The top of the top, creme de la creme, and everything in between – we are here to present you with our picks for the best naval games ever! All platforms, all places, and one goal – to have fun in the water. While mostly murdering other people in there, the naval games tend to be a bit brutal.

Nevertheless, we have created a committee and decided which games are the ones that will float your Atlantic fleet. If you, like us, are a water-fight fanatic and have always dreamed of joining the Navy and becoming part of the crew, you should definitely check those picks out. Some are usual; some are more on the crazy side. The one thing remains – all of them are fantastic. Let’s dive in (pun intended)!

• Developer: EA Los Angeles

• Release Date : October 2008

• Platform(s) : PC, PS3, Xbox 360

• Meta Score: 82

It is the one, the only, real-time strategy that people are still playing after 16 years since the original release – Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3. You may not remember this game if you’re a Zoomer, but it shook the gaming community to the core when it first came out. The sheer amount of things that you could do was so overwhelming! But let’s look at what exactly shocked the masses to the core.

First of all – the plot. Red Alert 3 is a massive game when it comes to the sheer gameplay. It’s not like those Killerfish games, where you mainly focus on fighting; it’s more of a fulfilling experience. This game has three major factions – Allies, the Soviet Union, and the Empire of the Rising Sun. As you probably have already guessed, the Allies are the good ones, at least on paper. Every faction has its storyline, and each has something different to propose regarding technological advancements.

What else could you expect from this game then? Well, what about the star-filled cast? You may not believe this, but the title features the voices of Hollywood stars, making the game even more immersive. The likes of Tim Curry, George Takei, and Jonathan Price will help you out in your journey.

The campaign is cooperative, so you can team up during the missions and get a little help from your friends. Additionally, naval warfare is something to look forward to. Although the game provides you with some air and ground units, the amphibious stands out among all the other tactical warfare.

Additionally, Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 is not only a game that can be enjoyed solo or in a co-op campaign. It also has a robust multiplayer system, where you can accomplish much in team-based mechanics and go for those superweapons in a massive scenario.

It’s fast-paced style, battle mechanics like nowhere else, and becoming the captain in this crazy plot is a game you should keep on your radar. Unlike other games on this list, it also gives you some humor, so if only for that – it’s worth checking out!

• Developer: Eugen Systems

• Release Date : April 2014

• Platform(s) : Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows

• Meta Score: 78

Our next naval adventure starts with Wargame: Red Dragon . It’s another real-time strategy title on our list, and let us tell you – it’s a lot colder than the previous title. Because it took place during the Cold War. Yeah, we know those naval puns may not be something for you, but for us – it’s priceless!

Nevertheless, Wargame was released in 2014 and took on the naval aspect of the conflict between NATO and the Warsaw Pact. In both cases, you get to play different nations within each alliance. So, you can go for the United States, United Kingdom, or even Norway versus Communist Poland, Czechoslovakia, Soviet Union, or China. Just find out which one have larger ships. Each faction has its style of fighting and unique strengths and weaknesses that you can utilize to make the best out of the situation.

The game is all about strategizing. The developers put a lot of emphasis on the realism and depth of each scenario. You need to manage your naval units effectively, as you will have a lot of issues if your resources are low. A tactical approach is the key to win, not the berserker. You are fighting with machines worth billions of dollars, so it’s only fair that you take some considerations before diving into the conflict. The maps are enormous, so you will have a lot of options for you to implement.

And the best thing about it is that you can play it with your friends. Dividing and conquering, choosing your battles, smashing enemies into a pulp – it’s all in here. History buffs like us will surely appreciate the realism that the Wargame: Red Dragon provides. In this kind of game, it’s one of the most essential aspects.

So, if you are looking for large-scale but relatively slow fighting in the RTS genre, where you can create majestic naval fights during the Cold War period – this game is definitely for you!

