Ragdoll physics are an oft-underrated aspect of any video game. They can turn simple falls, like your character tripping over a branch, into hilarious, almost sketch-like moments that’ll leave you laughing on the floor.
8 Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 is one of the best third-person co-op shooters of all time—and fortunately, it doesn't have PvP. Why? Because the ragdoll physics in this game are hilariously unfair (which is also what makes them so fun). One moment, you're hopping around some rocks, and the next, your character is soaring twenty feet into the sky for no good reason. If you're a fan of sliding, be warned: skid too far down a slope or off a building, and you'll be launched into an unpredictable long-distance tumble.
Although you can't play against other people directly, the game still has friendly fire. In other words, your teammates can easily kill you with "accidental" grenades and orbital strikes. Even if the explosion doesn't kill you, the ragdoll physics might, as your limp body gets flung around like Buster, the crash-test dummy from MythBusters.
Thankfully, physics can work in your favor, too. A well-timed melee attack can send lighter enemies flying through the air in a spectacular show of ragdoll chaos.







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Helldivers 2
-
- Top Critic Avg: 83/100 Critics Rec: 90%
- Released
- February 8, 2024
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence
- Developer(s)
- Arrowhead Game Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
7 Just Cause 2
Just Cause 2 is the second entry in a franchise that spans four open-world games. While all of them are fairly similar in terms of the overall gameplay, many fans agree that Just Cause 2 has the best ragdoll physics. In Just Cause 4, enemies and objects feel much "heavier" and more grounded compared to the jankier ragdoll physics of Just Cause 2.
In case you haven't played any of the games or need a refresher, Just Cause 2 puts you in the shoes of Rico Rodriguez, a highly skilled operative. You use a grappling hook to latch onto enemies, vehicles, helicopters, or terrain to propel yourself, followed by a quick parachute deployment to glide across the sky.
That makes it all the more hilarious when a stunt goes wrong. One bad angle, explosion, or mistimed grapple, and you’ll start flipping over and over before crashing hard onto the ground—or water, if you’re lucky. While watching yourself fall is entertaining enough, you can do the same to enemies. Sure, you can shoot or melee them, but the real fun begins when you use your grappling hook to tether enemies to moving vehicles or explosive barrels and send them flying to their doom.

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6 Human: Fall Flat
Human: Fall Flat utilizes ragdoll physics as a core design element. This puzzle platformer embraces intentionally janky movement and unpredictable floppiness as the heart of its gameplay. In fact, there's even a "Play Dead" button, which shows you just how dedicated the game is to ragdoll physics.
Not that you need it, though. You play as Bob, a wobbly figure who walks and acts as if he's stuck in a permanent ragdoll state. His arms, legs, and head dangle as if suspended by marionette strings, and it's not uncommon to fall and faceplant without warning.
This game makes clever use of all this floppiness with creative mechanical challenges. Almost every puzzle involves climbing, carrying, pushing, and pulling, all of which require finesse with your noodly limbs.

Human: Fall Flat
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- Top Critic Avg: 68/100 Critics Rec: 39%
- Released
- July 22, 2016
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Developer(s)
- No Brakes Games
- Publisher(s)
- Curve Digital
5 Octodad: Dadliest Catch
Much like Human: Fall Flat, Octodad: Dadliest Catch is a game that places ragdoll physics front and center. More specifically, it puts them in each of the titular character's limbs, an anthropomorphic octopus trying to lead a normal human life. Although octopuses have eight limbs, in gameplay, you only need to control four (well, six if you count the two pairs of legs). The bad news is that you have to control each limb individually, and they love to disobey your mouse or controller inputs.
Since you have to control the arms and legs independently, even walking around in this game with Octodad's floppy limbs is equal parts difficult and ridiculous. And that's just movement. Tasks that involve grabbing and interacting with objects, like pouring coffee, tying knots, and grilling food, require even more coordination.
Despite its seemingly simple premise, this older indie title never really runs out of steam. There are several hilarious levels packed with fresh and unique ideas to go through. If you love games where ragdoll physics aren't just a feature but the main selling point, this is the game for you.

