War Thunder
Developed by Gaijin Entertainment · Published by Gaijin Network Ltd
At a glance
Overview
An action, massively multiplayer, simulation game by Gaijin Entertainment, published by Gaijin Network Ltd — single-player, multi-player, mmo, pvp.
Steam’s own one-line description: “War Thunder is the most comprehensive free-to-play, cross-platform, MMO military game dedicated to aviation, armoured vehicles, and naval craft, from the early 20th century to the most advanced modern combat units. Join now and take part in major battles on land, in the air, and at sea.” — developer/publisher text via the Steam store page.
Reception & community
Review sentiment, ownership and peak-concurrent estimates via SteamSpy; tags are player-voted on Steam. Estimates change over time.
What players say about War Thunder
Distilled by AI from 32 real Steam player reviews + verified Steam facts. The honest picture — praise and criticism both.
👍 What players love
- The game offers a wide variety of vehicles and realistic gameplay mechanics.
- Players appreciate the community and the tips shared among members.
- Enjoyable when approached with the right mindset, focusing on fun rather than grinding.
- The graphics and sound design are often praised for their quality.
👎 Common complaints
- Many players express frustration over the heavy focus on premium vehicles and paywalls.
- The grind for unlocking vehicles is excessively long and often feels unrewarding.
- Concerns about the game's balance, particularly regarding perceived favoritism towards Russian vehicles.
- Issues with the anti-cheat system and concerns over data privacy.
Is it worth it?
War Thunder is a complex and engaging military simulation game that can be enjoyable for players who appreciate realism and vehicle variety. However, potential players should be aware of the significant time investment required and the frustrations related to premium content and game balance.
Getting started — quick tips
- Set realistic expectations about progression; consider focusing on lower tiers to enjoy the game without the grind.
- Engage with the community for tips and strategies to improve your gameplay experience.
- Limit your spending and time commitment to avoid frustration with the game's monetization model.
Features & modes
Derived from the gameplay modes and feature categories Steam lists for War Thunder.
| Feature | Supported |
|---|---|
| Single-player | Yes |
| Multiplayer | Yes |
| Co-op | Yes |
| Online co-op | Yes |
| PvP | Yes |
| Cross-platform multiplayer | Yes |
| Full controller support | Yes |
| Partial controller support | No |
| Steam Cloud saves | No |
| Steam Achievements | Yes |
System requirements (PC)
As published on the Steam store page. Requirements can change between updates.
Minimum
- OS: Windows 10 (64bit)
- Processor: Dual-Core 2.2 GHz
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: DirectX 11 level video card: AMD Radeon 77XX / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660. The minimum supported resolution for the game is 720p.
- DirectX: Version 11
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 70 GB available space
- VR Support: SteamVR. Keyboard or gamepad required
Recommended
- OS: Windows 10/11 (64bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 3600 or better
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: DirectX 11 level video card or higher and drivers: Nvidia GeForce 1060 and higher, Radeon RX 570 and higher
- DirectX: Version 12
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 95 GB available space
Supported languages (18)
War Thunder FAQ
Answered from the official Steam listing as of September 2026. Data stamp: September 2026 (oldest record; newest recorded refresh: September 2026). Recorded refreshes can include failed attempts; check Steam for current facts. Where something hasn't been announced, we say so rather than guess.
Is War Thunder truly free to play?
While the game is free to download and play, many players find that significant progress often requires spending money on premium vehicles and upgrades.
How long does it take to unlock new vehicles?
Players report that grinding for new vehicles can take hundreds of hours, with some feeling it is not worth the time investment.
Are there balance issues in the game?
Yes, many players feel that the game suffers from balance issues, particularly with certain nations' vehicles being overpowered.
What is the community like?
The community is described as helpful, with players often sharing tips, but there are also frustrations directed towards the developers.
What kind of game is War Thunder?
Steam classifies War Thunder as a Action, Massively Multiplayer, Simulation, Free To Play game, developed by Gaijin Entertainment. War Thunder is the most comprehensive free-to-play, cross-platform, MMO military game dedicated to aviation, armoured vehicles, and naval craft, from the early 20th century to the most advanced modern combat units. Join now and take part in major battles on land, in the air, and at sea.
Is War Thunder free to play?
Yes — Steam lists War Thunder as Free to Play.
Is War Thunder single-player or multiplayer?
Steam lists these modes for War Thunder: Single-player, Multi-player, MMO, PvP, Online PvP, Co-op, Online Co-op, Cross-Platform Multiplayer. It supports both solo and multiplayer.
Is War Thunder on PlayStation, Xbox, or Switch?
Our data comes from the Steam (PC) store, which lists War Thunder for Windows, macOS, Linux. Console availability isn’t in our Steam-sourced data — check the official site or the console store.
Does War Thunder support cross-platform play?
Steam tags War Thunder with Cross-Platform Multiplayer.
Is War Thunder out yet?
Yes — Steam lists a release date of Aug 15, 2013.
What platforms is War Thunder on?
War Thunder is listed for Windows, macOS, Linux on the Steam (PC) store. Console availability isn't covered by Steam's PC store data — check the official channels.
Is War Thunder single-player or multiplayer?
Steam lists these modes: Single-player, Multi-player, MMO, PvP, Online PvP, Co-op, Online Co-op, Cross-Platform Multiplayer.
How much does War Thunder cost?
It's free to play, per Steam.
Does War Thunder have achievements?
Yes — Steam lists 91 achievements for War Thunder.
What is War Thunder's Metacritic score?
War Thunder has a Metacritic score of 81/100, per the Steam store listing.
Who made War Thunder?
War Thunder is developed by Gaijin Entertainment and published by Gaijin Network Ltd.
Where to get War Thunder
We don't sell games or track prices — this links to the official Steam store page.
View on Steam →Listing details from Valve's public Steam store data · official site. Not affiliated with Valve/Steam, Gaijin Network Ltd.