4 – The Last General
The Last General is either going to be a massive success or a massive failure of a game, and I don’t quite know what to expect of it, but its ideas are all there. It’s a modern warfare real-time strategy (RTS) from solo developer Wakety, officially targeting a 2026 release on PC, macOS, and Linux, and it promises unprecedented strategic scale, allowing players to command thousands of units across massive 400km² battlefields within a deep strategic layer, while also allowing players to take control of individual units in battles. Does it sound too good to be true? Yes. Does it sound amazing as well? Of course! Do any of the updates released by the developer impress me? Heck yes. The game emphasizes high-level tactical design, coupled with a resource layer, where capturing industrial areas and managing resources are crucial. There’s also the idea of performing assassinations, lead insurrections implying there’s also some sort of politics mixed into the game. If the game manages to deliver on all of its premises, The Last General is certainly going to be one of the most revolutionary real-time strategy (RTS) games we have ever seen.
5 – Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition is one of the most anticipated real-time strategy (RTS) games of the last decade! The remaster of the iconic RTS game is set to launch on August 14, 2025, for PC (Steam, GOG). Developed and published by Relic Entertainment, this release compiles the original game and all three of its acclaimed expansions into one comprehensive package, offering four campaigns and nine distinct factions for hundreds of hours of Warhammer 40,000 strategy. The Definitive Edition features significantly enhanced visuals, including improved lighting, reflections, and unit textures upscaled by at least four times. Crucially, it’s been upgraded to a 64-bit platform for better performance and full compatibility with over 20 years of community mods via an integrated manager. With an improved camera, optimized widescreen UI, and refreshed multiplayer, this release is the ultimate way to experience one of the greatest grimdark RTS games, making it a definitive must-wishlist for fans. If you played and loved the original, or if you never did but were always curious as to how this game is still so beloved in 2025, then consider wishlisting it!
3 – Falling Frontier
Falling Frontier is going to be one of the most interesting real-time strategy (RTS) experiences ever released if all of its premises come to fruition. A sci-fi RTS where ship design, recon, and logistics are as critical to victory as the tactics you employ, the fact that logistics and intelligence play a decisive role in galactic warfare immediately implies the game is going to have a massive scale and quite a lot of in-depth systems working together. Players must manage intricate supply lines for their fleet’s fuel, ammo, and crew, while conducting vital reconnaissance and hiding forces in a vast, procedurally generated star system. The game features stunning, physics-based space combat where subsystem damage and angles of attack are crucial. Commanding over 20 customizable ship types, players will engage in tactical battles that reward intelligent positioning and strategic unit composition. If you ask me, this sounds a lot like a zoomed-in version of the Sins of a Solar Empire 2 combat. With its focus on methodical strategy, officer management, and a compelling blend of realism and cinematic flair, Falling Frontier is a must-wishlist for fans seeking a deep and challenging new space RTS.
2 – Empire Eternal
I can almost feel those of you who are fans of Warhammer and Anno asking yourselves why Empire Eternal, the age-spanning RTS game from EPO Games and MicroProse Software, is so high in this list. Well, it so happens that, truly, I am a massive fan of Empire Earth and Empires: Dawn of the Modern World, and have been wanting a similar experience for nearly two decades, so when I heard about Empire Eternal, it immediately went to the top of my wishlist. Positioned as a spiritual successor to Empire Earth, it allows players to guide their civilization through 20 distinct historical and futuristic eras, unlocking new technologies, units, and buildings. The game features dynamic warfare across land, sea, and air, with unit types progressing from ancient warriors to advanced future tech. The core gameplay focuses on extensive base-building, managing multiple resources, and evolving military forces. If, like me, as a kid, you fondly remember playing Empire Earth, Rise of Nations, and Empires: Dawn of the Modern World and miss those kinds of games, then Empire Eternal is, without a doubt, the game you’re looking for, and it should immediately be put on your wishlist!
1 – Game of Thrones: War for Westeros
Do you know how long I have been saying I wanted a Game of Thrones strategy game? How is the series, and the setting is just perfect for it? Well, finally, after all these years, Game of Thrones: War for Westeros was officially announced at Summer Game Fest 2025 and instantly went into my wishlist. Developed by PlaySide Studios, the same studio that created Age of Darkness: Final Stand, War for Westeros it offering players the chance to command one of four iconic, asymmetric factions of the series – House Stark, House Lannister, House Targaryen, or the Night King – in a grand struggle for the Iron Throne or the faith of Westeros.
The fact that we have a big budget, triple AAA-looking real-time strategy (RTS) game, directly portraying one of the biggest pop-culture phenomena of the last decade, is something truly unexpected. The fact that the game is also looking to be quite amazing and not a quick licensed cash grab is equally surprising and exciting!Featuring epic real-time battles with diverse units including infantry, cavalry, siege engines, giants, and dragons, alongside legendary heroes. Beyond combat, political intrigue and strategic choices on the campaign map are crucial. Designed as a premium RTS for PC, it will include both single-player campaigns and competitive multiplayer, making it a definitive Game of Thrones strategy game and a must-wishlist for fans of the brutal, complex world of Westeros.
The Future of Strategy: A Golden Age for RTS in 2025 and Beyond
As our journey through the 20 RTS games you should wishlist in 2025 concludes, one truth becomes abundantly clear: the real-time strategy genre is not just enduring, it’s flourishing. From the grand historical sweeps of Anno 117: Pax Romana and Strategos to the grim futuristic battles of Zero Space and Falling Frontier, and the nostalgic heart of Dying Breed and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition, developers are pushing boundaries while honoring the genre’s rich legacy. The sheer diversity of themes, innovative mechanics, and ambitious scope of titles like The Last General and Empire Eternal prove that there’s a strategic battlefield for every commander. With a strong pipeline of new PC strategy games promising deep gameplay, complex economies, and intense tactical combat, 2025 is set to solidify its place as a pivotal year for the RTS renaissance.
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