Best Military Open-World Games – Investment Policy

As a huge fan of both military themes and open-world games, I’ve always thought the two should go together perfectly – the tension of espionage or war in a huge, free-roaming world just sounds amazing. But honestly, there aren’t a ton of games that really nail it. The ones that do though? They’re incredible. They give you these massive, open environments where you can really lose yourself in the experience of modern combat and feel like you’re truly part of the action.

These open-world military games offer immersive and often surprising environments, making combat feel more realistic and unpredictable. While many games combine military themes with open-world exploration, only a few truly excel. The games listed below are standouts, successfully blending action, storytelling, and open-world design for a compelling experience. We’ll look at both realistic and more action-packed titles, as the genre offers a variety of approaches.

8. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint

A Polarizing, High-Tech Action Experience.

The latest installment of the popular Ghost Recon series, released in 2019, is set on Auroa, a group of islands in the Pacific. These islands are owned by a tech billionaire who supplies high-tech equipment to the US government.

The story begins when a dangerous ex-military leader seizes control of an island. It’s then up to the Ghost Recon team to stop him and restore peace. While some have criticized Breakpoint for its darker story and different style of action compared to earlier games, it still offers plenty to enjoy. Players will find an interesting new location, a compelling villain brought to life by Jon Bernthal, and even a surprising expansion that includes elements from The Terminator. Overall, Ghost Recon fans should find this open-world military adventure rewarding.

7. Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction

A Chaotic, Colorful Tour Through A War-Torn North Korea.

This often-overlooked game from the 2000s offers a lively and action-packed open-world experience. You play as a skilled mercenary tasked with stopping North Korean military attacks after a government takeover.

Players take on the role of operatives working to overthrow a new government, and they’re free to approach this mission however they choose. This leads to diverse gameplay options, ranging from careful, covert tactics to loud, aggressive assaults. With its over-the-top action and innovative, open-world design for its time, Mercenaries delivers a unique and engaging military experience.

6. Just Cause 3

An Action Extravaganza All About Taking Down A Military Dictatorship

Okay, so if you’re looking for a super realistic military game, the Just Cause series probably isn’t for you. But if you want pure, over-the-top action and just want to blow stuff up while taking down a dictator – it’s amazing. Every game lets you do that, but Just Cause 3 really leans into the military side of things – the bad guy is actually a General! Playing as Rico Rodriguez, you can destroy military bases from the air or level buildings on the ground, all while exploring this gorgeous Mediterranean island called Medici. It’s just a blast!

Rico Rodriguez isn’t a soldier, he’s a mercenary who works for a shadowy organization with its own agenda. In Just Cause 3, he’s directly battling an entire country’s army, and he has a personal connection to the conflict because he’s originally from the country of Medici. While many military games focus on realistic tactics, Just Cause 3 is more like a big-budget action movie, which can be a really fun experience.

5. Far Cry 4

An Explosive Civil War Game With A Memorable Villain.

Okay, so the latest installment in this super intense first-person shooter series drops me into this fictional country called Kyrat. It’s set high up in the Himalayas, and honestly, the place is a mess – a full-blown civil war is tearing it apart. It’s a really chaotic start, and I’m right in the middle of it!

The game centers around a conflict between the Royal Army, led by the ruthless dictator Pagan Min, and a rebel group called the Golden Path. This civil war creates plenty of intense military action and battles for players to experience. Featuring memorable characters, violent combat, and a compelling story inspired by the Nepalese Civil War, this installment in the Far Cry series offers a fresh and engaging experience for fans of military games.

4. Tom Clancy’s The Division 2

An Atmospheric, Post-Apocalyptic Experience.

The sequel to The Division takes place in a chaotic and dangerous Washington D.C. A devastating virus, known as Green Poison, has thrown the city into turmoil, and players must uncover a web of conspiracy and conflict to survive.

The intense and realistic gunfights in the game create a constant sense of danger as you face off against various enemy groups. Exploring the ruins of Washington D.C. is also incredibly engaging, offering a bleak and powerful look at a society falling apart during a major crisis. With its smooth action, challenging missions, and immersive world, The Division 2 delivers a truly exceptional open-world military gaming experience.

3. Arma 3

A Challenging Military Game With An Enormous World To Explore.

If you’re looking for incredibly realistic and immersive military simulation, Arma 3 is widely considered the gold standard. The game takes place in a huge, detailed open world based on the fictional Mediterranean islands of Altis and Stratis.

Arma 3 delivers incredibly realistic vehicle handling, ballistics, and combat. It’s a challenging game with a tough learning curve, but those who stick with it will find a rewarding military role-playing experience. It’s a standout example of open-world action and exploration.

2. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

A Thrilling, Vengeful Epic In The Classic Series.

This popular Metal Gear Solid game is set in a war-torn, open-world Afghanistan under Soviet occupation. You play as Punished “Venom” Snake, a highly skilled mercenary on a quest for revenge after a devastating betrayal.

Like other games in the Metal Gear Solid series, The Phantom Pain excels at stealth gameplay. It gives players a lot of freedom to explore and discover things, while still delivering the intense military action and suspenseful sneaking the series is known for. The game features a compelling, dark story and consistently smart, tactical gameplay, making The Phantom Pain a unique open-world adventure.

1. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands

A Remarkable Peak In The Long-Running Ghost Recon Series.

The Ghost Recon series has long been known for setting the standard for immersive, open-world military games. Wildlands continues this tradition, placing players in a vast and beautifully realized version of Bolivia.

This game puts you in command of a highly skilled special operations team fighting a dangerous drug war. It’s fast-paced and requires smart tactics, leading to really engaging team-based gameplay. With lots of different ways to approach combat, the game offers tons of replayability. Plus, the beautiful open-world environment makes it a highlight in an already popular series.

2025-11-28 05:06