Games that Force You to Make the Hard Calls in War

21 April 2025

War is nasty business, right? But let’s be honest, that’s exactly what makes war games so gripping. It’s not about mindlessly blasting through waves of enemies (though that has its place). The games that stick with us? They’re the ones that shove tough choices right in our faces—the kind that make us pause mid-action, bite our lips, and wonder: “Am I doing the right thing?”

These games aren’t just about strategy; they’re about morality. They don’t just test your tactical skills—they test your heart, your gut, and your ability to live with the fallout. So, if you’ve got a thing for games that leave you staring at your screen in solemn reflection, let’s dive into some of the best ones that force you to make the hard calls in war.

1. This War of Mine

Let’s start with a game that doesn’t romanticize war at all. This War of Mine ditches the battlefield entirely and instead focuses on civilians struggling to survive in a war-torn city. You have to manage a small group of survivors, scavenging for food, medicine, and supplies—all while fending off other desperate survivors.

The real kicker? Every decision feels awful. Do you steal medicine from an elderly couple so your group can heal? What about letting a starving kid in, knowing you barely have enough food for your own people? Every choice claws at your conscience, and there’s no “good” outcome—just varying shades of bad.

It’s a gut-wrenching look at the human cost of war, and honestly, it’ll leave you questioning how you’d cope if you were ever in that situation.

2. Spec Ops: The Line

Oh man, this one’s brutal. At first glance, Spec Ops: The Line looks like your run-of-the-mill third-person shooter. But it quickly flips the script by throwing you into a morally murky nightmare that spirals out of control.

The game forces you to make unthinkable decisions—decisions that often feel like no-win situations. Remember that one scene (if you’ve played it, you know the one)? The white phosphorus. You’re given the choice to use it to take out enemies, only to realize afterward that innocent civilians were caught in the crossfire. The game doesn’t shy away from showing the consequences of your actions, leaving you with a sick feeling in your stomach.

Here’s the thing: Spec Ops: The Line isn’t just about what you do in war—it’s about how war changes you. By the end, you’re left questioning not just the protagonist’s morality, but your own.

3. Frostpunk

Surprised to see this one here? It’s not a “war game” in the traditional sense, but trust me, the stakes are just as high. In Frostpunk, you’re managing a group of survivors in a frozen wasteland, battling against the elements and the collapse of human society.

The hard calls here? They’re relentless. Do you enact child labor laws to keep your city alive, knowing you’re robbing kids of their innocence? Do you deny medical care to the terminally ill to conserve resources for those who still have a fighting chance? Every decision you make impacts not just the survival of your people but their morale and trust in you as their leader.

It’s a harsh, unrelenting game that forces you to decide what kind of society you’re willing to build—and what sacrifices you’re willing to make to keep it alive.

4. The Banner Saga

If you’re a sucker for games with stunning art and heart-wrenching stories, The Banner Saga needs to be on your radar. This tactical RPG drops you into a harrowing journey where every decision could mean life or death—for your characters and even your civilization.

The game’s choices aren’t simple yes-or-no questions. They’re complicated, layered dilemmas that often don’t reveal their consequences until much later. Save a village from raiders, but risk running out of food for your caravan? Sacrifice a beloved character for the greater good? It’s all on you.

What’s worse (or better, depending on your perspective) is that The Banner Saga doesn’t give you easy outs. There’s no perfect ending where everything works out—you just have to do the best you can and live with the fallout.

5. Telltale’s The Walking Dead: Season One

Sure, this isn’t a “war game” in the traditional sense, but survival in a zombie apocalypse often feels just as brutal, especially when the game is The Walking Dead: Season One.

This episodic adventure puts you in charge of Lee, a man protecting a young girl named Clementine, and it’s loaded with decisions that’ll make you sweat. Do you save the guy who could help the group long-term or the one who’s your closest ally? Do you steal food from an abandoned car, knowing it might belong to someone else?

The choices you make shape your relationships with other characters, but more importantly, they define who Lee becomes. And when the stunning finale hits? Let’s just say you’ll be reaching for the tissues.

6. XCOM 2

War with aliens isn’t any easier than war with humans—at least not in XCOM 2. In this turn-based strategy game, you’re leading a resistance against an alien occupation, and every decision feels like it’s teetering on the edge of disaster.

Do you send your best soldiers on a risky mission, knowing they might not come back? Can you afford to leave an alien stronghold intact so you can protect a critical base? And when one of your soldiers dies, it hurts—not just because you lose their skills, but because you’ve spent hours watching them grow and improve.

XCOM 2 nails that sense of responsibility—not just for the lives of your soldiers but for the fate of humanity as a whole. Every victory feels earned, and every loss feels like a punch to the gut.

7. Papers, Please

Okay, hear me out—this might seem like an odd one, but Papers, Please belongs on this list. You’re not on the battlefield, but as a border checkpoint officer for a fictional war-torn country, you’re constantly forced to make life-and-death decisions.

Do you follow orders and deny entry to people who don’t have the proper paperwork, even if they’re fleeing for their lives? Or do you risk punishment to help them, knowing it could jeopardize your family’s safety?

It’s a slow-burn kind of game, but the moral dilemmas are gut-wrenching, and by the end, you’ll feel the weight of every stamp you’ve placed.

Why Do We Love These Games?

What makes these games so powerful? They remind us that war isn’t just about winning and losing—it’s about people, choices, and consequences. They force us to confront uncomfortable truths and ask ourselves questions we might not want to answer.

Would you put your survival above someone else’s? Is it okay to sacrifice a few for the greater good? What would you do if you were in their shoes?

The beauty of these games is that they don’t lecture; they let you wrestle with the answers yourself. And while that might not always make for a “fun” experience, it’s one that sticks with you long after you’ve put down the controller.

Final Thoughts

Games that force you to make hard calls in war aren’t about being a hero—they’re about being human. They’re messy, complicated, and often heartbreaking, but that’s what makes them so compelling. If you haven’t played one of these yet, prepare yourself. They’ll challenge not just your gaming skills but your very sense of right and wrong.

So, grab a controller (or a mouse and keyboard), and dive in. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself staring at the ceiling at 2 AM, haunted by the decisions you made.