The best games about realism

Video games are often not “realistic” in a literal sense. They may have photorealistic graphics, tell a believable story, or use mechanics that try to mimic real life, but realism is usually more of a buzzword than something you'll actually experience while playing. That's the point of video games, after all; they are an escape from reality, not an imitation of it.

Some gamers prefer their games to be a little goofy (just look at the success of a title like Autumn Guys or even Fortnite), while others prefer the deeper and more challenging experience of playing something as close to reality as possible. If you belong to the latter group, these other games are for you. They are all great games in their own right, but in one or more aspects they try to be as realistic as possible when playing.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Some might say it's too focused on realism

Red Dead Redemption 2 was quite a major release, one of the biggest of 2018, and although many expected it to follow GTA 5 more arcadey steps, Rockstar leaned into realism instead. This has led many players astray. While many loved the game for its stunning narrative, world design and gameplay, others found it too slow and with too much filler between moments of excitement.

love it or hate it RDR2 it definitely focuses on realism in a way that Rockstar never had before. Instead of having your weapons on you at all times, you could only carry two of them while the rest were kept on your horse. Hunting involved not only shooting the animal, but also shooting it with the right weapon, skinning it, and then transporting the skin to the hunter. Weapons had to be cleaned and maintained, just like Arthur, whose beard and hair would grow to unruly proportions if he refused a visit to the barber. For some, it was one of the most immersive gaming experiences ever created. For others, it was a drag.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

It doesn't get more medieval than this

Most games involving swords, armor, and role-playing elements also involve magic, monsters, and doomsday stakes. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 this second group is completely avoided. It's a medieval RPG that sticks as close to real medieval life as possible. The game is set in 15th century Bohemia, and there are no magical weapons or powerful spells to uncover, and generally just minor historical inaccuracies, but that doesn't mean the game isn't worth it.

Instead, you'll find some of the deepest RPG systems in the industry. Immersive sim elements litter the world and your options for how to approach situations are virtually limitless as long as you have the stats and gear to handle it. Henry's armor will determine where he is welcomed based on whose mark he bears. If he hasn't bathed recently, people will talk to him less. The sword fight is a delicate dance of directional blocks and attacks that is very difficult to master, but extremely satisfying to master. There are romance options, massive sieges to take part in, and an epic quest that's still engaging even without an evil wizard to defeat.

Long darkness

Winter Is A Harsh Companion

Survival games always lean towards realism to some extent, but with that in mind Long darkness takes things even further. Set in northern Canada during the winter months, you not only need to find food and shelter, but a consistent way to stay warm, all while avoiding predators who are especially hungry when their food source is frozen.

That's just scratching the surface. You need to heal your injuries or they'll kill you slowly, but you can also delay death by using less than ideal healing if that's all you have on hand. Research is a double-edged sword. It can reward you with valuable supplies, but it's also a good way to get lost, injured, or just burn through the supplies you already have. It's not breaking the mold when it comes to survival games, but when it comes to realism, Long darkness they don't rustle.

Pacific Drive

The most detailed car in any survival game

You're probably wondering what the hell that is Pacific Drive here he does, so that disclaimer out of the way. No, the world Pacific Drive not particularly realistic. You'll encounter strange, pseudo-mechanical enemies, physically impossible anomalies, and an ever-changing environment to navigate. We're not saying these things are realistic at all, but realistic is the tool you use to navigate the world.

Pacific Drive features an incredibly detailed car that acts as both your safe haven while exploring and your primary form of transportation. The point is that it is fully realized. You have to start the car before it moves and put it in gear before it moves anywhere. If you don't close the door or trunk after loading quality loot, it will spill out behind you when you leave. Your tires will puncture on sharp objects, your handling will be challenged on rough terrain, and even your wipers are important to help you see in the rain. Because of this, as you get used to your car, the intricate and unusual things become second nature and you become attached to the vehicle. He's your only companion during long and dangerous treks, and that's a special and unique bond that few games capture so well.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

It fully simulates the entire planet

It's hard to think of a game more focused on realism than one that literally renders an entire planet for you to explore. That's what's on the menu Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. You can fly pretty much anywhere on Earth, from big cities to remote tropical locations, and even if they aren't detailed enough to pop out and wander down your home street, you can still see your house from the air.

This realism also extends to the controls of the planes themselves, something the series has been known for since its heyday. This time the range of aircraft offered was greatly expanded. Not only can you fly every type of aircraft, from a large plane to a seaplane, but now there's also the option to pilot a helicopter, stunt plane, hot air balloon and more. All feature real controls and handling MFS2024 to feel as authentic as possible.

Ready or not

More than just a shooter

While on the surface it may look like another tactical first-person shooter, Ready or not it has a lot more under the hood than just running and shooting. This is a game that prides itself on forcing its players to think under pressure, and while you may just fumble, you and your team will get worse scores for your work when all is said and done.

Instead, you're encouraged to capture enemies alive by making them surrender before the bullets start flying. That's easier said than done. There are hostages, hidden enemies and tricks in the game. You will die too very quickly, meaning a wrong call or rash decision can backfire in an instant. That said, there is great satisfaction in completing a mission without killing anyone. That's what it does Ready or not so unique in the shooter space because it doesn't want you to just pull the trigger, it wants you to think about ways to avoid it first.

Green hell

Hardcore Survival, even for hardcore Survival fans

We've already talked about it Long darkness it's a pretty tough survival game, but even that pales in comparison to what's expected of players Green hell. Lost in the Amazon rainforest, you have to do all the usual survival game stuff – build shelter, craft tools, find food and medicine, etc. – but in a much more detailed way.

You are not only expected to eat, but you have to actually manage your calorie intake, which means tracking them second the foods you eat. The same goes for water. Not everything can be drunk straight from the source, and if you drink something untreated, you can get sick. Meanwhile, you can catch a disease or just die from a spider bite by wandering into the wrong clump of trees. Green hell he's brutally ruthless, but rewards meticulous attention to detail when under pressure, something not everyone has in them, especially if he's the type who plays games to relax.

Euro Truck Simulator 2

Relaxing realism

Speaking of relaxation, Euro Truck Simulator 2 is a kind of realistic game that is designed to be as simple as possible. The line of where “realism” begins and ends is pretty thin. For example, managing a truck, driving on European highways and avoiding delivery delays are quite realistic.

These elements fall a little by the wayside when it comes to things like crashes. While in real life a car accident involving a semi-trailer on the highway is a devastating event, in Euro Truck Simulator 2, the cars just kind of bounce off. Sure, it's still better to avoid accidents altogether, but the game isn't here to punish you for making a mistake (something other games on this list are more than happy to indulge in). Instead, it wants you to enjoy a pleasant, relaxing time on your way from point A to point B. Explore the sights, listen to the music and enjoy the experience.