Games That Let You Overthrow Governments in Real Time

Video games often provide players with the ultimate power fantasy of dismantling corrupt regimes and liberating oppressed populations. These titles task you with leading revolutions through strategic combat or chaotic open-world destruction. Players become the spark that ignites a fire against totalitarian dictatorships and military occupations. The following list highlights fifteen games where you can overthrow governments in real time.

‘Just Cause 3’ (2015)

Players control protagonist Rico Rodriguez as he returns to his fictional homeland of Medici to liberate it from a brutal dictator. Avalanche Studios developed this explosive action game while Square Enix handled the publishing duties. The gameplay focuses heavily on using a grappling hook and wingsuit to traverse the massive open world while destroying military infrastructure. You slowly dismantle the grip of General Di Ravello by liberating towns and outposts across the Mediterranean island setting.

‘Red Faction: Guerrilla’ (2009)

Volition and publisher THQ introduced incredible destruction physics that allow players to topple buildings on the planet Mars. You play as Alec Mason and join the Red Faction to overthrow the oppressive Earth Defense Force. The Geo-Mod 2.0 engine enables you to destroy almost every structure in the game to cripple the supply lines of the occupation. Liberating sectors requires completing guerrilla actions and lowering the control of the EDF until the population rises up.

‘Far Cry 6’ (2021)

This first-person shooter from Ubisoft Toronto transports players to the tropical Caribbean island of Yara. You assume the role of Dani Rojas and join the Libertad guerrilla group to fight against the regime of Antón Castillo. Ubisoft published this title that emphasizes crafting makeshift weapons and utilizing vehicles to combat a well-equipped military force. The narrative explores the complexities of revolution as you unite various factions to storm the capital city.

‘Half-Life 2’ (2004)

Valve created a masterpiece where physicist Gordon Freeman becomes the accidental symbol of resistance against the Combine empire. The story takes place in and around City 17 as humanity struggles under the thumb of an interdimensional police state. Players utilize the iconic Gravity Gun to manipulate the environment and fight alongside resistance members in huge street battles. The journey culminates in a direct assault on the Citadel to topple the puppet government of Dr. Breen.

‘Homefront: The Revolution’ (2016)

Dambuster Studios developed this open-world shooter set in a timeline where a unified Korea has occupied the United States. Deep Silver published the game which tasks players with building a resistance movement in the ruinous streets of Philadelphia. You must utilize guerrilla warfare tactics to ambush patrols and hack drones to turn the technology of the KPA against them. The Hearts and Minds system tracks your progress as acts of sabotage inspire civilians to join the fight in the streets.

‘Freedom Fighters’ (2003)

IO Interactive developed this squad-based shooter that became a cult classic for its simple yet effective command system. Electronic Arts published the title in which a plumber named Christopher Stone leads a resistance against a Soviet invasion of New York City. You start with a small group and eventually command large squads of rebels to capture strategic points throughout the city. The game captures the feeling of a growing grassroots movement as you reclaim landmarks and raise the American flag.

‘Dishonored’ (2012)

Arkane Studios and publisher Bethesda Softworks present a stealth action game set in the plague-ridden city of Dunwall. You play as Corvo Attano and seek revenge against those who framed you for the assassination of the Empress. Players can choose to dismantle the corrupt Lord Regent’s government through lethal force or non-lethal political sabotage. The Chaos system reacts to your violence level and determines the ultimate fate of the city and its leadership.

‘StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty’ (2010)

Blizzard Entertainment delivered a real-time strategy campaign focused on Jim Raynor and his rebel group Raynor’s Raiders. The story follows their efforts to overthrow the tyrannical Emperor Arcturus Mengsk and his Terran Dominion. Players manage resources and upgrade their army between missions aboard the Hyperion battlecruiser. The narrative weaves political intrigue with sci-fi warfare as you expose the crimes of the government to the public.

‘BioShock Infinite’ (2013)

Irrational Games and 2K takes players to the floating city of Columbia in this narrative-driven first-person shooter. Protagonist Booker DeWitt arrives to rescue a woman named Elizabeth but becomes entangled in a violent class war. You witness the rise of the Vox Populi as they violently overthrow the theocratic founders of the city. The game explores the chaotic and often brutal nature of exchanging one regime for another during a revolution.

‘The Saboteur’ (2009)

Pandemic Studios developed this unique open-world action-adventure game set in Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II. Electronic Arts published the title which uses a visual mechanic where liberated areas regain their color. You play as Irish race car driver Sean Devlin and work with the French Resistance to dismantle German operations. Sabotaging towers and assassinating generals helps inspire the citizens of Paris to fight back against their occupiers.

‘Watch Dogs: Legion’ (2020)

Ubisoft Toronto allows you to recruit any NPC in the game world to join the DedSec hacker collective in a dystopian London. Ubisoft published this title where the goal is to liberate the city from the control of a private military company called Albion. Each recruit brings unique skills that help you infiltrate secure facilities and expose the corruption of the surveillance state. You slowly dismantle the authoritarian grip on the city by liberating boroughs and turning the public against the oppressors.

‘Assassin’s Creed III’ (2012)

Ubisoft Montreal placed players in the middle of the American Revolution as the half-Mohawk assassin Connor Kenway. The game depicts the secret war between Assassins and Templars against the backdrop of the colonies fighting for independence from Britain. You participate in major historical battles and work to eliminate key Templar figures manipulating the British forces. The narrative highlights the complexities of freedom as you help the Patriots overthrow monarchical rule.

‘Wolfenstein: The New Order’ (2014)

MachineGames revitalized the franchise with this shooter set in an alternate 1960s where the Nazis won World War II. Bethesda Softworks published the game as players control B.J. Blazkowicz attempting to restart the resistance movement. You travel across Europe and even to the moon to assassinate high-ranking officials and cripple the regime’s advanced technology. The intense combat and story focus on breaking the iron grip the totalitarian government holds over the world.

‘Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction’ (2005)

Pandemic Studios and LucasArts created an open-world game set in a destabilized North Korea. You play as a mercenary tasked with capturing or eliminating the 52 members of the Deck of 52 representing the military leadership. Players can work for various factions while using massive airstrikes to level entire city blocks and military bases. The ultimate goal is to topple the regime of General Song to prevent a nuclear war.

‘inFAMOUS Second Son’ (2014)

Sucker Punch Productions developed this superhero action game exclusively for the PlayStation 4 with Sony Computer Entertainment. Delsin Rowe discovers his conduit powers and fights against the Department of Unified Protection in a locked-down Seattle. You must dismantle the DUP mobile command centers and expose the cruelty of its leader Augustine. The choices you make determine whether you liberate the city as a hero or crush the opposition as a tyrant.

Please tell us which revolution you enjoyed leading the most in the comments.