The best RTS games will devour hours of your time, immersing you in management and tactical gameplay as you create, build, and develop empires as extensions of yourself, and fight tooth and nail to protect them.
If you're looking for history, fantasy, science fiction or horror, then we've got something on this list for you. Here are 15 of the most fun RTS games you can play right now on PC.
RTS games are your opportunity to put on your war-general cap, and command the forces of your empire, manage your resources, and dominate the battlefields and elements that work against you. You can easily spend hours exploring different strategies in Age of Empires, or specialising your forces in Command & Conquer. So no matter your preference, casual or competitive, we have our funnest 15 RTS games for you to try out now.
15. Offworld Trading Company
Offworld Trading Company - Gameplay Trailer
It's time to exploit the inner reaches of our solar system for profit! Head on over to Mars and compete with other corporations, and don't feel afraid to play dirty with black market attacks and corporate sabotage. In Offworld Trading Company you manage your corporation as you vie for Mars' resources, try to protect your shares and manipulate the market.
Gameplay quickly becomes rewarding when you disrupt key supply chains and can watch your competitor's share prices plummet for an easy buy-out. That feeling you get, being a dastardly and despicable evil genius, when orchestrating a competitor's downfall by artificially inflating stock prices before underhandedly causing a mutiny in their production facilities, forcing them to buy at skyrocketed prices, is unparalleled, especially when you're the one selling power to them!
This elaborate industrial and corporate sabotage is at the heart of Offworld Trading Company's gameplay, making for an exciting combination of managing your own company while keeping an even closer eye on the affairs of your competitors.
Every match begins with a randomised set of Black Market attacks you can use, promising that every game is unique, and forcing you to re-evaluate your options and strategies to do the best you can with what you have. The payoff is incredibly satisfying when a plan comes together, and blossoms into the corporate and financial ruin of your foes.
14. Frostpunk
Frostpunk | Official Launch Trailer
Okay, you failed to get to Mars, and now the Earth is a frozen wasteland. Frostpunk sets aside competitive gameplay in favour of survival against the harsh elements of an apocalyptic world. Your challenge, as you take up the role of a leader, is to protect your people from the frost, feed them, and keep morale up. This game is all about making tough choices, and more often than not, it's a double edged blade.
Resources are scarce, and sacrifices must be made as you scrounge for food, steel and wood, while fighting the frost and contending with the darkest morals of a deprived and desperate humanity. You will succumb to depravity, sending children to work in the cold and dangerous environs, or feeding the dead to the sick, but it's all for the good of the colony, right? It feels dirty, sure, but your hard work pays off, and slowly you get to uplift your colony, turning back the hands of time to and rediscovering hope - and that feels good.
Frostpunk demands that you make tough decisions about humanity. How long do you uphold your ethics and morals, and at what cost, for what reward? Could you have done better? Where did it all go wrong? You could sink so much time into this game, trying to get it right this time.
13. They Are Billions
They Are Billions - Official Trailer
On the other hand, perhaps you're subject to some darker apocalyptic fallout. You really should have headed for Mars, but you didn't and now you're stuck with zombies.
In They Are Billions, it is your responsibility to develop and support your community and obtain the natural resources to do so, while awaiting that precious supply train for money and manpower, as the restless, hungry dead approach your walls. You learn quickly that the slightest mistake is fatal, and letting even a single zombie through your perimeter is the onset of your doom.
So each time you fail, you resolve to do better, in this cycle of discovery, testing, refinement and, eventually, triumph. They Are Billions has a challenging and rewarding gameplay loop that demands you reevaluate old strategies and develop new ones in a variety of environments, all while building up a thriving colony from scratch, teching up, and expanding to take on greater looming threats.
A unique feature of this game is the RPG-esque interval missions in the story campaign, where you take control of your hero in tactical missions to rescue survivors, recover research, and, of course, shoot zombies. Choose between Caelus, the hard-hitting elite soldier, or Calliope, the deadliest marksman, to undertake these missions for resources that you will use to unlock new technologies or improve existing ones.
If nothing else, They Are Billions will turn you into an elite strategist as you command your troops to protect your cities.
