Ready to dive deep into the thrilling world of underwater warfare and exploration? While classic submarine simulators from the ’90s offered a unique experience, modern gaming presents a fascinating array of options. Whether you crave the detailed realism of a military vessel, the strategic thrill of torpedo attacks, or the tense survival of deep-sea exploration, there’s a submarine game waiting for you. These titles go beyond simple combat, often blending crew management, resource strategy, and expert navigation. Join us as we surface the very best submarine games available on PC today.
We’ve meticulously explored the ocean depths to bring you this list of incredible submarine games, featuring:
- World of Warships
- Barotrauma
- Uboat
- Wolfpack
- Cold Waters
- Iron Lung
- We Need to Go Deeper
- Subnautica
- Silent Hunter 3
World of Warships
It was once thought impossible, but submarines have finally joined the battle in the free-to-play multiplayer naval combat game, World of Warships. After extensive testing, Wargaming successfully integrated submarines into the main game, complete with their own unique combat mechanics, upgrade paths, and tactical roles. With several submarines currently available, World of Warships continues to impress naval combat enthusiasts since its 2015 launch, standing out as a premier World War 2 game experience for fans of high-seas action.
Barotrauma
Not all great submarine games are serious simulations; Barotrauma proves this with its 2D blend of chaotic multiplayer action, terrifying alien monsters, and FTL-inspired ship management. In Barotrauma, you’ll design your own submarine and venture into the depths to hunt monstrous alien sea creatures. While enjoyable solo, the game truly shines in co-op, where miscommunications can quickly escalate into hilariously disastrous outcomes. Keeping your sub operational and intact amidst the constant threat of fire, floods, and monstrous attacks requires significant coordination. One slip-up could mean a flooded compartment, sweeping a crewmate into the gaping maw of an anglerfish – leading to unforgettable, often frantic, discussions over voice chat.
Uboat
Uboat masterfully combines third-person crew management with immersive first-person action, creating a captivating blend of strategy and wartime realism. As the commander of a World War 2 U-boat, your duties are dual: execute orders from Kriegsmarine HQ and maintain the health and operational status of both your crew and vessel. What truly sets this game apart is the ability to step into the commander’s shoes in first-person, walking through your U-boat to oversee your crew and even dole out discipline – perhaps even executing the cook for a culinary mishap if you’re feeling particularly stern!
Wolfpack
Currently in early access on Steam, Wolfpack is being meticulously crafted in collaboration with the dedicated submarine games community, Subsim, aiming to be the ultimate submarine simulation. This first-person submarine warfare simulator excels in its stunningly detailed U-boat interiors. Even better, Wolfpack offers a rare co-op experience, allowing you and your friends to take on distinct roles aboard a U-boat, patrolling the seas as a cohesive unit. The entire experience is in first-person, eliminating external views or separate crew management mechanics, which forces full immersion. However, this high level of detail means success in Wolfpack demands a thorough understanding of U-boat operations, making it a game for those truly committed to deep dive into submarine command.
Cold Waters
As a spiritual successor to Red Storm Rising, Cold Waters is a modern submarine game that truly comes alive during its intense combat sequences. You command a nuclear submarine, tasked with preventing global catastrophe during a heightened Cold War scenario. Your mission involves patrolling the Labrador and Barents seas, engaging Soviet warships, intercepting convoys, and deploying special forces behind enemy lines. With a fleet of around 40 vessels at your disposal, armed with wire-guided torpedoes, cruise missiles, and advanced sonar, you’re equipped for any challenge. Cold Waters brilliantly portrays the delicate balance of being both predator and prey. Often, a successful ambush on one vessel might reveal that two others have been tracking you, forcing you into a thrilling dance of evasion against incoming torpedoes. The precise control you have over your submarine allows for masterful maneuvers and feints, making every battle a test of wit and skill.
Iron Lung
For fans of chilling underwater horror, Iron Lung is a definitive experience. This minimalist project from David Szymanski traps you within the claustrophobic, low-poly confines of a rickety submarine exploring an alien ‘Blood Ocean’ moon. Your harrowing mission is to map its unknown depths by taking photographs. With extremely limited visibility, you rely on proximity sensors and unsettling ambient noises, plunging your investigation into a spiraling nightmare of tension and paranoia as the ocean’s terrifying secrets awaken around you.
We Need to Go Deeper
We Need to Go Deeper offers another fantastic multiplayer submarine adventure, transporting you to a charming, Jules Verne-inspired undersea universe. With procedurally generated levels and a reactive difficulty system, this roguelike by Deli Interactive amplifies the chaotic fun of working with friends beneath the waves. You and your crew (whether human or bot) must work tirelessly to repair your sub and load weapons. The game even lets you leave your vehicle to explore ancient underwater ruins, hidden caves, and sunken shipwrecks, revealing more submerged wonders. Customizable adventurers and submarine loadouts ensure that We Need to Go Deeper delivers the most enjoyable kind of undersea madness.
Subnautica
While primarily a seafaring survival game, much of Subnautica involves navigating the ocean floor in various submersibles. Your objectives are far more personal than military engagements; you must survive after crash-landing on a vibrant, alien oceanic planet. This journey begins humbly, scavenging kelp from your floating escape pod, and evolves into crafting your own mini-submarine and elaborate underwater research base. It’s an enthralling adventure of discovery and perseverance in a breathtaking, yet perilous, aquatic world.
Silent Hunter 3
When it comes to utterly immersive submarine simulations, Silent Hunter 3 remains unparalleled in putting you squarely in the role of a U-boat commander. Choose from diverse campaigns or dynamic patrol missions, each demanding your best as the war progresses. Early in the conflict, commanding a U-boat feels like being an apex predator, with few enemies equipped to counter your advanced technology. However, by 1944, your mission becomes nearly impossible as enemy forces adapt with formidable escorts and overwhelming air support. The game features a wide array of submarines, each distinct and historically accurate for its era, from the early rickety U-boats of the late ’30s to the more robust vessels capable of long-range damage and heavier payloads. Expect meticulous realism at every turn. You can move through all the sub’s stations in first-person, observing your crew in action, while external, strategic, and cinematic camera views enhance accessibility. Silent Hunter 3 also offers extensive realism settings, allowing you to fine-tune the experience as you master the controls. For those seeking a slightly more contemporary take, Silent Hunter 4 is also highly recommended.
There you have it – our comprehensive dive into the best submarine games available. While the world of submarine simulations can seem daunting initially, a bit of persistence and engagement with passionate communities will help you master the steep learning curve. If you appreciate detailed military strategy but prefer dry land, consider exploring the finest tank games. And for those seeking fresh adventures, don’t forget to check out the top PC games across all genres.