Summary
- Popular real-time strategy franchises have successfully transitioned into mobile gaming, adapting gameplay for accessibility.
- Mobile RTS games like Bad North and Rome: Total War offer engaging and complete experiences, pushing the limits of mobile gaming.
- Newer titles like World War Armies and Age of Empires Mobile continue the trend of bringing well-known RTS franchises to mobile platforms.
Although Electronic Arts' Command & Conquer franchise is 30 years old, that doesn't mean it hasn't moved with the times. With the rise of mobile gaming, EA has even adapted the classic Command & Conquer real-time strategy gameplay into multiple mobile releases, such as Command & Conquer: Rivals and Command & Conquer: Legions.
5 Command & Conquer Games That Hold Up The Best
Command & Conquer is one of the most successful real-time strategy franchises in history, and these are just a few that have held up the best
Within Apple's iOS App Store, there are a range of other RTS titles available; from similar AAA real-time strategy adaptations, to retro-inspired indie takes on the genre.
8 Bad North: Jotunn Edition
A Microcosmic Interpretation Of The RTS Genre Designed For Mobile Devices
Bad North
Although Swedish developer Raw Fury's 2018 real-time strategy title Bad North arguably acts as a microcosm of the RTS genre's tactical elements, its minimalist design lends itself to accessible play. Expanding the base game with improved mechanics and additional content, 2019's Bad North: Jotunn Edition also brought the cutesy defending of randomly generated islands from Viking invaders to mobile devices.
Earning new units, choosing between a commander's traits, and collecting items to continue the protection of the game's microscopic dwellings have been elegantly adapted in the mobile port of this acclaimed RTS title. With the rising tension of multiple difficulty modes, and a customizable group of settlers, seeing Bad North's "adorable soldiers juxtaposed against the blood-stained realities of war" has never been easier.
7 Rome: Total War
One Of Total War's Classic Titles Made Easily Available On iOS
Rome: Total War
- Released
- September 22, 2004
- Developer(s)
- Creative Assembly
- Publisher(s)
- Activision, Sega, Feral Interactive
- Franchise
- Total War
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Tactical
Considering the technological limitations of porting a real-time strategy title to mobile devices, the fact that "few games have managed to capture the complexity of Roman civilization like Rome: Total War," and that it runs consistently, is seemingly a marvel of modern mobile video game development.
In porting Creative Assembly's RTS classic, mobile users cannot only play one of the Total Wa r series' most acclaimed titles, but they can take it with them wherever they go. Although Rome: Total War on iOS is certainly a streamlined version of the 2004 classic, the arguably praise-worthy performance and fidelity of its mobile port are to be commended.
6 Company Of Heroes
The Inaugural Entry Of Relic Entertainment's World War 2 RTS On Mobile
Company Of Heroes
- Released
- September 12, 2006
- Developer(s)
- Relic Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- THQ
- Franchise
- Company of Heroes
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
In setting its sights on a more personal, small-scale skirmish approach to real-time strategy gameplay, Relic Entertainment's Company of Heroes introduced an innovative new property to the 2004 RTS market. Beyond that, it also sought to stake its claim on a more narrative-focused experience.
10 Best Real-Time Strategy Games To Try If You Are Not Into The Genre
Not a fan of RTS games? To help explore such a diverse genre and find the right one to play, here are the best RTS games to try for genre newcomers.
Paired with the smooth gameplay and fast load times of Feral Interactive's mobile port, playing Company of Heroes on iOS is arguably much the same experience as would be expected of its retail PC release. Ultimately, Company of Heroes is not just a flagship title of the real-time strategy genre, but one of the best WW2 experiences on the market. As such, especially considering the mobile port's accessibility and versatility, commanding Allied units has arguably never been easier.
5 World War Armies
A Vehicle-Focused RTS Title Set During The Conflict Of The Second World War
- Released: February 02, 2024
- Developer(s): Hypemasters Inc.
