10 – Battle of Empires: 1914 – 1918
We don’t have enough World War I video games. That’s a fact. That means we also don’t have enough real-time strategy World War I titles, but aside from The Great War: Western Front, we have a Men of War spin-off called Battle of Empires: 1914-1918, and a very competent one at that. Release in 2015 by the Great War Team, it has a fantastic single-player experience with 6 campaigns focusing on every theatre of war, from Gallipoli to Russia, to the Western Front. If you like the Men of War formula and are interested in seeing it work in a First World War setting, Battle of Empires: 1914-1918 is the game for you.
9 – Men of War Assault Squad 2: Origins
There are so many Men of War titles, it’s hard to pick one to recommend, and to be fair, most of them are pretty good, even Men of War 2, the most recent addition to the iconic series, despite having a poor reception. However, I have decided to endorse a very specific DLC that I think you’ll enjoy: Assault Squad 2: Men of War Origins. That’s the remake of the first game campaign, completely rebuilt on the upgraded GEM engine, with DirectX 11 support, enhanced graphics, better audio, plenty of improvements to the gameplay, interface and AI, as well as improved physics and ballistics. Now, keep in mind that you need Men of War: Assault 2 to play, but it’s going for 5 dollars at the moment.
8 – Gates of Hell- OstFront
Gates of Hell: Ostfront is one of the modern wonders of the RTS world and the legitimate spiritual successor to the beloved Men of War series. In my opinion, Gates of Hell is the best Men of War-like that has ever existed, even better than the original game that inspired it. It delivers one of the most comprehensive World War II experiences, boasting a vast array of units, vehicles, and historical battles. With its dynamic and custom-made campaigns, robust multiplayer scene, and thriving modding community, Gates of Hell: Ostfront is the kind of game that offers endless replayability and customization options. Their DLCs are excellent as well, and they have something for everyone, from D-Day operations to the Winter War.
7 – Door Kickers 2: Task Force North
Door Kickers 2: Task Force North spent so much time in the oven, being perfect by KillHouse Games studio that it’s no wonder it currently sits at an astonishing 95% overwhelmingly Positive review rating on Steam. Door Kickers 2 is what happens when you turn the planning phase of the Early Rainbow Six titles into a full-fledged videogame. You’re in charge of a Special Ops Team doing military operations in Nowheraki. Pre-plan everything, and then press pause (and go) at will to see the results play out. You can customize your unit’s weapons and supporting equipment, and choose between the U.S. Army Rangers, the CIA Special Activities Division and the Nowheraki SWAT. I reviewed it when it went first to Early Access, and the game was pretty much excellent by then, and it has only gotten better since.
6 – Supreme Commander
I had to include Supreme Commander in this list, otherwise a portion of you wouldn’t shut up about it. This is a legendary real-time strategy game that redefined large-scale warfare with its epic scope, strategic depth, and innovative gameplay mechanics that were a departure from the more limited scope typical of games back then. Set in a futuristic universe torn apart by galactic conflict, the game puts players in control of massive armies across land, sea, and air, where they must manage resources, build sprawling bases, and command hundreds of units simultaneously. Even to this day, Supreme Commander has an active player base and loves it, and it spawned numerous imitators, like the free-to-play Beyond All Reason, Planetary Annihilation, and the up-and-coming Sanctuary Shattered Sun.
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