15 Best D-Day And World War 2 Games To Play In 2025

Greetings, fellow history and gaming aficionados! It’s June 6th, 2025 – exactly 81 years since D-Day, a day we commemorate the courageous men who risked their lives to liberate Europe from oppression. Over the years, numerous games have attempted to capture the grandiosity and emotional intensity of the D-Day landings in unique ways. This year, I’m eager to share my top picks for exceptional D-Day games in 2025, those that excel in realism, strategy, or action, making them must-plays for any WWII gaming enthusiast. Join me on this journey as we explore the best titles that pay tribute to the historic Normandy landings while offering immersive World War II experiences like no other.

Disclaimer: This article was kindly sponsored by the Burden of Command team.

15 – Steel Division: Normandy 44

Steel Division: Normandy ’44 stands out as an exceptional real-time strategy game. In many ways, it’s both captivatingly authentic and delightfully imaginative – take, for instance, the meticulously crafted game maps, or the intricate execution of combined operations across various branches. Yet, it can also be frustratingly inadequate, missing a comprehensive single-player campaign and offering limited infantry-focused strategies for a conflict predominantly decided on foot. It’s not surprising that Steel Division 2, focusing on the vast Eastern Front, saw greater success. Nevertheless, Steel Division: Normandy ’44 remains a pioneering real-time tactical wargame, immersing players in the pulse-pounding chaos of D-Day on an expansive scale, essentially combining tactical gameplay with strategic operational depth.

14 – SGS Overlord

Strategy Game Studio’s titles often adhere to a particular pattern, drawing a devoted fanbase who appreciate their straightforward approach and board game-like qualities. If you’re seeking a strategy game that mimics the feel of a board game and focuses on D-Day, SGS Overlord is a top pick in 2025. This turn-based wargame meticulously recreates the Normandy operations, using three-day turns and spanning from June 6th to September 3rd. In this game, you’ll command Allied forces at an operational level, orchestrating troop movements, and navigating some of World War 2’s historical challenges while maximizing your resources and the cards dealt to you during play.

While not historically accurate or deeply immersive, SGS Overlord offers a distinctive experience that replicates commanding the largest amphibious invasion in history within a single day. When on sale, it’s one of the most recommended games for D-Day enthusiasts in 2025.

13 – Battle Academy

Previously, I mentioned my intention to phase out Battle Academy from my recommendations due to its age of 15 years. However, I was corrected by the community who felt strongly that a strategy game as accessible as this one should never be overlooked. Indeed, I’m grateful for their input because Battle Academy is truly a timeless classic and an immersive turn-based strategy game. It offers a simplified yet challenging World War 2 experience on your screens, making it easy for beginners to jump in and play.

Despite having numerous missions and a campaign that covers multiple theaters, the game offers engaging scenarios and user-generated content focused on the Normandy campaign post-D-Day. This makes it an ideal choice for players seeking a user-friendly yet challenging World War 2 wargame experience.

12 – Headquarters – World War 2

Among the captivating titles I’ve come across lately, there’s one that truly stands out – Headquarters World War 2. As a strategy enthusiast myself, I can’t help but be drawn to this visually stunning and strategically rich turn-based tactical game by Slitherine Games. With its roots deeply embedded in Battle Academy’s formula, it offers an immersive experience where I take the reins of my forces during the pivotal battles of the Normandy campaign, both before and after D-Day.

Despite its initial simplicity, Headquarters: World War 2 is a game that masterfully employs realistic tactics, cover, and field of fire, and boasts armor simulation and combined arms strategies. The ease with which I can dive into the gameplay and the stunning, intricate visuals are truly remarkable.

If you’re on the hunt for a contemporary and immersive WWII strategy game that vividly recreates the combat of D-Day, Headquarters World War 2 is a strong candidate among the top choices to play in 2025.

11 – Panzer Corps Gold

If you’re a fan of beer, pretzels, and strategy games, there’s a good chance that Panzer Corps Gold is already in your Steam library. This extensive collection includes the initial critically acclaimed game along with multiple expansions, providing an enormous selection of scenarios where you lead legendary forces across all significant battlefronts. For those particularly interested in D-Day, you’ll find an exhilarating grand strategy campaign centered on the entire year of 1944 on the Western Front, accurately depicting the strategic dilemmas and intense battles of the Normandy campaign, including sites like the beaches of Normandy, Villers-Bocage, Caen, Falaise, and Saint LΓ΄. Appreciated for its engaging yet complex gameplay, Panzer Corps Gold continues to stand out as a top pick among those searching for the best World War II strategy games in 2025. With countless hours of operational enjoyment and historical engagement on offer, it’s a must-play for aficionados of World War 2 games.

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2025-06-08 04:43