The 30 Best Submarine Simulator Games, Ranked
- 1Mar 15 2005
Silent Hunter III plunges you into the deep, dark depths of World War II era Atlantic, as you take command of a German U-boat, plotting strategies against the Allies in a truly nerve-wracking simulation. The immersive gameplay blends impeccable technical detail with a suspenseful atmosphere, delivering a unique real-time strategy experience. This gem of a game is credited for significant advances in the submarine genre, ultimately setting the gold standard for underwater combat sims.
- 22017
Cold Waters invites players into the heart-stopping world of underwater warfare during the Cold War, finely balancing naval strategy with tactical execution. Juggling between stealthy evasion and tactical offense, the gameplay will keep you perpetually at the edge of your seat. This riveting title garnered extensive praise for its intense gameplay and authenticity, redefining the submarine simulation landscape for the modern audience.
- 3Mar 20 2007
Set amid the vast Pacific Ocean of World War II, Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of the Pacific lets you helm an American submarine in high-stakes conflicts against Imperial Japan. Marrying meticulous historical accuracy with nail-biting gameplay mechanics, the game makes for gripping realism. Critics laud Wolves of the Pacific for establishing a new level of immersion within the submarine simulator genre.
- 4Jul 04 1997
In 688(I) Hunter/Killer, you command a technologically advanced U.S. nuclear submarine, navigating treacherous geopolitical waters and accomplishing complex, covert missions. The gameplay is a masterful combination of tactical planning, submarine operations and underwater warfare, offering an unparalleled experience in the genre. Its remarkable realism and meticulous attention to technical detail have solidified its place amongst the top submarine simulators ever created.
- 5Jan 01 1988
Red Storm Rising throws you into the cold, calculated world of a Soviet officer helming a nuclear submarine during the Cold War. Between managing your crew and outfoxing NATO forces, the strategic gameplay is relentless and demanding. This milestone release revolutionized the submarine genre, standing tall as one of the most memorable underwater warfare simulations of its generation.
- 62019
In UBOAT, you captain a German submarine in a cruelly fascinating recreation of WWII times, with survival as critical as victory. The gameplay intriguingly combines aspects of war simulation with survival and rogue like mechanics. UBOAT's unique genre-blending format carved a niche in the submarine simulator market, redefining the expectations from such games.
- 7Jan 01 1996
Silent Hunter tosses players onto the helm of a German U-boat during the heat of World War II, tasking them with the daunting duty of stealthily sinking Allied vessels. Your tactical acumen is tested as charts, sonar, and periscopes are all you have to outmaneuver enemies. The game, an industry pioneer, created a wave upon release by setting the template for submarine simulations.
- 8Jan 01 1985
Silent Service immerses you in the daring, high-stress life of a World War II U.S. submarine commander within the vast Pacific theater. A clever blend of strategic target selection and tactical ship control, the insidious gameplay will keep you glued to your screen. The game, released in 1985, single-handedly birthed the submarine simulation genre and is still considered a benchmark of gameplay and innovation.
- 9Jan 01 1990
In Silent Service II, you step back onboard a WWII Pacific-based U.S. submarine, tasked with hunting and sinking enemy cruisers. The gameplay offers a thrilling blend of realistic navigation, tactical decisions, and pulsating warfare. An evolution of its predecessor, Silent Service II further cemented the series’ reputation as the definitive benchmark for naval warfare simulators.
- 10Jan 01 1994
Navigating the tumultuous waters of WWII's Atlantic, Aces of the Deep pushes you to helm a German U-boat, challenging you to outwit and overwhelm the formidable Allied forces. It masterfully blends engagingly realistic gameplay with rich historical detail, resulting in a riveting experience. This game's gripping scenarios and technical depth made it an instant classic in the submarine simulation genre.
- 11Feb 25 2005
Dangerous Waters offers a modern setting where players lead varied NATO forces in intricate operations against cunning adversaries. The gameplay goes beyond only submarines to incorporate surface and air assets too, making for mindbogglingly immersive battle scenarios. It stands tall as a turning point in the genre, expanding the players' perspective of underwater warfare simulations.
