Mildly troubled by the fact that your Steam library doesn’t contain games beginning with all 26 letters of the alphabet? The following list of top-notch time-killers is designed to help completists fill gaps wisely. In its original form THC’s Steam Alphabet only reflects the preferences of two people: me and Roman. However, with your help it could morph into something broader over coming weeks.
None of the 26 corkers recommended below are guaranteed a permanent place in this list. If, for example, you feel Armored Brigade II deserves the ‘A’ spot more than Armoured Commander II, you have the power to change things via a comment.
Assuming your replacement proposal – which, ideally, will come with a sentence or two of persuasive prose – garners at least two unopposed* “I second this” replies from other Cornerites , I’ll execute the switch ASAP.
* An “I unsecond this” reply is also possible. Such a comment negates one supportive reply.
Only games currently available through Steam are eligible for the list, and, to ensure things don’t get too chaotic, I’m going to stipulate a maximum of one proposal per person per week. Obviously, seconding or unseconding other proposals multiple times is verboten.
Armoured Commander II
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
This cheap (£1.85 at present!) lo-fi tank sim offers numerous WW2 mounts and fronts, and models facets of tank warfare even the likes of Panzer Elite and Steel Fury overlook.
Burden of Command
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
Right now the closest thing PC gamers have to a Richard Winters simulator, the fearless and fresh BoC refuses to sanitise or glorify war.
Combat Mission: Fortress Italy
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
That low growling you can hear isn’t a Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. E with gearbox trouble, it’s all the Close Combats and other CMs grumbling about being cold-shouldered.
Diesel Railcar Simulator
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
A time machine for those of us who grew up in Blighty in the days when trains were blue and predominantly British-made. More cosmopolitan train sims are available, but none of them, I’d argue, have quite DRS’s vitality or charm.
Euro Truck Simulator 2
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
Moreish and mesmerising, ETS2 reversed into this slot as if it owned it. Unless there’s a sizeable cabal of European Air War, Empires of the Undergrowth, or eSail fans out there, a change of occupancy seems unlikely.
Field of Glory II: Medieval
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
If I’m in the mood to orchestrate a pitched battle, more often than not I reach for a game made by Byzantine Games. The simple-yet-effective manner in which hex-shunning titles like FoG2M handle fear and impetuosity is particularly pleasing.
Gunner, HEAT, PC!
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
It will be interesting to see whether my 2023 GOTY is still here, this time next week. Radian’s work-in-progress has the misfortune of sharing a first letter with a wargame from Ukraine that many grogs hold in very high esteem.
Hidden & Dangerous 2: Courage Under Fire
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
The only FPS present in the list at the outset, tense, atmospheric H&D2 encourages stealthy slaying but doesn’t insist on it.
Il-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
I argued IL-2: Sturmovik 1946 should go here. Roman felt IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover was more deserving. In the end we reached a grumpy compromise.
Jagged Alliance 1
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
While I couldn’t quite bring myself to award the ‘S’ slot to Silent Storm (see on), arguing one of the Jagged Alliances shouldn’t get ‘J’ would be perverse indeed.
Kerbal Space Program
proposer: Roman
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
While, these days, I’m far too lazy to design/build my own sim vehicles, my pal Roman isn’t averse to Wernher von Braun-ing and R J Mitchell-ing on occasion, hence the appearance of this accalimed aerodynamic sandbox in the list.
Liftoff
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
The prettiest drone sim in the world? No. The most realistic? Quite possibly.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
Its hard to imagine this globe-girdling behemoth ever losing its place, but stranger things have happened.
Nuclear Option
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
Of the slew of recent ‘simcade’ flight games, this is the one I find myself playing most often. Lively unscripted battlespaces, varied steeds, and plausible FMs are a big part of the draw.
OMSI 2
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
This game and its predecessor single-handedly turned me into a bus enthusiast. Few sims employ sound effects to better effect.
The Procession to Cavalry
proposer: Roman
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
My Chief Foxer Setter threatened to quit if the list didn’t include at least one of Joe Richardson’s irreverent rib-ticklers.
Qvadriga
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
Choosing a favourite from Steam’s short shelf of Q games isn’t hard. This board-game inspired TBT generates excitement, tension, and anecdotes with ease.
Rush Rally 3
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
Miraculously, the £12 RR3 paints its pretty pictures and weaves its mesmerising spell using just 364 megabytes of code and assets.
Silent Hunter III
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
This list would have felt odd sans a sub sim. As C was already spoken for, the obvious choice was SH3 or SH4.
The Troop
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
Judging by the results of The Top 50 Wargames vote, Giant Flame’s fine debut probably won’t occupy this slot for very long.
Unity of Command 2
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
The mighty UoC2 is digging-in in readiness for assaults by UBOAT and Ultimate General: Civil War. Can it withstand the onslaught?
Vietnam ’65
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
I reckon none of Every Single Soldier’s COIN games are quite as playable as this one, and none abstract and evoke as deftly.
Wars Across The World
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
Its AI might not be stellar, but no wargame has introduced me to as many interesting and obscure conflicts and campaigns as the relatively cheap and approachable WatW.
