Summary
- Despite being overshadowed by WW2, a few WW1 games like Verdun & Valiant Hearts capture the horrors & sacrifices of the war.
- Innovative WW1 titles like Ad Infinitum & The Great War: Western Front offer unique gameplay experiences and storytelling.
- Games like Tannenberg & Rise Of Flight authentically immerse players in the brutal and strategic aspects of WW1 battles.
With so many games being based on World War 2 and the Cold War, only a handful of games dedicate themselves to shedding light on The Great War - World War 1. The First World War saw many technological innovations as countries needed to adapt to the changing battlefield. It was a war with huge losses and made it clear how horrifying and deadly the consequences of war can be. The fact that this still didn't serve as a proper warning for many before the rise of World War 2 is truly saddening, and many people are glad to see that civilized societies haven't been in conflict with each other on such a large scale ever since.
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Weapons and equipment of this time were also less advanced than that of WW2, making it much harder to create an enjoyable gameplay experience with WW1 than with WW2. But if every war game would be about WW2, there would be little to none left to show the terrors of 1914-1918. The best WW1 games are definitely worth checking out for people interested in this turbulent period of history.
Updated on January 3, 2025, by Mehrdad Khayyat: The technological advancement and the massive scale of World War 2 usually persuade developers to choose it over World War 1 as a setting for their games, but still, World War 1 has also received some superb games so far.
The most iconic World War 1 that every game might think of is Battlefield 1, a true masterpiece from DICE. However, there have been even worthy games even before Battlefield 1 that might be hidden from the sights at the moment.
21 NecroVisioN
Adding Vampires And Dark Magic To The Terrors Of World War 1
NecroVisioN
NecroVisioN seems to be inspired by Lovecraftian horror and strays a little farther from the realistic WW1 setting. Although it embodies the overall feel and style of the harsh realities of the great war, it takes the liberty to add fantasy elements like monsters and zombies.
In this FPS, players take on the role of Simon Bukner, who is being recruited into the British Army. During his time fighting for his country, Simon discovers that he not only has to fight against man but supernatural elements as well. While it's the ugly duckling of the list, it still counts as a WW1 game because of its accurate setting and style.
20 Call Of Cthulhu: The Wasted Land
Discover The Dark Secrets Within The German Army
Call of Cthulhu: The Wasted Land
- Released
- January 30, 2012
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Action, Indie Games, Tactical, Adventure, Strategy
From one Lovecraftian WW1 game to another, Call Of Cthulhu: The Wasted Land is based on the iconic H.P. Lovecraft novel The Call of Cthulhu. While it follows a more fantasy-type storyline compared to other games based on historical events, it still depicts greatly what WW1 was all about.
Players take on the role of a team of investigators looking into conspiracies within the German army during the war. Its story is gripping, as is the gameplay, and while it's not entirely historically accurate, it still pays tribute to the great war.
19 Iron Storm
A Brutal, Classic Shooter With Intense Battles
- Developer: Microids
- Release Date: October 25, 2002
- Platforms: PC and PS2
Iron Storm takes a unique look at World War 1, basing itself on an alternate version of history where the war never ended. This hellscape is relayed in the form of a first-person shooter that features one of the better campaigns on this list.
The gameplay is slightly buggy and might not be up to everyone's standards, but fans of FPS games with unique storylines will have a great time with Iron Storm. It's not a stellar title by any means but is easily one of the most underrated World War 1 games around.
18 Ad Infinitum
A Psychological Horror Adventure About The Evils Of War
Ad Infinitum
Trench warfare during World War 1 was especially traumatic for the many soldiers who participated in it, with people having to deal with everything from artillery fire to diseases while being cramped in these close-quarter environments. Ad Infinitum is a horror game focusing on the struggles of a World War vet who suffers from PTSD following his acts in World War 1 and the trench warfare he was a part of.
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Many developers play fast and loose with factual accuracy in favor of creating an enjoyable playing experience. However, this has started to change.
The game certainly has its flaws, but there's no denying that the setting of World War 1 is done justice to. The game may not be as tight a horror experience as most people would want it to be, but its ideas are definitely fresh and worth checking out for fans of unique horror experiences who take risks instead of sticking to what works.
17 Beyond The Wire
Play In 100-Player Battles Set During The First World War
- Developer: Redstone Interactive
- Release Date: August 31, 2022
- Platform: PC
Beyond The Wire takes inspiration from the likes of Hell Let Loose and Post Scriptum to deliver a massive World War 1 experience with multiple factions, maps, and authentic weapons. The game features a massive scale and it delivers all the content in stunning visuals.
Aside from the infantry battles, the game also supports tanks and other ground vehicles that can be used to gain an edge in the war. Each faction offers a multitude of roles with their specific weapons and skills.
16 War Hospital
Experiencing A Deadly War From A Unique Perspective
- Developer: Brave Lamb Studio
- Release Date: January 11, 2024
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
War Hospital is a creative management game with a story to tell about the people who have been as important as the frontline soldiers in dealing with the terrors of war and achieving victory.
Unlike most depictions of World War where the player either directly fights against the enemies or tries to lead the troops to victory, War Hospital focuses on managing a field hospital on the Western Front. The player's actions will directly impact the outcome of the war, as the soldiers must be recovered as soon as possible.
15 Last Train Home
Surviving The Post-War Miseries On The Way Back Home
Last Train Home
- Released
- November 28, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Ashborne Games
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy, Tactical
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Last Train Home tells a story about the civil war inside the USSR which surrounded a series of Czechoslovak soldiers on their way home. Taking the role of the crew's leader, the player must make strategic decisions on where to stop, which fights to pick, and how to train each member of the squad.
Traveling towards home on an armored train, the player not only needs to keep the crew alive in this long journey, but they also need to maintain the train as their only means of traversal in a long journey through the Siberia.
14 Verdun
Recreating The Battle Of Verdun In A Multiplayer FPS Framework
Verdun
With Verdun, players can enjoy a first-person shooter game that not only takes place in World War 1 but allows players to experience authentic weapons from the iconic time period. The gameplay is merciless and realistic, showing players how unforgiving the time period was.
It's set between 1914 and 1918 on the Western Front and strives to be as realistic as possible. Because of this, both the setting and style of the game have a unique feel that both history buffs and FPS fans will enjoy very much. Players all around the world praise Verdun for its immaculate depiction of WW1.
13 The Great War: Western Front
An Authentic RTS Experience With Single-Player Campaign And Multiplayer PvP
The Great War: Western Front
- Released
- March 30, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Petroglyph Games
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
There are many strategy games that have used the setting of World War 1 to great effect, and one such title that falls into this category is The Great War: Western Front. This strategy game does a commendable job of showing the tense nature of these conflicts, with players having to employ some smart strategies to even stand a chance of attaining victory.
Both the Central Powers and the Allied Powers can be controlled in the game, leading to new and unique gameplay scenarios based on the unit used by the player. While the lack of a good UI really drags back the overall game at times, The Great War: Western Front is a fun title that fans of this setting should check out for themselves.
12 To End All Wars
A Grand Strategy With True-To-Life Maps, Leaders, And Scenarios
- Developer: Ageod
- Release Date: August 29, 2014
- Platform: PC
To End All Wars is one of the more advanced WWI strategic games out there. Players strive to take over Europe by expanding their units and taking down nations. For newcomers, this is a bit more advanced and takes time to get to know the game, but fans love the overall style and the story.
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It's set during the time of WW1 and brings to life the feel and strategies of the war. So for history fans and strategy game fans alike, this is one of the best of the best out there.