What are the popular video games in Russia, 2021?
Russia is a big “game country”, and many players like Russian-developed games very much. So, in 2021, what are the most popular PC games in Russia? Let’s take a look, which includes games of various genres from developers from the post-Soviet space.
“TETRIS”
A puzzle based on the principle of a jigsaw puzzle from the Soviet developer Alexei Pazhitnov, in which you need to correctly add various geometric shapes. Despite its simplicity, the game was able to gain popularity around the world (especially on various portable gaming platforms) and is currently one of the most recognizable video games in world culture.
SERIES S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
A series of shooters from GSC Game World, the idea for the creation of which was the fantasy novel by the Strugatsky brothers “Roadside Picnic”. At the same time, such a sad event as the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and the “Exclusion Zone” formed after that found its artistic reflection in the game. All this was supplemented by numerous original ideas from the developers themselves, which ultimately made the games of the Stalker series one of the best in the post-Soviet space.
BEHOLDER
A simulator of a residential building manager who spies on residents. The action takes place in a kind of dystopian state, where total surveillance and oppression of primary civil liberties have become commonplace.
At the same time, the Beholder gameplay provides for a variety of means and methods of espionage: peeping through keyholes, listening to phones, installing hidden video cameras, and much more. How to dispose of the information received is also decided by the player himself, and the decisions made will affect the further gameplay and the ending of the game.
SERIES METRO
A series of post-apocalyptic shooters from 4A Games, which take place in the Moscow metro and the surrounding area on the surface. Along with the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games, the Metro franchise is the most recognizable among Russian games. It is noteworthy that, as in the case of “Stalker”, the basis for these games was a literary source — the story of the popular Russian science fiction writer Dmitry Glukhovsky.
RANGE RANGE SERIES
A series of computer games from the Russian studio SoftLab-NSK, which combine elements of a car simulator and an economic strategy in their gameplay. Despite such a specific genre, games from the “Truckers” series (called Rig n Roll in the English version) were able to gain recognition, including in the western video game market, becoming on a par with such famous heavy truck driver simulators as Euro Truck Simulator and American Truck Simulator.
SERIES COSSACKS (“COSSACKS”)
A series of historical real-time strategy games from GSC Game World, the main features of which are a reliable historical setting, an incredibly large selection of units, and large-scale battles with the simultaneous participation of tens of thousands of combat units! In addition to campaigns and single-player missions, this series of RTS supports network mode and custom modifications.
KING’S BOUNTY SERIES
Another famous series of strategy games, but this time in the TBS genre. In 2008, the King’s Bounty series was relaunched by the Russian studio Katauri Interactive, which released a game with the subtitle “The Legend of the Knight”. It was she who gave this line of great turn-based strategy games with a fantasy setting the look that most modern gamers know her. At the moment, King’s Bounty includes a large number of games (including those for mobile platforms) and add-ons.
SERIES “PETKA AND VASILY IVANOVICH”
A series of quests about the adventures of two Red Army soldiers who have become perhaps the most popular characters in Russian jokes. The series has been produced by Buka since 1998, and at the moment includes a dozen games, the gameplay of which is based on point-and-click mechanics, and the plot contains a fair amount of native Russian humor. It is also important to note that the first five parts of the series had hand-drawn graphics, and already subsequent games gradually switched to full 3D while trying to maintain their corporate, slightly absurd, and eccentric visual style.
SERIES “CORSARS”
Role-playing computer games dedicated to the adventures of pirates and corsairs of the 18th century. The developer and publisher of Corsairs (known in the West as Sea Dogs) are Akella. The series includes many single-player games and major custom modifications (officially recognized by the publisher as part of the series). Also tacitly it includes a pirate MMO called Pirates of the Burning Sea since it was published in Russia by the same Akella, which localized the game called Corsairs Online.
SPACE RANGERS SERIES
Perhaps the best series of sci-fi games in the Russian language, the developers of which managed to create an amazing universe with many star systems and planets, military and scientific stations, as well as space races living here.
The basis of the gameplay of “Space Rangers” is a journey through two-dimensional space, during which the player has access to various combat and research quests, as well as the ability to trade, rob, hire security, and other actions. All this brings the game closer to the genre of arcade space simulator. At the same time, exciting text quests await players on the planets, and in the second part of the series, there is also a full-fledged RTS element.
