10. Northgard
If you have been looking for an alternative to Age of Empires with its own unique art style and added Norse mythology, then Northgard is the one for you. This charming take on the genre by studio Shiro Games leads you to choose a Viking clan and storm unknown lands, leaving their footsteps and axes in the way.
There are 11 campaign chapters and several clans to choose from, including the resource management that you would expect from games like this, but with cool twists such as assigning your Vikings to various jobs and different victory conditions, from conquest and fame to lore and trading, as well as a Story mode to embark yourself on. Ever since release Northgard has received several free major updates, so there’s no better time than the present to jump in, scavenge for resources, and enjoy a few ales after a long battle with the clan.
Available on: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
9. Iron Harvest
Picture the 1920s, an era in human history where technological advancements started to become more mainstream - cars, radios, and telephones appeared in the picture over in the US. But this was also close to the aftermath of WWI. Iron Harvest takes place in this moment of time, but it does so in an alternate reality, starring giant dieselpunk mechs as the world prepares itself for yet another confrontation after secret forces put a threat on Europe as we know it.
Throughout 20 missions over three campaigns, which can be done either solo or with a friend in co-op, players command 9 heroes with unique abilities, working together with over 40 unit types across three different factions to face the looming danger. Iron Harvest is unique in its setting, but also makes the most out of its mechs, and story, to provide a fresh take on the genre in single, co-op, and competitive multiplayer.
Available on: PC, PS4, Xbox One
8. They Are Billions
Seeing a zombie apocalypse in a real-time strategy game is rare, but They Are Billions knew how to add a welcoming and quite horrifying twist to it. Set in a steampunk universe, the game asks you to build and defend colonies, either with units or with proper barricades and traps. But how about the enemy? Well, if you’re a fan of the hordes in Left 4 Dead or even movies like 28 Days Later, you can expect a similar fair here, but multiplied by billions.
It makes an interesting presence that grows larger over time and is always lurking around preparing for a massive attack. The art style helps to bring everything to life in a distinct manner, with carefully crafted mechs, snipers, and both a clear and concise UI that doesn’t overwhelm you. You will already have enough to worry about when the zombies start knocking on your doors.
Available on: PC, PS4, Xbox One
7. Command & Conquer Remastered Collection
Command & Conquer is one of the pioneers of the genre, and whilst there have been several releases over the years, the classics still hold up well to this day. Command & Conquer: Remastered Collection takes both the original and Red Alert to modern PCs with impressive results, following a similar treatment to the one in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, where we see everything much sharper than before, from the revamped UI to cutscenes and even the soundtrack.
This collection, as well as adding support for up to 4K resolutions, includes a series of interesting additions. The multiplayer has been rebuilt and remains as active as ever, with a map editor to tag along and increase that longevity even further, as well as a bonus footage gallery. A worthy entry for fans, and probably the best starting point for those who haven’t played the series yet.
Available on: PC
6. Offworld Trading Company
This is a different take to your usual RTS. It’s set in outer space, sure, but specifically in Mars after the Earth flew all the way there to colonize it. And whilst there’s a focus on looking for resources and slowly expanding your presence on martian grounds, conflict isn’t exactly solved through combat. Instead, it’s more of an economic RTS (from the mind of Soren Johnson, the lead designer on Civilization IV) where competition is all about overtaking the market.
This doesn’t mean the experience isn’t fast-paced, there are decisions to make at every given turn. Choosing which resources to pick can lead to high advantages if you time your acquisitions well enough, and of course, there will be both alliances and rivals to deal with. It’s up to you when to twist them for your own gain, whether in the single-player campaign or multiplayer mode with up to eight players.
Available on: PC
5. Bad North
It’s not rare to find real-time strategy games that are always boasting immense scales and hundreds of moving units at the same time. It’s kind of the staple of the genre to become this almighty being watching and controlling everything from the skies, and yet Bad North presents an interesting twist. All levels take place in remote islands, which you have to defend from incoming enemy ships with often a handful of units at a time.
The genius is in how everything plays out, as it’s more a matter of positioning than actively moving them around. You place the units in specific spots and then witness how it all plays, repositioning whenever necessary, even if it means to retreat to save the commander of the group. The prospect of having procedurally generated islands, making each encounter different, and obtaining upgrades that can help you progress and become stronger in upcoming visits makes for Bad North a smaller, yet equally challenging take on the genre that’s well worth your time.
Available on: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
4. Halo Wars: Definitive Edition
This list couldn’t miss the addition of Halo Wars, one of the most interesting RTS out there. Not just because of the fact that it’s a polished and worthy spin on the genre, but also in terms of how well it adapts everything that makes Halo so rich into uncharted territory for the franchise. You can expect the same buck wild, frantic action of Halo’s intense battles in a different perspective, leading several units at a time and looking for the best approach for every encounter.
The Definitive Edition treatment revamps the game’s graphics and also includes all DLCs from the original release, as well as the addition of achievements and new network play outside of Games for Windows Live like it used to back in the day. If you haven’t given this a try yet, even if you’re not an avid Halo fan, you really should.
Available on: PC, Xbox One
3. Company of Heroes 2
You can’t talk about the RTS genre without mentioning the Company of Heroes series. It's been present for decades, iterating on an ambitious idea in many different ways since, creating its own niche in the way. In a similar vein to games like Dawn of War or Halo Wars, Company of Heroes 2 takes you to a WW2 setting where everything counts. The campaign is intense and as overwhelming as you would expect, whilst also offering plenty of options to move around, create plans to defend yourself and flank the enemy, or just sit back and enjoy how it all comes together in real-time.
The online multiplayer is known to be nerve-wracking, to say the least, but also beloved by the community, which has led to the release of two DLCs for it. But, if you’re more into the single-player aspect, there’s a DLC campaign that will scratch that itch if you’re left wanting for more after the story is over. Even after all these years, the game is well worth your time, especially if you haven’t played it before.
Available on: PC
2. Ages of Empires 2: Definitive Edition
It’s no wonder that after all these years Age of Empires is still one of the first recommendations that come to mind when talking about RTS games. Everything from the design to the charm (and often silliness) of the units makes it for a title that rarely misses. The Definitive Edition isn’t exactly groundbreaking in terms of changes, but it’s one of those cases where any drastic changes would have raised some brows.
Still, it makes for a worthy presentation. Graphics-wise, everything has been revamped to better suit 4K resolutions, but you can perceive the slight fashion upgrade in 1080p as well. There’s a new and also remastered soundtrack, and the inclusion of The Last Khans, which contains three new campaigns that boast four different civilizations. If Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition isn’t on your Friday night schedule to play with friends already, this is the version to start up with.
Available on: PC, Xbox One
1. Starcraft 2
Starcraft was the first taste of the RTS genre for many, and for good reason. Its gritty sci-fi aesthetic, interesting characters with solid voice acting, and of course, non-stop combat and resource management in real time made it stand out for years to come. The sequel brought much of what had worked well in its predecessor packed in a new campaign and multiplayer modes.
Even if you didn’t play the first game, Starcraft 2 is a great jumping point for the series. Creating your base in space as you fight against terrifying enemies, but also command them to live through their storylines is even more impressive in a brand new engine that still stands its ground to this day. Plus, since a big part of the game went free-to-play back in 2017, there’s literally no excuse to not give it a try.
Available on: PC
