War Thunder - Buyer's Guide

Immersive air, land, and naval combat in War Thunder, free-to-play MMO with pay-to-win flaws. Plan for frustrating experiences.
Fan-art of War Thunder

Experience the thrill of large-scale warfare in War Thunder, a free-to-play, cross-platform MMO that seamlessly merges aviation, armoured vehicles, and naval combat across 100 maps and over 2,500 meticulously crafted vehicles, offering intense PvP and immersive PvE experiences for players of all skill levels, with a rich community-driven content creation system and regular updates.

Should I play War Thunder in 2024?

The good

  • Detailed Simulation: War Thunder is praised for its highly detailed and realistic military simulation. Players get to experience authentic WWII-era combat across land, air, and sea.
  • Variety of Vehicles: The game offers a staggering range of vehicles, from tanks to aircraft, ensuring that there’s something for everyone who enjoys military hardware.
  • Great Graphics: Even though it was released in 2013, War Thunder boasts excellent graphics that have aged gracefully, further enhanced by regular updates.
  • Multiple Modes: Players appreciate the variety of game modes, from arcade to realistic battles, catering to different skill levels and preferences.

The bad

  • Monetization: Many users warn against spending money, criticizing the game’s microtransactions and suggesting that it may lean towards a “pay-to-win” model.
  • Grind: The progression system is considered very grindy by a significant number of players, requiring a lot of time and effort to unlock new vehicles and upgrades.
  • Community and Support: Some reviewers have had negative experiences with the community and customer support, describing them as less than helpful.

Verdict

Should you still buy or play this game in 2024? 🤔

War Thunder offers an impressively detailed and varied military simulation experience that can captivate history buffs and combat enthusiasts alike. However, the mixed reviews indicate some significant concerns, primarily around its monetization model and the grindy progression. If you’re a casual gamer looking for a straightforward, non-paywalled experience, you might want to tread carefully. But if you love a good challenge, appreciate high-quality graphics, and don’t mind the potential grind or occasional in-game purchases, War Thunder could still be a thrilling ride in 2024. 🎮



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In-game Screenshot

Screenshot of War Thunder

Top image is not real in-game screenshots. Fan-art made by Gamer.se. Some game metadata is coming from RAWG