War games

What We Liked..

Addictive gameplay

Colossal battles

Excellent graphics

.. and what we didn't

Not much of a story

Rather exorbitant hardware requirements

3.4 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.7

Genre: shooter, war

Setting: fantasy, sci-fi

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: guild or factions PvP


In the shoes of a member of one of three factions on the planet Auraxis, your mission is simply to conquer as much territory as possible and bring your team one step closer to total domination. The game places a strong emphasis on teamwork, with tactics designed to encourage furious suicide charges in the middle of battle.

The game is essentially devoid of a strong narrative component and prefers to rely entirely on the gameplay, which is fine because the latter is incredibly enjoyable, challenging and well designed.

Graphically, the game is beautiful, staging its battles in the most diverse, well-realised environments. Constant updates bring more content and welcome variations to an already excellent game.

Overall, PlanetSide 2 is the game fans of the first episode have been waiting for, and more.

What We Liked..

Great Voice Acting

Humorous Dialogue

Solid Strategy Elements

.. and what we didn't

Stiff Combat Animations

Cash Shop

Long Tutorials

Time Sink

3.4 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.7


Watch the trailer:

Genre: strategy, war, managerial

Setting: fantasy, historical

Graphics: animated artworks

PvP: PvE PvP


Nords: Heroes of the North is a browser based strategy game published by Plarium Games.
The humorous take on the now pervasive strategy genre does a lot right, leaving only a little to be desired.

Build your Keep, choose your Champion, and become a famed Lord Marshall; then set out to conquer your rivals.

Those hoping for a reprieve from the tedious nature of other well-known strategy outings will be disappointed, however those looking for a solid browser RPG will find an excellent new home in Nords.

➔ Main points:

  • Fast-paced (compared to similar games) strategy browser game with lots of things to do and daily quests.
  • Funny, humoristic atmosphere thanks to the great voice-acting and top-notch artworks.
  • 3 different races: Northmen, Orcs and Elves.
  • Equip and level-up your hero.
  • Ally with your neighbours, or attack and raid them without mercy!

What We Liked..

5 vehicle classes

Next- gen visuals

destructible landscape

continuous updates to game

.. and what we didn't

lack of realism with in game graphics

Only two pvp options

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.5


Watch the trailer:

Genre: war, shooter, simulation

Setting: city, present

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: guild or factions PvE PvP


Satisfy your thirst for destruction with Armored Warfare, a modern day military game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Mail.Ru.
An open beta was launched on October 8, 2015 with optional premium accounts coming soon.

Armored Warfare has been noted for its competitive co-op battles and use of modern day tanks and artillery.
In this free-to-play MMO, you have the opportunity to take on your environment or your fellow players. The chance for ultimate destruction is guaranteed.

➔ Main points:

  • Captivating Story-line
  • Beautiful Next-Gen Visuals
  • Dynamic Destructible Environment
  • Engaging Team-Based Combat
  • Customizable Equipment

What We Liked..

Tactical team-based fun

Great graphics and sound

Good amount of freelancers

Easy to learn

.. and what we didn't

Must pay to unlock all freelancers

No built-in voice chat

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.5

Genre: strategy, war, MOBA

Setting: city, sci-fi

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: PvE PvP


Atlas Reactor by Trion Worlds is a refreshing turn-based tactical team PVP game that pits two teams of four players against each other. The game's unique gameplay is its selling point, proving that MOBA isn't the only option when it comes to competitive group play.

The game boasts well designed and balanced heroes called Freelancers, and their ability to influence games is largely down to the skill of the player, the strategy of the team and how well they communicate as a group, rather than the strength of the Freelancer.

Overall, Atlas Reactor is a very fun game to play and offers hours of strategic fun for both hardcore and casuals. The game is easy to learn but hard to master, and considering that it's free to play, it will keep gamers coming back for a long time to come.

➔ Main points:

  • Refreshing turn-based tactical team PVP that challenges traditional MOBAs
  • 16 Freelancers to choose from that are unique and balanced
  • Requires team strategy and communication over individual skill
  • Great graphics that doesn't require high-spec computers to play
  • Small download size

What We Liked..

Fun and fluid action combat

Sandbox world with plenty to do and no loading screens

Free content updates

Populated in-game servers

Excellent graphics

.. and what we didn't

Very grind-heavy and time consuming

Heavy RNG and cash shop reliance

PvP griefing is normal

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.5

Genre: war, action, mmorpg, simulation

Setting: fantasy

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: guild or factions matches or duels PvE PvP


Black Desert Online is an open world sandbox MMORPG that features Asian style graphics and some of the best action combat in any MMO game to-date. The graphics ranging from environment designs to the character creator is top notch.

There’s plenty of content for players to soak their teeth into for both PvE and PvP. Besides the decent amount of class choices, players can also dive into Life Skills, which is a refreshing take on crafting systems within the MMORPG genre. One great aspect of Black Desert Online is that it rewards you for simply playing the game and doing the activities you enjoy most, as players gain a multitude of XP and points to spend that progresses their characters further. The game does offer something for every playstyle.

Overall, Black Desert Online is the poster child and an excellent example of a Buy to Play Asian MMORPG that’s done right. It may have its issues such as the heavy grind and over reliance on RNG and luck, but the game deserves to be played nonetheless.