• Developer: Blue Byte

• Release Date : April 2019

• Platform(s) : PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Microsoft Windows

• Meta Score: 81

As the old saying goes – if you haven’t played any Anno game, you have no idea what it’s all about. And, let’s face it, what series precisely depicts the life of a particular historical period with accuracy and style? Anno is definitely one of these. For this particular list, we have chosen Anno 1800 as the most “naval” of the games from the Anno family.

As it’s the seventh game, it took a lot of its predecessors and improved the mistakes from the past. Here, you don’t get the city builder with occasional fighting elements but a full-fledged RTS game with dozens of warships to choose from during the Industrial Revolution.

Of course, the main goal of Anno 1800 is to build a city and let us tell you – indeed, not only on rock’n’roll. You need to gain a great insight into your resources and planning and create an advanced economic system while thinking about details such as trade routes.

And, what’s the most important aspect, considering the title of this article, it all happens on the wide seas, as it’s the industrial revolution with everything that comes with it. For us, the most exciting aspect was the diplomacy. Discussing different ways of approaching the topic seems to be a great way to avoid conflict and prosper.

Unlike any other game, Anno 1800 allows you to check the line between good business and taking advantage of your opponent’s situation. And, when the waves hit the hull of your ship, you can appreciate this game’s attention to detail.

• Developer: Creative Assembly

• Release Date : March 2009

• Platform(s) : PC

• Meta Score: 90

There once was a story about the Empire that was supposed to be in total war all the time. And that empire was presented in a video game called Empire: Total War . At this point, we must assume that you enjoy our sense of humor. And that you read it in the epic-voice-trailer style.

Empire: Total War is another naval strategy on our list and one of the most successful Total War games in the series. With a 90% meta score, you can assume that it’s a title that moved many gamers worldwide. So, what’s it all about?

It’s a turn-based, real-time fighting strategy that combines the best aspects of the two seemingly unmatchable ways of playing. Unlike in Anno, here, it’s mostly about conquering and fighting. The strategy aspect is there as well, that’s true, but everything revolves around the war in the end.

The game transports us into the 18th century, a period marked by colonization when the notion still had widespread appeal. New technological advancements emerge regularly, and the world is marked by a constant struggle for dominance. Although conflicts persist, they have not yet escalated to a global scale, fostering an atmosphere of cautious observation as events unfold.

In this installment of the Total War games, you have a whole globe at your disposal, with campaigns on a few continents. You must have a solid warship, wondrous allies, and diplomacy measures.

Nevertheless, where this game excels are those large-scale battles, presenting the situation from various angles and allowing you to select the measure for a particular situation. As you can play as France, Spain, the Ottoman Empire, and even Russia, there will be different playstyles for each, so remember to keep that in mind when deciding on the tactic.

After all these years, it's still a tremendous experience for the whole family, but mainly for the dads, to be frank, that you will surely enjoy if you’re a history buff or RTS fan.

• Developer: Game-Labs

• Release Date : January 2023

• Platform(s) : PC

• Meta Score: N/D

The next game on our list is a real treat – Ultimate Admiral , one of the latest games in the naval series. Creating your fleet is crucial, as every little thing matters in the grand scheme. You can change the armor, weapons, and all the other components of each ship. The game is also highly accurate regarding the approach to the ships, so if you like your history, you will feel at home.

The battles in this game are fascinating and full of tactical decisions to be made, fleet to get positioned, and strengths to be utilized. In our opinion, it’s one of the best tactical naval warfare games. Even more, not only is the historical aspect of this game incredible, but the physics is also top of the top, with realistic ship movements and water. But if you’re interested in this kind of game, you probably already know about it. This series is making some strides in the community and, as it’s not one of “THE GREATS,” we are all about cheering for the underdogs, so support it if you don’t want to get captured!

Ultimate Admiral is one of those games that make you forget all about the world around you as you sink into those details repeatedly. We can empathize with those of you having another sleepless night where you are desperately trying to win the fight. Well, at least it was our experience of this game. So, get onto your fighting vessels and explore the vast seas of conflict in the naval colors!

