War Thunder is one of the largest military-aviation sandboxes anywhere, and it costs nothing to enter. Hundreds of meticulously modelled real aircraft span the eras, flyable across difficulty bands from arcade-forgiving to full simulator controls, and the same battlefields host its tanks and warships for combined-arms fights.
The flying is genuinely deep and the historical breadth is real, which keeps a huge player base aloft. The dominant complaint, loud in player sentiment, is monetisation: progression can feel deliberately slow to sell premium vehicles and boosters, and balance debates are constant. Treated as a free, come-and-go flight sim it is remarkable value; approached as a game to complete without spending, the grind is the thing to weigh first.
Overall, players express overwhelming dissatisfaction with War Thunder, criticizing its monetization practices and lack of engaging content while lamenting the decline from a previously enjoyable experience to one plagued by greed and repetitive gameplay. The sentiment portrays a clear frustration with the developers, suggesting that many feel the game has lost its essence and is now primarily a cash grab. Players recommend avoiding it, especially for newcomers.
Based on 101 reviews from playstation, steam
How to War Thunder / Beginner's Guide / Noob Quick Reference
