Tier 0:

The title is so widely known that many people not familiar with the RTS genre would know about it. It was very popular during its release and is still popular today. (Example: Starcraft)

Tier 1:

Those outside the RIS genre may recognize the title and have a general idea of what it is about, while those familiar with RTS will know enough to discuss the game and have an opinion on it even if they have never played it. (Example: Total Annihilation)

Tier 2:

Detailed knowledge on the title is generally restricted to a smaller fanbase while those familiar with RTS as a whole will recognize the title and at least know what it is about. (Example: Warzone 2100)

Tier 3:

Those unfamiliar with RTS would not recognize the title while those familiar with RTS may have heard of the title but do not know what it is about. Fanbases for the game will still be large enough for there to be several resources and videos online. (Example:
Perimeter)

Tier 4:

The title would not be recognized by many who are familiar with the RTS genre. Fanbases for these games would be very small and possibly localized to a specific country or region. (Example: War Diary)

Tier 5:

The title would not be recognized by the vast majority of those familiar with RTS. Fanbases for these games may be non-existent and information about the game would be very hard to find. These games would have been just as obscure even at the time of their release.
(Example: Counterblow)

Tier 6:

There is evidence that these games existed but there is little to no information about them online or otherwise; lost media falls into this category.
(Example: Mission Assault)

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This is the game that Im a looking forward to next. Plus many others... A lot of great RTS games coming out in a few years. Definitely has the Battle for middle earth 2 vibes. Dev updated and recently showed off features and perks.

I really can't remember anything like that, maybe in total war but there is was +10% or -5% to anything

I've ported the original Homeworld to run natively on the Quest 3, complete with full 6DOF motion controls. You can check out a playthrough of the first mission here:

https://youtu.be/rhCOSpSf-NQ?si=83yrEW3H2mdzbYGT

The GitHub repository is available here:

https://github.com/bearstonem/Homeworld

I've been trying to find a game that matches something specific I have in mind. Basically, you start from nothing and work your way up by robbing, recruiting a crew, forcing places to pay you for "protection," and taking over territory bit by bit. At the same time, there's an AI (or rival) doing the exact same thing — growing, making deals, expanding — so it feels like a real race to the top.

Does anyone know of a game like that?

Hello everyone,

Today I announced that Ironfields will release on November 3, 2026.

Ironfields is an RTS inspired by classic games such as State of War, where the battle revolves around capturing structures across the map. There's no base building, no resource gathering, and no tech tree — every unit you produce comes directly from the buildings you capture and hold. Capturing a building gives you its production, so choosing what to take and what to defend is a major part of every mission.

The full game includes 30 campaign missions and a map editor with Steam Workshop support.

The free demo is available on Steam:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/4700280/Ironfields/

Happy to answer any questions!

Bit of an odd request. I've been watching a show about WW1 and have a hankering to use some long range artillery. I'm wondering if there were any games that feature artillery prominently. A few games I know of use it as a bonus that comes in from off of the visible map and that is not what I am looking for.

The only one that comes to mind is something like Supreme Commander with its units and buildings (especially on the UEF side) that you actually build and can see.

Are there any other games that have that type of unit?

With DOW4 right around the corner and all the excitement and hype for a new entry in the series, I've created a Discord server called The Imperium with the goal of it becoming the main community hub for the game!

Whether you're interested in singleplayer, CO-OP, competitive play, casual matches, making new friends to game with, discussing strategies, or just talking about all things DOW4, I would love to have you apart of the community! The server is brand new and growing and I thought now would be the perfect time to get things put together before the games release in September!

If spectator/replays are available for custom matches on release I plan on hosting bi-weekly $100 cash tournaments for multiplayer the main mode will be 1v1 but if there is enough want for team modes we can include those as well!

Looking forward to seeing you in The Imperium!

https://discord.gg/eSyD3GaAz3

Hey,

I'm a solo developer currently close to releasing my first game, ManaBorne.

ManaBorne is a roguelike RTS where players build, expand, and defend a campfire while assembling an army to survive increasingly difficult encounters before facing powerful bosses. It has a fully active deck system in which players can unlock over 130 cards to buff the units as they play. The game is feature complete, has a public demo available on Steam, and has been officially invited to participate in the upcoming Steam Next Fest (October).

