Best Games Set In World War 2 (That Aren’t Call of Duty: Vanguard)

Highlights

• There are plenty of other World War 2 games that players can try if they want a different experience. Games like Resistance Fall Of Man and Valkyria Chronicles offer unique twists on the setting.
• Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, Battlefield 1942, and Wolfenstein are classic games that capture the essence of World War 2 and are still enjoyable to play today.

Call of Duty: Vanguard is not the most beloved entry in the franchise. That is not to say it is of poor quality or not worth playing, however. It still has the same level of polish most entries in the series have and players are likely to still find an active lobby, although the game is certainly old news by this point. However, what if someone wants some games set during the same period, though?

Fortunately, there are plenty of other games people can play that take place during World War 2 that are not Call of Duty: Vanguard. Most are first-person shooters, but not all of them fall under the trappings of this genre. For World War 2 history buffs, many great choices will help players learn about the history of this worldwide conflict while educating themselves in a manner that is way more entertaining and engaging.

Updated on December 27, 2023 by Ritwik Mitra: There are many games set in World War 2 that players can check out. Call of Duty: Vanguard is just one of the many titles that use this setting to great effect. After the majority of FPS fans were tired of games in modern and futuristic settings, many popular franchises shifted to a World War 2 setting once again. Players are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing one of the many WW2 games they can sink their teeth into.

Games That Sort Of Fit In

The following two games are not set during World War 2, but they deserve mentioning because they are heavily inspired by the setting and conflict. Besides, some players might want a break from the grim historical reality for something a bit more on the fantasy side. That’s not to say these two games don’t have heavy themes of their own, however.

Resistance Fall Of Man

Resistance: Fall of Man does not take place during what we recognize as World War 2, but instead it is set in an alternate history where a mysterious alien species invades Earth and threatens to take over the world. Even though it takes place in the 1950s – well after the actual ending of World War 2 – the world is still stuck in war because of the Chimera threat.

The game still feels like a World War 2 first-person shooter. Its multiplayer has long since shut down, but it was notable for having 40 players simultaneously on one map, which was a real selling point for the PS3 as a launch title. The series has since gone dormant and the developer, Insomnia Games, has gone on to make mega-hits like Spider-Man while keeping older franchises like Ratchet & Clank good and strong. If Resistance ever comes back, it will likely be helmed by another studio.

Valkyria Chronicles

This Japanese turn-based strategy game from Sega does not directly take place during World War 2, but its setting takes a lot of influence from it only with more elements of fantasy. The gameplay is a mix of turn-based mechanics with some real-time elements, while the story is surprisingly touching and filled with memorable characters.

There are several sequels and spin-offs, though they do not star the same cast. The original came out in 2008 but was re-released in 2016 for the PS4, making it quite easy to access on modern consoles. It was always a niche franchise, never quite reaching the heights of other tactical RPGs. It is hard to tell if this is despite, or because of, its unique mechanics.

Now, on to the best WW2 games…

World Of Tanks

Waging Warfare With Tanks In Various World War 2 Scenarios

World of Tanks is a fun tank shooter where players control tanks of all shapes and sizes to use against their enemies in explosive battles where a strategic approach is key to attaining victory. The game is free-to-play but isn’t too intrusive with its microtransactions, which is a blessing.

Players can have a great time selecting the tank of their choice and going ballistic as they blast their enemies to smithereens. It takes a while to learn the ropes, and players should ideally focus on teamwork since trying to be a one-tank army is going to end rather poorly.

In terms of WW2 content, World of Tanks features an array of tanks from the era, along with a plethora of maps taken directly from the War. That said, the game is not exclusively inspired by WW2.

War Thunder

Vehicle-Based Combat Set In World War 2 (Among Other Eras)

There aren’t many games around that prioritize vehicular combat, which is why War Thunder will be a great option for fans to check out. Featuring a wealth of vehicles from two World Wars to modern combat scenarios, War Thunder is a fun free-to-play game.

Players can play this game quite a bit without having to worry about microtransactions coming in the way of their fun. The sheer wealth of vehicles that players have access to can be pretty overwhelming early on, but it won’t take long for players to settle into the groove and become the team’s best player in War Thunder.

Hearts Of Iron 4

A Grand Strategy Game Based On The Events Of World War 2

Paradox Interactive has been at the forefront of creating some stellar video game experiences, with their 4X grand strategy titles doing a great job of keeping players invested as they slowly come to grips with the complex mechanics present in each game before crafting some great stories of their own as they achieve success after hours of struggles.

