Best Cold War games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated cold war games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free cold war games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Sniper Elite
As World War II draws to a close, the first covert battles of the Cold War begin. Caught in the life and death struggle between Soviets and Germans in war-torn Berlin, you control the fate of a lone American OSS Sniper.
IL-2 Sturmovik: 1946
Il-2 1946 includes all of the original IL-2 series content: IL-2 Sturmovik™: Forgotten Battles, Ace Expansion Pack, Pacific Fighters™ and alternate histry campaigns of year 1946. What was years ago began as a one-aircraft study sim is now an astonishing anthology, with a whopping 229 flyable aircraft and over 300 aircraft total!
Dangerous Waters
S.C.S. - Dangerous Waters allows you total control over multiple air, surface, and submarine platforms in a modern-day naval environment. Take direct control of individual crew stations and also plan and execute combined arms naval strategies from a top-down 'Commanders Eye' perspective.Most played cold war games on Steam
Take a look at the top cold war games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 30th 2025.
1. Rising Storm 2: Vietnam
Red Orchestra Series' take on Vietnam: 64-player MP matches; 20+ maps; US Army & Marines, PAVN/NVA, NLF/VC; Australians and ARVN forces; 50+ weapons; 4 flyable helicopters; mines, traps and tunnels; Brutal. Authentic. Gritty. Character customization. And napalm in the morning. Rising Storm 2: Vietnam is a fps, wargame and massively multiplayer game developed by Antimatter Games and Tripwire Interactive and published by Tripwire Interactive. Released on May 30th 2017 has received 56,954 reviews of which 49,438 were positive and 7,516 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played cold war game, thanks to its 621 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.5
49,438
7,516
621
players
2. Sea Power : Naval Combat in the Missile Age
From the lead designer of Cold Waters, Sea Power lets you control NATO and Warsaw Pact forces in modern naval conflict campaigns. Use your advanced naval weaponry and sensors to respect rules of engagement and defeat the enemy forces in a tense fight for initiative and air/naval supremacy. Sea Power : Naval Combat in the Missile Age is a naval combat, strategy and simulation game developed by Triassic Games AB and published by MicroProse Software. Released on November 12th 2024 has received 3,608 reviews of which 3,253 were positive and 355 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. While seeing 501 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among cold war games based on player count.
8.7
3,253
355
501
players
3. ICBM: Escalation
ICBM: Escalation is a grand RTS where you command armies, develop cutting-edge tech, and wield devastating weapons. Conquer enemies with conventional forces or nuclear firepower. With new modes like Standoff and Conquest, the game offers deep strategic layers in a global warfare setting. ICBM: Escalation is a strategy, rts and cold war game developed by SoftWarWare and published by Slitherine Ltd.. Released on November 21st 2024 has received 823 reviews of which 731 were positive and 92 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played cold war games.
8.4
731
92
71
players
4. Twilight Struggle
Twilight Struggle is a two-player game where players play as either the US or USSR during the Cold War. Using actual events from history, players must plan out their strategies in order to obtain world dominance. Play Twilight Struggle and change the course of history. Twilight Struggle is a board game, strategy and tabletop game developed and published by Playdek and Inc.. Released on April 13th 2016 has received 2,793 reviews of which 2,430 were positive and 363 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played cold war games.
8.4
2,430
363
71
players
5. World of Warplanes
World of Warplanes is an aerial combat MMO action game set in the Golden Age of military aviation. The game throws players into a never-ending battle for dominance of the skies. World of Warplanes is a flight, fps and third-person shooter game developed and published by Wargaming Group Limited. Released on February 10th 2022 has received 5,062 reviews of which 3,623 were positive and 1,439 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played cold war games.
7.0
3,623
1,439
70
players
6. Regiments
Regiments is a Real-Time Tactics game set in Germany 1989. The Cold War has gone hot, and the inferno is raging. Lead your Regiment through the fires of conflict and the fog of war. Break through the lines, call in artillery, maneuver, feign retreats, stage defenses, counter-attack. Do not relent. Regiments is a strategy, wargame and real time tactics game developed by Bird's Eye Games and published by MicroProse Software. Released on August 16th 2022 has received 2,569 reviews of which 2,249 were positive and 320 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played cold war games.
