Introduction
Every gaming genre has its staple titles and franchises that changed the genre forever in some way. First-person shooters have Doom, Half-Life, Halo, and Call of Duty. RPGs have Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy, and Skyrim. Roguelites have Rogue, FTL: Faster Than Light, and The Binding of Isaac. Strategy games have changed quite often over the years, so I thought, “Why not take a look at the real-time strategy games that mostly influence the titles we play today,” and see what their impact was. This is the first in a series of lists I’m creating about the most influential strategy games ever made, and this time we are going to focus exclusively on RTS. This is sure to be contentious, and I would love to hear your opinions on what games you think changed the RTS genre in major ways!
This article is not only a journey through history, but an exploration of the 10 strategy games that didn’t just play by the established rules, and were bold enough to rewrite them, leaving an indelible mark that continues to influence developers and players to this day. However, since I know you use these lists to guide your game purchases, it’s fundamental that these games are also relevant today, so I’ll let you know the best way to enjoy them, too!
The criteria for this list are: mechanical innovation, cultural impact, and lasting legacy.
10 – Sins of a Solar Empire
Let’s start the list with Sins of a Solar Empire, one of the first RTSs to merge widely different genres of strategy together, by blurring the line between real-time strategy and 4X grand strategy, fundamentally expanding what large-scale RTS games could be. Ironclad Games’ space epic introduced real-time empire management across multiple star systems, seamless zoom from galactic view to individual battles, and capital ships that gained experience over time. Its pace favored long-term planning and strategic positioning rather than rapid micromanagement, making it uniquely accessible while still deeply complex. There’s a reason why, in 2024, when Sins of a Solar Empire 2 finally came out, it was met with widespread praise by keeping its base mechanics intact, expanding its scope everywhere else. If you want to play Sins of a Solar Empire in 2026, the best way to do it is by getting Sins of a Solar Empire 2, and I highly advise you to do so. If you want to enjoy the massive modding scene, go with Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion.
8 – Wargame: Airland Battle
I think this might be the most contentious entry on this list, but I do think that Wargame: AirLand Battle redefined modern real-time strategy by rejecting base-building conventions and instead delivering an uncompromising, large-scale depiction of Cold War warfare that went on to be extremely successful and inspire countless sequels, including the fan-favorite Wargame: Red Dragon, WARNO, the Steel Division series, and in 2025, Broken Arrow.
Set in an alternate-history 1980s Europe, Eugen Systems’ landmark RTS emphasized combined tactics between land and air units, authentic military hardware, and a massive, never-before-seen roster of things to pick from. This came with equally large maps and some great graphics for the time. Its deck-building system fundamentally changed how players approach army composition as opposed to traditional RTS, where you can plan on the go; in Wargame, you need to balance things out before the battle even begins. Even in 2026, Wargame: AirLand Battle remains visually impressive thanks to its detailed unit models and expansive battlefields, but if you want the best experience possible, play either WARNO or Wargame: Red Dragon or Wargame: AirLand Battle. If you don’t enjoy the Cold War setting, the Steel Division series takes it back to World War 2, and Broken Arrow brings the formula to the modern day.
9 – Homeworld
Homeworld permanently changed the real-time strategy genre by introducing fully three-dimensional space combat, transforming how players think about positioning, movement, and scale during battles, by unshackling them from the 2-dimensional prison they were in. Released in 1999, Relic Entertainment’s sci-fi classic blended tactical fleet management with a haunting narrative and an art direction that remains striking even in 2026, especially through its modern remastered edition. The ability to fight above and below the battlefield added a layer of spatial strategy never seen before, while persistent fleets between missions gave weight to every decision.
Homeworld is still very much worth playing today, not just for its timeless atmosphere and visuals, but for proving that RTS games could be cinematic, emotional, and mechanically revolutionary at the same time, making it also one of the best strategy games set in space. The only reason the game isn’t higher on this list is that no other developer found the courage to properly replicate its 3D battle system, possibly because it’s a lot more complex than just having units fight on a 2D plane. To experience Homeworld as one should, it’s best to pick up the Homeworld: Remastered Collection, which very often goes on sale for just a couple of dollars.
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