The Cold War was a very tense period in modern history, during which the United States and the Soviet Union were involved in politics of flexing muscles, threatening world peace by funding various proxy wars and participating in a series of informal technological races to prove to the world who’s the strongest superpower.
Considering that both sides had access to enormous supplies of nuclear weapons, people were genuinely concerned about a potential nuclear war that could’ve led to wiping out the entire human civilization.
| Game | Release | Genre | Developer | Video | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater | 2023-10-24 | Tactical & Shooter | Konami Computer Entertainment Japan | |
 | Phantom Doctrine | 2018-08-14 | Adventure & Tactical | CreativeForge Games | |
 | Tropico 5 | 2014-05-23 | Simulator & Role-playing (RPG) | Haemimont Games | |
 | Twilight Struggle | 2016-04-13 | Simulator & Strategy | Playdek, Inc. | |
 | Wargame European Escalation | 2012-02-22 | Simulator & Tactical | Eugen Systems | |
 | Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War | 2023-03-08 | Shooter | Treyarch | |
 | Call of Duty: Black Ops | 2010-11-08 | Action & Shooter | Treyarch | |
 | Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater | 2025-08-28 | Tactical & Shooter | Konami |
As terrifying as it may sound, it’s a very potent choice for a setting in movies, books, and other works, so it’s only natural that game developers often explore this theme and build their games around it.
So, let’s take a look at some of the best video games set during the Cold War.
Call of Duty: Black Ops
| Release date: | 2010-11-08 |
| Genre: | Shooter |
| Developer: | Treyarch |
Playing the role of an SOG and CIA agent tasked with carrying out special missions behind enemy lines fits the theme perfectly.
In CoD: Black Ops you’ll be able to directly support the US by sabotaging operations backed by the USSR.
Even though, judging by the tile, the game may appear to be stealth-focused, don’t be fooled; it’s packed with action and encourages a more direct approach, resulting in more dynamic gameplay.
| You may like it because |
|---|
|
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
| Release date: | 2023-10-24 |
| Genre: | Shooter & Tactical & Adventure |
| Developer: | Konami Computer Entertainment Japan |
MGS 3 is considered by some the greatest video game of all time and it’s not without a reason.
If you’re looking for espionage games or games where remaining undetected while carrying out the task is a number one priority, you should give this one a try. Set in a Soviet jungle, MGS 3 provides players with a story that could be considered absolute cinema. You’ll have a good laugh, too.
| You may like it because |
|---|
|
Phantom Doctrine
| Release date: | 2018-08-14 |
| Genre: | Role-playing (RPG) & Simulator & Strategy & Turn-based strategy (TBS) & Tactical & Adventure |
| Developer: | CreativeForge Games |
On a more strategic side of spy film-inspired Cold War games, we’ve got a cool, turn-based one.
In Phantom Doctrine you’ll have quite an important mission to accomplish, as you’ll be trying to save the world by sabotaging a huge conspiracy initiative. Build and upgrade your headquarters, hire and train new agents, and participate in a series of difficult missions to thwart the plans of a secret organization that plans to take over the world.
| You may like it because |
|---|
|
Tropico 5
| Release date: | 2014-05-23 |
| Genre: | Role-playing (RPG) & Simulator & Strategy |
| Developer: | Haemimont Games |
Usually, Cold War games focus on showing the conflict from the perspective of the US side. As such, the Tropico franchise may be considered a breath of fresh air in that regard.
Tropico 5 is a management game that gives you a unique opportunity to become a dictator and rule a remote island nation. Maintain your dynasty, research new technologies, explore the surroundings, send the army to stop the rebels, and meet the needs and expectations of the inhabitants to build a prosperous city.
| You may like it because |
|---|
|
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
| Release date: | 2023-03-08 |
| Genre: | Shooter |
| Developer: | Treyarch |
Even though we already mentioned Black Ops, there’s one more Call of Duty game that perfectly fits the list.
Black Ops Cold War is a direct sequel to CoD: BO and will take you to a believable setting in the 1980s, featuring real historical figures, such as the U.S. President, Ronald Reagan. The game expands on the idea of Perseus – a code name given to hypothetical Soviet spies who were involved in the Manhattan Project.
| You may like it because |
|---|
|
Twilight Struggle
| Release date: | 2016-04-13 |
| Genre: | Simulator & Strategy |
| Developer: | Playdek, Inc. |
Based on a board game of the same name, Twilight Struggle can be played on a PC as well.
Twilight Struggle is a strategy game where the USSR and the US are fighting for dominance and influence. Use your cards to alter the level of influence in countries across the board and avoid triggering a nuclear apocalypse.
| You may like it because |
|---|
|
Wargame: European Escalation
| Release date: | 2012-02-22 |
| Genre: | Real Time Strategy (RTS) & Simulator & Strategy & Tactical & Indie |
| Developer: | Eugen Systems |
Finally, a strategy where you’ll be able to control your army and issue orders in real time.
The situation on the battlefield in European Escalation can change in an instant, which requires players to be on their toes at all times and pay close attention to enemy movement. Being able to adapt to different scenarios on the fly and employ appropriate tactics to counter hostile actions is the key to victory here.
| You may like it because |
|---|
|
Conclusion
The Cold War was a stressful period marked by anxiety and fear, where one wrong move could’ve led to an absolute nuclear disaster. Because of that, it’s also considered to be highly valuable as a source of inspiration, as it allowed countless artists to create works based on it.
For your convenience, we’ve selected several historical and spy games that are set in the Cold War era and, in our opinion, are worth playing. Have you tried them all yet?