War Thunder Review: A Flying, Rolling, Sailing Military Extravaganza
Free MMO, Endless Grind, Big Boom. Find out if War Thunder claims the skies or crashes and burns.
VR Support
last updated Dec 04, 2023
War Thunder is a behemoth when it comes to free-to-play military MMOs.
A Symphony of Destruction
War Thunder's gameplay is an action-packed, pulse-pounding cross-platform war bonanza. With a sprawling array of tanks, planes, and naval ships, you're spoiled for choice when you want to blow stuff up good and proper. The game's realistic approach to combat mechanics is more than enough to tickle the fancy of military sim fanatics. While it's a tough cookie, it respects your time—most of the time. Sure, it can feel like a soul-sucking grind when you're dreaming of that next sweet tech unlock, but hey, it just makes victory that much sweeter, right?
Ear Candy or Sonic Boom?
The audio might not win a Grammy, but who needs one when you've got the symphony of bombs dropping, guns blazing, and engines roaring? The sound design is functional, creating an immersive atmosphere that puts you right in the heart of the battle. However, amidst the cacophony of war, the music takes a backseat, humming quietly in the background while you’re busy perfecting your war cry.
Visual Feast or Famine?
You'd be forgiven for stopping mid-battle to appreciate the stunning vistas, or the meticulously detailed vehicle models in War Thunder. This game is a visual treat, boasting graphics that give you a hearty slap of realism across the face. That said, it demands a fair bit from your hardware, so if you're still rocking the family potato PC, you might find the performance lacking. If achieving optimal performance means downloading “high-res texture pack” DLCs that barely move the needle, you might want to save your storage space for memes instead.
Is the Grind Worth the Time?
Let's talk about the mammoth in the room—War Thunder is about as grindy as a 12-hour barbecue. The grind is real, folks. You'll feel the burn climbing the tiers unless, of course, you have a wallet at the ready. A few critics might call it 'pay-to-progress,’ which, admittedly, is not entirely inaccurate. Be prepared for the long haul or to open up that piggy bank if you want to skip ahead in line.
Bumps in the Battlefield
No game is without its bugs, and War Thunder sometimes seems like it has its own eco-system. User-reported bugs creep up like uninvited guests at a party, with issues from stutters to crashes adding unnecessary 'challenge' to your game. It might also rob some of the shine from the otherwise well-polished tank toppers and winged wonders we've all come to know and at times, begrudgingly, love.
STEAM RATING
Developer
Gaijin Entertainment
Publisher
Gaijin Distribution KFT
Release Date
August 15, 2013
The Final Bombshell
At the heart of it, War Thunder is a behemoth when it comes to free-to-play military MMOs. With its blend of breathtaking visuals, nail-bitingly intense gameplay, and a sound design that'll make your teeth rattle, it's enough to awaken the armchair general in us all. But this beast demands a sacrifice to the grind gods, and unless you're a high-tier masochist or a cash cannon, it might just leave you crawling through the mud. Whether this is a metal-sheathed treasure of a game or a soul-sucking money pit is for you to decide, soldier.
