The Enduring Legacy of Real-Time Strategy Games
The real-time strategy (RTS) genre is a timeless titan of gaming, the only genre where players can experience a captivating blend of military tactics, economic management, and quick-thinking improvisation to outsmart their opponents. From commanding vast armies to building an empire from a single village, RTS games have defined generations of players and created some of the most enduring game series in history. Yet, with decades of titles to choose from, where do you begin? Which games are truly essential, the ones that have shaped the genre and still hold up today?
This is more than just a list of the top games; this is your definitive guide to the 20 best RTS games you must play before you die. I have scoured the battlefields of gaming history to bring you a hand-picked selection of genre-defining classics and masterpieces that still hold up today and that if you’re a beginner or a grizzled veteran, these are the real-time strategy (RTS) games you must absolutely try. This list covers everything from historical epics and fantasy grand strategy to fast-paced competitive esports titles. Each entry has been chosen for its unique gameplay, lasting legacy, and a fun factor that keeps players coming back for more.
So, gather your resources, train your armies, and prepare for battle. It’s time to dive into the pantheon of RTS royalty and discover the games that every fan of the genre should experience at least once.
20 – World In Conflict
World in Conflict, released in 2007 by Massive Entertainment, earns its spot on this list by courageously challenging the conventions of the real-time strategy (RTS) genre at the time it came out. The game completely removed base building and shifted its entire focus to pure, fast-paced tactical combat. It’s almost like a precursor to something like the Wargame series of games, Broken Arrow, or Regiments. Set in a thrilling alternate history where the Cold War turns hot, this real-time tactics masterpiece immerses players in a cinematic, character-driven campaign that is often compared to the best action games on the market (keep in mind it came out in 2007, the year when almost every game was trying to be a Hollywood blockbuster). Its must-play status is further cemented by its innovative team-based multiplayer, which forces players to coordinate and master distinct combat roles to achieve victory, unlike more traditional real-time strategy (RTS) games, no player can have all the tools to succeed and must specialize.
In 2025, World in Conflict is still one of the best real-time strategy (RTS) games to have ever graced our screens, and it’s still well worth your time, especially if you’re looking for an engrossing single-player experience.
19 – The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth
Lord of the Rings fans don’t have a lot of options when it comes to great real-time strategy games, but at least the one they do have is so good, that even almost two decades after it came out, there’s still an active community modding and improving the game: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth is a must-play RTS that masterfully translates the cinematic grandeur of the films into a thrilling strategy game that quickly rose to become a beloved classic. Released in 2004, it redefined the genre by introducing innovative mechanics like fixed base building, which streamlines resource management and places the strategic focus on controlling key map points. This shift makes every battle feel like a pivotal moment in the War of the Ring. The game truly shines with its roster of iconic heroes like Gandalf and Aragorn, whose powerful abilities are crucial for turning the tide of battle, and a “Living World Map” campaign that allows your armies and heroes to grow in power over a series of connected missions.
Better yet, what’s on display isn’t just another run-of-the-mill RTS; it’s a dedicated love letter to the Lord of the Rings universe. I would highly recommend The Battle for Middle-earth to anyone who enjoys the books/movies and the idea of playing a strategy game in that setting. It’s a masterfully crafted experience every player should attempt at least once. Better yet, the game is currently abandonware, so it’s easy and free to grab it from anywhere online.
18 – Starcraft: Remastered
When you talk about the history of real-time strategy games, you can’t go far without mentioning StarCraft. Released in 1998, this game became a revolutionary and transformative entry in the genre, quickly being recognized by players everywhere as the definitive RTS that set the gold standard for competitive balance and strategic depth for decades. Starcraft brought the asymmetrical factions of the Terran, Protoss, and Zerg and created a “rock-paper-scissors” dynamic that has been lauded as near-perfect. The game’s unforgiving mechanics, requiring a high degree of “APM” (actions per minute) and micro-management, elevated it from a great game to a global phenomenon.
This legendary status is most evident in its unparalleled contribution to esports. In South Korea, Brood War became more than a game; it was a cultural institution with televised leagues, professional players achieving celebrity status, and a spectator-driven scene that laid the groundwork for modern competitive gaming. The game’s legacy is a testament to its “easy to learn, difficult to master” philosophy, where no two matches are ever the same and the skill ceiling is virtually infinite.
17 – Rise of Nations: Extended Edition
Rise of Nations: Extended Edition is a special game, and alongside Empire Earth, earns its place on this list for daring to ask, “What if we put Civilization in a real-time strategy game?” The result is a truly unique experience that marries the deep, historical progression of a 4X title with the fast-paced, territorial conquest of a classic RTS. Starting with a single city in the Ancient Age and advancing through all eight ages of human history to the Information Age, the game provides an immense sense of scale. The “Extended Edition” ensures this timeless gameplay is accessible today, featuring improved visuals, Steamworks integration, and a modern multiplayer experience that brings this beloved classic to a new generation of players.
I remember when I first booted up Rise of Nations and being absolutely amazed at its scale and graphical quality, after coming straight out of playing Age of Empires II and Red Alert 2. The game also had some novel mechanics, such as its innovative territory system, where your cities and forts project influence, creating a dynamic border that must be expanded to gather resources and gain an advantage. This key mechanic, combined with the “Conquer the World” campaign that plays out like a game of Risk, makes for a highly strategic and rewarding experience. It’s so fun and nostalgic looking back at something that was so innovative back then and realizing that it’s still a perfect fit for fans of strategy games who crave a historical epic that is as much about building an empire as it is about commanding armies.
16 – Star Wars: Empire At War
Petroglyph’s 2006 gem, Star Wars: Empire at War, is an essential play for any fan of both the Star Wars franchise and the RTS genre. What makes it a standout title is its ambitious combination of strategic ground and epic space combat, all within a single game, something the previous real-time strategy (RTS) game from the series, Star Wars: Battlegrounds, never achieved. Players will manage fleets of Star Destroyers, Tie-Fighters, and X-wings in cinematic orbital battles before sending their forces down to the planet’s surface for tactical ground assaults. This seamless two-front war, along with a “Galactic Conquest” mode that plays out like Total War on a star map, provides a thrilling sense of scale as you fight to either crush the Rebellion or restore freedom to the galaxy, which is what a Star Wars RTS should be about!
Unlike other RTS games that focus heavily on base building, Empire at War puts the emphasis squarely on strategic decisions and unit composition, allowing you to jump straight into the heart of the action. The game’s legacy has been kept alive by a passionate and thriving modding community, with incredible total conversion mods like Thrawn’s Revenge and Fall of the Republic expanding the game’s scope to new eras and content, and very easily available on the Steam Workshop. This is the kind of game that’s perfect for players who have always wanted ot dive deeper into the Star Wars Universe and act up more as a general, rather than as a Jedi or a ground troop. It’s also the game for those looking for the best RTS games that capture the epic feel of the Star Wars universe and offer limitless replayability.
Leave a Reply to Sir NunoCancel reply