Summary
- Real-time strategy games offer diverse experiences across various themes, from WW2 battles to fantasy worlds.
- Science-fiction is a prevalent theme in RTS games, with iconic titles like Homeworld and StarCraft leading the way.
- Aliens: Dark Descent immerses players in the intense world of Alien, offering a unique blend of action and horror.
Real-time strategy games have offered players a huge variety of experiences over the years, taking on all manner of distinct themes. From the gritty WW2 battles of Company Of Heroes, to the fantasy worlds of Warcraft, the real-time strategy genre is far from lacking in variety.
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Science-fiction, however, is arguably its biggest and most common theme, with RTS icons such as Homeworld, the Command & Conquer series, and the monumental StarCraft being among the genre's best and most popular. Furthermore, the genre is rooted in science-fiction, with the innovative Dune 2: The Building Of A Dynasty helping to solidify the RTS formula that players know and love.
7 Aliens: Dark Descent
Survival-Horror, Real-Time Strategy, And The Iconic Universe Of Alien
Aliens: Dark Descent
- Released
- June 20, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Tindalos Interactive
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
This highly atmospheric real-time strategy game takes place in the universe of the classic sci-fi horror franchise, Alien. Aliens: Dark Descent, however, takes more inspiration from James Cameron's Aliens than it does from Ridley Scott's 1979 classic. Aliens: Dark Descent is truly faithful to its source material, and this is perhaps its greatest strength, providing Aliens fans with an immersive and often intense strategy game that's worthy of the Alien name.
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Managing each squad member and attempting to prevent mental breakdowns from overwhelming stress, all while managing resources and battling off the Xenomorphs, is a consistently intense experience that will soon have players muttering Bill Paxton's iconic Aliens line. For players looking for a unique real-time strategy experience that enjoys the unique blend of action and horror present in Aliens, Dark Descent is an easy recommendation.
6 Dune: Spice Wars
An RTS With 4X Elements Set In Frank Herbert's Dune Universe
Dune: Spice Wars
- Released
- September 14, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Shiro Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
Set in the iconic universe of Frank Herbert's Dune, this sci-fi real-time strategy game is a unique combination of real-time strategy and 4X mechanics. This combination of systems results in an experience that's not for everyone, but stands out on its own in a relatively saturated genre.
The esteemed works of Frank Herbert's Dune Universe, especially the first book in the series, are hallmarks of science fiction. However, Dune is also an important part of RTS history, with Dune 2: The Building Of A Dynasty being among the first real-time strategy games to be released.
5 Star Wars: Empire At War
An Evocative Star Wars RTS
Star Wars: Empire at War
- Released
- February 16, 2006
- Developer(s)
- Petroglyph Games
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
This massively evocative Star Wars game provides a real-time strategy experience on a grand scale. In the game, players take control of either the Rebel Alliance or the Empire, with both factions playing dramatically differently from one another.
Star Wars: Empire At War is great for fans of the legendary sci-fi franchise, as it's incredibly faithful to the source material. Furthermore, the game is brilliantly unique for its combination of space and ground combat. For fans of both real-time strategy and the Star Wars universe, Star Wars: Empire At War is a must-play. Thankfully, it's still available to play on Steam. Furthermore, Star Wars: Empire At War features an abundance of well-crafted mods that players can access through the Steam workshop.
4 Homeworld
Groundbreaking Real-Time Strategy In Space
Homeworld
- Released
- September 28, 1999
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games, Blackbird Interactive, Beenox
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Simulation
Developed by Relic Entertainment, Homeworld is a hallmark of the real-time strategy genre, especially in the realm of science fiction. This sci-fi RTS is particularly distinct for its blend of storytelling, emotive music, and - most notably - its real-time space combat.
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Homeworld's space combat doesn't take place on a flat plane, instead allowing players to control their ships in fully simulated space. This adds extreme levels of depth to every combat encounter, resulting in some truly impressive battles throughout the game.
3 Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War
Squad-Based Strategy In The Grim-Dark World Of Warhammer 40,000
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War
- Released
- September 20, 2004
- Developer(s)
- Relic Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- Microsoft Windows
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
Taking place in the grim-dark universe of Warhammer 40,000, Dawn Of War is a gritty and often gore-filled experience that's both visceral and action-packed. Many games have tried to adapt the Warhammer 40,000 universe, but few have been as successful as Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War. This is perhaps because Dawn Of War manages to evoke much of what makes the Warhammer 40,000 setting such an iconic piece of science-fiction.
The well-crafted narrative, exciting missions, and intense real-time strategy gameplay make Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War an accessible RTS experience that rarely becomes stale, especially as the action is so fun to simply watch. Dawn Of War is also easier to micromanage, and particularly unique, thanks to its squad-based system. Instead of building and controlling individual units, players are able to pump out entire squads at a time.
2 Command & Conquer
A Beloved And Wholly Unique Franchise
Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath
Many entries in the Command & Conquer series fit the bill as an iconic sci-fi RTS game; from the original Command & Conquer and Tiberium Wars, all the way to the Red Alert games, every Command & Conquer fan has a favorite. Thankfully, they're all easily accessible titles. This is even true for the original games, which received a lovingly crafted remaster back in 2020.
Command & Conquer is notorious for its tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, hammy live-action cutscenes, and accessible gameplay. The blend of strategy and tactics facilitated by Command & Conquer's accessible systems ensures that players can spend more time in the action and less time micromanaging. For some, that's likely to be a downside, but it allows Command & Conquer to stand out among the crowd.
1 StarCraft 2
An Industry Titan That Refuses To Die
StarCraft 2
This sequel to the 90s sci-fi classic of the same name is responsible for not only solidifying real-time strategy as an e-sport but also maintaining it. Although its heyday has been and gone, StarCraft 2 is still alive and kicking today. Players who have never tried their hand at this APM-intensive sci-fi RTS, or those who haven't returned to it in a while, should absolutely consider learning - or relearning - this mechanically dense game.
StarCraft 2 is highly competitive, featuring three asymmetric races that play dramatically differently from one another; the Terran, the Protoss, and the Zerg. These races are iconic, and the interplay between them is one of StarCraft 2's greatest strengths. StarCraft 2 also features a series of well-crafted single-player campaigns, which is great for those who don't enjoy competitive real-time strategy.
Most Replayable Strategy Games
Strategy games tend to be in general quite replayable, but the following titles definitely provide the most bang for one's buck.