The Best RTS (Real-Time Strategy) Games On PC For 2026

1 – Gates of Hell – Ostfront

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The real Men of War replacement, Gates of Hell: Ostfront got out in 2021, after five years in the making. Not only was it extremely well received by their predecessor’s community but, developers have been bent on building up on top of the very solid foundation they laid out for what is- arguably- the best World War 2 RTS out right now. Certainly my favourite

Gates of Hell has it all, massive single-player campaigns, hundreds of detailed units and vehicles, an active multiplayer community, Steam Workshop integration with a pulsating modding scene, and best of all, dynamic campaigns!

It does everything Men of War did before, but better. And as someone who played Men of War 2, I can assure you Gates of Hell won’t be dethroned anytime soon.

With several beefy free updates under its belt and three amazing DLCs, for 7 dollars (the series is currently on sale) you can’t go wrong with Gates of Hell. The recent Gates of Hell: Liberation DLC isn’t up for sale, but if you’re able to fork up the 25 bucks it costs it’s well worth the asking price too. If you want to jump into it, get the Call to Arms – WW2 bundle with everything included.

Edit: This article was updated for 2026

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53 responses to “The Best RTS (Real-Time Strategy) Games On PC For 2026”

  1. Zarathustra Avatar
    Zarathustra


    The best RTS ever made in my opinion is by far supreme commander forged alliance modded. To this day nothing has been able to copy the intensity of that game when modded right.

    Reply
    1. Stefan Avatar
      Stefan

      You may like to check out Beyond all Reason, a spirital successor to Total Anihilation and Supreme Commander still in development. You can freely download the alpha from their homepage and play it. I am in love with it 😉

      Reply
      1. Zarathustra Avatar
        Zarathustra

        I played it a few years back when it was in very early access, I should give it a shot again.

    2. Frank Avatar
      Frank

      Can you suggest which mods or a site/community where they are listed?

      Reply
  2. Tom Avatar
    Tom


    “when modded right”

    Reply
    1. Frank Avatar
      Frank

      Which mods?

      Reply
  3. Franklin Freebird Avatar
    Franklin Freebird

    Don’t forget the mobile RTS games on Google Play Store and the Apple Store. War Commander Rogue Assault is pretty great in spite of the lags.

    Reply
    1. JT Avatar
      JT

      Mobile Games are trash.

      Reply
  4. M Avatar
    M

    Great article, but you missed out of my favourites RTS games, Halo Wars 2.

    Reply
  5. Trueflight Silverwing Avatar
    Trueflight Silverwing

    So that garbage Dawn of War 2 makes the most, but by far the best RTS that exists, the original Dawn of War (still one of the most pious ones in existence thanks to an amazing mixing community) isn’t even mentioned.

    kind of invalidates the entire list

    Reply
    1. Nuno Carvalho Marques Avatar
      Nuno Carvalho Marques

      That’s like, your opinion man.

      Reply
    2. Jasthom Avatar
      Jasthom

      Wouldn’t exactly call DOW2 garbage, but 100% agree that DOW is easily one of the top games out there, especially after the Titanium Wars & Unification mods.

      Reply
    3. Skivverus Avatar
      Skivverus

      Well, can’t seem to find the “post non-reply comment” button, so reply it is.

      Another contender for the list: Zero-K. Indie, so not much for voice acting or fresh unit models – most of it is recognizable from Total Annihilation – but it’s got a lot of gameplay innovation that makes building up a massive army (or fortress) and maneuvering with it a lot more satisfying for people with mere-mortal APMs.

      Plus, physics-based combat and terraforming: artillery can blast craters with more than just cosmetic effect, your faster units can outright dodge shots (the slow ones can still try), and you can set your workers to excavate trenches or raise walls however deep or high you can afford.

      Definitely recommend if you enjoy Supreme Commander; still recommend but not as vehemently if StarCraft is more your thing.

      Reply
  6. Bo Magrum Avatar
    Bo Magrum

    I really didn’t expect to see stronghold here. Honestly didn’t expect to see any of these old golden age classics here in 2024. I love the classics but its been decades, we played them over and over. We need some new games that are not being screwed by the capitalist gaming market of dlc and add-ons.

