War Thunder is a gorgeous-looking and extremely competent flight combat game, though the lack of some of the PC version's game modes means it has yet to reach its full potential.
War Thunder is a free-to-play, cross-platform MMO game that simulates epic battles from World War II and the Cold War. Choose from a wide range of armored vehicles, naval ships, and aircraft, and take part in intense PvP or PvE combat across historically-inspired maps. With various battle modes and a thriving online community, War Thunder offers immersive and engaging warfare experiences.
The graphics in War Thunder are stunning, with realistic vehicle models and immersive environments that enhance the overall experience.
The gameplay offers a mix of engaging mechanics and diverse combat scenarios, providing a unique blend of historical accuracy and tactical gameplay.
War Thunder has high replayability due to its extensive variety of vehicles, playstyles, and ongoing updates that keep the gameplay fresh.
The grinding aspect of the game is excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant investment of time or money to unlock desired vehicles.
The monetization model is criticized for being aggressive and predatory, creating a frustrating experience for players who feel compelled to spend money to keep up.
The game suffers from persistent bugs, glitches, and performance issues that significantly detract from the gameplay experience.
gameplay
23,223 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
55%
7%
The gameplay of *War Thunder* is characterized by a mix of engaging mechanics and frustrating elements, leading to a polarized player experience. While many appreciate the realistic vehicle physics, diverse combat scenarios, and the thrill of aerial and ground battles, the game is often criticized for its excessive grind, pay-to-win mechanics, and unbalanced matchmaking that can detract from enjoyment, especially for new players. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of historical accuracy and tactical gameplay, but its monetization strategies and gameplay inconsistencies can make it a challenging experience for many.
“The gameplay is neat and dynamic; it takes skill to master the variety of vehicles and their weaponry.”
“While it has its challenges, the sheer depth and variety of gameplay make it a must-try for fans of action-packed war games.”
“The attention to detail in the vehicle models and combat mechanics further immerses you in the experience.”
“This isn't an unplayable game in the sense that the core mechanics don't work or that there isn't a large variety of vehicles to choose from, but from the perspective of enjoying your time, this is one of the worst possible options out there.”
“The game is uselessly grindy and has a lot of pay-to-win characteristics; what's worse is that lower entry-level gameplay is plagued by seal clubbers with tanks that, while they may look your level, are crewed by aces making them unstoppable compared to new players.”
“The gameplay is so repetitive that it's like watching paint dry.”
grinding
20,112 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The grinding aspect of War Thunder is widely criticized by players, who describe it as excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring hundreds or even thousands of hours to unlock desired vehicles. Many reviews highlight a pay-to-win model, where purchasing premium accounts or vehicles significantly eases the grinding process, creating a divide between paying and non-paying players. While some players find enjoyment in the grind and the game's mechanics, the overwhelming consensus is that the progression system is frustratingly slow, making it difficult for casual players to enjoy the game without investing substantial time or money.
“It isn't as grindy as Clash of Clans, and its largest purchases are nowhere near that of Star Citizen (as of 6/28/2024, the most expensive WT premium vehicle is $75, while the most expensive SC ship is $3000).”
“Awesome WWII vehicles and the progression tree is not grindy, but enjoyable to level up.”
“The game is fun from the first minute, no grinding needed to start off strong.”
graphics
17,171 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
30%
2%
The graphics in War Thunder receive widespread acclaim for their stunning realism and attention to detail, with many players praising the intricate vehicle models and immersive environments. However, some users express frustration over gameplay imbalances caused by players using lower graphics settings to gain visibility advantages. Overall, while the graphics are often described as top-notch, the game's performance and balance issues can detract from the experience.
“Not only are the graphics AAA quality, but the fighting mechanics, the soundtrack, and the competitive teamwork fighting make it a standout experience.”
“The graphics are stunning, with meticulously detailed tanks, planes, and ships that feel incredibly realistic.”
“The graphics are amazing, providing breathtaking landscapes and intense combat scenes that enhance the overall experience.”
“Despite the graphics, the game just isn't fun to play anymore.”
“For a game that's been around this long, I’m shocked by the persistent bugs, graphical glitches, and performance drops.”
“Badly outdated graphics and lots of performance issues: when the game released, the graphics were remarkable; now, they just have not aged well compared with the recent titles.”
story
3,904 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
77%
15%
The story aspect of War Thunder is largely criticized for its lack of depth and engagement, with many users noting that there is essentially no coherent narrative. Players often find the missions repetitive and uninspired, primarily focusing on grinding for vehicle upgrades rather than any meaningful storyline. While there are single-player missions and dynamic campaigns, they are often seen as underwhelming and not worth the effort, leading to a general sentiment that the game prioritizes multiplayer combat over a structured narrative experience.