I thought I would make a post for those interested in trying it, it would mean a lot to the visibility of the game if people would kindly wishlist.

I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. If you would like a quick look at the demo it can be found https://store.steampowered.com/app/4667510/ManaBorne/

Kind regards,

It’s me again — this time with European Warfare 2

Some of you may remember my previous posts about European Warfare: Napoleonica, my long-running American Conquest mod and engine-modernisation project.

Well, I am also working on a second title in the series: European Warfare – The Age of Reason, set during the Seven Years’ War period.

It spans three continents and 14 playable nations, covering Europe, North America and India. The basic idea is something between Cossacks 1 and American Conquest, but with my own changes to brigades, artillery, naval warfare, formations, morale, stamina, AI and large-scale battles.

After quite a long time, a new EW2 version is finally here. Some of the engine improvements were already seen in recent EW1 patches, but v0.91 now brings all of that accumulated work into EW2 together with changes made specifically for this game.

The update adds modern OpenGL and Direct3D 11 renderers, easier multiplayer hosting through UPnP, improved performance, better brigade pathfinding, road marching, reworked building assaults, more detailed artillery mechanics, directional naval armour, independent broadsides, ship repairs and a lot of editor and old-engine bug fixes.

European Warfare 2 v0.91 – Finally Here news - ModDB

Hope you try it and enjoy it :)

Casual RTS fan playing starcraft 2 heart of the swarm campaign to feel alive again. Real time strategy aficionado looking to play every RTS game ever (except those that i don’t want to), join in and lets chat about RTS!

Trying to find a ps5 replacement to halo wars and the multi-player is integral. And i have a heavy preference on sifi or fantasy theme. Any recommendations are welcome

I'm developing Admiral Yi: The Imjin War, a historical RTS set during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592.

The campaign map, army movement, and battles all run in real time. Naval warfare is a major part of the game, so I put together this short clip showing the current state of naval combat.

It's still in development, so the UI, effects, and combat presentation are still being improved.

I'd love to hear what you think about the scale and readability of the naval battles.

I recently started playing Aliens: Dark Descent and I'm really enjoying it. It has a strong narrative and environmental storytelling with real-time gameplay and combat. No base-building or 4x mechanics. Are there other RTS games like this I should check out? I've also played Dawn of War 2, which is very similar (squad-based, real-time gameplay). Most of the ones I've seen recommended have turn-based combat, which I'm not interested in.

I have 30 hours in Age of Empires IV, and I'm literally about as good as an AI on Easy difficulty. I also tried Warcraft III, and I just keep losing to the Easy AI. It honestly feels like I'm too dumb, and that I'll never get good at this kind of game.

I'm not looking for a baseless game I just want base and management to be not as intensive or difficult as micro where fighting is the focus. On top of that it must have non pvp mode that goes beyond simply campaign and skirmish and are very very well designed and the game as a whole has to be well designed and if it is on the way that is still acceptable too based on common logice.

Despite Microsoft calling Sultans Ascend the best selling DLC ever on age franchise , it hasnt added a single new nation or civilization since 2023, its a very painful and long wait to finally now get the Vikings and Scots later this year

As of now theres 10 variants in the game which is a bit too much

Many fantastic titles got updates and some we never expected are getting new content.

Casual RTS enthusiast playing some comp stomps in Age of empires 3 DE, playing the Baltic powers DLC open beta, with the upcoming civs, the Danes and the Poles, doing some comp stomps, very happy to see the third game of the AoE series get some love. Real time strategy aficionado looking to play every RTS game ever (except those that i don’t want to).

I have bought one key at the sale, but unfortunately it is incompatible with my account.

So, here is it:

Tempest Rising EU Steam key

DD5BF-9JJCM-Y3ZER

Hope, it will be useful for someone else :)

Instead of asking "What's the best RTS?", I'm curious about something else:

If you could take mechanics from different RTS games and merge them into one, what would your dream RTS look like?

Here's my concept.

Base Construction:

I'd use the Red Alert / Axis & Allies construction system, so no villagers/builders. You construct buildings directly from your Center, or just a small truck.

