RTS genre is dying, but Iron Harvest which is set to debut next year (2020) could be the game that breathes new life to it.
MOBA games may have pushed RTS games out of the scene, but that does not mean they are dead. For what it’s worth, real-time strategy games are a sub-genre of strategy video game that puts players in command of a group of units and their tasks will be to wipe out enemy force and take over their territory.
Too much depth, complexity and content aside, RTS games are fun. Controlling units, gathering resource, building base and other technological development are what make the game challenging but once you master the basics, you will be good to go. Now if you are looking to pastime, then here are the best RTS games to play right now.
1. Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
2. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II
If you’re looking for a combat focused RTS game that features more realistic vehicles and improved AI, then you should look into Dawn of War 2. It’s a real-time strategy game that puts you in control of Space Marines with the task to eliminate the Ork, Eldar and Tyranids. Unlike various RTS games out there, you won’t be building base in Down of War 2 neither can you churn units. The game’s main objective is to maneuver squads around the map with the goal to capture structures, retrieve stolen objects and even defeat enemies as well as end-level boss.
3. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
Halo Wars may be good but StarCraft 2 is definitely better. The game’s story revolves around Jim Raynor, a hard-drinking mercenary who struggles to overthrow the Dominion and at the same time fight off the threat of the alien Zerg race. The game rocks graphics wise and features an excellent soundtrack as well as voice acting. Its campaign is non-linear as one mission will have you clearing an area, defending a base or gathering resources. It’s really a good real-time strategy game that’s fun to play.
4. Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance
5. Age of Empires II
Ages of Empire 2 is a household name in the RTS sphere. It’s one of the most popular and “most played” real-time strategy game on steam. Its gameplay is set in the “Middle Ages” where you control one of five famous rulers and their related civilizations. The game’s main goal or objective is mostly to gather resources (i.e food, gold, wood, stone) build town and then create armies that can be used to defeat enemies.
6. World in Conflict
7. Command & Conquer: Generals Zero Hour
8. Company of Heroes
9. Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak
More RTS Games for Beginners and Veterans Alike
RTS games abound but aside from those titles you’d find boring, there are basically a slew that are fun to play. The real-time strategy games we listed above are specifically targeted at beginners and are combat-focused. They’d help you learn the ropes of the genre and once you do, then you can continue your adventure with these ones.
- Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth 2
- Stronghold and Crusader
- Blitzkrieg 2
- Iron Harvest (coming soon)
- Ancestors Legacy
- Zero-K
- Total Annihilation
- Stronghold: Crusader
- Rise of Nations
- Wargame: Red Dragon
- Sins of a Solar Empire
- Ashes of the Singularity
Wrapping Up
A lot of folks do wonder what happened to RTS genre, but even though there aren’t any recent releases, fact still remains that there are a slew of older titles you can play. The ones listed above are nothing but a few of them, but do try them out prior to playing Crusader Kings II and Europa Universalis IV.
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