Warship & Naval Warfare Games | Few things are more thrilling than naval combat gaming, whether it’s the adrenaline pumping action of boarding a vessel or the quiet waiting for modern artillery fire its target.
This genre is growing in popularity and can make it difficult to keep up with some great titles.
This is why I created a list of my top picks for the fleet commander of aficionado fleet.
You don’t have to be a naval battle game expert to find the right one for you.
Windward (2015)
Our journey at sea starts with Tasharen Entertainment’s Windward. This is a naval exploration adventure and combat adventure that uses procedurally generated worlds.
Create your own faction and begin to conquer the Seven Seas.
It doesn’t matter if you want to be a pirate, trader or smuggler.
No matter what you do, you will need to master your captaining skills to win the many intense battles that you’ll find yourself in.
Cold Waters (2017)
Killerfish Games are a veteran of the naval warfare industry. Cold Waters is their most distinctive offering.
It was inspired in part by the 1988 game Red Storm Rising. Based on a Tom Clancy novel, it is the same name.
Cold Water will require you to command a nuclear submarine, which is desperately trying to stop mutually assured destruction and the Soviet advance.
This game has 40 different ships to choose from, a realistic sonar map, and an enemy AI that will perform authentic Soviet combat tactics.
Shipped (2019)
Majorariatto’s Shipped was released last year. It offers 8-player local multiplayer matches in a variety of modes including races and good-old naval combat.
It’s not the same as anything else on the list, but the way these tiny ships move and control themselves is quite unique. Sometimes it feels like you are captaining a boat.
If you want to win, this will force you to sharpen your skills and think in the future.
Tempest (2016)
Tempest was developed by Lion’s Shade and offers players the chance to be buccaneers in an action RPG called Pirate Action RPG.
As you earn naval victories and cash to upgrade your ship, recruit and level up your crew.
Even if you don’t like randomly sinking ships, there are many islands to explore in three regions. And there’s always something new to do.
Even more supernatural challenges await you, such as ancient sea creatures and their cult-followers.
While the game is designed for single-player play, you can also play against or with your friends.
Naval Campaigns: Wolfpack (2019)
John Tiller Software creates highly detailed, technical games that are focused on strategy and depth rather than visuals. These tactical games can keep you busy for many weeks, if it not months.
Naval Campaigns: Wolfpack is a naval campaign that took place in the Atlantic during WWII.
There are 50 scenarios that revolve around conflicts between Kriegsmarine U–Boats, British supply vessels and convoys protecting them.
Its historical accuracy and real-time engine are two of the game’s best features. Naval Campaigns: Wolfpack is a great game for armchair strategists who want to get deeply involved in their command roles.
Atlantic Fleet (2016)
Atlantic Fleet, along with Cold Waters is Killerfish Games’ most popular naval combat simulator.
It is easy to learn the controls and how gameplay works. It has complex mechanics that are grounded in reality and designed to provide a rewarding yet challenging skill progression.
You will need to master military tactics and escort strategies in order to get better.
The game’s main focus is naval combat between warships. However, submarines and land-based aircraft can also play a significant role in turning the tide of battle.
Blackwake (2020)
It’s not always the guns and ships that make a difference in naval combat. It is the grit and determination of the men who operate them that really makes a difference.
Mastfire Studio’s Blackwake is an example of this.
This online game takes place in the Golden Age of Piracy. You can become a member of a ship’s crew or captain depending on how things turn out.
Every member of the ship has a part to play in battle. This includes manually reloading cannons and firing them, as well as boarding enemy vessels.
Sea of Thieves (2020)
It is difficult to talk about games that take place on the sea without mentioning Sea of Thieves easily one of the most popular pirate-themed games in recent years.
Although it was an early access title that seemed a bit repetitive and barren, it had heart.
Rare’s development team kept on updating the site with new content and new weapons, making the waves come alive.
It recently received a full release in 2020 and it looks better than ever.
Ultimate Admiral: Age of Sail 2020
Ultimate Admiral: Age of Sail starts its tenure just as Sea of Thieves leaves Steam’s early-access program. Game-Labs is still figuring out the details, but it is certainly worth the time to give the game a try.
It is a spin-off of the Ultimate General Series and focuses equally on tactical warfare, except for the sea.
This game is different from other tactical wargames that focus on WWII. It covers both the Napoleonic Wars as well as the American Revolutionary War.
As a support force for your fleet, you’ll even be able to witness the birth of the United States Marine Corps.
The game’s rich history is not the only thing that shines. It also features realistic sailing and damage models that allow you to focus your fire on certain parts of the enemy to slow down their progress.
Battlefleet Gothic Armada 2 (2019).
Although most naval combat games are focused on historical periods, it’s okay to think outside the box.
Or, in this instance, outside the planet.
These warships, of spacefaring type, were brought to life by Tindalos Interactive from Warhammer 40K.
This results in a dramatic RTS with large-scale space battles. Lasers, missiles and good old ramming will be your tools of success.
Anyone can play Armada 2 or have fun, but it’s the Warhammer 4K fanbase who can’t allow this to slip by.
Carrier Battles 4 Guadalcanal (2020)
The unassuming masterpiece of Avalon Games focuses on the events surrounding the Pacific Ocean war between 1942 and 1943.
It was initially a mobile game, but it quickly became a popular naval wargame fan favorite for its deep strategic hex-based gameplay.
The desktop version offers the same intense battles as the original but with a more polished UI due to the larger screen.
This game is for those who value detail and realism more than graphics.
Rule the Waves 2 (2019)
Rule the Waves 2 is another game that Naval Warfare Simulations has developed for the naval wargame enthusiasts. It was created by Naval Warfare Simulations following its predecessor’s relative success.
The game’s progression was extended up to 1950, which was one of the major upgrades to the formula.
It all began at the beginning of the 20th Century. That’s 50+ years worth of naval history you can experience firsthand.
Naval battles can be as difficult as you might expect. But the real challenge of RTW2 is managing your budget, speeding up your military arms race, and maintaining a well-oiled war machine. Your play style will dictate how your ships are designed.
You shouldn’t gloss over details in this game.
World of Warships (2015)
World of Warships is the game everyone knows about.
It seems like a daily occurrence that the huge steel vessels are shooting each other in ads across the internet.
And, frankly, I don’t mind.
Although it is not as detailed as other WW2-based games we have, Wargaming’s translation of World of Tanks gameplay into the Pacific’s waters was stunning.
It is an online game that doesn’t rely on historical accuracy, but keeps it fresh by adding new content and creative collaborations.
World of Warships Blitz (2018)
Even if the PC version of World of Warships is not your thing, the mobile version might be worth a look.
Blitz is free to play, just like the original. However, you might want to increase your progress or buy cool cosmetics using cash.
This has it all, whether you are looking for intense multiplayer or engaging single-player missions.
It is a wonderful feeling to be the greatest Fleet Commander in the Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific oceans, from the comfort of my couch.
Command: Modern Operations (2019)
It seems fair that our #1 ranking goes to naval warfare, which has the largest scope of all.
That’s WarfareSims Command: Modern Operations.
This is partly due to the fact that you can control land and air forces, making it a cross-domain game. The naval aspect is not affected. It’s invigorated by the joint operations between different parts of your army.
This game is rich in depth thanks to its sophisticated physics engine, realistic geography, and other features.
These complex operations require attention to every detail.