For many gamers, physics in games is like a mysterious creature that's often discussed but hard to pinpoint at first. Yet, it's essential because it enhances the believability of the game world, making the experience more immersive.
In game development, physics primarily involves an object's mass and speed. For living entities, this extends to detailed skeletons and soft tissue behavior, which adds to the realism and is particularly appreciated by fans of character-driven games. In this list, we'll explore the best PC games known for their physics, covering not just simulators but also popular titles.
Table of Contents:
- 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
Red Dead Redemption 2
Image: ebay.com
Developer: Rockstar Studios
Release Date: October 26, 2018
Download: Rockstargames
A staple in many game collections, Red Dead Redemption 2 is renowned for its physics. The adventures of Arthur Morgan across a burgeoning America captivate players not just with its stunning atmosphere, story, and graphics, but also with its realism. The "ragdoll" technology ensures that the bodies of people and animals react realistically. If Arthur missteps, he doesn't just slide off a surface—he tumbles realistically. When you shoot a bandit in the leg, he doesn't just lose health; he limps or falls, and the same applies to animals like horses.
War Thunder
Image: store.steampowered.com
Developer: Gaijin Entertainment
Release Date: August 15, 2013
Download: Steam
Realistic physics aren't limited to single-player games. War Thunder, an online military vehicle action game, showcases impressive physics mechanics. Unlike its competitors, War Thunder effectively conveys the sensation of controlling massive vehicles. Tanks feel hefty, and the physics differentiate wheeled from tracked vehicles, impacting the game's pace. Snowy terrain can slow down weaker vehicles, while air resistance affects aviation maneuvers. Ships, too, exhibit realistic physics, with water flooding causing listing and tight turns making them tip.
Hellish Quart
Image: store.steampowered.com
Developer: Kubold
Release Date: February 16, 2021
Download: Steam
The standout feature of Hellish Quart is its realistic body physics. This simplified fencing simulator focuses on online duels, where two characters engage in combat, showcasing your skills without the over-the-top action of games like Mortal Kombat. The human models adhere to in-game physics, with mass, inertia, and a realistic skeleton. Every sword swing and step has weight, and hits or wounds realistically impact movement.
SnowRunner
Image: store.steampowered.com
Developer: Saber Interactive
Release Date: April 28, 2020
Download: Steam
While not a highly sophisticated driving simulator, SnowRunner excels in its physics, which extend beyond just vehicles. The game involves navigating heavy trucks through off-road conditions, with vehicles having realistic weight and centers of mass. The terrain's materials, like mud, snow, and water, have unique properties. A heavy truck can sink into mud, which isn't just a texture but a soil with its own physics, showing tire ruts and varying in softness and viscosity. Rivers can flip vehicles, and trucks with high centers of mass are prone to tipping.
GTA IV
Image: imdb.com
Developer: Rockstar North
Release Date: April 29, 2008
Download: Rockstargames
GTA IV set new standards for realism in gaming, thanks to the Euphoria technology, also used by the BBC for documentary films. The physics in GTA IV are remarkable, with characters reacting realistically to forces. A simple shove might make someone fall or regain balance and retaliate. Shootouts are spectacular due to realistic physics, and vehicles crumple authentically upon impact, affecting movement and functionality. While the physics are impressive, the game's high hardware demands still affect its optimization.
