10 – Wargame: Red Dragon
Remember RUSE? And remember the RUSE table? No? Well, let me show you this piece of gaming non-sense history! It’s fantastic!
Anyway, RUSE pioneered what would eventually become the Wargame series of games. Wargame went on to be a highly successful series and spin of the World War II-focused Steel Division, and most recently WARNO.
The Wargame series was the next step when it came to scale and graphical fidelity in real-time strategy, as it brought a massive scale to 3D RTS, forever altering the landscape of modern and Cold War-era RTS experiences. Wargame also introduced played to the sheer scale and complexity of large modern engagements.
Wargame: Red Dragon is on this list because it’s the most complete of all the titles in the series. Wargame: Red Dragon immerses players in the intricacies of large-scale conflicts, emphasizing strategic planning and unit coordination to navigate the challenges of dynamic, long-range engagements. The inclusion of sea units further expands the battlefield, offering a comprehensive and immersive experience.
What sets Wargame Red Dragon apart from the rest of the series is its dynamic campaign and diverse unit selection, spanning both Cold War and modern-day eras.
9 – Rome: Total War – Remastered
Another childhood classic, Rome: Total War lives on as a game I daydreamed about during school hours, anxiously waiting for the upcoming Friday night when I would be able to stay up late and try out the different tactics I had been sketching during the week.
To me, Rome: Total War was the inaugural masterpiece of the Total War series, and still stands as a monumental achievement that significantly raised the bar for the real-time strategy (RTS) genre and was nothing short of revolutionary. Its impossibly large scope paired with top-tier graphics made almost every other RTS hard to go back to in an instant.
Released at a time when the RTS landscape was rapidly evolving, Rome: Total War showcased a level of scale, depth, and historical authenticity that was unparalleled. Its grand strategic gameplay, coupled with epic real-time battles, made it a groundbreaking title that set new standards. Even when compared to the original Medieval: Total War, Rome marked a massive improvement over its counterparts in every aspect.
What made Rome: Total War a standout was its innovative integration of turn-based strategy and real-time battles. The seamless transition from managing an empire on a grand scale to commanding troops amid epic clashes was a game-changer. This innovative approach to gameplay solidified its status as one of the best RTS games available.
For me, Rome: Total War wasn’t just a game; it was a transformative experience. The historical accuracy, the strategic depth, and the sheer spectacle of massive battles left an indelible impression. The game’s impact on the RTS genre and my gaming journey is immeasurable.
8 – Steel Division II
Steel Division 2 stands as a remarkable evolution from its predecessor, Steel Division 1, introducing a host of improvements that elevate it to the status of one of the best World War II real-time strategy (RTS) games available. This game successfully brings the Wargame formula into the World War II setting, skillfully adapting it to capture the nuanced weapon systems and combat styles of this pivotal historical period.
Focusing on the Eastern Front, Steel Division 2 provides players with an immersive and authentic experience of World War II warfare. It stands out as one of the best WW2 RTS games, offering a grand-scale tactical experience that resonates with history enthusiasts and strategy gamers alike. The continuous improvements made to the game over the years contribute to its longevity and enduring appeal.
A standout feature of Steel Division 2 is the General Campaign, which adds depth and strategic layers to the gameplay. The campaign, coupled with the diverse and expansive unit types available, provides players with an unparalleled level of customization and strategic options. This attention to detail makes Steel Division 2 not only one of the best grand RTS games but also a definitive entry in the pantheon of the best RTS ever created.
Steel Division 2 has rightfully earned its place in any list of the best RTS available, showcasing a commitment to historical accuracy, strategic depth, and continuous improvement. Immerse yourself in the intense battles of the Eastern Front, and discover why Steel Division 2 is celebrated as a masterpiece in the World War II RTS genre.
7 – The Great War: Western Front
The Great War: Western Front stands out as one of the best RTS games of World War 1, offering a unique and engaging experience in 2024. It’s a convenient yet captivating option—ideal for a quick gaming session before returning to other activities. Completing a single campaign demands approximately 20 hours, more if you opt to engage in every battle. Positioned on the Western Front, the game naturally transforms most battles into challenging, meat-grinding slogs.
Distinguished as one of the best RTS in 2023 by Strategy and Wargaming, The Great War innovatively combines strategic planning on a grand map with tactical control of units on the ground. This distinctive blend proves remarkably effective, notwithstanding somewhat repetitive battles. The persistent terrain damage and trench layouts across campaigns prevent monotony, ensuring that revisiting the same battleground remains compelling. The game’s ability to capture the essence of World War 1 is particularly noteworthy.