Hearts of Iron 4 is one of their acclaimed games that focuses on World War 2 as players are tasked with setting up strategic attacks to attain victory in key conflicts. The game was a huge step up from its predecessor, which was so hopelessly convoluted that only the most hardcore grand strategy players could get into the experience! Of course, that’s not to say that Hearts of Iron 4 is simplistic by any stretch of the imagination, but how it streamlines most of its gameplay facets to make it more approachable and engaging at the same time is what enforces the thought in the minds of many fans that it’s a perfect sequel in almost every department.

Medal Of Honor: Allied Assault

A Great Game Released During The Heights Of Medal Of Honor’s Popularity

There was a time when Medal of Honor gave stiff competition to Call of Duty as one of the hallmark war-focused FPS games around. It’s a shame that the series has died down in the modern era, especially since games like Airborne were such a blast to play through in their own way.

Allied Assault is one of their more beloved games that fans adore, covering some of the more impactful scenarios from World War 2. It’s no surprise that D-Day is one of the events covered in this game, giving players a taste of what to expect in this amazing FPS that many players still look back on fondly to this day.

Commandos 2: Men Of Courage

A Tactical Strategy Game Where Players Control A Squal During Espionage Missions In World War 2

The Commandos series features some of the most underrated tactical video games of all time that fans would enjoy playing through for varying reasons. The idea of controlling different characters with special abilities of their own isn’t anything new, but it’s how Commandos compels players to approach a scenario that makes it such a great game in every way.

The second game upped the ante when it came to presentation and gameplay, with the difficulty of this title being noted by many as what made the title so challenging to get through. A single misstep could lead to the player’s squad being annihilated in mere seconds by hostile troops, making it important to scout the landscape whenever possible before trying to venture into hostile territory.

Call Of Duty: WWII

A Much-Welcomed Return To The Setting Of World War 2 By Call Of Duty

After Call of Duty: World at War, the franchise took a long break from the setting before returning to it in 2017 with Call of Duty World War 2. Unlike World at War, which fits into the Black Ops timeline, this game is a wholly separate, more grounded story.

The reception was mixed and the multiplayer felt a lot different than everything else the franchise offered up until that point, but it was an interesting turn on the whole for the franchise after a string of games set in the near and far future. This game did away with wall running and fantastic abilities and was somewhat of a return to form, paving the way for 2019’s Modern Warfare reboot.

Battlefield 1942

A World War 2 FPS In The Illustrious Battlefield Series

Large-scale FPS battles in the early 2000s were pretty much a dream in gamers’ minds. It might be easy to take for granted now, but players should put themselves in the shoes of gamers in 2002 when Battlefield 1942 came out to appreciate how novel it was.

This was one of the first online multiplayer modes in the genre that let players take each other on in land and air vehicles. Sequels to this game would change the time period and add single-player campaigns, but the original is still playable on PC and has a small active community.

Call Of Duty 2

A Classic CoD Game With A Fun Campaign

The franchise started in World War 2 and only changed the setting for the fourth entry, Modern Warfare. Of the three original titles, Call of Duty 2 is often considered the highlight. It was a launch title for the Xbox 360 and never came out on PS3.

The multiplayer, while radically different from the world-changing Modern Warfare, is beloved by those who were around for it. Even though the series has returned to World War 2 periodically in games like World at War and Call of Duty: World War 2, none have reached the same standard set by Call of Duty 2.

The Saboteur

A Unique Open-World Game Where Players Have To Free Nazi-Occupied Paris And Restore Color To The World

The Saboteur is an open-world action game set in a unique environment and has an interesting gameplay twist to distinguish itself from similar titles. Players have to liberate the map from Nazi control by committing acts of sabotage and inspiring the local population to rise.

The areas controlled by the fascists are depicted in black and white and turn into full color once they are liberated. It’s unique from a lot of other games on the list since it focuses on a resistance movement within occupied territory instead of large-scale battles between well-equipped armies.

Medal Of Honor

The First Game In A Beloved FPS Series Set During World War 2

This franchise started on the original PlayStation. There were few FPS games on Sony’s first console and even fewer that took place in real-world settings.

