War Thunder is a popular free-to-play combat game available on multiple platforms, including Epic Games. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about playing War Thunder for free on PC via Epic.
Overview of War Thunder
War Thunder is an online multiplayer military game focused on vehicular combat. Players can control aviation, armored vehicles, and naval vessels from different nations and time periods. The game covers the early 20th century up to modern combat units.
Game modes range from realistic battles with flight/physics simulation to more arcade-style fast action. There are major battles across air, land, and sea. Players progress by unlocking new better vehicles and weapon upgrades.
War Thunder has support for virtual reality (VR) headsets, allowing an even more immersive experience from inside historic cockpits. The game also features cross-platform play, so PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and mobile gamers can squad up together.
Is War Thunder Completely Free to Play?
Yes, War Thunder is 100% free-to-play across all platforms. There is no upfront cost to download and start playing. Players have access to all nations and vehicle types without any restrictions.
The only limitation is that non-paying users will progress slower when unlocking new content. Premium bonus vehicles are also locked behind purchases. But with enough time invested, everything can be obtained for free.
How to Get War Thunder on Epic Games Store
War Thunder is available on PC via the Epic Games Store. Follow these steps to download and install the game for free:
Go to the War Thunder page on the Epic Games Store website.
Click the "Get" button to add the game to your Epic library.
Open the Epic Games Launcher app and go to your Library. Locate War Thunder and click Install.
Once installed, launch War Thunder through the Epic Launcher.
The game will now download additional files upon first opening. Wait for this process to complete.
When ready, click Play to start War Thunder and dive into battle!
The full War Thunder download size is around 22GB. So make sure you have enough free disk space before installing. An internet connection is also required since it‘s an online multiplayer game.
What to Expect as a New Free Player
As a new player starting out for free, the main thing to expect is a slower grind when unlocking new aircraft, tanks, ships, and upgrades. Premium paid content will give other players an advantage.
However, War Thunder is very much playable without ever spending money. Here are some tips:
Focus on learning flight/drive mechanics rather than rushing through the tech trees.
Pay attention to tutorials and tips given in the game.
Start with Arcade Battles to get the hang of controls and aiming.
Work your way up the ranks slowly and steadily.
Get very familiar with a few vehicles first before expanding your options.
Use scout planes or light tanks for quick mobility and flag capturing.
Enable instructor controls for assisted maneuvering and shooting.
Play support roles like bombing ground targets and avoiding direct combat.
With experience over time, you‘ll improve your skills and unlock better vehicles. Eventually, you can compete even as a non-paying free player. Teamwork is also key, so find some squadmates.
Is There Any Risk of Bans or Other Penalties?
Playing War Thunder free and normally within the rules carries no risk of penalties. However, players should be aware of the following:
Cheating or exploiting bugs/glitches can result in account bans. This includes using unauthorized mods, aimbots, damage hacks, and other unfair advantages.
Buying, selling, trading, or sharing accounts is prohibited. Gaijin Entertainment owns all accounts, so transactions outside the game are not allowed.
Abusive chat and inappropriate behavior will get you muted or banned. Harassment of other players goes against community rules.
As long as you play fair and follow the rules, there is nothing to worry about. War Thunder offers a fun and safe gaming environment for all ages.
What Age Rating is War Thunder Suitable For?
War Thunder has received a PEGI 12 rating from the Pan European Game Information organization. This signifies that the game is suitable for ages 12 and up.
The rating was primarily issued for infrequent scenes of mild violence associated with warfare. There is no graphic blood/gore or dismemberment shown.
Younger children from ages 8-12 can potentially play under parent supervision and discretion. But the game is targeted for teenagers and up. The online multiplayer nature means interacting with older players.
So parents should keep the PEGI 12 rating in mind. Overall, War Thunder provides responsible historic military gaming suitable for most teens.
Verdict – Well Worth Playing for Free
In summary, War Thunder offers an impressive platform for free vehicular combat seldom matched by competitor games. The scale, variety of modes, and realistic physics make this a top choice in the genre.
New players have full unrestricted access to all basic content, nations, vehicle types, and core gameplay. Patience is required to progress far into the late game for free, but it‘s ultimately very feasible.
Downloading and getting started on PC through the Epic Games Store is quick and easy. Just be aware that grinding to unlock new toys comes slower without spending money. But with practice and teamwork, free players can still succeed and have a blast.
For a free-to-play game, War Thunder has incredible depth and quality. If you love military aviation, ground forces, or naval warfare, it‘s definitely worth adding to your library.