- Platform(s): iOS, Android, PC
- Genre(s): Real-Time Strategy
While the setting of the Second World War has seen more than its fair share of titles, most have seemingly focused on the brothers-in-arms comradery and bravery of the conflict.
In zeroing in on the military might of WW2's various armored vehicles, World War Armies provides players with a free-to-play real-time strategy experience that provides infantry units but arguably focuses on the explosive exploits of the war's machinery. Bolstered by player-versus-player combat, Hypemasters' entry into the video game space has provided mobile players with a consistent and compelling entry-level RTS.
4 Age Of Empires Mobile
Microsoft's Flagship Real-Time Strategy Franchise Makes The Jump To Mobile
Age Of Empires Mobile
- Released
- October 17, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Level Infinite
- Publisher(s)
- Level Infinite
- Franchise
- Age of Empires
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
Considering the weight of Microsoft's real-time strategy franchise Age of Empires' name, the fact that a competent and consistent adaptation of the RTS series was brought to mobile devices is astounding.
5 Best Mobile Games Like Age Of Empires
Real-time strategy games on mobile platforms have some issues, but for fans of Age of Empires, these titles are worth checking out.
However, as "historical strategy games are becoming all the more popular on mobile devices," it's less surprising that developer Level Infinite was able to bring the 25-year-old RTS property to iOS. Following a similar path to core Age of Empires titles, with minor mechanical alterations for new players and the new platform, Age of Empires Mobile is not only an arguably impressive RTS on the app store but also a worthy addition to Microsoft's library of games in general.
3 Iron Marines
A Cutesy Starcraft-Inspired RTS With Explosive Action & Grand Scale
Iron Marines
Despite its cartoon-like visuals and implementation of chibi-esque hero units, Ironhide Game Studio's 2017 real-time strategy title Iron Marines is arguably as competent as some of the genre's best entries. Available on both mobile devices and PC, Iron Marines' objective-based gameplay and science-fiction setting make it stand out from many other video games of its like.
From defending key areas to attacking enemy strongholds, the vast number of units and abilities on screen is a testament to the power of modern smart devices. While some other strategy titles on iOS may opt for a more concentrated approach, Iron Marines' grand scope and extensive unit selection make it a perfect cell phone gaming experience.
2 Rusted Warfare
An Interpretation Of Classic RTS Gameplay Unhindered By Modern Visuals
Rusted Warfare
Despite the waning horsepower of mobile devices compared to video game consoles and PCs, many developers who wish to see their titles on iOS and Android often attempt to get as much graphical intensity from the devices as possible.
19 Cross-Platform Games To Play On Mobile
Cross-platform games make it easy to play anywhere, especially on mobile with these excellent titles.
In a drastic reversal of this priority, Corroding Games' 2017 RTS title Rusted Warfare seemingly places gameplay first before aesthetics; seeking to be "inspired by classic real-time strategy games with modern tech." Utilizing a retro-inspired top-down view and minimalist sprites, Rusted Warfare makes use of its improved performance to provide players with more than 50 unique units with consistent battles with thousands of divisions at play.
1 Art Of War 3: Global Conflict
An Entry-Level RTS Depicting Modern Warfare With A Sci-Fi Spin
Art of War 3
Considering the Command & Conquer series' position as "the IP for anyone wanting to get into RTS" titles, it should be no surprise that any video game wishing to lean into Electronic Arts' 30-year-old series should hope to be similarly accessible.
As such, with campaign missions for each faction and the ability to control each unit independently, Gear Games' Art of War 3: Global Conflict is simultaneously an entry-level title and a competent experience for proficient players. With a traditional hero versus villain story with the warring factions of the Confederation and the Resistance, along with unique units and abilities, Art of War 3: Global Conflict is a content-rich experience that is more than worth the time investment for any Command & Conquer enthusiasts.
8 Real-Time Strategy Games That Were Ahead Of Their Time
The following RTS games are pioneers of the genre thanks to their innovations that have stood the test of time and influenced other games.