➔ Main points:

  • Addictive fast paced action combat MMORPG
  • Excellent character creator and graphics
  • Huge open sandbox world with no loading screens between zones
  • Free content updates and expansions
  • Large population and active in-game community

What We Liked..

lots of strategy involved

clean graphical style

easy to pick-up and play

.. and what we didn't

really slow going

lots of gated elements

gold can give too great of an advantage

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.5

Genre: strategy, war

Setting: historical

Graphics: plain text and images

PvP: matches or duels PvP


Call of War: 1942 is a strategy game set during World War 2. You build, you expand, you go to war, and yes – you exploit. Call of War is most definitely a 4X (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate) game, and even if that genre isn’t quite familiar to you, you’ve probably heard of another immensely popular 4X game: Civilization. Call of War takes the concepts of a 4X game and applies them to a free-to-play model.

➔ Main points:

  • Browser-based 4X strategy game
  • Matches last weeks
  • Set during WWII
  • Light system requirements

What We Liked..

Minimal system requirements

Large weapon pool

Plenty of game modes

Community

.. and what we didn't

Dated graphics

Occasional hacking

Weapon balance

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.5

Genre: war, shooter

Setting: present

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: all vs all guild or factions PvP


Combat Arms is a first person tactical shooter game that has been around for quite some time, and features a solid core FPS gameplay that is on par with genre favorites Counterstrike and Crossfire. The game stands out by giving players a huge amount of in-game weapons to embrace, and as a result it has created a unique culture of weapon progression unlike any other game has done.

Combat Arms also has highly customizable systems which includes outfitting and up-gradable weapon parts, giving players even more reasons to keep playing regularly to gain experience and ranks. While there are downsides such as dated graphics and occasional hacking, the game still offers plenty of content and fun for FPS aficionados. Overall, Combat Arms is great shooter game that will be around for a long time to come.

➔ Main points:

  • Minimal system requirements means the game is accessible to everyone
  • Huge amount of gameplay modes and weapons
  • Decent player community and community events
  • In-depth weapon customization options

What We Liked..

Ridiculously fun PvP battles

Quick match-making

Good graphics

.. and what we didn't

Optimization is a hit or miss

Bland PvE mode

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.5


Watch the trailer:

Genre: strategy, war, mmorpg

Setting: fantasy, historical

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: guild or factions matches or duels PvE PvP


Conqueror's Blade is hybrid blend of medieval MMO gameplay and deep tactical warfare, which places your characters in kingdoms that you'll represent in this feudal age. You'll play as a Warlord, utilizing a chosen class inspired from both Eastern and Western cultures. In its PvE, you'll level up your class, gaining skills and recruiting units for the looming battles ahead. In PvP, expect fun 15 versus 15 siege battles where you and other Warlords fight for regional supremacy that results in better crafting yields, trading opportunities and fame. Conqueror's Blade is a free and unique MMO, but not one without its flaws.

➔ Main points:

  • Free to play medieval tactical MMO
  • Good choice of classes that makes combat feel unique
  • Fast matchmaking ensures no downtime
  • Siege battles offers exciting and competitive gameplay

What We Liked..

Imaginative environment and engaging graphics.

.. and what we didn't

Massively automated gameplay and lack of character customization.

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.5

Genre: war, mmorpg

Setting: fantasy, historical

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: matches or duels PvE PvP


Dark Era is a free RPG game released by Game123 which involves the time-space concept in its storyline for the player to fight against the armies of a Dark Emperor. The game majorly focuses on guiding the players in their conquest against the Dark power which the automated gameplay of Dark Era clearly shows.

Even though the rather well-designed environment and competitive graphics of Dark Era are a positive, it is a very small consolation for the lack of action and involvement of the player. Yes, there are certain character upgrades during the course of the game and the introduction of beasts and mounts does spice things up a little bit, but not nearly enough to make up for the disappointment of the automated character movement and decision making.

➔ Main points:

  • A number of classes to choose your characters from.
  • Good environmental setting and commendable graphics.
  • Not enough player involvement.

What We Liked..

Highly realistic thanks to modern day setting and accurate depiction of military units

Active player base with Alliances recruiting across all game worlds

Dynamic weather system that can change battle outcomes

Achievement system that's uncommon for this type of game

.. and what we didn't

Slower than usual progression to encourage the purchase of premium Diamonds to speed things up

High learning curve for players that aren't familiar with military language

Graphics and artwork aren't the best to look at

No horizontal progression such as Champions to break the waiting game monotony

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.5


Watch the trailer:

Genre: strategy, war

Setting: city, sci-fi

Graphics: animated artworks

PvP: all vs all guild or factions


Desert Operations is a highly realistic military themed strategy game that is free to play and has a modern day setting. The gameplay revolves around familiar strategy mechanics such as building, researching, resource management and real time-based PvP warfare. The game worlds are populated and advancing your nation is a fun challenge as players navigate through mechanics like a dynamic weather system that could change the outcome of battles. In addition to that, joining social Alliances will be crucial for the late game, but there are there things to do like hunting Achievements which is rare for games of this genre.

Other aspects of Desert Operations aren't the best such as graphics and aesthetics, but that won't matter too much if you're used to browser-based strategy games. While Desert Operations is easy to jump into, it does have a high learning curve for non-military enthusiasts and there is a very slow rate of progression which encourages you to spend real money on Diamonds to progress things like building or recruiting faster.

➔ Main points:

  • Modern day setting with familiar strategy mechanics
  • Realistic depiction of military units, buildings and tech to reflect today's era
  • Active player-base thanks to more than 6 worlds to play on
  • Short and succinct tutorial to get new players up to speed and playing in less than 5 minutes