10 Best Military Simulators (2024)

Whether you are starting to get bored of the average quirks of FPS games or just really want to play a game where you can escape into someone else's life for a few minutes, Milsim (military simulator) games have what you're looking for. Tactical decisions, realistic gunplay, and extensive graphics are just some of the key points that show up in the Milsim genre.

Related: Best Tactical Strategy Games

But, which one should you play? Whether it is 1940s Europe or modern-day war zones, there are plenty of games to choose from in the Milsim genre. How about some of the best ones out there?

10 Enlisted

One of the most recent World War Two games to join the ranks of other games with the same setting, Enlisted was an Xbox console exclusive but eventually released for all modern platforms. It is one of the more realistic World War Two games out there.

Related: How To Upgrade Squads In Enlisted

You can spawn in on one of the various historical maps and try to fight back against an enemy army. Playing as one of a series of different squad members is fun, but Enlisted doesn't have some of the realism or smoothness that so many other Milsim games have going for them.

9 Verdun

There has been a recent uptick in World War One games in the past few years. With games like Battlefield 1 drawing more and more attention to the first global conflict as a video game setting, there has also been a push for some historical realism in those games.

Verdun is one such game that pushes for historical realism without sacrificing a fun experience. The maps, the guns, and even the dialogue all work in unison to make a game that takes you to Europe during the First World War in a way that no other game with that setting quite compares to.

8 War Of Rights

Civil War games are a bit of a rarity. It can be hard to balance historical accuracy when fighting battles with muskets and making a game that people find genuinely enjoyable to play. However, War of Rights does it as no one has before.

Standing in a firing line with the rest of your army and firing your musket in a puff of smoke is fine. But then you must begin the dreadfully long reloading process while the enemy does the same. It is deeply stressful but avoids being boring.

7 Rising Storm 2: Vietnam

Whether it be the lush jungle or the napalm-burned fields, Rising Storm 2: Vietnam is a game that definitely stands out. You'll find yourself with an M16 or AK in hand. Stalking through the Vietnamese countryside can really be intense.

This game feels more on the FPS side of things and doesn't have a lot of the Milsim details that most veterans of the genre will find themselves accustomed to. It is a load of fun, though, and a great option for those who aren't as adept in the genre as others.

6 Ground Branch

If you like things more on the tactical side, then Ground Branch is one to look into. A modern military sim, this game gets pretty heated. Enemies with realistic weaponry potentially wait around every corner, and there is no replenishing health. Bullets can take you down quickly. Fun game mechanics and pretty solid graphics round out this game as a solid option for anyone interested in Milsim gaming.

5 Arma 3

The classic option, Arma games, have been around for some time now. Whether you find a heavily modded version where you are fighting in the Warhammer universe, as clones against battle droids on Tatooine, or just as regular army units on the base game, there is a server for you.

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The ability to make this game yours and a heavy push towards realism, especially with the right group of players, can make this such a unique experience.

4 Squad

Squad is a Milsim game that takes squad-based combat to another level. It isn't as technical as games like Arma, but it is still a solid Milsim. Communications and squad-based tactics are where this game stands out.

If you have a group of friends you like to play sims with, then this is a must-try as you go room to room, clearing out potential hostiles. This game doesn't necessarily excel in anything specific, but it allows for a fun time for those looking for another game to add to their rotation.

3 Escape From Tarkov

While not squad-based like so many other similar games, Escape From Tarkov takes the realism and formula of Milsim games and uses it to its advantage. Expecting to run and gun like in Call of Duty will have you dead in seconds and missing your favorite loot.

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Constantly balancing risk and reward when it comes to gear will have you sitting there pouring over strategies and weapon stats like you're getting paid to do it. But, death is assured, and sooner or later, you'll find yourself wading in armorless with a double barrel, just hoping to get out with whatever you manage to scavenge.

2 Hell Let Loose

The fields of the Second World War are a common setting for Milsim games. But no one does it quite like Hell Let Loose. The expansive maps, the realistic gunplay, and the artillery that seems to shake the earth around you all add up to quite the experience.

Related: Hell Let Loose: Guide To Squad Management

It often feels like you've been dropped in the middle of a war zone. Plenty of games have tried the Second World War setting, but Hell Let Loose takes you and your squad of friends and puts you in the thick of it.

1 Insurgency: Sandstorm

The modern military experience has been the focal point of many a game. Insurgency: Sandstorm is one game that takes this idea and makes it unique. The creators have layered some great sound design and gameplay on top of a solid FPS game to deliver a quality Milsim.

There are a lot of great modes to choose from and some pretty diverse maps as well. It may not have the intricacies of games like Arma or Hell Let Loose, but it allows a lot of realism to shine through for those really into Milsim gaming while also not having a steep learning curve for those wanting to start diving into Milsims.

Next: Hell Let Loose Beginners Guide