The Best RTS Games to Strategize with in the Steam Autum Sale 2025
Missed any of those sweet Steam Summer Sale deals back in June? Well, fear not, for the Steam Autumn Sale has just started and will run from September 29th to October 6th. To celebrate this, I have compiled a list of some of my favorite real-time strategy (RTS) games you can buy at great prices and get the most bang for your buck. I have personally played all of these games and have thoroughly enjoyed them, so these recommendations come with a personal seal of approval from me. This list highlights titles that capture the spirit of the classic RTS, defined by base-building and economic management, but also those that have iterated on the formula and made it even more interesting.
I’ll do several more of these lists, highlighting turn-based strategy games and wargames too, so stay tuned for that!
10 – Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition
Not only Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition marked the return of one of real-time strategy’s (RTS) most beloved classics, but it’s also on sale, and it’s one of the best real-time strategy (RTS) games you can buy on the Steam Autumn Sale 2025! This expanded remaster of the classic 2002 real-time strategy (RTS) and “castle sim” game, developed and published by Firefly Studios, is set during the medieval Crusades in the Middle East. The game blends city-building and economic management with fast-paced military strategy, focusing on building massive fortifications and laying siege to enemy strongholds in the desert.
The Definitive Edition is the perfect fit because it completely overhauls the original’s 2.5D visuals with remastered art and music, while significantly expanding the content with features requested by fans. It includes the original’s historical campaigns and the 50-mission Crusader Trail, but also adds two new historical campaigns, four new AI lords to battle, eight new playable units, and a co-op skirmish trail. Technical improvements include larger map sizes, an increased unit cap, and native Steam multiplayer and Workshop support. I gave it a 9.5 out of 10 in my review.
9 – Halo Wars: Definitive Edition
I don’t recall ever writing about Halo Wars on the website, but there’s always a first! Let it be known that I am not afraid to innovate! This real-time strategy (RTS) game, developed by Ensemble Studios, set in the iconic Halo science fiction universe, was released in 2009 and takes place 21 years before the events of Halo: Combat Evolved, focusing on an early, desperate conflict between humanity’s UNSC forces aboard the warship Spirit of Fire and the aggressive alien collective known as the Covenant. The core gameplay revolves around commanding large armies, managing streamlined resources (the game was made with consoles in mind), and utilizing a rock-paper-scissors unit counter system (vehicles beat infantry, infantry beat air, air beat vehicles). It’s a perfect game for players who want a simpler experience, but that still has some depth to it. Halo Wars is one of the best real-time strategy games you can buy at this Steam Autumn Sale 2025, and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. For 5 dollars? Yes, please!
8 – Age of Empires IV
When Age of Empires IV was announced, I don’t think a lot of people had on their bingo card the game being anywhere near as great as the classic Age of Empires II. However, we were all wrong, because AoE IV marked the successful return of the classic real-time strategy (RTS) franchise, offering a medieval warfare experience that balances the familiar town-building and resource management of its predecessors with highly asymmetrical and distinct civilizations, something the other games kind of lacked. Well, not really lacking, but it wasn’t as noticeable as it is right now. Unlike the more homogeneous armies of Age of Empires II, each of the now numerous civilizations—including base groups like the English and Mongols, and expansion additions like the Japanese, Byzantines, and new “variant civilizations” such as the House of Lancaster—features unique mechanics, build orders, and tech trees built around a specific historical identity. This focus on distinct faction design offers a significant degree of strategic depth and replayability.
For just 15 dollars, the game boasts a robust single-player experience with four historical campaigns and an active multiplayer scene. I would recommend this game for every player who enjoys classic real-time strategy and is looking to spend their well-earned cash on a great experience during the Steam Autumn Sale 2025.
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