12. Total War: Rome (Remastered)
Total War: ROME REMASTERED Announce Trailer - Take Back Your Empire
Largely considered to be the primogenitor of the Total War series, Rome takes you to a simpler time, where you worry not about the zombies, but about the barbarians, and vie not for riches on foreign planets, but contend with the greed of empires. Armies traverse mountains and embark across oceans as magnificent forces of power, and then battle it out in real-time battlefields where you command your troops.
With the remastered release in 2021 bringing 16 new factions to the table, the hours we spent commanding the Julii since 2004 have been revitalised with a fresh new gameplay experience. You are still the head of your faction, and your duty is to bring prosperity to your empire, appease, and perhaps revolt, against those who control you, and dominate your foes across the ages.
Total War: Rome still holds up as one of the most satisfying and repayable strategy games with a unique historical concept.
11. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Age of Empires II: HD Edition Trailer
Why not expand from Europe across the globe? In Age of Empires II, the combination of units and technological research combine to create one of the most replayable RTS games. Relive that nostalgia in The Definitive Edition with updated art, unit AI, and a plethora of new civilizations and campaigns.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition combines complex combat, civilisation development and resource management into multi-faceted strategic gameplay. You must become an expert military strategist and lead your civilization to victory as you consider troop combinations, resource availability, war and siege tactics, all while defending against other developing nations.
There are in-depth historical campaigns and a smarter AI to satisfy your single-player cravings, and a massive, active online community for multiplayer games against fellow commanders.
Age of Empires II stands the test of time, and you'll surely be spending a lot of it warring it out in-game.
10. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3
Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Uprising Launch Trailer
Perhaps an alternate history, in which the forces of the Soviets, the Allieds, the Rising Sun meddle with time-travel, high-tech mechs, and particle cannons is more your style. Commander, it is time for you to lead the forces of your empire to victory across a global conflict.
C&C: RA 3 has a simplified game-play style, with simpler tech trees, and only one resource to manage, but it brings so much more to the table than any of its Command and Conquer counterparts. Each of the three factions have a distinct play-style, with the Allieds and Soviets developing their bases, while the Empire of the Rising Sun floods the battlefield with building cores, unrestrained by building radii. Additionally, every unit in the game has a unique special ability or alternate firing mode, allowing you to better adapt to situational combat, or plan master-strategies.
An in-depth story campaign for each faction will already chew up hours of your time, and the massive online multiplayer community will devour the rest. The Red Alert 3 expansion, Uprising, introduces an additional few story campaigns, and a challenge mode in which you take control of the forces of all three factions to build your global arsenal.
Red Alert 3 makes you the ultimate commander as you battle for control of resource nodes, strategize and execute plans against your foes, work with your allies and, hopefully, crush the buildings of your foes beneath the treads of your Apocalypse Tanks.
9. Stellaris
Stellaris - Three Year Anniversary Trailer
We return to the vast and promising expanses of space, and this time we set our sights beyond Mars. You are no longer limited to the smothering confines of terrestrial life. You create a new space-faring species to reflect your omnipotent political and social values, and guide them to conquer fantastical science-fiction (and randomly generated) galaxies, competing against other more (or less) advanced empires for the resources the galaxy has to offer.
The heavy emphasis on defining your civilization provides an almost RPG-like feel to this game. How will you define your species? A hivemind collectivism, a commercial individualism, a dominating political - and perhaps even warlike - overture? You will become immersed in the schemes and plots of galactic politics while pursuing your own, self-defined goals.
But beware the end-game crisis in which your civilization must overcome the force majeure that might end your mighty lineage, from strange, eldritch fleets swarming the galaxy, to synthetic infiltrations and AI rebellions.
The universe is yours to take.
8. Lord of the Rings: Battle For Middle Earth 2
The Lord Of The Rings Battle For Middle Earth 2 - Trailer
When all the universe is dominated, turn to the fantasy realms of Tolkien. The title is accurate; in this RTS you battle for dominion of Middle Earth, upholding the sanctity of goodness and purity as the Men of the West, the Elves and the Dwarves, or indulging in the desires of the dark powers as Isengard, Mordor, and the Goblins.
