For many gamers, physics in games is like a mysterious entity that everyone talks about—either praising or critiquing—yet it's often hard to pinpoint at first glance. But why is it essential? It's simple: physics helps create a believable game world, enhancing immersion and making the experience feel more real (at least to some extent).
In game development, physics primarily revolves around an object's mass and speed. For living creatures, detailed skeletons and soft tissue behavior are modeled, which is particularly appealing to fans of character realism. In this list, we'll explore the best PC games known for their physics, covering not just 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 for its many strengths, including its impressive physics. Arthur Morgan's journey through a burgeoning America is captivating not just for its atmosphere, story, and graphics, but also for its realism. Thanks to "ragdoll" technology, the bodies of people and animals react in ways that closely mimic real life. If Arthur takes a misstep, he won't just slide off a surface; he'll tumble realistically. Shooting a bandit in the leg results in them limping or falling, and the same realistic physics apply to animals like horses.
War Thunder
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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 main competitor, War Thunder gives players a true sense of controlling heavy machinery. Tanks feel massive, and the physics differentiate wheeled from tracked vehicles, influenced by both the vehicles and the terrain. This impacts gameplay, especially in challenging environments like snow, where weaker vehicles struggle. In aviation, air resistance affects sharp maneuvers, and altitude influences speed and maneuverability. Ships also exhibit realistic physics, with flooding causing listing and tight turns affecting their balance.
Hellish Quart
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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, possessing mass, inertia, and a realistic skeleton. Every sword swing and step has inertia, and each hit or wound impacts the character's movement, making for a highly immersive experience.
SnowRunner
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Developer: Saber Interactive
Release Date: April 28, 2020
Download: Steam
Developers often enhance car simulators with advanced physics, and SnowRunner is no exception. While not a highly sophisticated driving simulator, its physics are excellent, extending beyond just the vehicles. Focused on navigating heavy trucks through off-road conditions, the game's mechanics are intriguing. Vehicles have realistic weight and center of mass, and the terrain features different materials with unique properties. Heavy trucks can sink into mud, which has its own physics, including tire ruts and varying softness and viscosity. Snow and water also play significant roles, with strong currents capable of flipping or carrying vehicles away. The center of mass affects stability, making rollovers common.
GTA IV
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Developer: Rockstar North
Release Date: April 29, 2008
Download: Rockstargames
When discussing game physics, GTA IV often comes to mind. This Rockstar project set a new standard for realism in gaming, thanks to the unique Euphoria technology, also used by the BBC for documentary films. In GTA IV, the physics are remarkable. People move and react to forces realistically; a simple shove might cause someone to fall or regain balance and retaliate. Shootouts become spectacular action scenes. The physics extend to vehicles as well, with cars crumpling realistically, bent fenders affecting wheels, and collisions causing occupants to be thrown and roll on the asphalt. The only downside was the demanding hardware requirements, which still affect optimization today.
Euro Truck Simulator 2
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Developer: SCS Software
Release Date: October 18, 2012
Download: Steam
Euro Truck Simulator 2 is another truck driving game that can't be overlooked. While you won't be navigating through mud, the game can still be thrilling, especially with tweaked settings or mods. Trucks and cargo have mass and speed, leading to realistic inertia. At high speeds, stopping these behemoths is challenging, and the center of mass can cause rollovers. Wet roads in the rain add to the realism, making this a highly immersive truck simulator.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
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Developer: Asobo Studio
Release Date: August 18, 2020
Download: Steam
Moving from ground to sky, flight simulators also feature advanced physics, with Microsoft Flight Simulator leading the pack. While you can disable these complex features for a simpler experience, the full physics simulation offers a more rewarding challenge. Basics like air resistance, mass, and speed are standard, but the game goes further. A light Cessna flies differently from a heavy Airbus, and landing can be challenging due to air flow simulation. At high difficulty settings, even temperature affects performance, adding to the realism.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
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Developer: Warhorse Studios
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Download: Steam
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II continues the epic open-world RPG set in a harsh medieval era. Players must navigate a world of ruthless clashes, knightly valor, and intrigue, requiring strength, agility, strategic thinking, diplomacy, and loyalty. As a brave hero, you'll fight for your place, participate in large-scale battles, explore historically accurate Europe, and make pivotal decisions. The sequel introduces an improved combat system, an expanded world, a more detailed storyline, and numerous side quests, all while maintaining a realistic storytelling approach and adding new mechanics for deeper engagement.
Universe Sandbox
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Developer: Giant Army
Release Date: August 24, 2015
Download: Steam
Physics is fundamental to the universe. Planets orbit the Sun due to its mass, and black holes are dangerous because of their immense gravity. Universe Sandbox models these laws, allowing players to conduct wild experiments. For example, increasing Jupiter's mass could trigger thermonuclear reactions, turning it into a dwarf star. Adding a black hole to our solar system or bombarding Earth with asteroids are other possibilities, all governed by real physical laws.
Space Engineers
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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. Players can build anything from bases and mining factories to spaceships and ground vehicles, limited only by physics and engineering principles. In space, zero gravity means objects drift without air resistance, requiring maneuvering and braking thrusters. Planets have their own gravity, necessitating different engines for atmospheric entry and powerful thrusters to escape the surface.
WRC 10
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Developer: KT Racing
Release Date: September 2, 2021
Download: Steam
WRC 10 is a driving simulator featuring real rally championships with recreated tracks and teams. Beyond its stunning graphics, the game boasts excellent physics. Mass and speed are accurately modeled, but other factors like car internals and tire grip also play a role. Each road surface has unique properties, requiring adjustments for different types of dirt and other conditions, making for a highly realistic rally experience.
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. Unlike casual racing games, it demands precise car settings and adjustments. The game's physics are influenced by everything from friction to air resistance and downforce. Even on paved tracks, players must contend with their car's behavior, where minor collisions can cause speed loss or spins. Tire wear is also realistically implemented, adding to the game's authenticity.
Arma 3
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Developer: Bohemia Interactive
Release Date: September 12, 2013
Download: Steam
Arma 3, a military simulator, features realistic physics without "ragdoll" technology. Characters move with mass and inertia, making transitions between movements realistic. The weight of weapons affects aiming, and characters have numerous stances relative to the ground. Vehicles have their own physics model, with different chassis affecting off-road capability and speed. Air vehicles are well-handled, and ballistics are a key feature, with bullets subject to gravity and having penetrating power.
Death Stranding
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Developer: Kojima Productions
Release Date: November 8, 2019
Download: Steam
Death Stranding, created by a visionary developer, may not be universally understood, but its physics are undeniably impressive. The game involves extensive walking, making cargo delivery in a post-apocalyptic world surprisingly enjoyable. The main character has physical attributes and an advanced skeleton, and cargo has weight and size, requiring players to balance to avoid falling. The diverse landscape and material properties make it a true walking simulator, enhancing the realism and immersion.
BeamNG.drive
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Developer: BeamNG
Release Date: May 29, 2015
Download: Steam
BeamNG.drive is renowned for its realistic physics in car simulations. It's perfect for testing a car's durability, mimicking real-life crash tests. Each vehicle has hundreds of parameters, including realistic material settings, resulting in accurate crumpling based on part strength and collision speed. While not a hardcore simulator, it's accessible to all and serves as a playground for enthusiasts, who host online races and add new vehicles.
In this collection, we've highlighted 15 games across various genres known for their exceptional physics. There are certainly other worthy projects with realistic mechanics, character behavior, and vehicle dynamics. We'd love to hear about your favorite games in the comments!
