15 Popular Games Inspired by World War II

15 Popular Games Inspired by World War II

As a history buff myself, it’s quite fascinating how vastly creative, sources and forms of information  can be. That includes events of World War II, a most devastating large-scale conflict that remains etched in the fine imprints of our history. Much about the war has been captured in books, memoirs, movies, documentaries, archival film records, and now games. Creators of game series such as Call of Duty have combined historical facts about World War II, and an incredible gaming experience that not only entertains the player but also paints a picture of what it was like during the war.

Game developers have drawn inspiration from the events of the war, and added their twists and turn to create action-packed simulations. Whether you’re intrigued by the historical information or just the adrenaline-pumping action as you engage with weaponry, strategy, and tactic obstacles, we’ve compiled a list of popular games inspired by the war. Check them out!

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Popular Games-Specific Battles in World War II

1. Call of Duty: WWII

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This is a first-person shooter game, meaning that the player gets to experience the action through the eyes of the protagonist. It was developed by Sledgehammer Games, and its publisher is Activision. The game is centered mainly on the events of Operation Overload, the codename for the Invasion of Normandy during World War II. It follows a 1^st Infantry Division squad, and the player controls the character ‘Red’, acquiring extra ammunition for the war campaign. The game was released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows on November 3, 2017. It features both single-player and multiplayer modes.

2. Company of Heroes

It’s more of tactical planning over action in this real-time strategy video game released in 2006. It is the first installment in the Company of Heroes series, and the campaign on this one is mainly set in the European Theatre of the war. It has both single-player and multiplayer system features. For the single-player campaign, the player leads two U.S military units in battle during Operation Overload (Invasion of Normandy) and Operation Cobra, which is the codename used for the subsequent offensive campaign led by the U.S First Army after D-Day landings for the liberation of France during World War II.

The idea is to acquire strategic resources on the map, and use them creatively to defeat the enemy. The game was developed by Relic Entertainment and published by THQ for Microsoft Windows and OS X operating systems. It was quite well received, winning numerous awards for best strategy game of the year. It is considered one of the best games ever made.

3. Post Scriptum

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This is a multiplayer video game on PC, enabling numerous players to play simultaneously. It is a tactical first-person shooter game, set mainly during the Battle of France and Operation Market Garden. The latter was an Allied operation in the Netherlands, for the creation of an invasion route into northern Germany from 17^th to 27^th September 1944.

Players can however take part in numerous campaigns. The game was developed by Periscope Games and published by Offworld Industries through Stream. It was released on 9 August 2009. It is considered near-accurate to the historical facts of the war, and highly realistic. Players have to work as a team, keeping in constant communication, and the game is more of tactics as opposed to shooting and running.

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4. Steel Division 2

This is a 2019 real-time strategy video game, that allows players to play simultaneously. It has a single-player mode as well. Developed and published by Eugen Systems, the game is set during Operation Bagration. This was the codename for the Soviet military operation on the Eastern front, between 22^nd June and 19 August 1944. Since it happened barely two weeks after the commencement of Operation Overload, the Germans were forced to fight on two fronts.

The game is a sequel to Steel Division: Normandy 44, which was released in 2017. For the multiplayer mode, up to twenty can play in a ten-against-ten battle, as either Allied or Axis powers. There are 25 maps providing details for war, which adds to the incredible realism of this game. It incorporates tactics, strategy, and heavy artillery in good measure. Available for Windows, and on Stream.

5. Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad

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You already know that this one revolves around the famed Battle of Stalingrad on the Eastern Front of World War II, in which Germany fought the Soviet Union over the city of Stalingrad. The game extends to the Pacific Theater of the war as well. It’s a tactical multiplayer, first-person shooter video game released in September 2011.

Its developer and publisher is Tripwire Interactive, and the game is a sequel to Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45. It’s exclusively on Windows. Again, teamwork is paramount in this multiplayer action game, but the thrill that comes with the planning and strategizing as you engage your enemies is quite the treat. Impressive tank warfare, blind firing mechanisms, and a cover system are some of the cool features.

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6. Silent Hunter III

This one stands out in the list for its unique kind of simulation; a submarine! Released for Windows in March 2005, its developer is Ubisoft Bucharest. It was published by Ubisoft. The player gets to command a submarine crew in World War II, in the Battle of the Atlantic. With no predetermined missions, the player has some autonomy in deciding how their career through the war will advance. As the player navigates a given patrol grid, the game automatically generates various tasks or enemies to counter, and the thrilling part about it all is that the player can hardly guess what to expect next! It features both single-player and multiplayer modes.

Popular Squad-Based Games

7. Enlisted

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Enlisted is a squad-based multiplayer tactical, first-person shooter game released in 2021. Its available platforms include Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows, PS4, PS5, and Xbox One. It was developed by Darkflow Software, and its publisher is Gaijin Entertainment. For this one, the setting revolves around all fronts of World War 2, and the major battles fought.