8.4
2,249
320
33
players
7. Wargame: Airland Battle
2 SIDES, 12 NATIONS, 750 UNITS: THE STRATEGY GAME REFERENCE IS BACK! Richer, more beautiful and more accessible, Wargame AirLand Battle is the sequel to the explosive real-time strategy game Wargame European Escalation! 1985. Wargame: Airland Battle is a strategy, rts and military game developed and published by Eugen Systems. Released on May 29th 2013 has received 4,395 reviews of which 3,839 were positive and 556 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played cold war games.
8.4
3,839
556
31
players
8. First Strike
FIRST STRIKE is a fast paced real time strategy game where you play one of the twelve biggest nuclear superpowers of the world – from known superpowers like the USA to an upstart hellraiser like North Korea – and try to be the last one remaining when the whole world blows to smithereens. First Strike is a strategy, rts and cold war game developed and published by Blindflug Studios AG. Released on May 30th 2017 has received 1,824 reviews of which 1,411 were positive and 413 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played cold war games.
7.5
1,411
413
23
players
9. Phantom Doctrine
The year is 1983. The world teeters on the verge of destruction as the Cold War tightens its icy grip. East or West: trust no one, question everything. The fate of humanity rests in your hands as you pit spy versus spy in tactical Phantom Doctrine. Phantom Doctrine is a turn-based tactics, strategy and cold war game developed by CreativeForge Games and published by Good Shepherd Entertainment. Released on August 14th 2018 has received 4,476 reviews of which 3,320 were positive and 1,156 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played cold war games.
7.2
3,320
1,156
16
players
10. ICBM
ICBM is a real-time strategy game of nuclear destruction. Research new technologies, build up your nuclear stockpile and use a combination of ships, planes and missiles to strike at the heart of your opponents’ cities while keeping your population safe from harm. ICBM is a rts, cold war and military game developed by SoftWarWare and K-Project and published by Slitherine Ltd.. Released on November 17th 2020 has received 1,827 reviews of which 1,680 were positive and 147 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played cold war games.
8.8
1,680
147
12
players
Best deals on cold war games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of cold war games available on Steam right now, updated on April 30th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted cold war games.
1. Rising Storm 2: Vietnam
Red Orchestra Series' take on Vietnam: 64-player MP matches; 20+ maps; US Army & Marines, PAVN/NVA, NLF/VC; Australians and ARVN forces; 50+ weapons; 4 flyable helicopters; mines, traps and tunnels; Brutal. Authentic. Gritty. Character customization. And napalm in the morning. Rising Storm 2: Vietnam is a fps, wargame and massively multiplayer game developed by Antimatter Games and Tripwire Interactive and published by Tripwire Interactive. Released on May 30th 2017 has received 56,954 reviews of which 49,438 were positive and 7,516 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Featuring a massive 95% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for cold war category.
8.5
49,438
7,516
-95%
20.99€
1.04€
2. Freedom Fighters
Freedom Fighters is an intense third-person action game set in an alternate history New York during the invasion of a foreign superpower. Take on the role of Chris Stone, a hard-working plumber, and rise through the ranks of the resistance to prove yourself as a charismatic leader. Freedom Fighters is a action, third-person shooter and shooter game developed and published by IO Interactive A/S. Released on September 21st 2020 has received 2,083 reviews of which 1,974 were positive and 109 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 93% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in cold war games.
9.0
1,974
109
-93%
14.29€
1.00€
3. Alekhine's Gun
It is the height of the Cold War, a time of global uncertainty and civil unrest. You are Agent Alekhine, a highly skilled Russian assassin, driven by a moral compass that leads you headfirst into a covert operation unsanctioned by the country you previously served. Alekhine's Gun is a stealth, action and adventure game developed by Haggard Games and published by Fulqrum Publishing. Released on March 11th 2016 has received 482 reviews of which 301 were positive and 181 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 90% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in cold war games.
6.1
301
181
-90%
15.40€
1.54€
4. First Strike
FIRST STRIKE is a fast paced real time strategy game where you play one of the twelve biggest nuclear superpowers of the world – from known superpowers like the USA to an upstart hellraiser like North Korea – and try to be the last one remaining when the whole world blows to smithereens. First Strike is a strategy, rts and cold war game developed and published by Blindflug Studios AG. Released on May 30th 2017 has received 1,824 reviews of which 1,411 were positive and 413 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 85% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for cold war games.
