Summary

  • You can enjoy a variety of real-time strategy games ranging from fantasy to futuristic themes.
  • We've collected some of the most iconic RTS titles that can help you perfectly showcase your strategic brilliance.
  • Whether you're looking for intense historical accuracy or a diverse array of units to control, there's an RTS game here for you.

There are plenty of games to browse while deciding what to play next. From amazing fantasy games to tense puzzle platformers, there's something for everyone, no matter what you like. Sometimes, though, you want a little bit of a mental challenge when you boot up your console.

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For those moments, nothing quite beats a strategy game. Of the strategy genre, none are as intense and as clock-oriented as real-time strategy games. It's a sub-genre with various levels of difficulty and settings, but one thing's for sure: they'll definitely test your tactical brilliance. Here are the best RTS games out there.

Updated January 22, 2025, by Zackary Wiggs: There aren't many games out there that match the thrill of a real-time strategy game. A subgenre that balances smart thinking and quick action, they can make you feel like a powerful figure, general, president, or otherwise. Whether you are new to the genre or just want to hit the big names, more and more games have been coming out that fit the bill of being one of the greatest RTS games of all time. Now included are games to test your abilities in leadership and quick thinking, whether you want to change the timeline of WWII, lead an interstellar empire, or just survive an apocalyptic winter.

21 Sins Of A Solar Empire 2

War, Space War

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Sins of a Solar Empire 2

4X Strategy Released August 15, 2024 Developer(s) Stardock Entertainment Publisher(s) Stardock Entertainment Engine Iron Engine 3 Multiplayer Local Co-Op, Local Multiplayer, Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer Franchise Sins of a Solar Empire Platform(s) PC OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by Expand Collapse

Sci-fi RTS games aren't a rarity, nor are they in strategy games in general, so it takes a little bit of effort for a game to stand out in the subgenre. Sins of a Solar Empire does so, and quite well, actually.

As one of three galactic empires, you can take war to the stars. But it's not just fleet engagements; you have the ability to get creative with how you wage war, with customizable units ranging from scouts to titans. You can even take over planets to use as bases, with each orbital body and starship rendered in real time.

20 Frostpunk 2

Bring A Pair Of Mittens

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Frostpunk 2

Strategy Survival City Builder 4.5/5 Released September 20, 2024 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) 11 Bit Studios Publisher(s) 11 Bit Studios Engine Unreal Engine 5 Franchise Frostpunk Platform(s) PC OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand Collapse

Usually, strategizing in a post-apocalyptic game means outsmarting the undead or ruthless aliens, but in the case of Frostpunk 2, the cold is the thing you're struggling against. It's part RTS game and part building sim.

Except you're not building the next metropolis or high-rise condo, every choice you make is centered around the geothermic vent that keeps you and your citizens alive in the snowy wasteland. Balancing materials, heat, and happiness is hard enough, but the various moral choices throughout the game can have dire consequences.

19 Hearts Of Iron 4

Your Orders, General?

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Hearts of Iron 4

Grand Strategy Released June 6, 2016 ESRB Everyone 10+ Developer(s) Paradox Development Studio Publisher(s) Paradox Interactive Engine Clausewitz Engine Multiplayer Online Co-Op Number of Players 1-32 Platform(s) PC OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by Expand Collapse

There's a long list of WW2 strategy games out there, but they usually have you controlling a smaller number of units. Grander ones do exist, but few exist like Hearts of Iron 4, which has you on the world stage in real time.

You can begin the game as any nation that existed during the Second World War. From there, you balance economics, political power, and military strength to either follow along with the actual events of WWII or pave your own way.

Some countries are more difficult to run than others, so beware when making your choice of whom to play for your first few campaigns.

18 Battle For Middle-Earth 2

You Shall Not Pass

While the Lord of the Rings universe focuses on the lives of individuals, you'd be amiss to ignore the power struggle between the various forces in the mortal lands. That's where Battle For Middle-Earth 2 comes into play.

You can play as a handful of famous armies seen in the books and movies and vie to conquer as much land as you see fit, and you may even meet some famous figures along the way, too. As you play, you'll wonder why no one has made a game like this earlier, because the LOTR universe is a perfect fit for it.