SERIES “IL-2 SHTURMOVIK”
A series of military flight simulators, the developers of which paid great attention to the technical and historical accuracy of the models presented, as well as the gameplay in general. The action of the series takes place during the Second World War. In addition to the main scenarios for the Il-2 Sturmovik games, a large number of DLCs are available, which open access to new campaigns and aircraft.
SERIES “BLITZKRIEG”
A series of real-time military strategy games based on the Second World War, allowing you to take part in large-scale campaigns for all sides of the conflict. An important feature of the series is the desire of the developers for maximum realism and complete historical accuracy.
This concerns all the elements of the Blitzkrieg gameplay, from the largest battles presented here and ending with the uniforms and weapons of the fighters. The number of units available here is also impressive — more than three hundred types of armored vehicles, aviation, and manpower.
ALIEN SHOOTER SERIES
Isometric shooters (as well as a tower defense project — Alien Shooter TD), where players have to use an impressive arsenal of weapons to fight hordes of alien monsters. No side quests distracting from the main business, no plot branches (there is no plot as such), just an endless stream of xenomorphs, gloomy corridor locations, and gallons of blood.
EX MACHINA SERIES
Ex Machina — aka Hard Truck Apocalypse — is a series of post-apocalyptic car simulators, which take place in a destroyed world, very reminiscent of the radioactive wastelands of Fallout.
Players will find a large selection of combat vehicles and parts for their improvement, a variety of weapons, many quests, and RPG-specific elements (NPCs with tasks and merchants, unique characteristics of cars, branched dialogues, non-linearity in the development of the plot, and so on).
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE SERIES
A series of car simulators from the Russian studio Avalon Style Entertainment. According to the developers, “Four-wheel drive” is a one-of-a-kind off-road driving simulator, the tracks which are represented by impassable places that actually exist on the world map.
SUDDEN STRIKE SERIES
Another strategy series on our list, entirely dedicated to the theme of World War II. Sudden Strike games are entirely focused on combat, ignoring the basic gameplay elements of most RTS games such as building a base and gathering resources.
Another feature of the series is a high degree of realism achieved due to the interactivity of the environment, unique combat and technical characteristics of the equipment presented here, believable ballistics, and physics of damage. Finally, this is one of the rare series that provides players with a huge selection of tactical options, while not undermining the principle of realism and without violating the historical facts.
SILENT STORM
A tactical strategy from the Russian studio Nival, which takes place during the Second World War. At the same time, Silent Storm contains elements of fantasy, and its plot does not correspond to the real course of the war. The player can independently assemble a squad of six fighters, using for this several dozen characters divided into classes and a huge arsenal of weapons.
There is also an RPG element here, allowing you to pump the characteristics of fighters at your own discretion and pass missions in non-linear ways.
HEROES OF MIGHT AND MAGIC V
The fifth part of the famous turn-based strategy developed by the studio Nival, which has been mentioned more than once in our top of the best domestic games. The fifth part takes place in a fantasy world that is not directly related to the previous games in the franchise.
Nevertheless, in Heroes of Might and Magic V, players will have a traditionally large selection of factions with many unusual creatures, a powerful magic system consisting of various spells and artifacts, as well as an important RPG element, represented by unique heroes with pumped characteristics and certain skills. … Also, the fifth part of “Heroes” was the first game in the series to use three-dimensional graphics.
DISCIPLES III: RENAISSANCE
Turn-based strategy with RPG elements, which takes place in a dark fantasy setting, in a world called Nevendaar, inhabited by many races constantly fighting with each other.
In Disciples III: Renaissance, players will find three factions (plus the undead faction from the Resurrection add-on, which can be downloaded from the link below), about two hundred units, a hundred spells, a couple of dozen frightening bosses, an exciting combat system with flexible tactical capabilities and, of course, the same, the unique gothic atmosphere of the world of Nevendaar.
SERIES “EADOR”
A series of very unusual strategy games, the gameplay of which is based on the close relationship of global strategy, RPG, and TBS. The player, in the role of a demiurge, travels around the Astral world with his devoted army and collects the fragments in order to attach them to his world afterward. At the same time, the fragments are guarded by a variety of enemies, and on the way of the hero every now and then there are other demigods of the same kind who want to attach the fragments to their own worlds.
MAGIC OF BLOOD
A wonderful RPG from the Russian developers Skyfallen Entertainment, the main emphasis in which is placed on a deep magic system, which includes almost two dozen different schools, as well as on a classless character system. In addition, the magic system in Blood Magic allows you to combine spells with each other, thereby allowing you to create countless new spells.
