Best Military Fantasy Games

As a seasoned gamer with over three decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that this list of military fantasy games is nothing short of a masterpiece! Growing up, my friends and I would often spend hours discussing which game universe we’d like to be transported into for real. With these games, I feel as if I’ve finally found the ultimate collection!

Let me tell you, there was a time when I was just a young lad playing with toy soldiers in the backyard. If only I had known about Valkyria Chronicles back then, Squad 7 would have been my go-to army for sure! And Space Marine? Forget Master Chief – Titus and his squad were the ones who made me feel like a true space marine!

But let’s not forget the games that started it all. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine brought us into a world where orks are just waiting to be chainsawed through! And Full Metal Furies, with its brawler action and co-op gameplay, would have been perfect for those times when my friends and I needed a break from our tabletop games.

Now, I’ve always had a soft spot for anything involving the Warhammer universe, but nothing could prepare me for the tactical brilliance of Valkyria Chronicles! It was like a love letter to World War 2 strategy games, with just enough fantasy flair to keep things interesting.

So, there you have it – my personal top 5 military fantasy games that every gamer should try at least once in their lifetime. And remember, if you’re ever caught up in a real-life war, make sure to bring your own squad of Valkyrians with you! They’ll come in handy against any enemy!

Shooter games, which often depict military scenarios, are predominantly set in the contemporary or simulated time periods, regardless of their specific historical settings. The most popular franchises in this genre are Call of Duty and Battlefield. However, there are also sci-fi shooters like Halo and Destiny that stand out. In comparison, fantasy-themed military games are less common within the scope of both shooter and RPG genres.

Among the rare ones, these are the ones that truly shine. It’s a genre that future games might want to explore. With that in mind, let’s delve into many of them spanning various consoles. Some have left lasting impressions, while others may have been overshadowed by time.

8. Operation Darkness

Werewolves Vs Vampires In World War 2

Originally launched as an exclusive on Xbox 360, Operation Darkness remains a somewhat overlooked title despite still being available today. Despite its flaws, such as problematic camera angles, steep difficulty level, and graphics that were relatively low for its time, it stood out in its uniqueness. Set within the backdrop of World War 2, this was a tactical game with a grid-based system. The novelty came from the fact that players controlled a commando unit with werewolf lineage while battling Nazi forces who commanded armies of zombie vampires. While its storyline may seem far-fetched for a video game, it deserves recognition beyond its minor shortcomings.

7. The Order: 1886

If The Knights Of The Round Became Steampunk Soldiers

In an unusual twist for a shooting game, The Order: 1886 incorporated elements of the supernatural, specifically werewolves. This game featured a secret military organization called The Order, which operated within the London government and was responsible for eliminating paranormal and mythical beings throughout history.

In this game, the characters were a modern-day equivalent of King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table, battling against werewolves that could transform between human and beast form. This PS4 title, unfortunately, didn’t receive a sequel like Operation Darkness did.

6. Metal Slug Tactics

A Tactical Roguelike

Originally introduced in arcades, Metal Slug was a collection of action-packed shooter games centered around a group of soldiers battling against the Rebel Army in an ambiguously Middle Eastern setting. Since then, numerous spinoffs have been released, with the newest being Metal Slug Tactics. This game combines tactical gameplay with roguelike RPG elements, allowing players to equip their soldiers with weapons and gear before embarking on a run. They will then navigate through randomly generated maps and objectives, progressing as they complete them. While most enemies are human soldiers, you’ll also encounter strange adversaries like aliens and mummies. These unique aspects set the series apart from other games of its time, and it has proven to be an excellent fit for tactical roguelike RPG gameplay.

5. Last Vanguard

A World War One Metroidvania

The Last Vanguard is currently one of the most exciting games in early access on Steam, playable on the Steam Deck as well. In this game, you’ll find yourself starting inside a tank, appearing as if you’ve stepped straight out of World War 1. The art style is a unique blend of Cuphead and Battlefield 1, with the levels resembling European battlefields but with a touch of fantastical elements. You’ll encounter robots everywhere, and the human enemies might seem a bit unusual.

As a longtime fan of Metroidvania-style games, I must admit that exploring this atmospheric shooter/RPG hybrid has been quite an immersive journey for me. The game is set in a world shrouded by an ashy, ominous mist, and the sense of mystery that lurks beneath the surface is palpable. Without giving away too many spoilers, I can assure you that some of the revelations in store are nothing short of mind-blowing.

Though there are still areas for improvement with future updates, this game is already well worth recommending. The immersive storyline, intricate level design, and engaging combat mechanics make it a standout title in the genre. If you’re looking for an adventure that will keep you hooked from start to finish, I highly recommend giving this one a try.

4. Final Fantasy Type-0

An Elite Team Gears Up

Final Fantasy Type-0 is often recognized more for its demo of Final Fantasy 15 rather than being highly regarded as a standout title in the series. However, it’s an underrated gem that revolves around a military academy training cadets for an unending conflict over resources and magic. In this game, players assume the roles of students from Class Zero, an exceptional squadron within the school. Before embarking on missions, players can switch between multiple characters, each with unique specialties. These characters possess various sets of spells and weapons ranging from throwing cards to spears.

3. Full Metal Furies

From Roguelikes To Brawlers

Cellar Door Games developed a standalone title called Full Metal Furies between their popular roguelike games, Rogue Legacy and its sequel, Rogue Legacy 2. This game centered around an elite team of four female characters battling against both human soldiers and robotic forces controlled by mythical creatures known as Titans. One such Titan was a Minotaur, which showcased the game’s unique blend of cartoony yet somewhat realistic battlefields and fantastical landscapes. Two of the heroines were equipped with firearms, while the other two relied on melee weapons for combat. For instance, Meg served as a sniper, while Alex specialized in close-quarters combat with an axe. The most engaging aspect was the cooperative mode that allowed up to four players to join in on the action.

2. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine

Chainsawing Through Seas Of Orks

The expansive realm of the Warhammer universe encompasses various forms of entertainment, from tabletop games featuring miniatures to video games that offer genres such as shooting, combat, and puzzle-solving. A particularly notable game adaptation is “Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine,” which transports players into a distant future where a faction of celestial marines, imbued with religious devotion, wage war against malevolent forces like orks.

Members belonged to a compact team of cosmic marines, engaged in an intense struggle against the Ork rebellion using all available methods. This game is an exceptional military shooter featuring space marines capable of matching the prowess of Master Chief from Halo.

1. Valkyria Chronicles

Squad 7, Move Out!

Valkyria Chronicles stands out as an exceptional representation of military fantasy games, being set in a revamped World War 2 scenario. Two armies clashed on a battlefield resembling Europe when an innocent nation found itself entangled in the conflict. As they joined forces, they chose to resist a ruthless empire. The soldiers were equipped with a variety of weapons ranging from rifles to flamethrowers, but the fantasy element was introduced through the Valkyrians – a powerful, long-lost race believed to possess magical abilities. Interestingly, both sides claimed descent from these Valkyrians, which integrated seamlessly into the strategic gameplay.

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2025-01-02 07:36