Euro Truck Simulator 2
Image: store.steampowered.com
Developer: SCS Software
Release Date: October 18, 2012
Download: Steam
Euro Truck Simulator 2 is a must-mention in truck driving games. While not slogging through mud, the game offers a realistic driving experience, especially with tweaked settings or mods. Trucks and cargo have mass and speed, influencing inertia and stopping distances. The models' centers of mass affect stability, and wet roads add another layer of realism to this truck simulator.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
Image: store.steampowered.com
Developer: Asobo Studio
Release Date: August 18, 2020
Download: Steam
Moving to the skies, Microsoft Flight Simulator boasts advanced physics. While you can disable these features for casual flying, the real thrill comes from maximizing physics settings. Air resistance, mass, and speed are standard, but landing a heavy Airbus is more challenging than a light Cessna. Airflow simulation is crucial, as insufficient speed can cause a "stall," leading to a dangerous nose dive. High difficulty settings even account for temperature changes.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Image: store.steampowered.com
Developer: Warhorse Studios
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Download: Steam
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II continues the epic open-world RPG set in medieval times, demanding strength, agility, strategy, diplomacy, and loyalty. As a brave hero, players navigate a world of clashes and knightly valor, participating in large-scale battles and making pivotal decisions. The sequel introduces an improved combat system, expanded world, detailed storyline, and numerous side quests, all while maintaining a realistic storytelling approach with new engaging mechanics.
Universe Sandbox
Image: store.steampowered.com
Developer: Giant Army
Release Date: August 24, 2015
Download: Steam
Physics is fundamental to the universe, and Universe Sandbox models these laws, allowing wild experiments. Increase Jupiter's mass to trigger thermonuclear reactions, turning it into a dwarf star, or introduce a black hole into our solar system. Bombard Earth with asteroids and observe the results—all according to real physical laws.
Space Engineers
Image: store.steampowered.com
Developer: Keen Software House
Release Date: February 28, 2019
Download: Steam
Space Engineers is another sandbox with advanced physics, focusing on construction in space and on planets with survival elements. Build anything from bases to spaceships, limited only by physics and engineering principles. Zero gravity in space means objects drift without air resistance, requiring maneuvering thrusters. Planets have gravitational pull, necessitating different engines for atmospheric entry and powerful thrusters to escape their surface.
WRC 10
Image: store.steampowered.com
Developer: KT Racing
Release Date: September 2, 2021
Download: Steam
WRC 10, a World Rally Championship simulator, features realistic tracks and teams with excellent physics. Beyond mass and speed, the game allows tweaking car internals and tire grip, crucial for different road surfaces. Each type of dirt has unique properties, requiring individual adjustments for each track.
Assetto Corsa
Image: store.steampowered.com
Developer: Kunos Simulazioni
Release Date: December 19, 2014
Download: Steam
Assetto Corsa is a racing simulator focused on realism, requiring in-depth car settings adjustments. Physics like friction, air resistance, and downforce impact performance, and even minor collisions at high speeds can cause significant issues. The game includes tire wear, a testament to its realism.
Arma 3
Image: store.steampowered.com
Developer: Bohemia Interactive
Release Date: September 12, 2013
Download: Steam
Arma 3, a military simulator, showcases realistic physics through detailed character skeletons with mass and inertia. Transitioning between movements feels natural, and weapon weight affects aiming. Vehicles have distinct physics models based on chassis and suspension, while ballistics ensure bullets are influenced by gravity and have realistic penetration.
Death Stranding
Image: steamcommunity.com
Developer: Kojima Productions
Release Date: November 8, 2019
Download: Steam
Death Stranding's physics are a highlight, with the main character's physical attributes and advanced skeleton enhancing the walking experience. Cargo weight and size affect balance, making even short walks challenging on diverse terrains with distinct material properties, turning the game into a true walking simulator.
BeamNG.drive
Image: store.steampowered.com
Developer: BeamNG
Release Date: May 29, 2015
Download: Steam
BeamNG.drive is renowned for its realistic car physics, simulating crash tests with hundreds of parameters. The car body crumples realistically based on material strength and collision speed. While not a hardcore simulator, it's accessible to all and serves as a playground for enthusiasts hosting online races and adding new vehicles.
In this collection, we've highlighted 15 games across various genres with the best physics. There are many other games with impressive mechanics, character behavior, and vehicle dynamics. We'd love to hear about your favorite games in the comments!
![Taffy Tales [v1.07.3a]](https://imgs.xfsxw.com/uploads/32/1719554710667e529623764.jpg)