Console players have Medal Honor: Frontline for the PS2, Xbox, and GameCube. A recent reboot took the action to modern times. The first of these had a decent single-player mode but had stellar multiplayer. The sequel of the reboot did not fare as well, however. Developer Respawn Entertainment brought the action back to World War 2 for the VR-exclusive Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond, which received mixed reviews despite its ambition.

Hell Let Loose

One Of The Toughest WW2 Games Around

Hell Let Loose is a multiplayer shooter consisting of one hundred players per battle. It is not as chaotic as other large-scale shooters, however, and instead aims for immersion and historical relevance.

Teams are divided into squads, with proper teamwork and strategy being vital to victory. Players also have little health, being taken out after just a couple of shots. While it lacks any narrative, the developers aimed for historical accuracy and used satellite imagery to accurately recreate the maps.

Wolfenstein

An Alternate Take On The Events And Aftermath Of World War 2

The newer Wolfenstein games do not take place in World War 2 — they are set in an alternate history where the Nazis won the war — but the older games are set in the time period. Even still, they involve numerous science fiction themes. Even before Wolfenstein 3D, there were two stealth games in the early 80s called Castle Wolfenstein and Beyond Castle Wolfenstein. Multiplayer aficionados also probably spent a lot of time with Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory.

These days, the best titles to play would be the newer titles of the last generation and their standalone expansions. The sci-fi tech in these games might make players think these are comic book interpretations of the war, but the recent games have a surprisingly dour and poignant story. Developer Machine Games is hard at work on an Indiana Jones game, but fans are hoping a third Wolfenstein title is in the works too.

Red Orchestra

A Multiplayer-Focused World War 2 Shooter

The Red Orchestra series is focused mostly on multiplayer. The sequel includes a single-player mode, but it was largely forgettable and was heavily criticized for its lack of originality. It seems co-op and PvP is where this series’ strengths shine.

As the name implies, the maps are primarily based on the eastern front. Even though the most recent game in the franchise is ten years old, it still sees regular activity.

Brothers In Arms

An FPS With A Focus On Tactical Squad-Based Combat

Before innovating on the FPS genre with the looter-shooter Borderlands, Gearbox Software made a name for itself with the Brothers in Arms franchise. These FPS games were more grounded than the studio’s later output.

The franchise has unfortunately been dormant for many years, though some fans would love to see it come back. There was a game called Brothers in Arms: Furious 4 in development, which was to use a more exaggerated art style. It was eventually canceled, however.

Sniper Elite

A Sniping Game Where Players Shape The Events Of World War 2

The Sniper Elite franchise takes a more subtle approach to the World War 2 conflict than many FPS games do. Players control a single soldier sneaking into enemy territory, completing missions using their trusty sniper rifle.

The series is notable for its gruesomely detailed violence, and some kills even use X-rays to make players more severely feel the impact of shots. Some of the entries also include cooperative missions, allowing another friend to get in on the fun.

Company Of Heroes

A WW2 RTS That Has A Fairly Dedicated Fanbase

Company of Heroes zooms out a bit to give players an isometric view of the action. This is because Company of Heroes is an RTS, rather than a shooter like most World War 2 games.

The first game in the franchise follows the American army, while the sequel takes the action east to put players in control of the Red Army. Company of Heroes 2 came out in 2013, and the third entry was just released in 2023 and focuses on the Italian and North African campaigns of the war. The recent game received a warm reception, which is good news considering how rare RTS games are these days.

Day Of Defeat: Source

A Source Mod For World War 2

Day of Defeat is one of the several popular titles that started as a mod for Half-Life. Though it did not become as popular as games like Counter-Strike or Team Fortress, it still had its fans.

Even though the game is over fifteen years old, it still has a small community of active players. The Source engine does not look quite as good as it did all that time ago, but graphics are not as important if the gameplay is great.

Battlefield 5

A Battlefield Game With An Alternate Take On The Events Of World War 2

These days, it often feels like Battlefield and Call of Duty compete with each other. When Call of Duty went back to World War 2 with Call of Duty: World War 2, Battlefield came in a bit later with Battlefield 5.

The prior entry in the franchise took place in World War 1, so it makes sense for the sequel to represent the Second World War. The game received good reviews, but it did not reach the same heights as other triple-A shooters. The series tried to return to some of its classic glory with Battlefield 2042, a multiplayer-only title, but technical issues led to an underwhelming reception.