Top 15 Games with Stunning Physics for Gamers

For many gamers, physics in games is like a mysterious element that everyone discusses—either praising or criticizing—but often can't quite pinpoint at first glance. Why is it needed? It's simple: it enhances the believability of the game world, making it feel more real and immersive.

In game development, physics primarily involves an object's mass and speed. For living creatures, detailed skeletons and soft tissue behavior are also modeled, which is particularly appreciated by fans of realistic character animations. In this list, we'll explore the best PC games known for their physics, covering not only simulators but also popular titles across various genres.

Table of Content ---

• 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

0 0 Comment on this Red Dead Redemption 2

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

A staple in many game collections, Red Dead Redemption 2 stands out for its many strengths, including its impressive physics. Arthur Morgan’s journey through an evolving America is not only captivating due to its stunning atmosphere, story, and graphics but also its realism. Thanks to "ragdoll" technology, the bodies of humans and animals react in ways that closely mimic real life. If Arthur stumbles, he won't just slide off a texture—he'll tumble realistically. Similarly, shooting a bandit in the leg will cause them to limp or collapse, 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, also excels in this area. Unlike its main competitor, War Thunder offers a tangible sense of controlling heavy machinery. When you see a tank on your screen, you feel its weight and power. The physics differentiate wheeled from tracked vehicles, influenced by not only the vehicles themselves but also the terrain beneath them.

This affects gameplay significantly. Navigating snowy terrain with a less powerful vehicle can be frustrating, making you wish you could abandon it and walk away. In aviation, air resistance plays a crucial role; a sharp maneuver can strip your plane of its wings. Closer to the ground, speed increases, while at higher altitudes, maneuverability improves. The same physics apply to ships, where a breach in the lower decks can cause listing and further flooding, and a sharp turn can make a massive ship lean dangerously to one side.

Hellish Quart

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

The standout feature of Hellish Quart is its realistic portrayal of the virtual body. This fencing simulator focuses on online duels, where two characters clash and you showcase your skills. Unlike the exaggerated action of Mortal Kombat, Hellish Quart's human models adhere strictly to in-game physics, complete with mass, inertia, and a detailed skeleton. As a result, every sword swing and step has realistic inertia, and each hit or wound impacts the character's movements.

SnowRunner

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

Developers often integrate advanced physics into car simulators, and SnowRunner is a prime example, despite not being a highly sophisticated driving simulator. It excels in physics, particularly in its depiction of heavy trucks navigating off-road conditions. The vehicles have realistic weight and centers of mass, interacting with terrain that features different materials with unique properties.

A heavy truck can sink into the mud, which is more than just a texture; it has its own physics with tire ruts and varying softness and viscosity. The same applies to snow and water, where a strong river current can flip your vehicle or carry it away. The trucks and trailers' centers of mass mean their height and width significantly affect stability, leading to frequent rollovers, especially with high, narrow vehicles.

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 thanks to the unique Euphoria technology, which was also used in documentary filmmaking by the BBC. In GTA IV, the physics were groundbreaking; people moved and reacted to forces realistically. A simple shove could lead to a passerby falling or regaining balance and retaliating. Shootouts became cinematic spectacles.

The physics extended to vehicles as well, with cars crumpling realistically upon impact, a bent fender potentially blocking a wheel, and occupants being thrown from vehicles during collisions. The only downside was the optimization; Euphoria's high demand on hardware meant the game still struggles with optimization.

Also read: Top 25 GTA San Andreas Mods to Revamp Your Gameplay

Euro Truck Simulator 2

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

Returning to truck simulators, Euro Truck Simulator 2 cannot be overlooked. While it doesn't involve slogging through mud, it 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 such a massive vehicle quickly is challenging. The models' centers of mass mean rollovers are a risk, and wet roads in the rain add to the realism of the driving experience.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

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

Moving from ground to air, flight simulators boast advanced physics, with Microsoft Flight Simulator leading the pack. While you can disable these features for casual flying, the full physics experience is where the game truly shines. Air resistance, mass, and speed are fundamental, but the simulation of air flow adds complexity. A light Cessna feels feather-like, while a heavy Airbus requires skill to handle. Landing can be challenging, especially at high difficulty settings where temperature impacts 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 saga of an epic open-world RPG set in a harsh medieval world. Players take on the role of a brave hero navigating ruthless clashes, knightly valor, and political intrigue, requiring not just strength and agility but also strategic thinking and diplomacy.

The sequel introduces many innovations, including an improved combat system, an expanded world, and a more detailed storyline with numerous side quests. The developers maintain their commitment to realistic storytelling, enhancing the game's depth and engagement with new mechanics.

Also read: Top 15 games about the Middle Ages

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 lets you explore and manipulate these laws. Why don't planets fly away from the Sun? Because they're held by its mass. Why are black holes dangerous and emit no light? Because their mass is so great that even light can't escape their gravity. In Universe Sandbox, you can run wild experiments, like 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

Before leaving outer space, we must mention Space Engineers, another sandbox with advanced physics. This game allows for 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, making maneuvering thrusters essential for your ships. On planets, gravity and atmospheric conditions require different engines and powerful thrusters to escape the surface and reach orbit.

WRC 10

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

Returning to driving simulators, WRC 10 offers a true-to-life rally experience with recreated tracks and teams. Beyond its stunning graphics, the game excels in its physics. Mass and speed are accurately modeled, but additional factors like tire grip and road surface properties also influence driving. Different types of dirt have unique features, requiring you to adjust your car for each track.

Assetto Corsa

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

Assetto Corsa is a racing simulator focused on serious realism. Success requires meticulous car settings adjustments. The game's physics model everything from friction to air resistance and downforce. Races on paved tracks demand constant attention to both your opponents and your car's behavior. Even minor collisions at high speeds can cause significant speed loss or spin-outs, and tire wear is realistically implemented.

Arma 3

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

Arma 3, a military simulator, doesn't use "ragdoll" technology but still features well-behaved physics. Characters move realistically thanks to detailed skeletons, with mass and inertia affecting their actions. Instant transitions between running and walking are impossible, and weapon weight impacts aiming. Characters have numerous stances relative to the ground, adding to the realism.

Vehicles in Arma 3 also 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; bullets have penetrating power and mass, affected by gravity and not flying straight indefinitely.

Death Stranding

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

Not everyone understood the genius of Death Stranding, but its physics are undeniably impressive. The game involves extensive walking, but it's surprisingly engaging. Delivering cargo in a post-apocalyptic world becomes fun thanks to the main character's physical attributes and advanced skeleton. Cargo has weight and size, requiring you to balance to avoid falling. The diverse terrain and material properties make it a true walking simulator.

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. If you're interested in testing a car's durability, this is the game for you. Each vehicle has hundreds of parameters, including realistic material settings, and the car body crumples just as it would in real life, depending on part strength and collision speed.

Despite its realism, BeamNG.drive is accessible to all, functioning not just as a game but as a playground. Enthusiasts organize online races on specialized tracks and continuously add new vehicles.

In this collection, we've highlighted 15 games across various genres with 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!