Consider The Great War: Western Front as your go-to choice for the Best RTS set during the First World War, offering a refreshing take on historical strategy gaming with its intriguing mix of grand strategy and tactical control.
6 – Starship Troopers: Terran Command
Starship Troopers: Terran Command is a videogame that screams homage and exudes reverence for the films of the franchise. A stellar presentation in combination with an expansive campaign that’s going to last you a good dozen hours before you’re done with it, allied with a fantastic friendly and enemy unit variety that is both movie-accurate and interesting to play with, plus the tactical conundrums present that are sure to stir some of your brain cells to make Starship Troopers an obvious purchase.
If you’re either a fan of the franchise or want to play one of the best real-time strategy campaigns since the release of the first Company of Heroes and Starcraft II, Starship Troopers don’t fret.
“Despite some of the bugs and lighter criticism, I can’t help myself and must award Terran Command a Strategy and Wargaming Golden Seal of Approval. Starship Troopers: Terran Command is what happens when the theme meets the mechanics with exquisite care. You made the Federation proud!”
5 – Total War: Warhammer Series
The Total War: Warhammer series stands as a monumental achievement in capturing the essence of the old Warhammer fantasy world. With its three entries, this Total War series has seamlessly blended grand strategy and tactical warfare, creating a game that is truly larger than the sum of its parts. It not only stands as one of the best RTS you can play today but is also heralded as the best modern Warhammer RTS available.
What sets Total War: Warhammer apart is its ability to deliver a gaming experience that transcends conventional boundaries. The inclusion of monstrous creatures, asymmetrical factions, and a myriad of unconventional classes introduces a level of spectacle and tactical complexity that few other games can match. This results in a unique RTS that constantly challenges players with interesting tactical conundrums, offering a depth of gameplay that remains unparalleled.
Despite the rocky launch of Total War: Warhammer 3, the series managed to recover its goodwill and the Immortal Empires campaign is probably the largest Total War campaign ever devised.
4 – Stronghold: Definitive Edition
Stronghold, even nearly a quarter of a century later, still stands as a great strategy game that every enthusiast of the genre should, at least once, experience. It remains a highly enjoyable and timeless game with design decisions that have proven to withstand the test of time.
Stronghold is one of my favourite games of all time (alongside Crusader) and one that I still play to this day and age, every year, without exception. Join those two together, and it’s not hard to see why S: DE is going to keep the Stronghold tradition of being installed in every system I own alive and kicking off the next couple of years.
The Definitive Edition is a lot of the same, but the new campaign and the low price of just 13 dollars make this a no-brainer if you played the original title two decades ago.
3 – Company of Heroes Series
The quintessential game of the RTS genre, Company of Heroes is unmatched even after a decade and a half of its release.
Emerging at the tail end of the World War 2 trend that swept the gaming industry in the late nineties and early two-thousands, Company of Heroes not only pioneered the genre but revolutionized it. Stripping away excess and honing in on combat mechanics, this game strives to encapsulate the tactical intricacies of small-scale engagements.
A beacon of innovation, Company of Heroes flawlessly incorporates the four Fs (Fire; Fix; Flank; Finish) of infantry combat. The cover system, a brilliant addition, introduces a new layer of depth and realism previously unseen in games. It remains a magnificent spectacle, witnessing US paratroopers skillfully navigating obstacles while under fire from German MG 42s.
With a flanking element deploying grenades into the enemy position, the vivid imagery evokes memories of Saving Private Ryan and the acclaimed HBO series, Band of Brothers.
While Company of Heroes 3 might have not lived up to the expectations set by the original and the several years of updates of Company of Heroes 2, I still think it’s a competent entry that tried to do things its way, for better or worse.
Experience the unmatched excellence of this enduring RTS masterpiece, still reigning supreme as the Best RTS on PC.
2 – Age of Empires IV
Every single time anyone mentions the Real-Time-Strategy genre, it’s inevitable that Age of Empires II is the game that instantly comes to mind.
However, the seminal RTS that was released way back in 1999 is slowly being replaced by its newer, more engrossing brother, Age of Empires IV.
I jumped into Age of Empires IV earlier this year and had an absolute blast playing through the campaigns, with the English and Russian ones being the particular high points for me. Age of Empires IV most likely will never reach the levels of fame, acclaim and influence its predecessors had, but it’s a very good game in its own right.
Each faction manages to feel particularly unique and the different evolutionary paths for crossing over ages are an interesting way to keep gameplay varied and engaging.
Get it for twenty bucks on sale and the game is worth it for the single player alone.
1 – Gates of Hell – Ostfront
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.
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