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15 Must-Play Titles Boasting Astounding Physics for Every Gamer

by Skylar Mar 01,2025

Game Physics: A Deep Dive into 15 Titles That Nail It

For many gamers, game physics is a subtle yet crucial element—often praised or criticized without immediate recognition. Its importance is simple: it enhances the game's believability, creating a more immersive and realistic experience.

In game development, physics primarily involves an object's mass and speed. For living creatures, this extends to detailed skeletal structures and soft tissue behavior, a feature particularly appreciated by fans of certain character designs. This list explores the best PC games showcasing impressive physics, encompassing both simulators and 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

Red Dead Redemption 2Image: ebay.com

  • Developer: Rockstar Studios
  • Release Date: October 26, 2018
  • Download: Rockstargames

Red Dead Redemption 2 consistently impresses, and its realistic physics are a key component. Arthur Morgan's journey through a nascent America is captivating due to its atmosphere, narrative, and visuals, but also its realism. "Ragdoll" physics make characters and animals behave naturally. Falls, injuries, and even animal reactions are realistically simulated.

War Thunder

War ThunderImage: store.steampowered.com

  • Developer: Gaijin Entertainment
  • Release Date: August 15, 2013
  • Download: Steam

Realistic physics aren't limited to single-player experiences. War Thunder delivers a convincing sense of controlling massive military vehicles. Tanks feel weighty, and wheeled vehicles handle differently from tracked ones due to realistic physics for both vehicles and terrain. This extends to aviation, with air resistance impacting sharp maneuvers, and naval combat, where water physics affect ship stability and handling.

Hellish Quart

Hellish QuartImage: store.steampowered.com

  • Developer: Kubold
  • Release Date: February 16, 2021
  • Download: Steam

Hellish Quart stands out with its realistic character physics. This fencing simulator focuses on online duels, where character models adhere to realistic physics, possessing mass, inertia, and a natural skeletal structure. Every action, from sword swings to steps, reflects inertia, and impacts influence movement.

SnowRunner

SnowRunnerImage: store.steampowered.com

  • Developer: Saber Interactive
  • Release Date: April 28, 2020
  • Download: Steam

SnowRunner, while not a hyper-realistic driving simulator, excels in its physics. The game simulates the weight and center of mass of heavy trucks, and the terrain's varied materials (mud, snow, water) each have unique properties. Vehicles realistically sink into mud, and water currents can significantly impact vehicle control.

GTA IV

GTA IVImage: imdb.com

  • Developer: Rockstar North
  • Release Date: April 29, 2008
  • Download: Rockstargames

GTA IV is renowned for its physics engine. The Euphoria technology created realistic character movement and reactions to impacts. Vehicle damage and the effects of collisions on both vehicles and occupants were groundbreaking for their time.

Euro Truck Simulator 2

Euro Truck Simulator 2Image: store.steampowered.com

  • Developer: SCS Software
  • Release Date: October 18, 2012
  • Download: Steam

Euro Truck Simulator 2 offers realistic truck physics, emphasizing mass, speed, and inertia. High speeds make stopping difficult, and the center of mass affects vehicle stability, particularly on wet roads.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020Image: store.steampowered.com

  • Developer: Asobo Studio
  • Release Date: August 18, 2020
  • Download: Steam

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 provides highly detailed flight physics. Air resistance, mass, and speed are core elements, with factors like air flow and temperature affecting flight characteristics, especially during landing.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2Image: store.steampowered.com

  • Developer: Warhorse Studios
  • Release Date: February 4, 2025
  • Download: Steam

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II continues the series' commitment to realistic physics. The improved combat system and expanded world are enhanced by detailed character movement and interactions.

Universe Sandbox

Universe SandboxImage: store.steampowered.com

  • Developer: Giant Army
  • Release Date: August 24, 2015
  • Download: Steam

Universe Sandbox simulates celestial physics, allowing players to manipulate planets, stars, and even black holes, observing the consequences based on real-world physical laws.

Space Engineers

Space EngineersImage: store.steampowered.com

  • Developer: Keen Software House
  • Release Date: February 28, 2019
  • Download: Steam

Space Engineers features realistic physics in a space-based construction and survival setting. Zero gravity, planetary gravity, and the need for thrusters and power sources all impact gameplay.

WRC 10

WRC 10Image: store.steampowered.com

  • Developer: KT Racing
  • Release Date: September 2, 2021
  • Download: Steam

WRC 10 offers realistic rally car physics, including detailed tire grip and handling that vary depending on the road surface.

Assetto Corsa

Assetto CorsaImage: store.steampowered.com

  • Developer: Kunos Simulazioni
  • Release Date: December 19, 2014
  • Download: Steam

Assetto Corsa prioritizes realistic racing physics, with factors like friction, air resistance, and downforce heavily influencing vehicle behavior.

Arma 3

Arma 3Image: store.steampowered.com

  • Developer: Bohemia Interactive
  • Release Date: September 12, 2013
  • Download: Steam

Arma 3 features realistic character and vehicle physics. Character movement reflects mass and inertia, and vehicle handling varies based on chassis and terrain. Ballistics are also realistically simulated.

Death Stranding

Death StrandingImage: steamcommunity.com

  • Developer: Kojima Productions
  • Release Date: November 8, 2019
  • Download: Steam

Death Stranding uses physics to enhance its unique gameplay loop. Carrying cargo impacts the character's movement and balance, adding a layer of challenge to traversal.

BeamNG.drive

BeamNG driveImage: store.steampowered.com

  • Developer: BeamNG
  • Release Date: May 29, 2015
  • Download: Steam

BeamNG.drive is known for its incredibly detailed and realistic vehicle physics, simulating damage and deformation with high accuracy.

This collection highlights 15 games with exceptional physics across diverse genres. Many other titles deserve recognition for their realistic mechanics, and we encourage discussion of your favorites in the comments!