Best Real-Time Strategy Games
264 Real-Time Strategy games, ranked by the Rank and Play community.
Emperor: Rise of the Middle Kingdom
Released: Sep 9, 2002
Critic rating: 80.0 / 100
Rating: E
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Simulator, Strategy
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer
Emperor: The Rise of the Middle Kingdom is a game about politics, trade, and city design in ancient China.
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II - The Rise of the Witch-king
Released: Nov 28, 2006
Critic rating: 84.5 / 100
Rating: T
Genres: Fighting, Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy, Adventure
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
In this add-on for The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth II it is your goal to lead the great armies of the Witch-King called the Angmar to victory.
Anno 1800
Released: Apr 16, 2019
Critic rating: 82.8 / 100
Rating: T
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Simulator, Strategy
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
Anno 1800: Lead the Industrial Revolution!
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun
Released: Dec 6, 2016
Critic rating: 86.3 / 100
Rating: M
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Simulator, Strategy, Tactical, Indie
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Linux, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Mac, Xbox One
Game modes: Single player
Skillfully hide from and sneak past the enemies fields of view, take their formations apart and hide their bodies to cover your tracks.
Command & Conquer
Released: Sep 26, 1995
Critic rating: 84.3 / 100 • 339 votes
Rating: M
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Nintendo 64, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, DOS, Sega Saturn, PlayStation, PlayStation Portable
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer
Experience the game that started it all!
Praetorians
Released: Feb 28, 2003
Critic rating: 83.5 / 100
Rating: T
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy, Indie
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer
Your destiny awaits you on the battlefield.
Empire: Total War
Released: Mar 3, 2009
Critic rating: 89.8 / 100
Rating: T
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Tactical
Platforms: Linux, Android, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Mac
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
Empire: Total War introduces a host of revolutionary new features, including true 3D naval combat.
Command & Conquer Remastered Collection
Released: Jun 5, 2020
Critic rating: 80.0 / 100
Rating: T
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer
Contains the complete Tiberian Dawn and Red Alert games, plus all three expansion packs (Covert Operations, Counterstrike, and The Aftermath), completely remastered music and graphics, UI improvements, and tons of bonus features and improvements.
Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun - Firestorm
Released: Mar 7, 2000
Critic rating: 83.9 / 100 • 50 votes
Rating: T
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer
Firestorm is the official Expansion pack for Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun and was released in March 2000 by Westwood Studios.
Patapon
Released: Dec 20, 2007
Critic rating: 88.3 / 100
Rating: E
Genres: Music, Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
Platforms: PlayStation Vita, PlayStation Portable
Game modes: Single player
Set among a variety of colorful 2D backgrounds, Patapon unfolds through more than 30 missions with more than 20 different environments, where players are tasked with outfitting the Patapon army, collecting resources, and using strategy to grow the tribe into a devastating fighting force.
Age of Mythology: Retold
Released: Sep 4, 2024
Critic rating: 87.5 / 100
Rating: T
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
Age of Mythology: Retold is a remastered version of the 2002 real-time strategy classic Age of Mythology.
Kenshi
Released: Dec 6, 2018
Critic rating: 84.0 / 100
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Adventure, Indie
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Game modes: Single player
A free-roaming squad based RPG.
Hearts of Iron III
Released: Aug 7, 2009
Critic rating: 80.0 / 100
Rating: E10+
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
Hearts of Iron III: Their Finest Hour puts you back in the commander’s seat during World War II.
Command & Conquer: Generals - Zero Hour
Released: Sep 22, 2003
Critic rating: 83.5 / 100 • 135 votes
Rating: T
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer
It's Zero Hour, and time to unleash the absolute latest in modern weapons technology in a quest to become the world's most powerful General.
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun - Aiko’s Choice
Released: Dec 6, 2021
Critic rating: 86.7 / 100
Rating: T
Genres: Puzzle, Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy, Tactical, Adventure, Indie
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Game modes: Single player
Aiko's Choice is a brand-new standalone addon to the beloved stealth tactics game Shadow Tactics.
Arknights
Released: May 1, 2019
Critic rating: 83.4 / 100 • 65 votes
Rating: T
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Strategy, Tactical, Adventure
Platforms: Android, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS
Game modes: Single player
Take on the role of a key member of Rhodes Island, a pharmaceutical company that fights both a deadly infection and the unrest it leaves in its wake.
Patapon 2
Released: Nov 27, 2008
Critic rating: 86.5 / 100
Rating: E
Genres: Music, Puzzle, Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
Platforms: PlayStation Vita, PlayStation Portable
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer
The story of the Patapon tribe marches forth as they hunt for the fabled Earthend.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Released: Nov 14, 2019
Critic rating: 77.7 / 100
Rating: T
Genres: Shooter, Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Mac, Xbox One
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition celebrates the 20th anniversary of one of the most popular strategy games ever with stunning 4K Ultra HD graphics, a new and fully remastered soundtrack, and brand-new content, “The Last Khans” with 3 new campaigns and 4 new civilizations.
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings
Released: Sep 30, 1999
Critic rating: 80.0 / 100
Rating: T
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer
Take control of a powerful civilization.
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth
Released: Dec 6, 2004
Critic rating: 83.8 / 100
Rating: T
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
The players control the heroes or villians from the famous Lord of The Rings movies.
Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts
Released: Sep 25, 2007
Critic rating: 82.0 / 100
Rating: M
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer
The next chapter in the #1 rated RTS franchise thrusts players into a hellish war torn landscape to command two battle-hardened armies in relentless campaigns for honor and country.
Defense Grid 2
Released: Sep 23, 2014
Critic rating: 78.8 / 100
Rating: E10+
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Simulator, Strategy, Indie
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Oculus Rift, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative, Split screen
Defense Grid 2, DG2, is the highly-anticipated sequel to Hidden Path Entertainment’s 2008 Defense Grid: The Awakening.
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Released: Jun 12, 2012
Critic rating: 85.3 / 100
Rating: E10+
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Simulator, Strategy, Indie
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
The Next Installment to the Award-Winning RTS.
Age of Empires II: The Conquerors
Released: Aug 24, 2000
Critic rating: 82.7 / 100 • 119 votes
Rating: T
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Dreamcast
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer
Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion is the official add-on to the award-winning, best-selling real-time strategy game Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings.
Pikmin 3
Released: Jul 13, 2013
Critic rating: 86.2 / 100
Rating: E10+
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Adventure
Platforms: Wii U
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer
Explore an alien world like no other in the third edition of Nintendo's strategic adventure series.