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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 enhances the believability of the game world, making it feel more real, even if just partially.
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 only 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
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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 physics among other features. Arthur Morgan's journey through a burgeoning America is not only captivating due to its atmosphere, story, and graphics but also its realism. Thanks to "ragdoll" technology, the bodies of people and animals react realistically. If Arthur missteps, 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 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. It captures the sensation of controlling heavy machinery, making tanks feel like the massive pieces of hardware they are. The physics differentiate wheeled from tracked vehicles and account for the terrain's material properties, affecting gameplay dynamics. In snowy conditions, a weak vehicle can become a frustrating obstacle, while sharp maneuvers in aviation can lead to wing loss due to air resistance.
Hellish Quart
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Developer: Kubold
Release Date: February 16, 2021
Download: Steam
Hellish Quart's key feature is its realistic body mechanics. 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, ensuring that every sword swing and step has weight, and every hit or wound impacts movement.
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 impressive, extending beyond just the vehicles. Focused on navigating heavy trucks through off-road conditions, the game features realistic vehicle weight and center of mass, alongside varied terrain materials with unique properties. Heavy trucks can sink into mud, which behaves with its own physics, leaving tire ruts and varying in softness and viscosity. Snow and water also play significant roles, with strong currents capable of flipping or carrying vehicles away.
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, with characters reacting realistically to forces. A simple shove might cause a pedestrian to fall or regain balance and retaliate. Shootouts become dynamic action scenes. The physics extend to vehicles, with realistic crumpling and collision effects, though the demanding Euphoria technology led to optimization challenges.
Euro Truck Simulator 2
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Developer: SCS Software
Release Date: October 18, 2012
Download: Steam
Euro Truck Simulator 2 offers a realistic truck driving experience. Trucks and cargo have mass and speed, resulting in significant inertia at high speeds, making quick stops challenging. The models also have centers of mass, leading to potential 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, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 boasts advanced physics. While you can simplify the experience, the full physics simulation is where the game shines. Air resistance, mass, and speed are fundamental, but the simulation of air flow adds complexity. A light Cessna flies differently from a heavy Airbus, and landing can be challenging, especially with factors like air flow and temperature affecting performance.
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, and diplomacy. As a brave hero, you'll fight for your place, engage in large-scale battles, explore historically accurate Europe, and make pivotal decisions. The sequel introduces an improved combat system, an expanded world, a detailed storyline, and numerous side quests, all while maintaining a realistic storytelling approach with 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, and Universe Sandbox models these laws, allowing for wild experiments. Planets are held in orbit by the Sun's mass, and black holes are dangerous due to their immense gravity. You can experiment with turning Jupiter into a dwarf star by increasing its mass or adding a black hole to our solar system, 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. You 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 thrusters. Planets have their own gravity, necessitating different engines for atmospheric entry and powerful thrusters to escape their surface.
WRC 10
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Developer: KT Racing
Release Date: September 2, 2021
Download: Steam
WRC 10, a real-world rally championship simulator, features excellent physics. Beyond mass and speed, the game accounts for various factors affecting driving, such as car internals and tire grip. Each road surface has unique properties, requiring adjustments for different tracks, even among types of dirt.
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. Success requires mastering car settings, as everything from friction to air resistance and downforce affects performance. Even minor collisions at high speeds can cause significant issues, and tire wear is meticulously simulated.
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, and weapon weight affects aiming. Vehicles have distinct physics models, with ground vehicles varying in off-road capability and air vehicles handling well. 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's physics are a highlight, even if the plot is complex. The game involves extensive walking, with the main character's physical attributes and advanced skeleton making cargo delivery in a post-apocalyptic world engaging. Balancing cargo weight and size is crucial, and the diverse terrain with distinct material properties adds to the realism.
BeamNG.drive
Image: store.steampowered.com
Developer: BeamNG
Release Date: May 29, 2015
Download: Steam
BeamNG.drive is renowned for its realistic physics in car simulations. Each vehicle has hundreds of parameters, with realistic material settings leading to accurate crumpling during collisions. While not a hardcore simulator, it's accessible 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 notable titles with realistic mechanics, character behavior, and vehicle dynamics. We'd love to hear about your favorite games in the comments!
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