• Developer: Ubisoft

• Release Date : March 2005

• Platform(s) : PC

• Meta Score: 90

The next game on our list is a submarine simulation for a change – Silent Hunter 3 ! This is a game that you’re destined to play if you have never experienced what it’s like to be underwater for months at a time. So – most people, to be honest. It offers a glimpse into the past when spending a considerable time submerged was a common experience during wartime.

You have plenty of missions and fights to make as you pilot a U-boat to victory. It's among the most realistic simulations of piloting such a machine, and a challenging game to beat. With so many enemy waters to float through, you just had to know everything about your machine to keep your comrades safe and sound.

Combat played a crucial role in these games, immersing players in the genuine experience of being on the boat without any cover, relying more on their instincts and maneuvering skills than on radar and evasion tactics.

The game is set during the Second World War, on the Atlantic Ocean, against the Alliance commanders who are more than happy to show you the bottom of the sea. And – your decisions matter! What you will choose to do will have a significant impact on the war as a whole. The historical accuracy of this title is more than solid. Thus, we can promise that if you like the naval history, you will find yourself at home.

The game makes you feel trapped, isolated, depressed, and confused about the meaning of all this. So, it dramatically portrays what a German U-boat commander would feel at the bottom of the ocean during a wartime effort. It’s a deep and psychological game that combines naval warfare with history and grand narrative. We put it on the top of our list, for sure!

• Developer: Kalypso Media

• Release Date : September 2020

• Platform(s) : Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows

• Meta Score: 68

And finally, we have the one, the only – Port Royale 4 . It’s the game that lets you feel like you’re in control of a Caribbean city in the 17th century. There are plenty of scenarios that could go wrong, and the one where you conquer all of your enemies. Are you ready for this strategy and simulation? Well then, let’s dive in!

It’s the 17th century, and things are not going great for some folks. For you, the colonial governor, it seems like everything is settling in at just the right angle. You have your colonies, trade routes, and everything else that our genocidal grandfathers loved to do.

The main goal of this game is to develop your colonies and protect your trading routes against enemy fleets. And let us tell you, those naval fights are incredibly entertaining. You have to think about not only where you are shooting but also the type of your ship, the wind, and the overall direction of your ship.

The environment is essential in this warfare, making it much more immersive than if it were just another title where you essentially win if you have a giant ship. In this game, you will sink right to the bottom without the right strategy.

In Port Royale 4, the city-building aspect is another key feature. As a colonial governor, you have the authority to oversee your cities, determining where to invest funds and where to cut expenses. Before making these decisions, you must pick which oppressor to embody – England, Spain, France, or the Netherlands. Each nation has unique skills and advantages, enabling you to select the playstyle that best suits your preferences.

And – don’t forget about diplomacy. As a bloodthirsty colonial warlord, you will also get to discuss some severe colonial issues with others like you. You can form alliances with other powers, declare war, or play “divide and conquer” until one of your enemies gets struck down.

Additionally, believe it or not, this game is historically accurate, and all the situations that appear in the match did happen or at least were inspired by the events from real life.

And it’s not only the story that is so engaging – it’s also the free play where you can go ahead and create your genocide! Or a more fair society of your choosing. You don’t have to be evil in this game, but you are a colonizer.

If you want to try something new and refreshing in the genre, then this is a different period and perspective than most of the titles on this list. If you’re a fan of naval warfare and some colonizing – you should give this game a chance.

So, here we are, at the end of our long journey with ever longer ships. As it turns out, if you are a fan of some naval combat games, there is plenty to choose from, especially if you are a history buff who likes factually accurate games.

In our opinion, naval combats may not be the fastest. It may not be the most dynamic. But they are epic. All of those tactics on where to turn, what to do, and how to position the ship – it all combined feels like a lot of thought behind this kind of warfare. And we greatly appreciate games that do the extra thing to show you that they care.

We are sure that you will find something valuable on this list. And, if you didn’t, check out other articles on our site. We are optimistic that there will be something that catches your attention!