Quick Answer: War Thunder in 2025 is Fun. War Thunder is not a waste of time if you like fun. It’s also free, so giving it a solid ten hour trial over a week or so isn’t going to do any harm.
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Long Answer | War Thunder isn’t Going Anywhere Anytime Soon
War Thunder boasts the most commercial-friendly mix between simulation and casual vehicular combat in the industry. Between prop fighting in World War 2 era planes, dying to T-34’s in metallic junk boxes, and duking it out mathematical style in modern era jets, There isn’t really much War Thunder lacks for the post-1900’s war enthusiast. There was also a rumor about naval combat, but that might be a myth?
With a free-to-play model, arcade modes, and a multitude of vehicle types, War Thunder is fairly welcoming to new players across a broad spectrum of interests, and can be completely ground out without the help of the wallet. (Although spending a bit of cash on premium benefits will certainly help with the tink-sink).
According to the Steam page, War Thunder, as of 4/11/2025, boasts about 75 thousand concurrent players. A healthy player-base, no doubt, and about 7 times the amount that Commercial Annoyance World of Tanks boasts.
The Aerial Combat In War Thunder
Arguably the most refined part about War Thunder in 2025 is it’s aerial combat. BF 109s, Spitfires, and the ever-scary Yaks grace the skies between three different game modes: Arcade, Realistic, and Simulator.
Arcade (Air AB) essentially acts as the threshold that holds new players’ hands. It’s extremely forgiving: flight models are buffed so that everything is a turn fighter, energy is easier to hold and to gain, and ammo reloads itself without the need of an airfield.
Realistic Battles (Air RB) acts as the main course of War Thunder Air. Easier to get used to than the likes of simulator (or games like DCS), but still demanding enough of a player’s skill to have a high ceiling across every nation.
Simulator Battle (Air SB) the mode that acts as a casual version of DCS World. Not nearly as realistic, but still demanding in a way that rewards the use of head trackers and joysticks for immersion.
The Ground Combat
Easily the most popular mode in the game, Ground Combat is a tank vs. tank dream with optional air combat mixed in. Most matches will consist, overwhelmingly, of ground combat between light and heavy tanks. Anti-air vehicles, gun carriers, and lightly armored, wheeled vehicles also scurry about these matches, causing their own form of havoc.
The aerial combat in Ground AB / RB is generally reserved for mid and late-game plays, and doesn’t usually represent significant import for the outcome of a match, but does open up the opportunity for players to gain research points for their planes and tanks, which can be a satisfying prospect for those who like both aspects of War Thunder.
Each game mode for Aeriel Combat (AB, RB, SB) applies in the same way to Ground Combat. For the purposes of fun, this game mode is most likely to hit the mark for the vast majority of players.
The Naval Combat
The least popular game mode in War Thunder, Naval Combat suffers from a number of issues stemming from poor balance, compressed boat ratings, low player counts, and gameplay that many believe to be the weakest of the War Thunder trio.
That isn’t to say Naval isn’t without its strengths. Especially so for players who have an interest in ships and their applications in warfare, Naval Combat is going to be a treat. The game mode also features air combat mixed in, so bringing a strike fighter or two for the sake of sinking warships from above is always an option.
Much like Ground Combat, the option to spawn in by plane in Naval Combat opens up the game mode for a wider audience, and freshens things up.
More than likely, you’ll end up diggin’ Ground or Air RB. But who knows, maybe you’re one the rare players who enjoys naval?
In Summary
War Thunder has been a game that’s slowly improved its gaming experience over the years. In 2025, the game is a strong contender for one of the better multiplayer grinders with a completely free-to-play model, even though the grind on a free account can, at times, feel particularly brutal.
The game is absolutely worth the average player’s time, and until Gaijin really drop the ball, there isn’t any end to that fact in sight.
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