- 12Nov 06 2001
Silent Hunter II thrusts players into the role of a German U-boat commander in WWII, prowling the Atlantic for unwary Allied vessels. Your tactical prowess is tested through the real-time, 3D gameplay that places a premium on stealth and cunning. The sequel upped the ante from the previous installment, becoming a cornerstone in the evolution of the WWII submarine simulator genre.
- 13Jan 01 1989
688 Attack Sub drops you into the claustrophobic quarters of an American Los Angeles-class or Soviet Alfa-class submarine during the Cold War, tasked with diverse, covert missions. The game merges strategic navigation, realistic submarine operations, and underwater warfare, all to thrill the palates of naval enthusiasts. Lauded for its dynamic gameplay and authenticity, 688 Attack Sub helped shape the course of submarine simulations.
- 14Jan 01 1994
SSN-21 Seawolf catapults players onboard the titular Seawolf-class submarine, the most advanced undersea predator of the U.S. fleet, set against the backdrop of the Cold War. The gameplay is a nerve-testing clash of tactical decision-making and reflex-intensive combat. This title's high-fidelity realism set a benchmark in the submarine simulation genre, praised for pushing the envelope of authenticity.
- 15Jan 01 1996
Tom Clancy's SSN puts players in the captain's chair of a cutting-edge nuclear submarine, sending them on a tension-fueled mission to thwart a Chinese invasion of the Spratly Islands. This unique gameplay combines a first-person perspective with real-time naval combat, strategising, and exploration, which is brought to life with mind-blowing graphics and sound design. Having paved the way for future submarine simulations, this game is remembered as a landmark title that pushed the boundaries of what was possible in the genre.
- 16Jan 01 1990
Wolfpack hands you the responsibility of a U-boat during the peak of WWII, which hammers home the immersive and cooperative multiplayer gameplay. Combining detailed systems operations with teamwork, the game is a heart-racing simulation of submarine warfare. Wolfpack has made strong waves in the genre, with its multiplayer focus being a fresh take that set a new precedent for online submarine simulations.
- 172016
Silent Depth screams survival; this game puts you in command of a World War II-era submarine prowling the depths of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, hunting for enemy shipping and evading detection. It marries deep strategic gameplay with meticulous realism, making the player feel every torpedo strike and every depth charge explosion. Silent Depth made serious waves in the gaming scene, proving that there's still plenty of unexplored territory in the field of historical simulations.
- 18Jan 01 1983
In Gato, you're handed the periscope of a U.S. submarine prowling the Pacific during World War II, tasked with sinking enemy warships and avoiding kamikaze attacks. The gameplay blends arcade action with strategic decision-making, creating a challenging and immersive experience that was well ahead of its time. Gato truly harpooned the heart of gamers, pioneering submarine simulation as a worthy genre in video gaming.
- 192001
Sub Command thrusts you into the dangerous depths of modern naval warfare, commanding three of the world's most powerful submarines. Gameplay is a high-stakes tactical balancing act, melding stealth, firepower, and strategy into a pulse-pounding experience. Sub Command set a new benchmark for sea combat simulators, winning critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of submarine operations.
- 20Mar 02 2010
In Silent Hunter 5, players take on the role of a hardened U-boat commander battling for control of the Atlantic during World War II. This game is a deep dive into strategic naval warfare, offering an open-world environment, full crew management and a gripping narrative. Silent Hunter 5 blew the competition out of the water with its staggering attention to detail and historic authenticity, setting a new bar for future submarine simulators.
- 212019
If you're looking for a game with depth, look no further than Barotrauma. This game lends a cooperative spin to submarine simulation, tasking players with maintaining their undersea vessel while surviving the hostile creatures and harsh conditions of Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa. As a standout game in the genre, Barotrauma is famously known for its chaotic and hilarious cooperative gameplay that keeps players on their toes - or rather, fins!
