. Each member of the team brings something different to the table. The Green Beret, for example, can climb and use his knife to kill unsuspecting guards from behind, while other characters like the Spy can change uniforms and pretend to be a guard to sneak around.

Commandos is a very unique and addictive game that will challenge your logic and ability to improvise. In this game, you will need to slowly grind up each guard and patrol till you get close to the actual objective, slowly decyphering this complicated puzzle.

Fun Factor Score: 80/100

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Germans are becoming suspicious. They smell something strange. But it might be just Hans who has never showered since the campaign in France.

Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines - Gameplay

System Requirements:

  • Minimum: IBM PC or 100% compatible, Windows 9X/ME, Pentium II 300 MHz (or equivalent),
  • 64 MB RAM, 100%
  • DirectX® 8 compatible 3D Accelerator card with at least 12 MB VRAM
  • 100% DirectX® 8 compatible (or higher) Sound card,
  • DirectX® 8 (DirectX 8.0a included),
  • 2 GB uncompressed hard drive space,
  • 100% Windows 95/98 compatible Keyboard and Mouse

Recommended:

  • Pentium II 450 MHz,
  • Windows 98SE/ME,
  • 128 MB RAM,
  • 100% DirectX® 8 compatible 3D Accelerator card with 32 MB VRAM,
  • 3 GB uncompressed hard drive space

9. Bomber Crew - 2017 ( PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, MacOS, Android )

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The bomber crew is a fun game that lets you bomb innocent civilians while feeling like you are liberating whole nations. Love it.

Bomber Crew - Release Trailer

Bomber Crew is a fun indie WWII game where takes control of a bomber crew on their mission to bomb an important objectives inside Nazi Germany. This is more a management type of game than a combat-oriented one. Here you will need to manage your crew as it levels up throughout the mission as well as upgrade your airplane with more radars, guns, or bigger bombs.

WWII bomber crew simulation

Although graphically simple, this game has a lot of detail when it comes to realism and historical accuracy. The general gameplay can remind us of games like FTL, where its very important where you place your crew during each phase. For example, if your plane is on fire you will need to decide who is going to put out the fire, while the rest of the crew keeps piloting or shooting the guns.

This game is quite fun but also very challenging, as each mission will get progressively more difficult and require all your ability to rapidly manage your crew to survive.

Fun Factor Score: 80/100

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“Commander, our plane is on fire!” - “it's nothing, tis but a scratch”

Bomber Crew - Gameplay

System Requirements:

Minimum:

  • OS: Windows 7/8.1/10 x86/x64
  • Processor: Intel Core i3-530 (4 * 3000) or equivalent
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Geforce 9800 GT (1024 MB)
  • Storage: 500 MB available space

Recommended:

  • OS: Windows 7/8.1/10 x86/x64
  • Processor: Intel Core i3-6300 (2*3800) or equivalent
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM
  • Graphics: GeForce GTX 560 Ti (1024 MB)
  • Storage: 500 MB available space

8. Close Combat: The Bloody First - 2019 ( PC )

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Close Combat The Bloody first was the bloody first game I really loved to hate. Too hard but also too addictive.

Close Combat: The Bloody First - Trailer

Close Combat: The Bloody First is the last game in the Close Combat series and the first one to have full 3D graphics. Close Combat series is famous for its realism and long grinding historical battles. In this game, you take control of a small battalion made of a mix of different troops, from tanks, and infantry to AT guns and special units like snipers.

Close combat is a very complex game where you will need to take into account things like morale, terrain elevation, ammo limits, and much more. Winning the campaign is no easy task here, as the AI in this game is simply unforgiving and way too smart sometimes.

An ultrarealistic top-down WWII strategy game

Close Combat: The Bloody First has a similar design to other close combat games, meaning that you will have a top-down perspective over your troops. But this title is the first one in the series to have full-on 3D graphics, allowing you to rotate the camera and see the battlefield from every angle.

If you are looking for a very realistic and hardcore WWII tactics game, this title is a perfect match for you.

Fun Factor Score: 80/100

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I just found the truce button there. I just changed my mind. Can I go home now?

Close Combat: The Bloody First - Gameplay

System Requirements:

Minimum:

  • OS: Windows 7/8/10
  • Processor: 2GHz processor
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: 1 GB DirectX 9 Compatible Graphics Card (2GB recommended)
  • DirectX: Version 9.0c
  • Storage: 4 GB available space
  • Sound Card: DirectX Compatible Sound Card
  • Additional Notes: An Internet connection is required for 2-player head-to-head play.

7. Sudden Strike 4 - 2017 ( PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, MacOS )

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Sudden Strike 4 is a nice return to old-school RTS games with a nice balanced micro-macro gameplay.

