The short version: War Thunder is rated Mostly Positive on Steam, 71.2% of 791,273 reviews positive (72.1% of the 328,350 English-only reviews), one of the largest review bases GamiPrime tracks in this cluster, behind only PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS' 2,748,495, and ahead of Warframe's 680,086 and Marvel Rivals' 420,198. Its Steam listing has run since August 15, 2013, one of the two longest-running in the group, behind only Warframe's March 2013 start, and it is one of two titles GamiPrime tracks here whose listing includes a Mac version alongside Windows and Linux, the other being Albion Online. Here is what the Steam listing and player reviews show, as of October 16, 2026 (UTC). Not hands-on tested.
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About War Thunder
War Thunder is Gaijin Entertainment's free-to-play vehicle combat game, published by Gaijin Network Ltd. Steam's own tags list it as Action, Massively Multiplayer, Simulation and Free To Play. Steam's own description calls it "the most comprehensive free-to-play, cross-platform, MMO military game dedicated to aviation, armoured vehicles, and naval craft," a publisher claim this article has not verified in play. It has been live on Steam since August 15, 2013, one of the two longest-running listings GamiPrime tracks in this cluster, behind only Warframe's March 2013 start.
| Developer / Publisher | Gaijin Entertainment / Gaijin Network Ltd |
| Genre (Steam tags) | Action, Massively Multiplayer, Simulation, Free To Play |
| Platform | Windows, Mac and Linux (per Steam listing), one of two tracked titles in this cluster with all three, alongside Albion Online |
| Listed minimum storage | 70 GB |
| Steam rating | Mostly Positive, 71.2% of 791,273 reviews (72.1% of the 328,350 English-only reviews) |
Source: War Thunder's official Steam listing, read October 16, 2026 (UTC).
Why play War Thunder in 2026?
One of the largest player-review bases GamiPrime tracks in this cluster, holding steady rather than swinging, is the strongest case here. Steam shows 71.2% positive across all 791,273 reviews (563,505 positive), labeled Mostly Positive, and 72.1% positive among the 328,350 reviews Steam classes as English (236,652 positive), also Mostly Positive. That matches the 788,539 reviews and the same 71.2% figure GamiPrime recorded in the pillar's October 4, 2026 reading, so the twelve-day gap added roughly 2,700 reviews without moving the rating. At 791,273 total reviews, this is one of the largest review bases of any Steam listing GamiPrime tracks in this cluster, behind only PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS' 2,748,495, and ahead of Warframe's 680,086 and Marvel Rivals' 420,198. Of the 200 most recent English reviews, spanning October 13 to October 15, 2026, 155 are positive (77.5%), running a few points above the English lifetime share. We do not have a cause for that gap, and this does not explain why reviewers feel the way they do. GamiPrime's separate War Thunder Steam reviews report, which splits reception by language, found that the groups reading Mixed hold only about 15% of all reviews checked. Not hands-on tested.
Does War Thunder cost anything?
Nothing to start. Steam lists War Thunder as free, with in-app purchases, the same "In-App Purchases" flag carried by every free title in this cluster. GamiPrime does not judge the cost or any effect on progression, because the listing alone cannot confirm either. Before you spend, the guide to how free-to-play PC games make money explains what an in-app-purchases flag generally tells you, and what it leaves out.
How to play War Thunder on PC
War Thunder is available on the official Steam page for Windows, Mac and Linux. The Windows minimum spec asks for a dual-core 2.2 GHz processor, 4 GB RAM, a DirectX 11-class card such as the AMD Radeon 77XX or Nvidia GeForce GTX 660, and 70 GB of storage; the recommended tier raises the processor and GPU and asks for 16 GB RAM, a fourfold jump rather than the doubling seen on most other tracked titles, with storage rising to 95 GB. The minimum tier also lists SteamVR support, with a keyboard or gamepad required. GamiPrime's War Thunder system requirements report also covers the separate Mac and Linux requirement blocks. To compare that with other tracked titles, see the free PC games system requirements comparison. GamiPrime has not benchmarked it; these are the store page's own figures.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you play War Thunder on Mac or Linux?
Yes. Its Steam listing covers Windows, Mac and Linux, one of only two titles GamiPrime tracks in this cluster with all three, alongside Albion Online.
How much RAM does War Thunder need?
4 GB at the Windows minimum and 16 GB at the recommended tier, a fourfold jump. Storage goes from 70 GB to 95 GB, per the Steam listing read October 16, 2026.
Does War Thunder support VR?
The Steam minimum tier lists SteamVR support, with a keyboard or gamepad required. GamiPrime has not tested it with a headset.
How long has War Thunder been on Steam?
Since August 15, 2013. Among the games GamiPrime tracks in this cluster, only Warframe has been on Steam longer.
What Games Should I Play If I Enjoy War Thunder?
If the appeal is a large, free-to-play title with a long-running Steam listing and a settled rating, GamiPrime's other tracked games below share one or more of those traits. See the best free-to-play PC games roundup for the full genre picture, or browse the picks below.
Sources
- War Thunder's official Steam listing (specs, platform and review totals), read October 16, 2026 (UTC).
Last verified: October 17, 2026.
