Real-time strategy games (RTS Games) are a cornerstone of the strategy gaming genre, known for their fast-paced, tactical gameplay that demands quick thinking and strategic planning. Unlike turn-based games, RTS titles keep the action flowing in real time, tasking players with managing resources, building bases, and commanding units to outmaneuver opponents. With a history that spans decades, starting from foundational titles like Dune II and Command & Conquer, RTS games have continually evolved, incorporating innovations in graphics, AI, and gameplay mechanics. Whether you’re a fan of large-scale battles, intricate resource management, or simply outsmarting your enemies, the RTS genre offers something for every strategy enthusiast. Here are the best RTS games to play in 2025.
It’s worth mentioning that in this article, we are not including any Real-Time Tactics games. Real-Time Strategy (RTS) and Real-Time Tactics (RTT) games may seem similar on the surface, but they diverge significantly in their gameplay focus and strategic depth. RTS games emphasize resource management, base building, and long-term planning alongside tactical combat, giving players control over both the economy and military operations. In contrast, RTT games strip away resource gathering and base construction, focusing entirely on battlefield tactics and positioning with pre-defined units.
While RTS games like StarCraft or Age of Empires challenge players to manage an entire war effort, RTT titles such as Company of Heroes or Desperados III center on small-scale skirmishes and moment-to-moment decision-making. This article will concentrate exclusively on RTS games, where players balance building empires and commanding armies in dynamic real-time battles.
Tempest Rising
Tempest Rising earns its spot on any 2025 RTS list not because it reinvents the genre, but because it remembers what made it great. Slipgate Ironworks has crafted a love letter to the golden era of real-time strategy, echoing everything fans adored about Command & Conquer—tight base-building mechanics, satisfying unit micro, and a pulsing industrial soundtrack led by none other than Frank Klepacki himself, the man behind the original Command & Conquer soundtrack. It’s a throwback in the best way possible: fast, punchy, and unapologetically tactical. While the genre has thinned in recent years, Tempest Rising doesn’t just fill a void—it plants its flag with confidence and polish.
What also makes the game stand out is how much it respects player time and skill. With two full campaigns (and a third faction on the way), meaningful upgrades between missions, and intuitive multiplayer matchmaking, it gives both casual fans and hardcore strategists plenty to chew on. Sure, there are rough edges—limited map variety, some faction imbalances—but in a year light on traditional RTS releases, this one shines just by doing the fundamentals really, really well. It’s not just nostalgia—it’s execution. And in the desert of modern RTS titles, Tempest Rising feels like a long-overdue rain.
Cataclismo
Cataclismo is a bold and innovative real-time strategy game that masterfully blends base building, siege defense, and exploration. Developed by Digital Sun and published by Hooded Horse, this Early Access gem challenges players to design intricate, modular fortresses brick by brick to fend off relentless waves of Horrors. Featuring a striking blend of medieval and dark fantasy aesthetics, players must strategically manage resources, construct impenetrable defenses, and lead units into battle across diverse biomes.
The game’s intricate building mechanics reward creativity, allowing players to optimize their designs with natural chokepoints, height advantages, and modular blueprints shared via the Steam Workshop. With a narrative campaign, skirmish mode, and procedurally generated challenge maps, Cataclismo offers endless replayability and strategic depth. Supported by an engaged development team that actively incorporates community feedback, this title has been lauded for its art style, innovative mechanics, and engaging gameplay, drawing comparisons to They Are Billions, our next entry, and Castle Story. Even in Early Access, it’s clear that Cataclismo has already carved its place as a standout in the RTS games genre.
Age of Mythology: Retold
Age of Mythology: Retold revives the classic RTS with a fresh coat of paint, delivering updated visuals, refined gameplay, and a reimagined experience that resonates with both longtime fans and new players. Developed by World’s Edge, Forgotten Empires, and partners, this 2024 release maintains the heart of the original while introducing modern enhancements like rebalanced units, expanded god powers, and a new favor system that adds strategic depth.