ANABIOSIS: A DREAM OF MIND
Survival horror from Action Forms studio, dedicated to the adventures of meteorological scientist Alexander Nesterov, who found himself on board the ship “North Wind” frozen in the Antarctic ice, whose crew turned into frosty monsters who lost their mind and human appearance along with the warmth. “Anabiosis” amazes with the size of the ship available for research, unique atmosphere, and storyline presented in the form of flashbacks and ship records.
MOR. UTOPIA
The cult psychological quest (some refer to it as horror) from the Russian studio Ice-Pick Lodge, which takes place in a city covered by a strange epidemic, the atmosphere of which is saturated with surrealism and a kind of “theatricality”.
In this case, the gameplay in “Mor. Utopia “is non-linear, implies several options for endings, and contains elements of action, RPG, and survival. The original game was released in 2005, and in 2015 it was re-released under the name Pathologic Classic HD. And in 2019, Pathologic 2 was released.
UNDERGROUND SANITIZERS
A tactical RPG from the 1C company, created with the participation of the notorious Dmitry Puchkov, immediately gives a certain idea of this game (at least about its plot).
The action of “Dungeon orderlies” takes place on a planet turned into a global prison, where the most dangerous criminals are serving life sentences. The player, controlling a detachment of soldiers of the reconnaissance group, must thoroughly explore the planet and find on it a ship secretly built by convicts, on which they want to escape.
KNOCK-KNOCK
2D hand-drawn horror game with an unusual atmosphere and mechanics, the main task in which is to hold out until dawn. To do this, it is necessary to constantly move around the house and restore light sources that are dying out for unknown reasons, as well as interact with various objects that allow you to “speed up” time or take cover at the moment of danger.
TIMESHIFT
Fantastic shooter from Saber Interactive, immersing players in a dark world, enslaved by the insidious villain Aiden Kron, who managed to return to the past and change it in his favor. It is with him that the player will have to fight over 24 missions, using for this not only futuristic types of weapons and vehicles but also the capabilities of his chronosuit, allowing you to slow down, stop and even reverse time itself.
X-BLADES & BLADES OF TIME
An anime-style slasher where the player will have to control a charming heroine named Ayumi, who is a professional treasure hunter. The combat system of X-Blades (and its continuation Blades of Time) is based on the use of melee weapons and firearms, as well as on the use of the main character’s magical abilities. There are also RPG elements here, allowing you to unlock new attacks and magical techniques.
COLLAPSE
Post-apocalyptic third-person action game, the gameplay of which combines elements of a shooter and a slasher. The action takes place in Kiev and the surrounding area, which after a man-made disaster turned into an uninhabitable zone inhabited by mutants and marauders, and separated from the rest of the world by huge concrete walls with machine-gun nests.
REDEEMER
Beat’em up from Sobaka Studio with very violent, meaty, and bloody gameplay. You will play as an expert in hand-to-hand combat Vasily, who worked for a very bad corporation for a long time, but after retiring. The employers, however, did not want to just let Vasily go to rest, for which they soon paid. The game features very intense gameplay in which hand-to-hand combat is combined with the use of weapons and an interactive environment.
THE WILD EIGHT
A game about survival in harsh, snowy Alaska, the gameplay of which contains all the attributes that are required for the genre of survival. It is worth noting that the game has an isometric view and specific graphics, and also supports a cooperative mode.
THIS IS THE POLICE
This Is the Police tells the story of an elderly police chief with 180 days to retire. He decides to spend this time with benefit, and earn extra money for a carefree old age. Of course, not forgetting about your direct duties as a boss, and even better — combining these two activities. It is the player who decides how to make money in the allotted time and, in general, how to uphold law and order in the city.
Although it is possible, and vice versa, to go all bad and start cooperating with the mafia, turn a blind eye to the affairs of drug dealers, and so on. The gameplay of This Is the Police is a police department manager, periodically diluted with text quests and dialogues.
ATOM RPG
A post-apocalyptic adventure inspired by the iconic Fallout, Wasteland, Baldur’s Gate, and other CRPGs. Players will experience a journey through the post-nuclear world with Soviet flavor and black humor. Turn-based battles against overgrown spiders and the ability to solve problems in various ways are included.
PATHFINDER: KINGMAKER
Another CRPG from domestic developers, this time a fantasy one. A board game at the heart of the universe, classic party gameplay, and the ability to build your own settlement — even with bugs (quickly fixed by the developers), Pathfinder: Kingmaker has won recognition from fans of the genre and received many positive reviews.
