For many gamers, game physics is a fascinating, often debated element – a crucial ingredient that subtly enhances the sense of realism, yet remains largely unnoticed at first glance. Why is it so important? Simply put, realistic physics significantly boosts the game's believability, immersing players more deeply in the virtual world.
In game development, physics primarily involves modeling an object's mass and velocity. For characters, this extends to detailed skeletal structures and soft tissue simulation, a feature particularly appreciated by many players. This list explores some of the best PC games showcasing exceptional physics, encompassing both dedicated simulators and popular titles.
Table of Content ---
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- War Thunder
- Hellish Quart
- SnowRunner
- GTA IV
- Euro Truck Simulator 2
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- Universe Sandbox
- Space Engineers
- WRC 10
- Assetto Corsa
- Arma 3
- Death Stranding
- BeamNG.drive
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Red Dead Redemption 2
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**Developer**: Rockstar Studios
**Release Date**: October 26, 2018
**Download**: Rockstargames
A frequent highlight in game collections, Red Dead Redemption 2 excels in many areas, including its physics engine. Arthur Morgan's journey across a nascent America captivates not only through stunning visuals, compelling narrative, and immersive atmosphere, but also through its remarkable realism. "Ragdoll" physics technology ensures that characters and animals behave realistically. A clumsy stumble results in a believable tumble, and a leg shot leads to authentic limping or a fall. This realism extends to horses and other animals.
War Thunder
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**Developer**: Gaijin Entertainment
**Release Date**: August 15, 2013
**Download**: Steam
Realistic physics aren't limited to single-player experiences. This online military vehicle combat game impressively simulates the physics of multi-ton machines. Tanks feel weighty and powerful, while wheeled vehicles handle distinctly differently from tracked ones, reflecting realistic physics for both vehicles and terrain interaction. This realistic physics impacts gameplay; navigating snowy terrain with a less powerful vehicle becomes a significant challenge. Similarly, aviation features realistic air resistance, affecting maneuverability at different altitudes. Naval combat also reflects realistic physics, with ships realistically listing and taking on water under various conditions.
Hellish Quart
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**Developer**: Kubold
**Release Date**: February 16, 2021
**Download**: Steam
This game’s defining feature is its realistic character physics. A simplified fencing simulator focused on online duels, Hellish Quart prioritizes realistic body mechanics. Characters possess mass and inertia, and their skeletal structures are realistically modeled, resulting in realistic movements and responses to actions. Each swing, step, and impact affects the character's subsequent movements.
SnowRunner
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**Developer**: Saber Interactive
**Release Date**: April 28, 2020
**Download**: Steam
SnowRunner, while not a hyper-realistic driving simulator, showcases excellent physics, extending beyond just the vehicles themselves. The game's focus on heavy trucks in off-road environments creates a compelling blend of mechanics. Trucks possess realistic weight and center of mass, and terrain materials exhibit unique properties. Vehicles realistically sink into mud, which is not merely a texture, but a simulated material with its own physics. This realism extends to snow and water, with strong currents capable of flipping or carrying away vehicles. The center of mass significantly impacts vehicle stability, leading to realistic rollovers.
GTA IV
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**Developer**: Rockstar North
**Release Date**: April 29, 2008
**Download**: Rockstargames
A landmark title in game physics, GTA IV utilized the Euphoria engine, setting a new standard for realism. The engine's realistic character physics resulted in believable responses to actions and environmental factors. Pedestrians reacted realistically to pushes and collisions, and shootouts became spectacular, chaotic events. Vehicle physics were equally impressive, with realistic crumpling, damage effects, and character ejection during collisions. While the game's physics were groundbreaking, the demanding nature of the Euphoria engine impacted optimization.
Euro Truck Simulator 2
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**Developer**: SCS Software
**Release Date**: October 18, 2012
**Download**: Steam
Euro Truck Simulator 2 offers a compelling trucking experience with realistic physics. Trucks and cargo possess mass and velocity, resulting in realistic inertia, making high-speed braking challenging. The center of mass plays a crucial role, influencing vehicle stability and increasing the risk of rollovers, particularly on wet roads.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
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**Developer**: Asobo Studio
**Release Date**: August 18, 2020
**Download**: Steam
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 sets a high bar for flight simulation physics. The game accurately models air resistance, mass, and velocity, impacting aircraft handling significantly. Larger aircraft require more skill and precision to take off and land compared to lighter ones. The simulation of airflow is crucial, with stalls occurring realistically at low speeds. Higher difficulty settings incorporate temperature effects.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
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**Developer**: Warhorse Studios
**Release Date**: February 4, 2025
**Download**: Steam
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II continues the series' commitment to realistic medieval settings and gameplay. The game features an improved combat system, expanded world, detailed storyline, and numerous side quests, while maintaining the realistic approach to storytelling. The enhanced mechanics add depth and engagement.
Universe Sandbox
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**Developer**: Giant Army
**Release Date**: August 24, 2015
**Download**: Steam
Universe Sandbox is a physics-based space simulator that allows players to experiment with celestial bodies and cosmic events. The game accurately models gravitational forces, allowing players to simulate various scenarios, from adding mass to Jupiter to introducing a black hole into the solar system. All simulations adhere to realistic physical laws.
Space Engineers
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**Developer**: Keen Software House
**Release Date**: February 28, 2019
**Download**: Steam
Space Engineers is a space-based construction and survival game with realistic physics. Players can build various structures and vehicles, but the game's physics engine ensures that designs must adhere to basic engineering principles. The simulation of zero gravity, planetary gravity, and atmospheric effects adds to the game's realism and challenge.
WRC 10
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**Developer**: KT Racing
**Release Date**: September 2, 2021
**Download**: Steam
WRC 10 offers a realistic rally racing experience with accurate physics. The game features realistic car handling, tire grip, and surface interactions. Different road surfaces and terrain types affect vehicle behavior, requiring adjustments to car setup for optimal performance.
Assetto Corsa
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**Developer**: Kunos Simulazioni
**Release Date**: December 19, 2014
**Download**: Steam
Assetto Corsa is a racing simulator known for its highly realistic physics. The game accurately models various factors influencing vehicle behavior, including friction, air resistance, and downforce. Collisions result in realistic damage and performance impacts. Even tire wear is simulated, adding another layer of realism.
Arma 3
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**Developer**: Bohemia Interactive
**Release Date**: September 12, 2013
**Download**: Steam
Arma 3 features realistic character and vehicle physics. Characters move with mass and inertia, influenced by their equipment. Vehicles handle realistically, with different chassis types exhibiting varying off-road capabilities and speeds. The game's ballistic model accurately simulates projectile behavior, considering factors such as gravity and penetration power.
Death Stranding
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**Developer**: Kojima Productions
**Release Date**: November 8, 2019
**Download**: Steam
Death Stranding's unique gameplay mechanics incorporate realistic physics. The character's movements and load-bearing capabilities are realistically simulated, making traversing varied terrain challenging and rewarding. The weight and size of cargo significantly impact the player's balance and movement.
BeamNG.drive
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**Developer**: BeamNG
**Release Date**: May 29, 2015
**Download**: Steam
BeamNG.drive stands out for its exceptionally realistic vehicle physics. The game accurately simulates vehicle deformation, damage, and material properties, resulting in highly realistic crash simulations. The game's open-ended nature allows for experimentation and community-created content.
This collection showcases 15 games across various genres, all excelling in their implementation of realistic physics. Many other games also feature impressive physics; we encourage you to share your favorites in the comments!
