7 World War I Video Games You Should Definitely Play
The Great War deserves more recognition in games.
The First World War was fought from 1914 to 1918, and involved multiple countries struggling for victory across much of Eastern and Western Europe. The conflict eventually ended in November 1918, when Entente forces (Britain, France, and America) were able to force German leaders Erich Ludendorff and Paul von Hindenburg into signing an armistice.
World War One was a gruesome yet fascinating period of wartime history: the first of its kind on this scale and involving so many developed nations, it spurred on combat technology advancement and is still regarded as one of the worst conflicts in terms of casualties in all of human history. Such a scenario that is rich with significant events as the War To End All Wars is a gold mine for game developers looking for a real historical conflict to make a game about.
It is strange, then, that there are far fewer games that exist based on the Great War, especially when compared to World War II. Thankfully, that's what this list is here to do. So, throw on that gas mask and load up that Lee Enfield, and let's proceed with seven games based on World War One that deserve to be experienced.
7. Tannenberg
The first entry on this list comes from indie developers M2H and Blackmill, chronicling the battle that took place in the game's namesake on the Eastern Front between Germany and Russia. One of the earliest battles fought of the war, Tannenberg really showcases the main ideas that would become staples of the Great War.
Bolt action weaponry, heavy artillery, frontline rushes to secure an objective - and of course, constant death surrounding you. The devs went to great lengths to capture the tech and vibe of the Slavic side of the war, with snow-covered forest scapes and wide fields drenched with blood and bullets. The guns sound authentic and the visceral combat encapsulates much of what the Great War's battles would be remembered for.
In fairness, it is a spin off of a larger, more popular game by this team, but that does not mean Tannenberg should be relegated to the annals of gaming history to be remembered by no one. It is a brave effort to capture the imagery and horrors of the Eastern Front, and really very few games can say they've even attempted such a thing.