Top 5 Riveting Alternatives to "War Thunder"

"War Thunder" is a remarkable and widely played Massive Multiplayer Online (MMO) game that thrills players with an intense combination of aerial, naval, and armored combat in a real-time setting. It offers an engaging experience where strategies and tactics reign supreme. However, if you're seeking to try something different but still within the same genre, here are five enthralling alternatives that offer equally captivating gameplay, stories, and settings.

1. World of Tanks

Introduction

World of Tanks is a player-versus-player MMO game developed by Wargaming.net. It emphasizes strategic tank warfare with mid-20th-century war machines. With over 600 tanks from nations like America, Germany, France, and the USSR at your disposal, this game delivers an immersive tank combat experience.

Gameplay

The primary objective in World of Tanks is to eliminate all enemy tanks or capture the enemy base. The game has several types of tanks, such as light, medium, and heavy tanks, tank destroyers, and artillery vehicles, each having unique attributes for various tactical moves on the battlefield.

Story & Setting

Set in the mid-20th century era of tank warfare, World of Tanks does not have a specific story mode. The battles take place in numerous maps inspired by real-world locations providing diverse environments for strategic play.

2. Armored Warfare

Introduction

Armored Warfare is another excellent alternative to War Thunder developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by My.com. This free-to-play military MMO allows players to pilot modern tanks instead of WWII-era machines.

Gameplay

Armored Warfare brings PvE missions alongside traditional PvP modes, which makes it stand out. Players can team up with friends to undertake cooperative missions where they face AI-controlled enemies, adding an extra layer of depth to multiplayer combat.

Story & Setting

The game is set in a modern virtual world where you take on the role of a private military contractor. The PvE missions have storylines attached that typically involve battling insurgents or rogue states, giving players a sense of purpose during their combats.

3. World of Warships

Introduction

World of Warships is another creation from Wargaming.net, focusing on naval warfare using warships from the first half of the 20th century.

Gameplay

Players command a massive naval fleet featuring some of history's most iconic war vessels. The game offers different types of ships: destroyers, cruisers, battleships, and aircraft carriers, each having unique gameplay and tactical roles.

Story & Setting

Similar to World of Tanks, World of Warships does not offer a distinct storyline but immerses players in naval battles across various maps inspired by different geographical locations and historical naval battle sites.

4. IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad

Introduction

IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad is a critically acclaimed WWII combat flight simulator developed by 1C Game Studios and 777 Studios. It brings historical aerial combat to life with its detailed physics and realistic graphics.

Gameplay

It focuses on the Eastern Front air battles during WWII between the USSR’s Red Air Force and Germany’s Luftwaffe. The game features authentic planes modeling their real-life counterparts’ performance characteristics and damage models to provide an immersive flying experience.

Story & Setting

The game's story is based on the actual events of the Battle of Stalingrad in 1942-1943. It features two main modes: a single-player campaign and a multiplayer mode, both set against the backdrop of this significant historical event.

5. MechWarrior Online

Introduction

MechWarrior Online is a tactical online shooter set in the BattleTech Universe, developed by Piranha Games. The game puts players in the cockpit of a giant mechanical "BattleMech" instead of traditional war machines.

Gameplay

This game emphasizes strategy and teamwork, as players can customize their mechs with different weapons, armor types, and electronic systems to fit their preferred combat style. Battlefield tactics such as scouting, flanking, and holding high ground are vital strategies to succeed.

Story & Setting

Set in 3050 during the early stages of a massive interstellar war, MechWarrior Online offers no specific storyline, but each battle contributes towards the grand war effort on a dynamic universe map.

Each one of these games brings its unique spin to military MMO gaming. Whether you prefer commanding tanks or piloting aircraft, there’s something for every War Thunder fan looking for new experiences.