Aerial combat may only be about 100 years old, but it’s launched thousands of stories, and very recently, a top-grossing movie. So when video games can get in on that action? You better believe they will.
#10 Bomber Crew
Let’s start off with one that is definitely more in-depth than you’d think. In Bomber Crew, you’ll be leading a crew of airmen in a mission to bomb certain targets. But that’s just the overview.
Your crew will each be unique and have their own abilities and stories to tell. You’ll need to use them wisely while they’re in the bomber plane in order to ensure that your plane gets to its destination. Use them to fix issues, fire on enemy planes, and more. Be careful with them though, if they die on the mission, they’re dead for real.
Will you be able to complete all your missions?
#9 Warplanes: WW2 Dogfight
If you’re looking for a more “piloting” experience from your air combat title, then Warplanes: WW2 Dogfight is the one you’ll want to look at. Because in this World War II experience, you’ll have over 30 different legendary aircraft to wield in a variety of missions. All the while participating in different sides of the war.
You’ll be able to do missions for Great Britain, the Soviet Union and even Germany. These missions will vary from straight-up dogfights, to protection missions, to bomber runs, and more. You’ll fly over land and sea in order to get to the enemy and complete the task ahead of you.
The game is easy to learn but difficult to master, so get in the cockpit and see how you’ll do!
#8 Sky Rogue
What’s that? You want a bit more fantastical a journey as you fly through the sky? Well, we can help you with that too via Sky Rogue. In this game, you’ll play as a pilot going to various islands and other locations in order to do bombing runs and fight enemy planes.
The twist here is that you’ll be able to outfit your plane with all sorts of gear and weapons to make it your own. You’ll be able to have fun in a variety of ways and really test your limits against the enemy. But be warned, just like in real combat, if you go down on one of these missions, you’re done.
#7 Top Gun Air Combat
Despite what its name says, no, this is not tied to Top Gun or Top Gun: Maverick. Though to be fair it’s easy to see why you’d think that, and as a result: “I have the need, the need for speed!!!”
*ahem* anyway…
In Top Gun Air Combat, you’ll take the role of a US pilot wielding one of three kinds of jets and fly off across the world to various locations to combat the enemy in the Russian Federation. The game is rooted in real-world physics so you’ll have to mind your plane in order to make sure you don’t overtax it, or yourself.
#6 Sky Gamblers: Afterburner
The Sky Gamblers series has actually had quite a few titles, and Sky Gamblers: Afterburner is the latest in that jet-fighting run. In the game you’ll fly high in the skies and do battle against other jets. With each one that you do, you’ll be able to grow and access more abilities and planes to ensure that you have the best craft in the skies.
What’s more, you’ll be able to personalize and customize your jet. Make it look and feel the way you want it to and then take off once again to battle the enemy! Plus, you can fight against your friends in PVP matches to see who’s the true ace!
#5 Skies of Fury DX
Though World War II was where dogfights became “the norm”, it was in World War I that they took things to the sky in a meaningful way. Skies of Fury DX will show you that style of aerial combat, while also delivering it to you in a beautiful hand-painted world.
The game will let you pilot 10 different aircraft from that time period, and let you see and feel what it was like being one of the original dogfighters.
Then, when you’re done trying the campaign, jump into splitscreen multiplayer against your friends to see who is the better pilot between you.
#4 Air Conflicts: Pacific Carriers
World War II had two distinctive battlefields for pilots to be in. There were the missions over the ground, and the ones over the water via the War in the Pacific. Air Conflicts: Pacific Carriers lets you partake in the latter battles as you become a pilot on an aircraft carrier for either the US or the Japanese fleets.
You’ll need to think of strategies not just from the perspective of a pilot, but from the captain of the carriers as you try and use your planes and pilots effectively to ensure victory in the water and thus help save the war effort!
Choose your side and then get into the sky!
#3 Air Missions: HIND
It’s true that at first the only things pilots would fly were planes or jets, but as modern warfare grew and weapons became more adaptable, helicopters became a standard tool in many armies and were used in many wars.
Air Missions: HIND will let you pilot one of these legendary helicopters and then send you out on missions to try and defeat the enemy and destroy key outposts and targets with a large variety of guns and missiles.
Choose the ones you want to use and then fly off. Or, use the Mission Editor to try and create your own fun challenges!
#2 Sine Mora EX
Are you looking for a more old-school game that has side-scrolling action and the kind of over-the-top arcade style gameplay that you remember from days gone by? If so, then, Sine Mora EX will scratch that itch for you in the best of ways.
You’ll pilot a craft through a storyline or an arcade mode where the only real goal is blasting through your enemies and ensuring that you are the only one left standing. Weave your way through beautifully rendered stages that mix old-school and new school together, and use over 50 different kinds of weapon combinations to make sure your plane is the deadliest in the sky.
#1 Sky Gamblers: Storm Raiders
Yep, we’re showing you another Sky Gamblers title, because Sky Gamblers: Storm Raiders touts itself as the ‘ultimate WWII air combat title’ and you might just find that it is as advertised once you jump into the game yourself!
You’ll not just a pilot here, but you’ll be able to do all sorts of missions across all sorts of terrain and battle fields! You can get caught up in a dogfight, try and protect a city from being bombed, target key enemy structures to weaken them, or, just prove your flying skills by going through tough locations.
Will you be able to turn the tide of the war?