Sudden Strike 4 - Launch Trailer

Sudden Strike 4 is a real-time WWII strategy game where you take control of Axis or Allied troops in the European theatre. This game is focused on small-scale tactics rather than base building and classical RTS shenanigans.

A blend of classic and new WWII RTS games

This title has a very easy learning curve, as most mechanics will remind you of other RTS games. The gameplay is more similar to games like Company of Heroes, but with more detail and options when it comes to unit abilities and deployment. Here you will need to manage your ammo and fuel levels of each unit, refueling if needed using special trucks. This game has a very balanced macro-to-micro gameplay, as resupplying and repairing won’t take too much attention from the actual combat.

Sudden Strike 4 has very decent graphics with a very smooth framerate and great attention to detail when it comes to effects like explosions, as they really look quite realistic here.

Overall, Sudden Strike 4 is a great blend of older WWII games with new ones, giving us a really fun and somehow complex RTS game.

Fun Factor Score: 80/100

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All those holes in the buildings help with providing fresh air in this hot African weather.

Sudden Strike 4 - Gameplay

System Requirements:

Minimum:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows 7, 8, 10
  • Processor: AMD or Intel, 3 GHz Dual-Core or 2.6 GHz Quad-Core
  • Memory: 6 GB RAM
  • Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 7850, NVIDIA GeForce 660 series
  • Storage: 12 GB available space

Recommended:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows 7, 8, 10
  • Processor: AMD Quad-Core @ 3.8 GHz or Intel Quad-Core @ 3.2 GHz
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 470 or NVIDIA GeForce 1050 Ti series and above
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection
  • Storage: 12 GB available space

6. Unity of Command 2 - 2019 ( PC, MacOS )

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[Top 20] WW2 Strategy Games (Ranked Fun To Most Fun) (29)

Unity of Command II is a great sequel to the original first game, which is one of the most difficult WWII games on the market.

Unity of Command 2 - Announcement Trailer

Unity of Command 2 is a sequel to the highly acclaimed Unity of Command. This title is a turn-based WWII strategy game with a big emphasis on supply management and flanking maneuvers.

Unity of Command 2 is a very hard game, as from the first mission you get your ass kicked if you are not careful enough. It really takes some time to learn the basic mechanics of this game, as they are quite different from any other WWII game.

A hardcore turn-based WWII experience

Unity of Command 2 brings us several historical campaigns with a huge selection of missions to play. From Africa to the Eastern front, this title has a lot to offer to many history buffs with its mix of realism and slow but methodical combat. This game is one of the hardest but most addictive turn-based WWII games currently on the market.

Fun Factor Score: 80/100

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[Top 20] WW2 Strategy Games (Ranked Fun To Most Fun) (30)

British are advancing in Tunez, as they hope to find huge reserves of tea there.

Unity of Command 2 - Gameplay

System Requirements:

Minimum:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows® 10 or newer (64-bit)
  • Processor: Dual-core processor
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: OpenGL 3.3+ supporting GPU with 1GB VRAM
  • Storage: 5 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: Optimized for Low settings / 30FPS @ 720p. Legacy AMD Radeon graphics cards, older than and including the Radeon Rx 200 series, may work but are not officially supported.

Recommended:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows® 10 64-bit
  • Processor: 6th Generation Intel® Core™ i5 Processor or AMD equivalent
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 970 or AMD equivalent
  • Storage: 5 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: Optimized for High settings / 60FPS @ 1080p

5. Panzer Corps 2 - 2020 ( PC )

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[Top 20] WW2 Strategy Games (Ranked Fun To Most Fun) (31)

Panzer Corps 2 is one of the most detailed games when it comes to realistic and historical units and battalions.

Panzer Corps 2 - Launch Trailer

Panzer Corps 2 is the sequel to the renowned Panzer Corps game, which is considered one of the best turn-based WWII strategy games out there. Panzer Corps 2 is a hex-based strategy game where you choose a general with unique abilities and fight through numerous campaigns that cover almost any theatre of World War 2.

A father of turn-based strategy games

Panzer Corps 2 has little to no base building, as you can deploy units using special points you get after taking certain objectives. This game is all about positioning, flanking, and using support units. The learning curve of this game is quite easy for newbie players, as the hex-based gameplay can remind some players of Civilization games.

Panzer Corps 2 is a great game for any WWII strategy lover, as it offers a huge amount of realistic units, maps, and historical battles where you can use your cunning tactics to change history.

Fun Factor Score: 80/100

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[Top 20] WW2 Strategy Games (Ranked Fun To Most Fun) (32)

Here we have a big concentration of units in a tank convention. After a small banquet, they will have a drag race competition.