The game features 6 main ones, including the Battle of Berlin, Stalingrad, Tunisia, Moscow, the Invasion of Normandy, and the Pacific War. Each player is in charge of an infantry squad, comprising 3 to 9 soldiers or a vehicle’s crew. Players are divided into teams of Allied and Axis powers just like in the war. There’s a variety of weapons to choose from as you equip your squads to take down the enemy.

8. Day of Defeat: Source

Another team-based, multiplayer video game that’s equally thrilling. Day of Defeat is an online first-person shooter game released on September 26, 2005, for Microsoft Windows. It was developed by Valve and is the official remake of the previous Day of Defeat (2003). The game is set during the European Theater of World War II, simulating squad-level infantry combat between the Allied and Axis Powers. Players get to choose what team to play on, and the general idea is to accomplish their set objectives in war while preventing the enemy from achieving theirs.

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9. World War II: Online

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This is the first massively multiplayer online first-person shooter game, meaning that very large numbers of people can play simultaneously. Combat is therefore large-scale and team-based. The game is the first of its kind and it holds three Guinness World Records. Its developer is Cornered Rat Software, and its publisher is Playnet, Inc. It was first released in 2001 for Microsoft Windows, and a Mac OS version was released the following year. In 2017, the game was released on Steam. It is set in Western Europe during World War II, and the virtual battlefield features a combined arms war simulation. The player can command an aircraft, naval vessel, anti-tank guns, armored vehicle or even fight as a foot soldier. The game requires team coordination and tactical skills to win battles.

Popular Action-Adventure Games

10. The Saboteur

It’s both action and adventure in a unique set of challenges for the protagonist in this open-world environment set game. The Saboteur was developed by Pandemic Studios, published by Electronic Arts, and released in December 2009. It’s playable on Microsoft Windows, PS 3, and Xbox 360. Set in German-occupied France in World War II, the game follows its protagonist, Sean Devlin, who joins the French resistance to avenge his friend’s death at the hands of the Nazis. The only mode available is single-player, and the game is played from a third-person perspective. It combines action in shooting, driving, combat, and adventure as the player can explore Nazi-occupied Paris.

Read more on: World War II in Paris.

11. Wolfenstein: The New Order

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Yet another action-adventure experience in this 2014 first-person shooter, single-player mode video game. It was developed by MachineGames and published by Bethesda Softworks. Platforms on which it is playable include PS 3, PS 4, Windows, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. The game is the 7^th installment in the Wolfenstein series and is set in an alternate history in which the Nazis have won World War 2. The protagonist, war veteran William ‘B.J.’ is on a mission to stop the Nazis from taking over the world. The game’s storyline and combat features received generally positive reviews upon its release, and it was nominated for multiple awards including Game of the Year.

Popular Free-to-Play Games

12. Heroes and Generals

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It’s hard to turn down a free-to-play game that’s just as good. Heroes & Generals is a free, first-person shooter and real-time strategy video game set during the Second World War. It focuses on multiplayer mode, and the developers have termed it a ‘mass participation game’. It was developed and published by Reto-Meto. It was released for Microsoft Windows in September 2016. The player engages in major battles alongside other players and can fight on foot or ride in a tank. There’s a variety of weapons and vehicles to choose from, including planes.

Popular Grand Strategy Wargame

13. Hearts of Iron IV

Forget controlling a squad of infantry soldiers, or commanding a naval fleet, this game puts you in charge of a whole nation at war! You get to strategize on how to win the war while protecting the national interests at stake. Quite the challenge for sure, but the thrill that comes with such pressure as well is what makes a game equally intriguing. Hearts of Iron IV was developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive. It was released in June 2016, and exclusive platforms include Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS. It is the fourth installment of the Hearts of Iron series. Both single-player and multiplayer modes are available.

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Popular Games; Nazi Germany

14. Raid: World War II

Set in World War II, when the Nazis seem to be winning the war, a crew of four prisoners freed by a British Intelligence Operative set out to take down Hitler and the German war machine in this game’s storyline. It is a multiplayer first-person shooter video game, in which players team up as the Raid crew. The game was developed by Lion Game Lion and published by Starbreeze Studios. Available platforms are Microsoft Windows, PS4, and Xbox One.

15. Medal of Honor: Frontline

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American Lt. Jimmy Patterson is the player character of this game, in which he fights through several levels during World War II against Nazi Germany. The player takes control of the protagonist as he fights his way across Europe into Germany. The game is quite immersive, with a set of missions and military debriefings throughout the course of the battle operations. It is a first-person shooter video game, with both single-player and multiplayer mode options. It was developed by EA Los Angeles, published by Electronic Arts, and released in 2002. Platforms include PS2, PS3, GameCube, and Xbox.