When people talk about major global conflicts, most attention usually goes to World War I and World War II. But one of the most interesting periods that has also inspired many video games is the Cold War. The Cold War refers to the long period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and its allies after WWII, lasting from 1947 to 1991.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
The third game in the Metal Gear Solid franchise takes place in 1964, where our protagonist Snake is sent on a mission to track down his former mentor, The Boss, who has defected to the Soviet Union. But the story isn’t that simple. It’s a dark and complex tale filled with Cold War politics, betrayal, and personal motives. Former allies become enemies, and many personal reasons lie behind the conflict. The Metal Gear series often focuses on Cold War themes, and many fans believe this third entry is the best in the series.
Call of Duty: Black Ops
When it comes to Cold War settings in the Call of Duty series, most players think of Cold War (2020). But the very first Black Ops game was also set during the Cold War and even featured real political figures like John F. Kennedy. Some characters in Cold War made cameo appearances that are better understood if you’ve played the earlier titles. The original Call of Duty: Black Ops received a lot of attention when it was released and remains one of the most popular games in the franchise.
Cold War
Cold War is a stealth-action game released in 2005, similar in style to Splinter Cell. The story takes place in 1986, where a journalist finds himself caught in a global conspiracy to take over the Soviet Union. Now he must pick up a gun and use homemade gadgets to stop the plot. The game also offers multiple endings depending on how you play the story.
Phantom Doctrine
Phantom Doctrine is a turn-based strategy game inspired by classic spy movies and conspiracy theories. Released in 2018 by Shepherd Entertainment, the game is set in 1983 during an alternate version of the Cold War. In this world, mind control has become a major threat, and secret organizations are manipulating global events. The gameplay is focused on tactical missions and strategic planning.
DEFCON (2006)
DEFCON is a real-time strategy (RTS) game that focuses on the theme of global nuclear war. The goal is to wipe out as much of the enemy population as possible, while protecting your own. Players can use different nuclear weapons and conventional arms to create what the game calls Megadeath—killing one million people in a single nuclear strike. The player with the most points at the end wins, but you also need to defend yourself from enemy attacks to avoid losing points.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
This installment is a direct sequel to the original Bad Company and received strong praise from critics at launch. The story is set in a near-future conflict between the United States and Russia, and you play as Preston Marlowe, a member of the Bad Company squad. Both the single-player campaign and multiplayer mode were well received, offering intense combat and vehicle warfare.
This War of Mine Stories: The Last Broadcast
The Last Broadcast is the second story-based DLC for the game This War of Mine. It features a new story, new gameplay mechanics, new playable civilians, and multiple possible endings. As a soldier, your main job is to protect and lead civilians, helping them survive under constant threat. Like other titles in the series, players must manage a shelter, ration food, and find safe places to survive.
The Fidelio Incident
The Fidelio Incident is a first-person adventure game set in Iceland during the 1980s. You play as Stanley, a man trying to find his wife Leonore after a plane crash. He communicates with her through a broken radio while trying to survive in the harsh, frozen wilderness. The story is linear, but features challenging puzzles that make the journey more intense and engaging.
