There are many games that take place at sea or let you sail a boat. However, not all of them let you fire cannons, launch missiles, or submerge in a submarine. While in some games naval combat is just a side activity that complements other gameplay elements, some are fully focused on ship-to-ship combat. Whether you prefer the golden age of piracy or the missile age, these games will have you sinking vessels in defense of a country or while hunting for treasure.
8. War Thunder
War Thunder is known for its variety of combat forms. In addition to tanks and planes, it also offers naval combat. Even though it’s just one part of a larger game, War Thunder’s ship battles feel rewarding, all thanks to its level progression. Naval combat in War Thunder strikes a balance between arcade-style action and realism, with a touch of strategy. You can see sailors and crew members performing their duties and manning the ship’s weapons. Since the handling of ships, as well as the behavior of projectiles, lean more towards realism, the game encourages thoughtful decision-making, especially when compared to more arcade-style naval combat games.
7. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series is known for its weird and wild side content, and Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii keeps that tradition alive. In Pirate Yakuza, RGG Studio brings their signature flair to a unique naval combat mode. The ship combat in Pirate Yakuza fully embraces an arcade-style approach. The game blends pirate ships with modern weapons and over-the-top aesthetics. You can equip your ship with miniguns and laser cannons, use rocket launchers to sink enemies, and even drift across the waves. On top of that, Pirate Yakuza features ship customization, letting you sail the seas in your own flashy style.
6. Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag is widely regarded as one of the best entries in the Assassin’s Creed series, thanks in large part to its engaging naval combat and pirate-themed features. Set during the golden age of piracy, Black Flag delivers an exciting seafaring adventure blended with the classic action gameplay the series is known for. While Black Flag leans into arcade-style naval combat, it still offers plenty of exciting and memorable scenarios. You can charge head-on into enemy ships and board them, or take a stealthier approach by swimming and sneaking aboard. You can even anchor your ship at sea and dive into the water, with certain areas featuring submersible segments where you can hunt for hidden treasure.
5. Cold Waters
Known as the spiritual successor to the classic Red Storm Rising, Cold Waters puts you in command of a submarine. As one of the few modern submarine simulator games, it takes place during fictional World War III scenarios set in 1968, 1984, and 2002. At first glance, your objective in Cold Waters to sink enemy ships may seem straightforward, but achieving that goal requires mastering complex systems. You’ll need to avoid detection from planes and sonar, track enemies beneath the ice, and carefully monitor the status of your sub. The game offers both a 3D perspective and a tactical view, giving you flexibility in how you approach each mission.
4. World of Warships
World of Warships is a naval combat multiplayer game that fully embraces arcade-style gameplay. Its fast-paced controls and simplified mechanics make it an accessible entry point into the naval combat genre. This free-to-play title features over 600 ships from various nations and factions, spanning multiple classes such as destroyers and battleships. Ships can be customized in both appearance and performance, with much of the game’s monetization tied to cosmetics. As a live-service game, World of Warships regularly receives updates and features collaborations with other games and franchises.
3. Sea Power: Naval Combat in the Missile Age
Developed with the lead designer of Cold Waters, Sea Power: Naval Combat in the Missile Age, is a tactical simulation game where you command a variety of military vehicles. Drawing inspiration from classics like Jane’s Fleet Command and EA’s Strike Fleet, the game focuses on the Cold War era, spanning from the 1960s to the 1980s. In addition to Cold War scenarios, the game will feature historical missions such as the Vietnam War and Operation Praying Mantis. Sea Power includes a wide range of units. Not only iconic ships and aircraft, but also experimental and never-built designs like the Project 1153 Orel, along with civilian maritime traffic, enhance realism.
2. Sea of Thieves
Sea of Thieves is an action-adventure multiplayer game, though it can also be played solo. Don’t let the colorful art style and playful elements fool you, though. When it comes to sailing and naval gameplay, Sea of Thieves leans surprisingly toward realism. The ship sailing and combat systems feel very authentic. You’ll need to adjust your sails based on wind direction to gain speed, and the way the ship responds to the helm closely mirrors real-life navigation. Sea of Thieves also offers a great sense of freedom; you can disembark on any island and swim anywhere across its vast open ocean.
1. UBOAT
After spending time in Early Access, UBOAT has fully launched and risen to the top of naval combat simulation games. In UBOAT, you take control of a submarine, but what sets it apart is its unique blend of survival, action, and crew management mechanics integrated into the simulation. Even though the game has officially launched, it continues to receive meaningful updates, such as the rework of the Deck Awash mode and the addition of adjustable realism settings. During gameplay, you can adjust the level of realism for AI behavior, as well as other game features. Together, these elements make UBOAT one of the most immersive submarine simulators, making you feel like you’re living inside the worlds of Das Boot or Crimson Tide.
What makes the naval combat genre so unique is the diversity it has. There are naval games that are more arcade-focused, others lean towards realism, and some are a mix of both. The genre is sometimes overlooked, but it has a lot to offer to different styles of players. Do you prefer arcade or immersive elements? Are there any other games you believe should be on this list? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more GameLuster lists!