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Octodad: Dadliest Catch
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- Top Critic Avg: 73/100 Critics Rec: 52%
- Released
- January 30, 2014
- ESRB
- e
- Engine
- Irrlicht Engine
4 The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim
You think that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the best RPG of all time (and it is), but hidden underneath the game's fantasy setting is actually a ragdoll simulator called the Creation Engine. Of course, I'm being a little sarcastic here. In my defense, the game's first and most iconic shout, Unrelenting Force (Fus-Ro-Dah), sends everything and everyone tumbling around uncontrollably.
Want even more proof? The game sometimes switches to a cinematic camera when you get knocked down, almost as if the game is making fun of you when a giant sends you flying with a mace or your horse's mountain climb goes wrong.
What makes it even funnier is that Skyrim can't decide if it's supposed to have realistic, weighted physics or over-the-top, glitchy ragdoll antics. When you cast a spell or shout with a knockback effect onto an enemy, you never quite know if you'll witness a believable stagger or a completely unpredictable launch.

Skyrim is the fifth major game in the Elder Scrolls series. Considered one of the greatest games ever made, it has been released on several generations of consoles. Since its initial release over a decade ago, Skyrim has become one of the bestselling video games of all time.
3 Goat Simulator 3
Few ragdoll games have made a big splash like Goat Simulator 3, a title you've likely heard of. It's the long-awaited sequel to Goat Simulator (the developers skipped 2), and it’s bigger and better in every way. Just like the first game, you play as a goat that wreaks havoc on the world’s inhabitants and their belongings.
The game features a dedicated toggle ragdoll button, but you rarely need to use it—both the goat and NPCs are naturally prone to flopping around on their own.
On top of the fantastic core mechanics, you can unlock a wide range of gear with special powers that further amplify the ragdoll fun by allowing you to soar through the sky or even entirely new animals or humans. Oh, and did I mention that you can use the goat's sticky tongue to grab an NPC for a wild ragdoll ride?

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Goat Simulator 3
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- Top Critic Avg: 72/100 Critics Rec: 49%
- Released
- November 17, 2022
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Coffee Stain North
- Publisher(s)
- Coffee Stain Publishing
2 Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator is a physics-based sandbox simulation game where you match up units (called wobblers) against each other. You can use one of the pre-made wobblers or create your own. Even if you've never played this game, there's a good chance you've seen one of those "100 archers vs. 1,000 foot soldiers" videos online.
The gameplay is fairly simple and endlessly entertaining. After selecting or creating a battlefield and assembling your units, arrange your wobblers into formations watch as they clash in complete chaos. On top of fighting, the units interact dynamically with the environment. While you could use an open area, it's even more fun to set up a showdown on a narrow bridge or on a corner of a street.
Thanks to the amazingly well-polished physics and complete freedom that the game gives you, the sky is the limit. Every battle feels completely unpredictable and is uniquely entertaining to watch.

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Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
- Released
- April 1, 2019
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Violence
- Engine
- Unity
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
1 Grand Theft Auto IV
Gamers remember GTA IV for many things, such as its grim story and gloomy city, but I remember it mostly for its ragdoll physics. While modern Rockstar Games' titles like GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 have awesome ragdoll physics, it all truly started with GTA IV and its Euophoria engine. In fact, it's even better in some ways, as the punishing system requires you to traverse the city mindfully.
This game leans toward a more realistic take on video game physics rather than the absurd, though it still carries some of that late 2000s jank with unexpectedly high velocities. Run too fast into a stationary car or pedestrian, and you’ll collapse into a soft ragdoll flop. Crash a motorcycle into a guardrail, and you’ll be launched across the street, limbs flailing wildly as you hurtle toward the nearest wall.
The most memorable ragdoll physics tricks moment is the infamous swing glitch. ently drive a vehicle into a playground swing, you’ll be instantly and violently catapulted into the stratosphere in a split second. It’s this stark contrast between over-the-top body flinging and the game’s otherwise bleak, gray atmosphere that makes it so entertaining.

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Grand Theft Auto 4
-
- Top Critic Avg: 95/100 Critics Rec: 100%
- Released
- April 29, 2008
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games
Ragdoll physics are often delegated as a quirky side feature in most games, but as this list shows, games that implement it correctly can provide players with hours of hilarious entertainment. Whether it's a game that focuses almost entirely on ragdoll physics, like Goat Simulator 3, or a highly realistic open-world game that just happens to have fantastic ragdoll physics like GTA IV, the unpredictable and often chaotic reactions bring an extra layer of unexpected fun.
Looking for PC games with the best ragdoll physics? Steam offers an almost endless selection to choose from.