For many gamers, game physics is a mysterious element—a subject of praise or criticism, yet often overlooked at first glance. But its importance is undeniable: it's the secret ingredient that breathes life—or at least a convincing illusion of life—into a game world.

In game development, physics primarily involves an object's mass and velocity. For living creatures, this extends to detailed skeletal structures and soft tissue simulation, a feature particularly appreciated by fans of realistic character models. This list explores the best PC games showcasing exceptional physics, encompassing both dedicated 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

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Red Dead Redemption 2

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

A frequent standout in game collections, Red Dead Redemption 2 excels in its physics engine. Arthur Morgan's journey through a nascent America captivates not only with its stunning visuals, compelling narrative, and atmospheric immersion, but also its remarkable realism. "Ragdoll" physics bring lifelike movement to characters and animals. A misstep results in a believable tumble, a leg shot causes realistic limping or a fall, and even horses react naturally to impacts.

War Thunder

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

Realistic physics aren't limited to single-player experiences. War Thunder, an online military vehicle action game, delivers a convincing sense of scale and weight, particularly noticeable in the tank controls. Wheeled and tracked vehicles handle distinctly, influenced by both vehicle physics and terrain interaction. This realism extends to aviation, with air resistance impacting sharp maneuvers, and naval combat, where water physics affect ship stability and buoyancy.

Hellish Quart

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

Hellish Quart stands out for its realistic character physics in its simplified fencing simulator. The focus is on online duels where character models adhere to realistic laws of physics, possessing mass, inertia, and a detailed skeletal structure. Every swing, step, and impact directly affects the character's movement and momentum.

SnowRunner

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

SnowRunner, while not a hyper-realistic driving simulator, boasts excellent physics, impacting both vehicles and terrain. The weight and center of mass of heavy trucks significantly influence their handling, while the diverse terrain materials (mud, snow, water) exhibit realistic properties, creating dynamic and challenging off-road conditions.

GTA IV

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

GTA IV's physics, powered by Euphoria technology, were groundbreaking for their time. Pedestrians reacted realistically to interactions, exhibiting natural responses to pushes and impacts. Vehicle collisions resulted in realistic damage and deformation, with passengers reacting accordingly. While demanding on hardware, the level of realism was unprecedented.

Euro Truck Simulator 2

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

Euro Truck Simulator 2 offers a realistic simulation of truck driving, emphasizing the inertia and mass of vehicles and cargo. High speeds make sudden stops challenging, and the center of mass influences vehicle stability, leading to potential rollovers, particularly in adverse weather conditions.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

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

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 sets a high bar for flight simulation physics. Beyond basic air resistance, mass, and velocity, the simulator accounts for airflow, temperature, and aircraft weight, making takeoffs and landings challenging and realistic simulations of flight.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

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

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II continues the tradition of realistic gameplay, incorporating advanced physics into its combat and environmental interactions. The game features an improved combat system, an expanded world, and a more detailed storyline campaign.

Universe Sandbox

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

Universe Sandbox is a physics-based space simulator allowing users to manipulate celestial bodies and observe the effects based on realistic physical laws. Experimentation includes altering planetary masses, adding black holes, and simulating asteroid impacts.

Space Engineers

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

Space Engineers is a space-based construction and survival game where players build structures and vehicles, constrained by realistic physics, including zero gravity, planetary gravity, and atmospheric effects.

WRC 10

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

WRC 10 is a rally racing simulator featuring realistic car physics, incorporating tire grip, surface friction, and detailed car tuning options to account for varying track conditions.

Assetto Corsa

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

Assetto Corsa is a racing simulator emphasizing realistic physics, including detailed tire modeling, air resistance, and downforce calculations, resulting in a challenging and immersive driving experience.

Arma 3

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

Arma 3 features realistic character and vehicle physics, including detailed character animations and realistic ballistics, where projectiles are affected by gravity and air resistance.

Death Stranding

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

Death Stranding uses advanced character physics and cargo weight systems to create a challenging and immersive walking simulator experience.

BeamNG.drive

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

BeamNG.drive is a vehicle simulation game known for its highly realistic physics engine, accurately modeling vehicle deformation and damage in collisions.

This collection highlights fifteen games across various genres that excel in their physics implementation. Many other titles deserve recognition for their realistic mechanics, character behavior, and vehicle dynamics. We encourage you to share your favorites in the comments!