Best games all about realism

Video games are not often “realistic” in the literal sense. They may have photorealistic graphics, tell a believable story, or use mechanics that try to mimic real life, but realism is usually more of a catchphrase than something you'll actually experience while playing. That's sort of the point of video games, after all; they are an escape from the real, not a mimicry of it.

Some players prefer their games to be a little silly (just look at the success of a title like Autumn guys or even Fortnite) while others prefer the deeper and more challenging experience of playing something that adheres as closely to reality as possible. If you're in the latter group, these are the next games for you. They're all great games in their own right, but in one or more aspects they strive to be as realistic as possible while playing.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Some might say it's too focused on realism

Red Dead Redemption 2 was a pretty big release, one of the biggest of 2018, and while many expected it to follow in GTA 5's more arcade-like footsteps, Rockstar instead leaned towards realism. That rubbed a lot of players the wrong way. While many loved the game for its great story, world design and gameplay, others found it too slow, with too much filler between moments of excitement.

Love it or hate it, RDR2 definitely focuses on realism in a way that Rockstar never had before. Instead of your weapons being on you at all times, you could only carry two of them, while the rest were kept on your horse. Hunting involved not only shooting an animal, but shooting it with the right weapon, skinning it, and then transporting that skin to a trapper. Weapons had to be cleaned and maintained, as did Arthur, whose beard and hair would grow to unruly proportions if he refused a visit to the barber. For some, it was one of the most immersive gaming experiences ever created. For others, it was a draw.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

It doesn't get more medieval than this

Most games that involve swords, armor, and RPGs also involve magic, monsters, and world-ending stakes. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 avoiding the other group entirely. It's a medieval RPG that sticks as close to true medieval life as possible. Set in 15th century Bohemia, there are no magical weapons or powerful spells to uncover here, and only minor historical inaccuracies overall, but that doesn't mean the game isn't worthwhile.

Instead, you'll find some of the deepest RPG systems in the industry. Immersive sim elements litter the world, and your options for how to approach situations are practically limitless, provided you have the stats and gear to handle it. Henry's armor will determine where he is welcome, depending on whose weapon it carries. If he hasn't bathed recently, people are less likely to talk to him. Swordfighting is simultaneously a delicate dance of targeted blocks and attacks that is very difficult to nail down, but extremely satisfying to master. There are romance options, massive sieges to participate in, and an epic quest that's still gripping, even without an evil wizard to defeat.

The long darkness

Winter is a harsh bedfellow

Survival games always lean towards realism to some extent, but even with that in mind, The long darkness takes things even further. Located in northern Canada during the winter months, you not only need to find food and shelter, but a consistent way to stay warm, while avoiding predators that are especially hungry now that their food source has frozen over.

That's just scratching the surface. You have to treat damage or they will slowly kill you, but you can also delay the drop by using less than ideal heals if that's all you have on hand. Exploration is a double-edged sword. It can reward you with valuable supplies, but it's also a great way to get lost, hurt, or just burn through the supplies you already have. It doesn't break the mold when it comes to survival games, but when it comes to realism, The long darkness don't bother.

Pacific Drive

The most detailed car in any survival game

You're probably wondering what the hell Pacific Drive do here, so let's just get the disclaimer out of the way. No, the world off Pacific Drive is not very realistic. You'll encounter strange, pseudo-mechanical enemies, physically impossible anomalies, and an ever-changing environment that you need to navigate. We're not arguing that these things are realistic at all, but what is realistic is the tool you use to traverse the world.

Pacific Drive has an incredibly detailed car that serves as both your sanctuary while exploring and your primary form of transportation. The thing is, it is fully realized. You have to start the car before it can drive and put it in gear before it moves anywhere. If you don't close your door or trunk after loading up on some quality change, it will spill out behind you as you drive away. Your tires will puncture on sharp objects, your handling will struggle on rough terrain, and even your windshield wipers are essential to your ability to see in the rain. Because of this, as you get used to your car, the ins and outs become second nature, and you become attached to the vehicle. It's your only companion on long and dangerous treks, and it's a special and unique bond that few games capture so well.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Fully simulates the entire planet

It's hard to think of a game more focused on realism than one that literally renders the entire planet for you to explore. That is what is offered in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. You can fly basically anywhere on Earth, from major cities to remote tropical locations, and while they aren't so detailed that you can jump out and walk down your street, you can still see your house from the air.

That realism extends to controlling the aircraft itself, something this series has been known for since its heyday. This time the range of aircraft has been greatly expanded. Not only can you fly all kinds of planes, from a jumbo jet to a seaplane, but now there's also the option to fly a helicopter, a stunt plane, a hot air balloon and more. They have all the realistic controls and handling that do MFS2024 feel as authentic as possible.

Ready or not

More than just a shooter

While it may look like another tactical first-person shooter on the surface, Ready or not has a lot more under the hood than just running and shooting. This is a game that prides itself on making its players think under pressure, and while you can just go into battle, you and your team will be rewarded with lower scores for your work when all is said and done.

Instead, you're encouraged to take enemies alive by making them surrender before the bullets start flying. It's easier said than done. Hostage situations, hidden enemies and tricks are all at play here. You die too very quickly, meaning the wrong call or a hasty decision can backfire in an instant. That said, there is a lot of satisfaction in completing a mission without killing anyone. That's what makes it Ready or not so unique in the shooter space, because it doesn't just want you to pull the trigger, it wants you to think about how to avoid doing so in the first place.

Green hell

Hardcore Survival, also for Hardcore Survival Fans

We have already talked about The long darkness is a pretty hardcore survival game, but even that pales in comparison to what's expected of players in Green hell. Lost in the Amazon rainforest, you have to do all the usual survival games – build shelters, craft tools, find food and medicine, etc. – but to a much more detailed degree.

Not only are you expected to eat, but you actually have to manage the calories you consume, which means keeping track kind of the food you eat. The same applies to water. Not everything is drinkable straight from the source, and you can get sick if you drink anything untreated. Meanwhile, you can contract a disease or just die from a spider bite by wandering into the wrong cluster of trees. Green hell is brutally unforgiving, but it rewards meticulous attention to detail under pressure, something not everyone has in them, especially if they're the type who play games to relax.

Euro Truck Simulator 2

Relaxing realism

Speaking of relaxing, Euro Truck Simulator 2 is the kind of realistic game designed to be as easy as possible. The line of where “realism” begins and ends here is pretty thin. For example, managing your truck, driving the European highways and avoiding delays when making your deliveries are all quite realistic.

These elements get lost a bit when it comes to things crashing. Although a real-life car accident involving a semi-truck on a highway is a devastating event, i Euro Truck Simulator 2, the cars just bounce off. Sure, it's still better to avoid accidents altogether, but the game isn't here to punish you for making a mistake (something other games on this list are more than happy to do). Instead, it just wants you to have a nice, relaxing time on your journey from point A to point B. Take in the sights, listen to some music, and just enjoy the experience.