Panzer Corps 2 - Gameplay

System Requirements:

Minimum:

  • OS: 64-bit Windows 8/10 (the game runs on Windows 7 but no support will be provided)
  • Processor: Intel or AMD, Dual Core or better (Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system)
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Nvidia or AMD, 2GB VRAM
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Storage: 12 GB available space
  • Sound Card: DirectX compatible sound device

Recommended:

  • OS: 64-bit Windows 8/10 (the game runs on Windows 7 but no support will be provided)
  • Processor: Intel or AMD, Dual Core or better (Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system)
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Nvidia or AMD, 4GB of VRAM
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Storage: 12 GB available space
  • Sound Card: DirectX-compatible sound device

4. Men of War: Assault Squad 2 - 2014 ( PC )

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[Top 20] WW2 Strategy Games (Ranked Fun To Most Fun) (33)

Men of War sometimes feels like a full-on Hollywood movie with its emphasis on characters and role-playing elements.

Men of War: Assault Squad 2 - Launch Trailer

Men of War: Assault Squad 2 is a real-time WWII strategy game that centers on micro-management and small squad skirmishes. The gameplay can remind us of Company of Heroes games but with much more detail and complexity. Here you will need to manage the inventory of each unit, including ammo and medic kits, which sometimes feels more like an RPG game than a full-on WWII strategy game.

A unique and personal WWII strategy game

Men of War: Assault Squad 2 does many things differently compared to other WWII titles, as it focuses on individual soldiers and their abilities, which gives a certain charm to this game.

One of the most interesting features of this game is the ability to personally control individual soldiers, giving you the option to point the gun using the mouse. This is one of the most fun and unique features I’ve seen in a WWII strategy game. This and many other interesting details like a highly interactive environment, which could be destroyed at will, and highly intelligent AI that can take cover, drop grenades, and occupy buildings, all those things make this title of the best WWII RTS games on the market.

Fun Factor Score: 90/100

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[Top 20] WW2 Strategy Games (Ranked Fun To Most Fun) (34)

A bunch of boxes is the important objective here. We must save those boxes!

Men of War: Assault Squad 2 - Gameplay

System Requirements:

Minimum:

  • OS: 64bit - Windows 7, 8, 10
  • Processor: 4.0 GHz single-core, 2.0 GHz dual-core or higher
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: DirectX 11 compatible
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Storage: 6 GB available space
  • Sound Card: DirectX 11 compatible

3. Hearts of Iron 4 - 2016 ( PC, MacOS )

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[Top 20] WW2 Strategy Games (Ranked Fun To Most Fun) (35)

Hearts of Iron IV offers you to take control of one of these pipe-smoking generals with all their arrogance and glory.

Hearts of Iron 4 - Pre-order Trailer

Hearts of Iron 4 is the fourth entry in a highly-acclaimed Hearts of Iron series, that let you control a full country during World War II. Here you will need to manage different policies, factory production, and recruitment in huge-scale strategy gameplay.

This game is quite different from other titles on this list, as here you won't be able to produce infinite amounts of units, as your limit is based on your actual historical population number.

A historically accurate WWII grand strategy

This is one of the most historically accurate games, as when you play with a historical focus, each country will follow the actual WWII history with all its mistakes and victories.

Using the terrain, weather, and unit special abilities is a must to be able to win any battle on this entire world fully rendered map.

Hearts of Iron 4 has a very big online community with huge amounts of mods and competitive tournaments. There is no better time to get into this masterpiece of a game.

Fun Factor Score: 90/100

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[Top 20] WW2 Strategy Games (Ranked Fun To Most Fun) (36)

A peaceful night on the front. A cup of tea and back to killing each other.

Hearts of Iron 4 - Gameplay

System Requirements:

Minimum:

  • OS: Windows® 7 64 Bit | Windows® 8.1 64 Bit | Windows® 10 Home 64 Bit
  • Processor: Intel® Core™ i5 750 | AMD® FX 4300
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Nvidia® GeForce™ GTX 470 (1.28GB) | AMD® HD 5850 (1GB) | Intel Iris Xe G7 (Tiger Lake) | AMD® Radeon™ RX Vega 11 | Steam Deck
  • DirectX: Version 9.0c
  • Storage: 2 GB available space
  • Sound Card: Direct X- compatible soundcard.
  • Additional Notes: A mouse and keyboard are required. / Latest available WHQL drivers from both manufacturers/ Internet Connection or LAN for multiplayer, Up to 32 other players in multiplayer mode.

Recommended:

  • OS: Windows® 10 Home 64 bit
  • Processor: Intel® Core™ i5 2500K | AMD® Ryzen 3 2200G
  • Memory: 6 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Nvidia® GeForce™ GTX 570 (1.28GB) | AMD® Radeon™ HD 7970 (3GB) | Intel Iris Xe G7 (Tiger Lake)
  • DirectX: Version 9.0c
  • Storage: 2 GB available space
  • Sound Card: Direct X- compatible soundcard.
  • Additional Notes: A mouse and keyboard are required. / Latest available WHQL drivers from both manufacturers. / Internet Connection or LAN for multiplayer, Up to 32 other players in multiplayer mode.