“In war thunder, I always feel like I'm actually in the cockpit, and every kill is a story to tell.”
“The dynamic battles, the vast array of missions and game modes, and the engaging progression system kept me coming back for more.”
“Every match is a story in itself.”
“The only good parts of the game are singleplayer missions, other than that, pretty bad and waste of time.”
“Single player missions are just useless, boring, bland.”
“The missions have no structure or purpose and it is boring.”
monetization
3,801 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
49%
44%
The monetization model of War Thunder has drawn significant criticism for being excessively aggressive and predatory, with many players describing it as a blatant cash grab. While the game is free-to-play, the reliance on microtransactions for premium vehicles, account upgrades, and faster progression creates a frustrating experience, particularly for new players who may feel compelled to spend money to keep up. Overall, the monetization practices detract from the gameplay experience, leading to a perception that the developers prioritize profit over player satisfaction.
“This system feels like a deliberate attempt to force players into monetization traps.”
“The game’s monetization strategy transforms genuine engagement into a transactional relationship, where satisfaction is sold piece by piece.”
“Seems to be a racket where they take your money for microtransactions but don't actually allow you to play the game due to a lack of available servers.”
“You will be ignored as a community member by Gaijin, your complaints about very problematic issues the game has left to be forgotten by the devs. Most interesting vehicles are locked behind paywalls or are entirely inaccessible, loot crates that are just fronts for gambling have become increasingly worse and more present in the game, and the monetization has gotten extremely predatory.”
“The monetization feels excessive, prioritizing profit at the expense of the player experience.”
optimization
2,630 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
61%
11%
The optimization of War Thunder has received mixed reviews from players. While some commend its ability to run smoothly on lower-end systems and appreciate the graphics quality, many others criticize persistent performance issues, including stuttering, lag, and bugs, particularly after updates. The game's reliance on player performance for matchmaking and vehicle balancing has also led to frustrations regarding inconsistencies and perceived biases, especially towards Russian vehicles, which further complicates the overall optimization experience.
“Generally speaking, I can recommend this game to anyone who loves tank battles and more; the game is well balanced and runs smoothly even on a laptop, which is a huge plus.”
“The game looks excellent and is well optimized, much better than today's AAA games.”
“Amazingly optimized and overall pretty balanced considering the amount of vehicles for each tier.”
“War Thunder has horrible optimization.”
“For a game that's been around this long, I’m shocked by the persistent bugs, graphical glitches, and performance drops.”
“The game is very fun and has potential yet, but the developers have used performance sliders on some vehicles to ridiculous levels like fighters with cannons.”
humor
2,314 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The humor in "War Thunder" is a prominent aspect that players frequently highlight, often describing it as a mix of absurdity and frustration. Many reviews mention the game's chaotic moments, such as unexpected explosions, comical glitches, and the hilarity of mismatched battles, which can lead to both laughter and rage. The community's dark humor, particularly regarding the game's balance issues and the notorious "Russian bias," adds to the overall comedic experience, making it a game that thrives on its ability to entertain through both its gameplay and the shared experiences of its players.
“It is super fun with how many funny moments you can have and also provides a realistic experience.”
“This game is so funny.”
“I do love those funny moments you can get and even moments that make me feel really clever when I've managed to take out several tanks in one unit, but often I do get destroyed from my own hubris.”
“Prepare yourself for tens of hours of unfunny grind, where you get bullied at every moment possible.”
“I'd call you guys a joke but it's not funny.”
“10) Many annoying little things, such as cringy, unfunny and useless 'tips' during the loading times, or lousy radio voiceovers during the game which you can't turn off.”
stability
1,914 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
1%
93%
The stability of War Thunder is widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and performance issues that significantly detract from the gameplay experience. Common complaints include frequent crashes, freezing during matches, and inconsistent hit detection, leading many to describe the game as a "buggy mess." Despite some players finding enjoyment in the game, the persistent technical problems and lack of effective support from the developers have left a negative impression on the community.
“The game runs great even on maximum settings.”
“Extremely smooth gameplay, not a single bug to report, no glitches, the players are super nice, the community is outstanding!”
“The game is heavily supported by the devs, and is relatively bug free.”
“For a game that's been around this long, I’m shocked by the persistent bugs, graphical glitches, and performance drops.”
