War Thunder

War Thunder is a free-to-play online war game from studio Gaijin Entertainment that combines air, ground and naval combat units in shared battles spanning historical periods from the interwar era to early post-war technology. The player gradually unlocks tech trees for individual nations, including the USA, Germany, the Soviet Union, Great Britain and Japan, and can choose between several levels of realism, from more arcade-like battles to a demanding simulator mode with full cockpit controls and no on-screen assists.

The game's air component offers hundreds of historical aircraft from early fighters through bombers to the first jet-powered machines, with their performance and armament based on historical documentation and gradually adjusted as new findings emerge. Battles often take place in combined engagements where aircraft cooperate with or fight against tanks and anti-aircraft defenses on the ground, an unusual and refreshing combination compared to purely aerial simulators. The game's free-to-play model is supplemented by premium vehicles and a subscription, which has sparked discussions about progression balance, especially at higher tiers, where advancement without paid content is noticeably slower.

Visually and audibly, War Thunder ranks among the technically advanced titles of its genre, and regular updates expand the roster of vehicles and maps with newer, more modern machines, including modern jet aircraft and missile systems. Thanks to its combination of accessibility for new players and depth for enthusiasts of historical technology, it has become one of the most-played online war games ever and has built a long-term active community. For those interested in historical aircraft and ground vehicles, it offers an unusually broad and still-growing database of machines from many countries and eras, complemented by detailed information on their history and armament.

Why play it: For fans of historical and modern vehicles across countries and eras who will appreciate its accessibility for newcomers as well as its depth for enthusiasts, plus a constantly growing database of machines.