7.5
1,411
413
-85%
11.99€
1.79€
5. Wargame: Airland Battle
2 SIDES, 12 NATIONS, 750 UNITS: THE STRATEGY GAME REFERENCE IS BACK! Richer, more beautiful and more accessible, Wargame AirLand Battle is the sequel to the explosive real-time strategy game Wargame European Escalation! 1985. Wargame: Airland Battle is a strategy, rts and military game developed and published by Eugen Systems. Released on May 29th 2013 has received 4,395 reviews of which 3,839 were positive and 556 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 80% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for cold war games.
8.4
3,839
556
-80%
19.99€
3.99€
6. Wargame: European Escalation
The New Fatal Error DLC includes a new 5-mission Operation and touch-screen controls. Wargame: European Escalation is a strategy, rts and military game developed and published by Eugen Systems. Released on February 22nd 2012 has received 3,307 reviews of which 2,584 were positive and 723 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 80% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for cold war games.
7.6
2,584
723
-80%
9.99€
1.99€
7. Möbius Front '83
Defend America from an alternate-universe America using state-of-the-art 1980s military hardware in this intricate and tactical turn-based strategy game. Möbius Front '83 is a turn-based tactics, military and wargame game developed and published by Zachtronics. Released on November 05th 2020 has received 478 reviews of which 324 were positive and 154 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 75% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for cold war games.
6.5
324
154
-75%
19.50€
4.87€
8. ICBM
ICBM is a real-time strategy game of nuclear destruction. Research new technologies, build up your nuclear stockpile and use a combination of ships, planes and missiles to strike at the heart of your opponents’ cities while keeping your population safe from harm. ICBM is a rts, cold war and military game developed by SoftWarWare and K-Project and published by Slitherine Ltd.. Released on November 17th 2020 has received 1,827 reviews of which 1,680 were positive and 147 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 66% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for cold war games.
8.8
1,680
147
-66%
19.26€
6.55€
9. Twilight Struggle
Twilight Struggle is a two-player game where players play as either the US or USSR during the Cold War. Using actual events from history, players must plan out their strategies in order to obtain world dominance. Play Twilight Struggle and change the course of history. Twilight Struggle is a board game, strategy and tabletop game developed and published by Playdek and Inc.. Released on April 13th 2016 has received 2,793 reviews of which 2,430 were positive and 363 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 60% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for cold war games.
8.4
2,430
363
-60%
8.19€
3.27€
10. Regiments
Regiments is a Real-Time Tactics game set in Germany 1989. The Cold War has gone hot, and the inferno is raging. Lead your Regiment through the fires of conflict and the fog of war. Break through the lines, call in artillery, maneuver, feign retreats, stage defenses, counter-attack. Do not relent. Regiments is a strategy, wargame and real time tactics game developed by Bird's Eye Games and published by MicroProse Software. Released on August 16th 2022 has received 2,569 reviews of which 2,249 were positive and 320 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a 35% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for cold war games.
8.4
2,249
320
-35%
24.99€
16.24€
Free cold war games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play cold war games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 30th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play cold war games.
1. World of Warplanes
World of Warplanes is an aerial combat MMO action game set in the Golden Age of military aviation. The game throws players into a never-ending battle for dominance of the skies. World of Warplanes is a flight, fps and third-person shooter game developed and published by Wargaming Group Limited. Released on February 10th 2022 has received 5,062 reviews of which 3,623 were positive and 1,439 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #1 spot among the most played free cold war games on Steam.
7.0
3,623
1,439
70
players
2. 3 Days War
3 Days War is a unique multiplayer strategy war game. Integrating the mechanics of RTS+4X, it allows dozens of players to engage in a three-day real-time strategy competitionon. Commanders, use your skills, strategies, games and even deception to become the ultimate winner! 3 Days War is a rts, pvp and grand strategy game developed and published by 荆棘鸟工作室. Released on April 16th 2023 has received 638 reviews of which 543 were positive and 95 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free cold war games on Steam.
8.0
543
95
4
players
3. GET OUT!
A 2D noir, point and click game where you uncover clues and solve puzzles in a world of espionage and international intrigue. GET OUT! is a puzzle, point & click and cold war game developed and published by Milpitians. Released on March 02nd 2021 has received 437 reviews of which 408 were positive and 29 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free cold war games on Steam.
8.6
408
29