Players command mythical armies from Greek, Norse, Egyptian, and Atlantean pantheons, summoning legendary creatures and unleashing divine powers to shape epic battles. The “Arena of the Gods” mode offers an exciting twist, blending solo and co-op challenges across mythological settings. Despite some criticisms of campaign bugs and AI inconsistencies, Retold has been celebrated for its nostalgia-inducing charm, improved mechanics, and meaningful content updates, cementing its place as a worthy revival of a beloved classic. With its nomination for Best Sim/Strategy Game, this remaster proves that legends can thrive in the modern era.
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Sins of a Solar Empire II masterfully combines the expansive depth of 4X strategy with the immediacy of real-time gameplay, creating a uniquely engaging hybrid experience. Set in a dynamic galaxy where planets orbit their stars in real-time, this sequel builds on its predecessor with refined mechanics, stunning visuals, and innovative new features. Players can lead one of three core races—the resourceful TEC, the nomadic Vasari, or the psionically empowered Advent—each offering distinct playstyles and strategic systems.
The game’s tactical depth shines through fully simulated battles, where factors like turret tracking speed and fleet composition can make or break engagements. The introduction of planetary orbits and faction-specific mechanics, such as the TEC’s trade system and the Vasari’s phase resonance, add fresh layers of strategy. While some fans critique the AI’s behavior and the DLC release model, the game remains a standout for its scale, customization, and replayability, cementing its place as one of the most compelling space strategy titles available. Whether you’re a returning fan or a newcomer to the series, Sins of a Solar Empire II offers a rich and endlessly rewarding journey through the stars.
They Are Billions
They Are Billions is one of a few recent RTS games set in a steampunk-inspired world. A real-time strategy game set in a post-apocalyptic world teeming with billions of infected zombies, it challenges players to build and defend human colonies against overwhelming hordes of the infected. The game offers a rich mix of base-building, resource management, and strategic combat, enhanced by its unique “Real Time with Pause” feature that allows players to carefully plan and execute their moves.
Featuring a robust campaign, The New Empire, with 48 missions and more than 60 hours of gameplay, as well as an addictive Survival Mode with procedurally generated maps, the game ensures endless replayability. With stunning 4K visuals, an intricate colony management system, and hordes of up to 20,000 infected attacking in real time, They Are Billions provides an unforgiving yet rewarding experience that has cemented its place as a modern classic in the RTS genre. Whether you’re drawn by the challenge of defending your fortress or intrigued by the story of humanity’s survival, They Are Billions offers an experience that is as thrilling as it is intense.
AI War 2
AI War 2 is a grand strategy/RTS hybrid that redefines both genres, putting players in the unenviable position of starting as a lone planet in a galaxy dominated by hostile AI factions. Known for its brilliantly adaptive artificial intelligence, the game challenges players to strike a balance between strategic expansion and avoiding unwanted attention from the AI overlords. Featuring streamlined mechanics that never sacrifice depth, AI War 2 allows players to design fleets, hack enemies, and manipulate factions across procedurally generated maps.
With exceptional moddability, an evolving galaxy of optional factions, and tools that automate tedious tasks, the game is both approachable for newcomers and rewarding for veterans seeking complexity. Critics praise its ability to make every victory feel earned, as players must outthink the AI rather than rely on speed or micromanagement. With robust technical innovations like decoupled framerates and seamless multiplayer, AI War 2 is among a few little-known RTS games I’d consider a masterpiece, rewarding improvisation, adaptation, and cunning strategy.
Starship Troopers: Terran Command
Starship Troopers: Terran Command is a real-time strategy game that puts players in command of the Mobile Infantry as they battle the relentless Arachnid hordes on the desert planet Kwalasha. True to the Starship Troopers universe, the game captures the franchise’s satirical military themes and tactical challenges, requiring players to balance unit composition and strategic positioning. With mechanics like True Line of Sight and True Line of Fire, each skirmish demands careful planning to overcome ambushes and environmental obstacles.