    Reply
  7. RaynorJim Avatar
    RaynorJim

    Starcraft II and its not even close. Best RTS/ESport since release.

    Reply
  8. Martin Avatar
    Martin

    how not to mention BAR ?? ( Beyond all reasons ) bloody FREE game and its amazing to whoever remember total annihilation would love this!!!

    Reply
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  20. Hardcore gamer Avatar
    Hardcore gamer

    well I am probably biased, but that list makes little sense to me, if stronghold 1 is on the list warcraft 3 should be there same as StarCraft 2, I’d even argue that stronghold crusader is slightly better game compared to stronghold, we are also skipping on cossacs 3 which is original game but on new engine

    Reply
  21. Jacob Wells Avatar
    Jacob Wells

    it’s crazy to not see any Starcraft, command and conquer, empire at war or homeworld games listed. I know they are older franchises but they made real time rts what it is today and all 4 franchises are better then a few on this list. Imo.

    Reply
  22. Smoove_Operata Avatar
    Smoove_Operata

    No Generals or Tiberium Wars??

    Behave.

    Reply
  23. Juanhop Avatar
    Juanhop

    I miss an honorable mention to the father of all full RTS: Dune II . All started there. Herzog might be first, but incomplete. Dune II put on all the concepts, and was damned fun to play.

    Even before, “Centurion: Defender of Rome” set the standards for Total Wars, combining strategy map with real time land and sea battles. Technology allowed finally that concepts tried in Defender of the Crown and the Ancient Art of War (A “prehistoric” Total War series) where set up in a superb game.

    Reply
  24. OB Avatar
    OB

    Good list. Starcraft 2 is wonderful and the succesor in construction Stormgate is worth a mention.

    Supreme Commander is great.

    One of my favourites is Cossacks. It’s a great game but in limbo now.

    Reply
  25. Alteris Avatar
    Alteris

    What about the Homeworld series ?
    One of the best and innovative RTSs ever made. IMO 🙂

    Reply
    1. Charles W Avatar
      Charles W

      Yeah, quite surprised not to see the Homeworld franchise here, but again it’s the author’s personal list.

      Reply
  26. Jasthom1 Avatar
    Jasthom1

    Surprised at the omission of Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 1 or Battle For Middle Earth 2: Rise of the Witch Kings. Also, if you’re still a AOE 2 fan, have you never tried Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds?

    All of the above games have exceeeded their playability thanks to the modding community.

    Reply
  27. Mark Avatar
    Mark

    Dawn of War II is in the list, but not Dawn of War 1, no Starcraft/Broodwar or C&C 3 Kane’s Wrath?

    No one with knowledge can take this list serious!!!

    veganivor.de

    Reply
  28. theRykk Avatar
    theRykk

    Lol. Did anyone read the part of the article where the author states it’s their personal favorites? Personally, I thought the list was great and I learned about games I’ve never played. Well done.

    Reply
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  30. Ryan Quick Avatar
    Ryan Quick

    Where’s Brood Waaaaaaar

    “you want a piece of me, boy?”

    “for aiur!”

    “*shrieking/gurgling bug noises*”

    Reply
  31. Bleh bleh bleh Avatar
    Bleh bleh bleh

    is this in order? Because if yes someone got sponsored for this article.

    Reply
    1. Aidin Avatar
      Aidin

      where is general game???

      Reply
  32. Jack Avatar
    Jack

    starcraft series warcraft series. And ostfront was total garbage putting it at #1 of all time shows you can’t be serious

    Reply
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  37. JT Avatar
    JT

    Age of Empires 4 replacing Age of Empires 2? Maybe in the bizarro universe. And not with that terrible artillery balance.

    AoE4 is currently at an all time low with only around 6k players.

    Reply
  38. samw4746 Avatar
    samw4746

    C&C zero hour still the king 👑

    Reply
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  40. Sher Singh Avatar
    Sher Singh

    2nd ppage link broken as it’s 10/07 instead of 11

    Reply
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