I've been playing this game for more than 10 years. It's not perfect, but it's solid. If you like military aviation, tanks or ships, this game is fantastic. You can play for free just fine, it's only gonna take longer to research stuff than if you pay for premium (there are 2 50% sales every year, one on Christmas and the other on war thunder's anniversary).

You can choose to play on different difficulties, arcade, for a light and easier experience, good for newbies, then there is realistic, which is the best and most fun mode once you understand how the basics of how game works, it has little hand-holding but it's not as hardcore as the next one, simulator, which well, full on simulator with barely any UI, friendly fire, etc.

You can make 4 player squads if you got friends to play, it's a really fun experience coordinating with someone else.

If anything give it a try, it's free!

Also don't obsess with reaching the end of the research trees and play modern era vehicles, WW2 vehicles are way more fun, take it slowly, get good low tier lineups, master the game and enjoy the ride, believe me I've just played more than 4000h, high tier sucks lol


--- May 2023 Backlash ---

Update: After massive outrage from the community because of the constant worsening of the game, Gaijin finally listened, and is almost done implementing a long list of very positive changes for the game. Among them... condensed research trees for faster research, better economy, and slightly separating WW2 tanks from post war era. As such I'm updating my review to positive.

How to anger your playerbase 101:

- Progressively make the economy of your game worse and worse over the years.
- Don't listen to player feedback, actively ignore them, remove posts and feedback you don't like, say you take on feedback and only add stuff like mechanical documentation from time to time to have an excuse and say you actually do something.
- Treat your players like idiots explaining them that review bombing is bad and that they should post the feedback you always ignore, right after they review bomb you because hurting your pocket is the only way to make you react and take on feedback.

Sooooo... here is my review. I'll change to positive when:

1. Research of new vehicles is faster, much faster.
2. Economy is not a pain in the butt where you can only make SL by paying premium. Either soften it up or completely remove SL, we don't need it.

I've been playing this game for more than 10 years. It's not perfect, but it's solid. If you like military aviation, tanks or ships, this game is fantastic. You can play for free just fine, it's only gonna take longer to research stuff than if you pay for premium (there are 2 50% sales every year, one on Christmas and the other on war thunder's anniversary). You can choose to play on different difficulties, arcade, for a light and easier experience, good for newbies, then there is realistic, which is the best and most fun mode once you understand how the basics of how game works, it has little hand-holding but it's not as hardcore as the next one, simulator, which well, full on simulator with barely any UI, friendly fire, etc. You can make 4 player squads if you got friends to play, it's a really fun experience coordinating with someone else. If anything give it a try, it's free! Also don't obsess with reaching the end of the research trees and play modern era vehicles, WW2 vehicles are way more fun, take it slowly, get good low tier lineups, master the game and enjoy the ride, believe me I've just played more than 4000h, high tier sucks lol --- May 2023 Backlash --- Update: After massive outrage from the community because of the constant worsening of the game, Gaijin finally listened, and is almost done implementing a long list of very positive changes for the game. Among them... condensed research trees for faster research, better economy, and slightly separating WW2 tanks from post war era. As such I'm updating my review to positive. How to anger your playerbase 101: - Progressively make the economy of your game worse and worse over the years. - Don't listen to player feedback, actively ignore them, remove posts and feedback you don't like, say you take on feedback and only add stuff like mechanical documentation from time to time to have an excuse and say you actually do something. - Treat your players like idiots explaining them that review bombing is bad and that they should post the feedback you always ignore, right after they review bomb you because hurting your pocket is the only way to make you react and take on feedback. Sooooo... here is my review. I'll change to positive when: 1. Research of new vehicles is faster, much faster. 2. Economy is not a pain in the butt where you can only make SL by paying premium. Either soften it up or completely remove SL, we don't need it.