EVERLASTING SUMMER
A free visual novel that gamers love for its lighthearted 80s atmosphere and branching storyline with multiple endings. Well, and cute anime girls, of course.
BREATHEDGE
A fun survival simulator dedicated to a simple guy trying to survive in outer space after a disaster. Routine gameplay is diluted with funny jokes, and the crafting system allows you to create anything from a nutritional bag to a space station.
SIN SLAYERS
A dark fantasy roguelike RPG in which you lead your squad through a dark world full of dangerous creatures. Turn-based battles, leveling heroes, and challenging puzzles await you, and a curious system of sinfulness will make you think twice before desecrating another grave with loot.
THE GREAT PERHAPS
A platformer with elements of a quest, which tells about the journey of an astronaut who returned to the empty Earth after the cataclysm. The game uses a time travel mechanic with associated puzzles, and the plot prompts philosophical reflections.
THE SINKING CITY
Action-adventure from the creators of the Sherlock Holmes series. This time, the famous detective was out of work, but there are investigations in the game: the main character will have to deal with the devilry that is happening in the half-flooded city of Oakmont.
IRATUS: LORD OF THE DEAD
An entertaining strategy, the plot of which turns the clichés of fantasy works inside out: the main role here is a necromancer villain who wants to get out of the dungeon where he was imprisoned for a thousand years, gather an army of the dead, and bring chaos to the world of the living.
ENCASED
Fantastic post-apocalyptic RPG that invites you to explore territories under a mysterious Dome, cut off from the rest of the world. Several factions, the influence of decisions on the fate of the world, turn-based battles — the game pays tribute to the cult CRPG and tells a gripping story.
PARTISANS 1941
Historical tactical strategy that tells about the events of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War: you will take control of a detachment of partisans and confront the enemy who occupied your homeland.
9 MONKEYS OF SHAOLIN
9 Monkeys of Shaolin is another game from Sobaka Studio. Everything is in the same beat’em up genre — the developers do not hide that they have a special passion for it.
The colors are much brighter here, and the blood is much less than in Redeemer. You play as the Chinese fisherman Wei Chen, whose home village is attacked by pirates. It would be fine, they just robbed — but they also cut out a good half of the inhabitants, which included the relatives and friends of the hero. But he is not an easy fisherman — armed with melee weapons and remembering martial arts, Wei sets out to take revenge.
And although the game received mixed reviews at the start (mainly due to bugs), it has an interesting setting, funny fights, and, most importantly, cooperative modes.
ESCAPE FROM TARKOV
Welcome to the Russia 2028 universe, which you may know about if you’ve played Contract Wars. If not, then this is a dystopian world in which political leaders wage endless wars.
Escape from Tarkov is a multiplayer online shooter with RPG elements — you have to survive in the besieged city of Tarkov, which will be so familiar to Russian players. The gameplay can be described as a mixture of S.T.A.L.K.E.R., DayZ, and the ArmA series. The plot is divided into scenarios, but no one bothers to simply explore the picturesque world around. Escape from Tarkov Roubles is an important game currency in this game.
SPINTIRES: MUD RUNNER
Spintires: MudRunner is a car simulator from the notorious guys from Saber Interactive. The game will test how skillfully you can overcome impassable terrain while driving one of 19 off-road vehicles. Mud, swamps, and holes will become your main enemies.
The game boasts a huge sandbox world and, most importantly, advanced physics. It is because of her that you will get stuck wherever you like, and the dirt on the wheels ceases to be just a decorative detail. You can play alone, but if you have friends who are not averse to sharing virtual joys, feel free to invite them to cooperative mode.
SHD: WINTER
If depression eats you up, life in Russia resembles Groundhog Day, and bright colors have long lost their colors, then we do not recommend you to play SHHD: WINTER. This is a simple indie game created by two people, which has no gameplay — you just wake up in a Khrushchev in Russia and live day after day, procrastinating and watching the snowy, dull weather outside the window.
Nothing happens here — but Russian gamers will cry a mean tear (from grief or joy), because many of them, for sure, have lived and are living such a life. Yes, you won’t stay here for long, but at least it’s worth playing because of the great idea.
ATOMIC HEART
An ambitious shooter about an alternative USSR, where the main character will have to fight rebellious robots in various locations. The unique Soviet flavor and mothers are attached.