17 Dune: Spice Wars

The Spice Flows

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Dune: Spice Wars

Real-Time Strategy Released September 14, 2023 ESRB Teen // Fantasy Violence, Drug Reference Developer(s) Shiro Games Publisher(s) Funcom, Shiro Games Engine HashLink Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise Dune Number of Players 1-4 Steam Deck Compatibility Playable PC Release Date September 14, 2023 Xbox Series X|S Release Date November 17, 2022 Platform(s) PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S How Long To Beat 11 Hours X|S Optimized Yes File Size Xbox Series 6.03 GB OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by Expand Collapse

For those who want a more futuristic look at the RTS genre, Dune Spice Wars has all the strategy you could ever want. Create your own venerable house from scratch and rule Arrakis with an iron fist, or let the spice mélange take hold and do whatever feels best.

There are plenty of choices to make and no wrong way to approach the pretty in-depth game that Dune: Spice Wars sets up for you. It may not be the easiest game to hop into just because of the depth of the lore and gameplay, but it will reward you if you have the time for it.

This is also a great choice for fans of the extended universe, as it adds some other minor houses to the feud between the Atreides and Harkonnens.

16 Dawn Of War

There Is Only War

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Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War

Real-Time Strategy Released September 20, 2004 ESRB m Developer(s) Relic Entertainment Publisher(s) Relic Entertainment Engine essence engine Franchise Warhammer 40K Platform(s) Microsoft Windows How Long To Beat 12 hours Powered by Expand Collapse

The galaxy of Warhammer 40,000 is rife with war, no matter who you are. No game covers the massive escape of these conflicts like Dawn Of War does. With plenty of different armies to busy yourself with, it’s a real-time strategy game that keeps you entertained no matter who you think the best faction is.

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You’ll feel like the best general in the far future as you lead your army against anyone and everyone who comes your way. There are sharper games out there as far as graphics go, but none quite compare gameplay-wise with Dawn Of War.

15 Warcraft 3

Fantasy MMO Meets Strategy

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Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos

Real-Time Strategy Released July 3, 2002 ESRB e Developer(s) Blizzard Publisher(s) Blizzard Engine siege engine Multiplayer Local Multiplayer Franchise Warcraft Platform(s) Microsoft Windows, macOS How Long To Beat 21.5 hours Metascore 92 Powered by Expand Collapse

For longtime fans of World of Warcraft, with its in-depth lore and interesting setting, it only made sense for the creators to branch out with an RTS game in the same universe, and it has done well considering it's on its third installment.

Orks, Death Knights, and everything in between wait for you in this classic fantasy look at the RTS genre. If you're new to the world, don't worry; the game does a fair job of making it accessible and fun for newcomers, too.

14 Sid Meier's Gettysburg

Not Your Normal Historical Strategy

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You wouldn't think of a historically accurate Civil War game as being on a 'best of' list, but leave it to the Sid Meier series to make it happen. Sid Meier's Gettysburg is a game that seems to only come around once every four-score years.

It's a microcosm of a game, with the entirety of it focusing on the single battle at Gettysburg. Move troops through different scenarios and maps across the battlefield with plenty of tables and maps for you to peruse like you're really the general in command.

13 They Are Billions

So Much In One Game

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They Are Billions

Real-Time Strategy Survival Management Released June 18, 2019 ESRB t Engine Proprietary Engine Platform(s) PC, PS4, Xbox One Developer Numantian Games Publisher Numantian Games, BlitWorks How Long To Beat 65 Hours Powered by Expand Collapse

They Are Billions is definitely a more modern game on this list, but don't let that fool you; it's still just as worth your time as the classics are. It has a little bit of everything: grand strategy, sieges, zombies, and sci-fi.

It's sort of a cheesy concept, in the way the plot works, at least (zombies of the future and all), but it balances that with some pretty tense gameplay. Balance defense with safety and make sure your walls don't fall under the ceaseless real-time hordes, and you have quite the experience.

This is a great choice for those who haven't done much with RTS games but have played their fair share of tower defense games.

12 Rome: Total War

It Wasn't Built In A Day

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Rome: Total War

Strategy Tactical Released September 22, 2004 ESRB Teen // Violence Developer(s) Creative Assembly Publisher(s) Activision, Sega, Feral Interactive Engine TW Engine 2 Multiplayer Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer Franchise Total War Platform(s) PC, Android, iOS How Long To Beat 34 Hours Metascore 92 Powered by Expand Collapse

The Total War series has taken players to important points in history from all around the world. While everyone has favorites, and there's no wrong answer as to which one to play, few of their games were as well-received as Rome: Total War.

The plight of the Roman armies is a classic one that fans of history and strategy games can't get enough of. Rome does a good job of considering the subterfuge and policy of the Roman governments as well as the combat. It may be a lot to balance, but the game eases you into it rather well.