20 – Sanctuary: Shattered Sun
I was under the impression that Sanctuary: Shattered Sun would be way higher on this list, being that it is one of the most talked about real-time strategy (RTS) games in 2025. Aiming to capture the epic scale and strategic depth reminiscent of classic titles like Supreme Commander and Total Annihilation, Sanctuary: Shattered Sun is set in the year 2758 on a colossal Dyson Sphere encircling the sun. The game thrusts players into a massive conflict between three distinct factions. Despite following the formula laid out by the RTS games that serve as its inspiration, Sanctuary: Shattered Sun has one massive standout feature, and that is the unprecedented map manipulation, allowing players to deploy devastating superweapons that can literally shatter the sphere’s surface, sending enemy bases plummeting into the sun, or even flash-freeze entire oceans to create new tactical pathways for ground forces (or empty these oceans out). With the capacity to command thousands of units across vast, kilometers-long battlefields, Sanctuary: Shattered Sun emphasizes grand strategy and army composition over micro-management, offering a deep “Flux Economy” system and physically simulated projectiles for dynamic and visceral combat. For fans of large-scale RTS warfare and innovative battlefield control, this title promises a truly monumental experience, and having played it, I want to say that the final product is probably going to be pretty damn amazing.
19 – Orc Warchief: Strategy City Builder
Here’s another one I never heard about before putting this list up: Orc Warchief: Strategy City Builder wants to be the kind of game the title describes it to be. As an orc leader, players are tasked with rebuilding the glory of The Horde after years of defeat at the hands of vile humans. This city builder combines base management with resource gathering, allowing players to construct and expand their orcish villages from humble beginnings to formidable strongholds. Key elements include hunting for food, mining valuable metals, forging weapons, and training a diverse army of warriors. Strategic decision-making is crucial, as you’ll need to balance your clan’s needs with military expansion, building defenses to withstand human attacks while also planning raids on their settlements and caravans to increase your “Fear” rating and attract new orcs. From what I can gather, the game isn’t going to solely be a city builder, but also a sort of real-time strategy (RTS) game, at least in terms of combat, there’s not a lot of information available right now, but the game certainly managed to make an impression on players, surpassing Sanctuary: Shattered Suns in terms of Steam wishlists. Quite the feat, if you ask me.
18 – Endless Legend 2
Endless Legend 2 at number 18 in this list is wild. It goes to show the quality of all the strategy games we have coming out soon, that a title as amazing as this one is so high up on the list. Is the highly anticipated sequel to Amplitude Studios’ critically acclaimed fantasy 4X strategy game, renowned for its unique asymmetrical factions and deep lore, made so famous by the 2014 Endless Legend, which was praised by gamers and critics alike as one of the most innovative 4X games to have ever come out. I personally love this series, and having played Endless Legend 2, I can confidently say that’s a step in the right direction for the series. Set on the doomed oceanic paradise of Saiadha, the game builds upon its predecessor’s foundation by introducing a dynamic world where cataclysmic “Tidefall” events reshape the map, revealing new areas and challenges, and forcing players to adapt their strategies constantly. The title also promises more intricate combat, allowing for direct unit control and active abilities, alongside a robust quest system that offers branching paths and impactful events, guiding you in your quest to discover the world of Saiadha.
17 – Celestial Empire
I always look at PlayWay games with an eyebrow furrowed in suspicion, as the games they publish are either great hits or massive misses. Hopefully, Celestial Empire is going to be in the first category, instead of in the latter. Celestial Empire invites players to take on the role of a provincial governor in ancient China, tasked with designing and nurturing a thriving city that embodies the beauty and traditions of the era. Reminiscent of the Impressions titles of the 90s, this is set to be a highly detailed city builder that emphasizes intricate management, laying out urban and rural structures to establish efficient production chains for over 40 raw materials and luxurious goods. It looks like in 2025, every game coming out is playing with the terrain in one way or another, so of course, in Celestial Empire, one of the standout features is the unique agriculture system that utilizes water pumps and carefully designed channels to irrigate fields. The usual gameplay loop from games like Anno and Caesar is to be expected: build your town, take care of the needs of your citizens, develop and evolve your production chains, and keep up a plentiful stock of food and provisions to face harsh seasons, natural disasters and fires. One feature that might be a bit more of a miss with the historical crowd is that, beyond the temporal, the game incorporates elements of fantasy, allowing players to seek blessings from gods on a Divine Island to gain powerful advantages, while also defending against demonic yaoguai. I doubt I’ll be giving this one a go, but you guys seem to be excited about it.
16 – Dust Front RTS
One title I’ll be giving a go is Dust Front RTS. This real-time strategy (RTS) from RtsDimon promises a return to the classic real-time strategy formula, infused with significant grand strategy elements and a non-linear campaign. Set on a world ravaged by perpetual warfare and ecological upheaval, looking like something out of Killzone or Warhammer 40,000, with a They Are Billions art style, players will navigate a landscape buried under layers of soot and concrete.
As a traditional real-time strategy (RTS) the game features base building and resource gathering, allowing commanders to establish factories, refine minerals, and construct barracks to produce a diverse arsenal of tanks, aviation, infantry, and specialized vehicles. A key aspect is the global map layer, where players manage their economy, encounter dynamic events, develop technology branches, and deploy garrisons, with larger strategic decisions impacting real-time battles. Dust Front RTS also aims for asymmetrical gameplay, challenging players to overcome enemies often superior in number and strength. I think the most exciting thing about the game’s trailer is the number of units on screen and how smooth all of the game’s animations look. Whenever I see great animation work, it’s always a sign of a quality game.
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