Xenoform
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
This improbably entertaining homage to Zarch/Virus will, I suspect, eventually get supplanted by a much more famous sci-fi game, but until that moment comes, it gets to hover here unsteadily.
Yoomurjak’s Ring
proposer: Roman
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
An endearingly quirky point-and-click adventure that may leave you hungering for a Hungarian city break.
Zaccaria Pinball
proposer: Tim
entered list: 02/05/25
Steam link
Great physics, loads of customisability, and some deliciously dated tables are three of the main reasons Zaccaria has a permanent place on the THC rig.
Several I wouldn’t have picked in the list, but all are credible entries. I look forward to seeing how fellow commenters shape the future list.
Rather than propose any changes, could I fill a gap? Games beginning with 0-9.
112 Operator is a ‘concurrent urgent tasks’ stress causing sim that’s delightfully realised, lets you use real life maps as a play area and gave me a new appreciation for why my local fire station had to close.
I do like how Tim has taken a theme and run with it. Something that the more frequent post format allows.
War Across the World is working on a scenario to cover World War II in the European Theater and another on the First Balkan War of 1912-1913.
I’ll play. Armored Brigade II deserves the ‘A’ spot more than Armoured Commander II! 🙂
I’ll play. My (self-imposed) rule is that I must have played both the game from the Tim/Roman list and my proposed successor.
So, first up is Flashpoint Campaigns for Field of Glory. Both are great games, but I am a sucker for the former’s asymmetric WEGO system.
I’d also swap out MSFS for Manor Lords, mainly because I’ve found the flight sim to be painful to link to my peripherals and not all that simmy when I actually do get it going. ML I found to be an intriguing fusion of logistics puzzle and creativity. It also looks better than MSFS.
I’ve implored Tim to look at Manor Lords… not enough old trains featured, I guess!
I think the rule that you should play it is a good rule. This is making me consider picking up Wars Across the World (which looks very interesting) so I can propose War of the Chosen for W.
Should Tabletop Simulator be in there?
How about Ultimate General Civil War?
I propose to replace Rush Rally 3 with Return of the Obra Dinn.
As this is a THC list there must be some foxing or sleuthing included.
Few games i’ve played have transported me back in time while simultaneously breaking new ground. RoOD does both, and is so well executed it’s hard to believe it is the work of just one person. Every aspect of this game is spot-on. From visual style (customisable to a few classic monochrome displays), music with BELLS, interface and story to game mechanics, it’s just a masterpiece. The real heroine of the story is the beautiful modelled ship, free for you to explore. I’ve played through this in almost one sitting , the dreams between filled with bells, sprites and mermaids.
I second this nautical insurance sleuth em up!
I’ll also second AB 2 for AC 2
Not sure Hidden & Dangerous 2 holds a candle to Hearts of Iron in any form.
Euro Truck Simulator is fine, but a titan like Europa Universalis should at least be acknowledged…
I protest!
The Xenoform looks hideous and must be replaced with Xenonauts (preferably 2)!
End of protest remarks.
I am pleased with Jagged Alliance – I have fond memories of playing it in my younger years. I should check out the Vietnam 65 – though I am tempted with the NI74, largely thanks to your coverage of it, Tim…
I don’t understand what happened – I had been looking forward to the Burden Of Command for years and when it came out I found all enthusiasm fizzled out of me like helium from a punctured baloon. I’d seek a therapist if I wasn’t too busy bouncing between WGD’s “Crusades Book I” and “Fields Of Glory II: Kindgdoms” (I am on a Medieval Era kick right now).
The Troop is thoroughly enjoyable game but I fear it will be replaced with “Task Force Admiral” (do games in early access qualify?)
I will second Xenonauts!
I propose Old World for the letter O. If Civilisation and Crusader Kings III had a baby, the beautiful result would be Old World.
I second this.
I’ve never heard of Old World, so glad that you’ve mentioned it. I’ve put it on my wishlist in the hope that I’ll have time and money to try it out soon!
I won’t vote for ArmCom2 to keep the spot, conflict of interest 😀
I got this free game on Steam one time last year, called Half Life 2. I always suspected it was over-rated.
R: Although I agree with you that RR3 and RTTOD are both great, I feel I must instead propose ‘Reentry – A Space Flight Simulator’. Not only because it’s a beautiful Tour de Force in astrophysics and 1950’s-1960’s era technology, but because the devs are simply great, nice people. And, not only do we get regular updates, the way they present those updates is both artistically and scientifically award-winning level perfection and breath-taking value-for-money. Also, it’s one of the few Steam games where ‘Steam Achievements’ truly are a personal achievement. Recommended.
I would like to propose those two sports games:
F. Football, Tactics & Glory
V. Virtual Pool 4
Since I don’t expect Scourge of War to dethrone Silent Hunter, I will instead suggest Take Command: Second Manassas to replace The Troop. I feel like at least one sprite-based musket manager should be listed here!
I’ll be back in a week to talk about that ‘L’ slot…