10 – They Are Billions
It’s hard to believe that They Are Billions is already 6 years old! I still remember it being hailed as an original and novel ideal when it first was announced and spent several years in Early Access. In 2025 They Are Billions still stands out amongst its competition (Age of Darkness) as a relentlessly challenging real-time strategy (RTS) and survival game that perfectly executes its premise. The core gameplay loop revolves around base building, resource management, and preparing for overwhelming waves of infected that come periodically. Of course, in between you can explore the start expanding your base to set up the perfect defensive positions. What makes it unique and intensely difficult is its “one mistake and you’re done” philosophy: a single breach in your defenses can quickly lead to a chain reaction of infection, dooming your entire colony as your own workers turn and spread the plague. For its cheap price and amazing gameplay experience, with thousands of units on screen at once, They Are Billions is still the best survival RTS in 2025, and one you can safely grab at the Steam Summer Sale 2025.
9 – Age of Mythology: Retold
One of my favorite strategy games of 2024, Age of Mythology: Retold does for the Age of Mythology entry what Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition did to AoE2, by revitalizing the beloved 2002 classic, bringing its unique blend of real-time strategy and ancient mythology to an audience that might have not played it back then, or nostalgic players that want to experience a classic with up to date quality of life features. This definitive remaster features substantially improved graphics, with every unit being rebuilt from scratch, new audio and re-recorded voice lines, and refined gameplay mechanics that honor the original while making it more accessible to new players. Unlike traditional historical RTS titles, Retold allows players to choose from Greek, Norse, Egyptian, and Atlantean pantheons, each granting distinct god powers and a roster of mythical creatures like Minotaurs, Cyclops, and Frost Giants to unleash on the battlefield. For a very low price, the game offers the original expansive single-player campaign, while adding two new ones. With its low entry price, and excellent quality-to-pay ratio, getting Age of Mythology: Retold during the Steam Summer Sale 2025 is a no-brainer if you love RTS.
8 – Starship Troopers: Terran Command
Everyone that was surprised by how amazing of a strategy game Starship Troopers: Terran Command turned out to be, please raise your hands. It perfectly captured the tone and brutal warfare of the cult classic Starship Troopers film, both in terms of its aesthetic and, more importantly, the way it built a great foundation for its field of fire-based mechanics. Developed by The Artistocrats, this game places players in command of the Mobile Infantry, deploying diverse squads and specialized units to combat the endless, ravenous Arachnid hordes. In my review, I highly praised its approach to the emphasization of strategic unit positioning, crucial line-of-sight and line-of-fire mechanics, and the effective use of each unit’s unique abilities to create kill zones and overcome overwhelming numbers. I even called it the best single-player experience of the last half a decade.
While it lacks traditional base building or resource gathering, Terran Command shines in its mission-driven campaign, which is filled with iconic moments, memorable voice lines, and a constant sense of being outnumbered but never outgunned, as a true leader of the Mobile Infantry. Recent updates, including new DLCs like “Raising Hell” and “Urban Onslaught” expanded the unit roster and campaign content.
7 – Manor Lords
I don’t think I remember a game being as anticipated as Manor Lords. Set to be the game that would finally dethrone both Total War games and other city-builders, it launched into Early Access in April 2024 and quickly became one of best selling PC games of all time, captivating players with its unique blend of extremely in-depth and realistic medieval city-building and tactical real-time battles. Published under the well-known and beloved Hooded Horse banner and developed largely by a single person, Manor Lords is an amazing game that’s still in active development and rapidly improving to become the best medieval strategy game of all time.
6 – Gates of Hell: Ostfront
For players looking for the best World War II RTS experience, Gates of Hell: Ostfront delivers in every aspect, striking an amazing balance between authentic history and arcade action-packed gameplay. Released in 2021, Gates of Hell: Ostfront is based on the famous Men of War engine which made the series so popular in the first place. It changed the formula compared to other, more traditional RTS games by removing any kind of base building (aside from defensive emplacements), while emphasizing tactical depth and intricate unit micromanagement and direct control, allowing you to play every unit in first or third-person mode. Not only is Gates of Hell: Ostfront an excellent base game in its own right but has continuously released some of the best single and multiplayer DLC of any strategy game in 2025, expanding the original Eastern Front all the way to the beaches of Normandy. Its robust multiplayer and modding community also keep the excitement and new user-made content flowing.
Pair all of that with a recent free “Jubilee” DLC, and Gates of Hell: Ostfront offers a deep, rewarding, and often unforgiving WWII strategy experience that is a must-consider for enthusiasts during the Steam Summer Sale 2025.
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