For many gamers, physics in games is like a mysterious entity that's often discussed and debated, yet not always immediately noticeable. Yet, it's crucial: it helps create a believable game world, drawing players deeper into the experience.
In game development, physics primarily deals with an object's mass and velocity. For living beings, it extends to detailed skeletal structures and soft tissue dynamics, which particularly appeals to fans of character realism. In this list, we'll explore some of the best PC games known for their physics, covering not only simulators but also popular titles across various genres.
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
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Developer: Rockstar Studios
Release Date: October 26, 2018
Download: Rockstargames
A staple in many gaming collections, Red Dead Redemption 2 stands out with its impressive physics. Arthur Morgan's journey through a burgeoning America is not only captivating due to its atmosphere, story, and visuals but also its realism. The "ragdoll" technology ensures that both human and animal bodies react realistically to actions. A misstep sends Arthur tumbling naturally, while a shot to a bandit's leg results in limping or falling. The same realism applies to animals like horses.
War Thunder
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Developer: Gaijin Entertainment
Release Date: August 15, 2013
Download: Steam
Realistic physics aren't exclusive to single-player games; War Thunder, an online military vehicle action game, exemplifies this. It conveys the heft of multi-ton machines, making you feel the weight of a tank on your screen. Wheeled vehicles handle differently from tracked ones due to the physics of both the vehicles and the terrain. Snowy terrain can bog down weaker vehicles, while aviation physics include air resistance, affecting speed and maneuverability at different altitudes. Ships also respond realistically to damage, with flooding potentially causing them to list and take on more water.
Hellish Quart
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Developer: Kubold
Release Date: February 16, 2021
Download: Steam
Hellish Quart's key feature is the realistic behavior of its virtual bodies. It's a simplified fencing simulator focused on online duels, where characters adhere to in-game physics, including mass, inertia, and skeletal structures. Every sword swing or step carries inertia, and hits or wounds impact movement, making for a more immersive experience.
SnowRunner
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Developer: Saber Interactive
Release Date: April 28, 2020
Download: Steam
While SnowRunner isn't a highly sophisticated driving simulator, its physics are remarkable, affecting both vehicles and terrain. The game simulates heavy trucks navigating off-road conditions, with realistic weight and center of mass. The terrain, including mud, snow, and water, behaves according to its unique properties, with tire ruts and varying ground softness. Vehicles have centers of mass, making rollovers a frequent challenge.
GTA IV
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Developer: Rockstar North
Release Date: April 29, 2008
Download: Rockstargames
GTA IV is synonymous with advanced game physics, thanks to the Euphoria technology. Characters move and react to forces realistically; a simple shove might cause a pedestrian to fall or regain balance and retaliate. Shootouts become dynamic action scenes, and vehicle physics are equally impressive, with cars crumpling and passengers being thrown upon collision. Despite the realism, the game's optimization remains a challenge due to the demanding nature of Euphoria.
Euro Truck Simulator 2
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Developer: SCS Software
Release Date: October 18, 2012
Download: Steam
Euro Truck Simulator 2 delivers a realistic truck driving experience, where trucks and cargo have mass and speed, resulting in significant inertia. High speeds make stopping these behemoths difficult, and centers of mass can lead to rollovers. Wet roads add another layer of realism, making it a heart-pounding experience, especially with mods.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
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Developer: Asobo Studio
Release Date: August 18, 2020
Download: Steam
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is renowned for its advanced flight physics. Air resistance, mass, and speed are standard, but the game also simulates airflow, affecting takeoffs and landings. A light Cessna handles differently from a heavy Airbus, and temperature can impact performance on high difficulty settings.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
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Developer: Warhorse Studios
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Download: Steam
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II continues the saga of an open-world RPG set in medieval times, where physics play a crucial role in combat, exploration, and interaction. The game introduces an improved combat system, an expanded world, and a more detailed storyline, all underpinned by realistic physics that enhance the immersive experience.
Universe Sandbox
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Developer: Giant Army
Release Date: August 24, 2015
Download: Steam
Universe Sandbox simulates the laws of physics on a cosmic scale, allowing players to experiment with celestial bodies. From turning Jupiter into a dwarf star to adding black holes to our solar system, the game adheres to real physical principles, making for a fascinating educational tool and sandbox.
Space Engineers
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Developer: Keen Software House
Release Date: February 28, 2019
Download: Steam
Space Engineers offers a sandbox with advanced physics for space and planetary construction. Zero gravity affects object movement, while planets have their own gravity and atmospheric conditions. Building in this environment requires understanding physics and engineering principles, adding depth to the gameplay.
WRC 10
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Developer: KT Racing
Release Date: September 2, 2021
Download: Steam
WRC 10 captures the essence of rally racing with its excellent physics. Beyond mass and speed, the game allows for detailed car tuning, adapting to various road surfaces and conditions. Each type of dirt has unique properties, requiring players to adjust their vehicles for optimal performance.
Assetto Corsa
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Developer: Kunos Simulazioni
Release Date: December 19, 2014
Download: Steam
Assetto Corsa is a racing simulator focused on realism, where physics like friction, air resistance, and downforce play crucial roles. Even minor collisions can impact speed or cause spin-outs, and tire wear is meticulously simulated, adding to the game's authenticity.
Arma 3
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Developer: Bohemia Interactive
Release Date: September 12, 2013
Download: Steam
Arma 3's military simulation includes detailed physics for character movement and vehicle handling. Realistic skeletal structures ensure natural movement, while vehicles behave according to their chassis and suspension. Ballistics are a key feature, with bullets affected by gravity and penetration power.
Death Stranding
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Developer: Kojima Productions
Release Date: November 8, 2019
Download: Steam
Death Stranding's physics enhance the walking simulator aspect of the game. The protagonist's physical attributes and skeletal structure interact with the weight and size of cargo, requiring balance to avoid falling. The diverse terrain and material properties add to the challenge and enjoyment of traversing the post-apocalyptic world.
BeamNG.drive
Image: store.steampowered.com
Developer: BeamNG
Release Date: May 29, 2015
Download: Steam
BeamNG.drive is renowned for its realistic vehicle physics, simulating crash tests with hundreds of parameters. The car body crumples realistically based on material strength and collision speed, making it a playground for enthusiasts who enjoy testing vehicle durability and hosting online races.
In this collection, we've showcased 15 games across various genres known for their exceptional physics. While there are other titles with impressive mechanics, character behavior, and vehicle dynamics, we'd love to hear about your favorites in the comments!