The campaign offers a compelling narrative with diverse missions, from defending mining colonies to destroying Bug hives. Players can unlock elite abilities for units like Rifle Troopers and M11 Marauders, adding depth to the tactical gameplay. Lauded for its faithful adaptation of the film’s tone and engaging mission design, the game has earned “Very Positive” reviews, with fans praising its balance of nostalgia and innovation. While some wish for additional modes like skirmish or co-op, the game’s ongoing developer support and polished mechanics make it a standout RTS experience.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is a remaster of the legendary RTS classic, celebrating 25 years of real time strategic brilliance. Featuring 4K Ultra HD graphics, a fully remastered soundtrack, and bundled with three expansions (Lords of the West, Dynasties of India, and Dawn of the Dukes), this edition offers a wealth of content for enthusiasts of RTS games. With 42 civilizations to master, 229 campaign missions spanning 1,000 years of history, and over 200 hours of gameplay, it’s a treasure trove for RTS fans.
Players can enjoy single-player, co-op, and multiplayer modes with cross-play functionality, enhanced by frequent updates that introduce new events, content, and features like the refined Scenario Editor. Whether you’re battling friends online or conquering your enemies in one of the intricately designed campaigns, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition proves why it’s one of the most beloved and enduring RTS games ever.
Command & Conquer: Remastered Collection
Command & Conquer: Remastered Collection is a faithful modernization of two iconic RTS games, Command & Conquer and Red Alert, brought to life by former Westwood Studios team members at Petroglyph Games. This remastered package, released in 2020, features 4K graphics, a rebuilt multiplayer system, and a plethora of enhancements like a modernized UI, custom game lobbies, and a Map Editor. Players can toggle between the classic and remastered visuals in real-time, reliving the nostalgia of the original games with a fresh, polished look.
With over 100 campaign missions, 250 multiplayer maps, and over seven hours of remastered music by Frank Klepacki, including live re-recordings with The Tiberian Sons, the game pays homage to its legacy while embracing modern features. The inclusion of Steam Workshop support, customizable hotkeys, and quality-of-life improvements make this edition a must-play for both longtime fans and newcomers looking to experience one of the RTS genre’s defining series. Welcome back, Commander.
Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal
Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal is a unique blend of real-time strategy and tower defense, pitting players against a fluid-like enemy called the Creeper, which spreads relentlessly across terraformable terrain. Unlike traditional RTS games with discrete units, this title offers a dynamic battlefield where survival depends on adapting your defenses to the creeping threat. Players manage resources, construct defenses, and reclaim territory while navigating a campaign packed with handcrafted missions and creative challenges.
The game’s standout feature is its modular design, which supports endless user-generated content through an intuitive map editor and scripting system. Praised for its polished mechanics and addictive gameplay, Creeper World 3 is described as both meditative and challenging, offering something for casual tinkerers and hardcore strategists alike. With an active community and “Overwhelmingly Positive” reviews, this indie classic remains a standout in its genre.
Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance
Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance is a legendary entry in the RTS games genre, praised for its massive scale, intricate strategy, and enduring appeal. Set two years after the Infinite War, the game immerses players in a desperate fight for humanity’s survival against a technologically advanced and ruthless enemy. Featuring a vast array of units—land, sea, air, and experimental—players can explore countless strategic possibilities, from dominating the skies to deploying orbital weaponry or unleashing devastating nukes.
The game is celebrated for its sprawling battlefields and intuitive mechanics, supported by features like dual-monitor setups and modding tools that add endless replayability. With a gripping single-player campaign and engaging multiplayer modes still popular today through Forged Alliance Forever, this title remains a shining example of what an RTS can achieve. For fans of large-scale strategy games, Forged Alliance is an essential experience, combining depth, freedom, and an unmatched sense of spectacle.