2. Company of Heroes 2 - 2013 ( PC, MacOS )

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[Top 20] WW2 Strategy Games (Ranked Fun To Most Fun) (37)

Company of Heroes 2 is one of the most cinematic WWII RTS games on the market. This game sometimes feels more epic than the real WWII itself.

Company of Heroes 2 - Trailer

Company of Heroes 2 is a king of WWII RTS games, as this game is considered the best title in this sub-genre by many passionate players and fans of the series. Company of Heroes 2 is a fast-paced RTS game that focuses on actual tactics and combat and less on base building and resource management.

A king of the hill of the WWII RTS games

Company of Heroes 2 offers you an impressive cinematic campaign full of chilling cutscenes and interesting characters and stories. The gameplay loop focuses on capturing certain zones or objectives to accumulate points that could be used to build or upgrade your units.

This title comes with all the units any history buff ever wanted: from german Tigers and Stugs to famous Russian T-34 and Katyushas. Graphically, this game is simply amazing. The explosions, sound, and dust effects make this game very cinematic and immersive.

If you are looking for a simple but addictive RTS in a similar style to Dawn of War games, this title is the best option you will get.

Fun Factor Score: 90/100

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[Top 20] WW2 Strategy Games (Ranked Fun To Most Fun) (38)

The funny thing is, that this city never had so many visits or tourists during peacetime.

Company of Heroes 2 - Gameplay

System Requirements:

Minimum:

  • Memory: 2GB RAM
  • Processor: 2Ghz Intel Core2 Duo or equivalent
  • Graphics: 512MB Direct3D 10 capable video card (GeForce 8800 GT or Radeon HD 2900XT)
  • OS: 32bit Vista
  • Internet: Broadband Internet connection
  • Hard Drive: 30GB free Hard disc space

Recommended:

  • Memory: 4GB RAM
  • Processor: 3Ghz Intel i5 quad core or equivalent
  • Graphics: 1024 MB Direct3D 11 capable video card (GeForce GTX 470 or Radeon HD 5850)
  • OS: 64bit Windows 7 and above
  • Internet: Broadband Internet connection
  • Hard Drive: 30GB free Hard disc space

1. Steel Division 2 - 2019 ( PC )

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[Top 20] WW2 Strategy Games (Ranked Fun To Most Fun) (39)

Steel Division II combines the fast-paced action of games like Company of Heroes 2 with old-school RTS games like Red Alert.

Steel Division 2 - Launch Trailer

Steel Divison 2 is a real-time WWII strategy game and a sequel to the fan-favorite Steel Division. The overall interface and gameplay are similar to games like RUSE, where you control small chips on a tabletop-like battlefield but can zoom in and see the smallest detail of your units.

Here you can choose from a huge roster of airplanes, tanks, and infantry units and deploy them on the battlefield using points you earn capturing or holding certain points.

A polished WWII strategy experience

In this title you will need to learn and react to enemy movements in real-time, which makes your recon units quite important, giving this game a major depth when it comes to tactics and maneuvers.

Steel Division 2 is a very well-balanced game, which made it quite popular in PvP and multiplayer competitive communities. This title is still considered one of the best WWII strategy games on the market, as it flawlessly blends fast-paced real-time action with in-depth long-play strategy gameplay.

Fun Factor Score: 90/100

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[Top 20] WW2 Strategy Games (Ranked Fun To Most Fun) (40)

Russian tanks are rus(s)hing to the battle.

Steel Division 2 - Gameplay

System Requirements:

Minimum:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: 64-bit Windows 11 / 10 / 8.1 / 7 with Service Pack 1
  • Processor: Intel Celeron G4920 (Legacy: i3-2100) , AMD Athlon 200GE
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GT 1030 (Legacy: Nvidia GeForce GTS 450), AMD Radeon RX 460 (Legacy: ATI Radeon HD 5570)
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection
  • Storage: 50 GB available space
  • Sound Card: DirectX Compatible Sound Card

Recommended:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: 64-bit Windows 11 / 10 / 8.1 / 7 with Service Pack 1
  • Processor: 4 cores Intel | AMD CPU (Intel i3-8100, AMD Ryzen 3 1200)
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Nvidia Geforce GTX 1060 3 GB (Legacy: Nvidia Geforce GTX 780), AMD Radeon RX 580 (Legacy: AMD Radeon R9 290X)
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection
  • Storage: 50 GB available space
  • Sound Card: DirectX Compatible Sound Card
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