“The game is a collection of bugs and glitches.”
“The game itself is always buggy and has constant issues; every other update makes it laggy or unplayable.”
music
833 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
59%
1%
The music in War Thunder receives mixed reviews, with many players praising its orchestral and atmospheric qualities that enhance the gameplay experience. While some find the soundtrack immersive and fitting for the game's intense battles, others feel it can become repetitive or prefer to mute it in favor of their own playlists. Overall, the game's audio design, including sound effects and music, is generally regarded as a strong aspect, contributing to the immersive atmosphere of the game.
“Combined with an atmospheric soundtrack, the game’s audio pulls you directly into the chaos of the battlefield.”
“The soundtrack in this game is so immersive; I find myself humming the tunes all day.”
“The game's soundtrack is fitting and epic, with a variety of different themes and styles that match the game's tone.”
“The only reason why I say not recommended is because I have to have music playing in my ear at all times.”
“There is too much shitty techno and dubstep that has been added, needs the old soundtrack back desperately.”
“The new music is complete trash.”
emotional
638 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The emotional aspect of "War Thunder" is characterized by a tumultuous mix of frustration, despair, and fleeting joy, often leaving players feeling drained and emotionally invested in a cycle of highs and lows. Many reviews highlight the game's punishing grind, unbalanced matchmaking, and monetization strategies as sources of significant emotional turmoil, leading to feelings of anger, sadness, and even regret for the time and money spent. Despite these challenges, some players still find moments of camaraderie and enjoyment, making it a complex emotional experience that can be both addictive and painful.
“War Thunder is not just a game; it’s an emotional rollercoaster that starts with excitement, dives into despair, and ends with you rage-quitting… only to come back five minutes later.”
“This game is one of the most emotionally draining games I've ever played.”
“The emotional highs and victories in War Thunder are as transient and shallow as the feelies in Brave New World, serving to distract rather than fulfill.”
“Look, I've played this game since like 2017 or something and it is one thing... special... take that how you want, but holy crap does this game make you want to cry and gamble.”
replayability
338 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
68%
2%
War Thunder is widely praised for its high replayability, attributed to its extensive variety of vehicles, playstyles, and game modes. Players enjoy the depth of customization and the ongoing updates that enhance gameplay, although some express frustration with the grind and balance issues that can detract from the experience. Overall, many reviewers find the game offers endless replay value, making it a compelling choice for fans of military simulations.
“As someone who mains the USSR and uses Japan as a secondary for air battles, I can confidently say that the variety of playstyles between the two nations offers endless replayability.”
“If you’re looking for a game that offers exciting battles, historical accuracy, and endless replayability, give War Thunder a try—you won’t be disappointed.”
“The game's replayability is off the charts; I keep coming back for more.”
“However, this replayability is stunted by the aforementioned grind.”
“The grind, once exciting and challenging, has now become a tiresome chore that erodes the game's replay value.”
“The lack of meaningful incentives and the meager boost system have rendered the game’s replayability virtually non-existent.”
atmosphere
246 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
52%
2%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, driven by realistic sound design, detailed graphics, and dynamic weather effects that enhance the battlefield experience. Players feel drawn into the chaos of combat through the authentic audio of engines and gunfire, creating a captivating environment that reflects the historical context of World War II. However, some reviews highlight a toxic community atmosphere and frustrations with game mechanics that can detract from the overall enjoyment.
“The roar of engines, the piercing sound of bullets tearing through the air, and the distant thuds of anti-aircraft artillery create an atmosphere of total immersion.”
“Combined with the game's dynamic sound effects, including the roar of engines, the rattle of machine guns, and the powerful reverberations of artillery, the immersive atmosphere draws players into each battle.”
“Astonishing graphics, authentic sound effects, and beautiful music create an atmosphere to fully immerse yourself in.”
“This atmosphere discourages community engagement and hampers the game's potential for improvement.”
“I uninstalled the game; it was frustration after frustration and the atmosphere is toxic.”
“While the game can be fun, the difficulty of the grind for new vehicles at higher tiers breeds a toxic atmosphere and community.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
Reviews highlight a stark contrast in character development, with some players criticizing the lack of depth and human interaction, labeling the game as a shallow experience focused solely on combat. Conversely, others appreciate the in-depth character design and engaging campaign, suggesting that character development can enhance the overall experience.
“In-depth character design and thrilling campaign.”
“Without plot, storyline, character development, or human interaction and growth, it is simply a killfest and probably the shallowest game I have ever been drawn into.”