Charge your troops into battle alongside powerful heroes to overtake key strategic points, defend against assault from opposing forces and command mystical powers to give you that edge you need to conquer those who oppose you, all while trying to build, maintain and protect an economy vulnerable to sabotage.
A delightful feature of Battle for Middle Earth 2 is the ability to design your own custom heroes, and choose their special abilities for use in both skirmish battles and the War of the Ring campaign. Each faction has unique playstyles, and powerful units: lay siege as the Dwarves, or take control of the battlefield with the Goblins' tunnel networks, and send in your custom heroes to lay waste to enemies.
Become the Hero of Middle Earth, for it is the victor who writes the histories.
7. Rimworld
RimWorld Launch Trailer
A happy in-between for Science Fiction and Fantasy, Rimworld is a colony management in which you develop a base and attempt to exploit the natural resources available to you, become self-sufficient, and technologically elevate your colony for an eventual ascension into space.
In Rimworld, you manage the tasks of your people, their desires and moods, skills, and colony resources as you design and build a fortress to withstand the waves of assault from other colonies, natural disasters, and the cold, cold days of nuclear winter. Self-sufficiency is key, and with the unique mechanic of having a "storyteller" determine global events, you are subjected to incredible ebb and flow of disaster, plot twists, and recovery.
A single infection from a badly treated wound can have a catastrophic domino-effect on your colony, as first your member dies, and another goes into a mental break, fighting other members, being incapacitated, and so forth. In Rimworld you don't - and shouldn't - expect a paradisical time. It's all about the tragedy - it's what makes the story interesting. You are liable to lose your favourite members at a moment's notice - a stray bullet in a firefight, or being trapped in a room with an actual fire. anything that can go wrong, probably will.
And then you rebuild, and you recover, and you make progress again. Getting absorbed into the story of your colony is one of the easiest things to do, and incredibly enjoyable.
6. Company of Heroes 2
Company Of Heroes 2 Trailer
Plummet into the unforgiving and desperate World War 2, where Company of Heroes 2 really focuses on the need to be smart about your tactical positioning, taking advantage of cover and exploiting the weaknesses of enemy tactics. With small armies, this steadily-paced game is much more methodical as you plan your assault and develop in-depth strategies. It encourages careful planning and consideration of the costly conflict you're about to enter.
It's surprisingly grim, for a game. Keep an eye on health bars and cooldowns, while confronting the dark realities of war and military conflict on the Polish, German and Soviet battlefields. You will face desperate retreats to save your soldiers, defend your base against overwhelming enemy assault, and undertake risky subterfuge missions.
Company of Heroes 2 sets the tone for gritty realism: There are countless tanks, artillery, jeeps and soldiers to use, and many of them can be upgraded with new abilities or, in the case of the soldiers, scavenge new weapons left scattered on the battlefield. Artillery bombardments shape the ground with craters that soldiers can use for cover. Snipers can't see through the smoke from explosions. Tanks run down walls and buildings burn in raging flames.
It's all about tactics, as you carefully navigate over delicate frozen rivers, or hide in the snow, or prepare an ambush in the treeline. Here you are a desperate military commander, commanding humans in a terrible war.
5. Anno 1404
ANNO 1404 Venice - Launch Trailer (UK)
Set sail to new shores. The year is, evidently, The Year of Our Lord 1404, and you are poised to settle one of many islands upon which you hope to build a city and thrive. This is a city builder, with a real time, sea-trading economy that has you competing with rival settlers, playing diplomatics, and expanding your empire as you ship trade goods from one island to another.
Don't be deceived by this seemingly peaceful and placid game - building a city and managing its resources is an incredibly complex task, and you will bump heads with other settlers as you scramble for unclaimed islands in naval combat. You need those resources to grow, and you must trade across the oceans, protect your cargos, and explore the world for new opportunities for friends and riches.
You may set your own goals: Do you wish to build a thriving metropolis, or become an undisputed military power across the known world?
4. Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos and The Frozen Throne
Warcraft III The Frozen Throne Trailer
Indulge in the popular Warcraft world as one of four factions: the Human Alliance of includes the elves, dwarves and humans, the Orcish Horde of orcs, trolls, and tauren, the Undead Scourge, and the Nightelf sentinels. The Warcraft 3 games places under your command a smaller, stronger army and lets you recruit powerful heroes that can dominate the battlefield, or bolster your forces. You are introduced to a dynamic gameplay in which you battle it out for resources and build up your forces.
The two games provide a thrilling RPG-esque RTS campaign that immerses you into the conflict against the undead scourge, and sees your heroes face the deadliest of foes, while the skirmishes have you quickly battling for control of resources and composing armies. The in-depth lore really shines in the campaign, and grants a sense of ownership over the armies you command while playing.
Warcraft III brings some much-needed variety to the traditional flow of RTS games, mixing quick combat and unit special abilities with strategic base-building and defence. Great as these are, the big addition is none other than heroes; very strong, general-like units, who can carry items, cast spells, offer boosts to a squad, and level up.It becomes a matter of composing strong armies and heroes that synergise well, while making tactical decisions on how to best assault your foes.
3. Rise of Nations: Extended Edition
Rise of Nations Extended Edition Trailer
Lead one of 18 unique civilisations to global glory throughout the ages, from fledgling tribe to post-modern mega-empire, through strategic placement of cities, population management, tactical combat and technological research.
In Rise of Nations, you command a single civilisation through the epochs of humanity, with the burden of producing resources, defending your territories and expanding into rival lands. You build armies, develop your cities and utilise your unique civilisation benefits to give you a strategic advantage over your foes. Some flourish early, such as the Greeks who have the ability to build universities and gather knowledge from the beginning of the match, and some flourish later, such as the Russians, who collect oil much faster in the later game.
You have so many decisions to make - where to place your cities to best defend, and expand, your territory; who to ally with; what to research and where to battle? Unit placement and terrain plays an important part in your strategies, as fighting over rivers, on hills, through trees and on water all affect the outcome of battles in historical ways.
With such a large selection of nations to choose from, each with unique powers, you are guaranteed to have a variety of playstyles and hours of fun.
2. Starcraft 2
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm Opening Cinematic
Starcraft 2 is a staple of the RTS genre. You take command of one of three unique factions: the Protoss, the Terrans, or the Zerg. In the campaigns, you are afforded the interesting and rare opportunity to customise your armies with rewards you collect during your missions, such as purchasing power ups for your troops as the Terrans, or mutating your forces when you play as the Zerg.
What sets Starcraft 2 apart from other games in the genre is its focus on the narrative gameplay. You work your way through intense, in-depth missions, with interesting and varied strategies and plot twists, and become invested in the characters who lead the armies that you build. You're also afforded the opportunity to choose which missions you want to do in certain groups, or in which order, that allow you to unlock additional units or upgrades.
Starcraft 2 will zerg all the free time you have left after completing the campaign by drawing you into the active and massive online multiplayer community.
1. Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars and Kane's Wrath
Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars PC Games Trailer -
The Command and Conquer universe has perhaps the plot-twistiest historical lore of all. Once again, the Prophet Kane is not dead, and the Brotherhood of Nod re-engages with the Global Defence Initiative for control over the world's prosperous blue-zones. A newcomer joins the fray: the mysterious and alien Scrin, lured by the detonation of liquid tiberium that signals that the world is ripe for harvest.
Command and Conquer 3 offers the most stable and balanced RTS gameplay experience, with an equal focus on resource management, base development, and army composition. You need to keep an eye on your competitors and re-evaluate your strategies frequently, shifting from a ground assault to an aerial bombing at a moment's notice.
The Kane's Wrath expansion further develops the lore surrounding the Tiberium Wars and provides each faction with two additional, specialised sub-factions. In both, you are the Commander, and it is your duty to bring your faction's goals to prosperity through a tactical and reactive approach. Assess the battlefield, prepare the assault, and strike.
Command and Conquer 3 is a gem of an RTS game, and, much like Kane himself, will never die.
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