- 22Jan 01 1987
Sub Battle Simulator charts unknown waters as it zips you back to the 40s and 50s' world of naval combat. The gameplay sets a cracking pace, engaging players in submarine warfare while striking a fine balance between action-packed battles and nerve-wracking stealth sequences. With its groundbreaking take on historical battles and realistic combat mechanics, Sub Battle Simulator goes down in history as a beast of the genre's evolution.
- 23Aug 14 2007
1914 Shells of Fury takes you back to the perilous high seas of World War I, blending tense submarine warfare with a richly-detailed historical narrative. Players are challenged not just by enemy ships, but by the very elements themselves, as weather and water conditions play a substantial role in the gameplay. Another gem in the sea of submarine simulators, 1914 Shells of Fury offers a unique insight into a less-explored era of naval warfare, making it a classic worth resurfacing.
- Battlestations: Pacific is an action and real-time tactics video game published by Eidos Interactive and developed by Eidos Hungary. It is also the sequel to the 2007 video game Battlestations: Midway. It was released for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 on May 12, 2009 in North America, and on May 15, 2009 in Europe and Australia. The Mac OS X version of the game was developed by Robosoft Technologies and released on 8 October 2010 by Feral Interactive. On April 19, 2010, Square Enix Europe confirmed the closure of the games' developers, Eidos Hungary.More Battlestations: Pacific
- #19 of 50 onThe Best War Simulation Games of All Time
- #24 of 25 onThe Best Ship Simulator Games, Ranked
- #17 of 83 onThe Best Real-time Tactics Games of All Time
- 25Jan 30 2007Battlestations: Midway is a video game developed by Eidos Hungary and released on January 30, 2007 for the Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows. The Mac version of this game was developed by Robosoft Technologies, based out of India and published in July 2008 by Feral Interactive. Set in the Pacific during World War II, it is a hybrid of action and real-time tactics as the player can both command his fleet assets and assume control of any one of them at will. The single player campaign is a series of missions from Pearl Harbor commanding an Elco PT Boat to the Battle of Midway commanding an entire Carrier Battle Group.More Battlestations: Midway
- #25 of 25 onThe Best Ship Simulator Games, Ranked
- #25 of 83 onThe Best Real-time Tactics Games of All Time
- #3 of 30 onThe 20+ Best PC Naval Games on Steam
- 262017
IronWolf VR takes the submarine simulation genre to new depths, offering a virtual reality experience where teamwork and strategy rule the high seas. Manual control systems and an immersive, realistic environment make this game a nail-biting dive into the world of underwater combat. IronWolf VR redefined the playing field for submarine games, pushing the limits of virtual reality technology, and making a big splash in the world of immersive gaming.
- 272018
KURSK plunges you into the tragic tale of Russia's ill-fated nuclear submarine, combining a compelling narrative with high-stakes exploration and survival gameplay. It's a game of cat and mouse with a deadly twist, requiring players to navigate the submarine's claustrophobic corridors while unraveling its darkest secrets. KURSK had a strong impact on the gaming world, showcasing the untouched narrative potential and emotional depth within the submarine simulation genre.
- 281993
In Subwar 2050, you pilot a future-tech sub through the deep-sea colonies of tomorrow, battling rogue subs and monstrous sea creatures. The game fuses exploration with combat, injecting a dose of science-fiction to the typical submarine sim formula. Subwar 2050 sunk its teeth into gamers with its innovative blend of traditional mechanics and futuristic trappings, resulting in a wave of imitators riding in its wake.
- 291995
Silent Steel ripples the water of traditional gameplay as it combines interactive movie elements with strategic submarine command. Navigating the politics of international conflict in an interactive thriller, players walk the line between global tension and open warfare. Silent Steel made its mark with its blend of cinematic storytelling and innovative gameplay, proving there's more than one way to dive into a submarine game.
- 30
We Need To Go Deeper dives headfirst into the hilarity of co-op gameplay, offering vibrant, immersive underwater exploration teeming with dangerous sea creatures. Balancing teamwork and resources is key, making gameplay a laugh-out-loud challenge of submarine survival. This nautical gem caught the current of co-op games, its memorable charm, and wacky hijinks capturing the hearts of players worldwide.