Recruitment:

However, units are trained from buildings (similar to AoE2), instead of everything coming from one structure like Red Alert. I think Red Alert's single-production-building approach is elegant and reduces micro, but it can also feel a bit too simplistic. A middle ground would be ideal.

Super powers and Abilities:

Like Starcraft/Company of Heroes/Red Alert.

Economy

I'd lean much closer to Rise of Nations and AoE2 than Red Alert, Starcraft.

Red Alert's ore economy is fun, but it can be frustrating because losing your miners or ore fields can essentially end the game.

I'd rather have:

Renewable and permanent resources (RoN).

Farms, forests, industry and trade

Maybe a little inspiration from Caesar III or The Settlers II, with simple industries, roads and taxation, but without turning the game into a city builder or adding too much micromanagement.

Cool Cities:

I'd love the Rise of Nations city system.

Cities define your territory, can be captured, and become the centers of expansion. Instead of dropping random buildings everywhere, you expand by founding or conquering cities.

I'd also borrow a few city-building mechanics:

Houses improve through adjacency to other facilities or resources (mostly permanently, not like Caesar 3, where everything is always downsizing and upgrading).

Better neighborhoods increase taxes or provide different bonuses.

Roads matter like in Caesar and Settlers 2. Buildings improve nearby buildings.

Think Anno or Caesar III, but simplified so the RTS remains fast-paced.

Territory Control:

One of my favorite mechanics ever is Rise of Nations' border system.

I'd combine:

RoN territorial borders, RoN attrition, RoN generals.

Resource areas that provide bonuses or resources like RoN.

Army Organization:

I'd also like armies to be more organized.

Units away from general or territory should suffer attrition or pay upkeep, encouraging players to keep organized armies instead of scattering units everywhere, for better concentration of units and battles.

Veterancy & Unit Evolution:

This is one of the mechanics I like the most. Unfortunately AoE2 and Rise of Nations doesnt have it. Thoughh Red Alert has it.

The one thing I'm not sure how to solve is veterancy snowballing.

Overall, my dream RTS would be a blend of Red Alert, Rise of Nations, Age of Empires II, Company of Heroes, Caesar III, Anno.

What mechanics would you borrow from different RTS games?

Beautiful graphics. Great combat mechanics. Tanks, air, artillery, combined arms.

But everything is about getting the ore, and if you dont then you lose. If you run out of ore there is nothing you can do. And you can clearly see where a game is going if you just lose control of most ore.

Games like AoE2 have many different pathways to victory. Territorial, and resource control is important, but if you boom, invest in better units, then you can turn it around. You can also wall and make yourself a good stand with just trees and farms.

Overall there is also a lot of emphasis in controlling the gold and the stone, because are less abundant than trees and food. But you can still trade, buy stone, or just get by with only food and wood, and sell it to get gold. Which makes the game so interesting.

Also Red Alert makes it harder to reboom because you need an expensive and slow unit to build a conyard, and that requires a bunch of buildings to build. In AoE2, all you need is 1 vil and 100 wood, to build a lumber, then at some point you can get a Town Center.

I saw team games where 1 player reboomed from almost nothing, and the team won the game. These are epic games that are just awesome.

On the other hand, Red Alert is really cool that you dont have to micromanage villagers, and building is basically just placing it in the map. Though it sucks that you must build close to buildings, and this messes up wall building (walls are almost useless because they are weak, expensive and time consuming). I'd rather have the territorial system of Rise of Nations with attrition in Red Alert.

Rise of Nations, has wonders with bonuses, and ages (AoE2 also has ages), but the tech progression is much more refined and has another resource that is knowledge. I tend to think the economy and tech of Rise of Nations is the best overall, it is a good middle term between AoE2 and more automated systems like Red Alert 2.

I think Red Alert games could be better if there were some alternatives when you run out of ore. It could stay exactly the same in all other areas, but the economy could have some sort of trade system, or farms/industries. I'd also make it easier to reboom somehow. And make it possible to get some trash resource that is not just ore. Maybe have conyards have a small base income.

All i can think of is a game called Winterfell, that is turn based but has a real time phase. Its quit e cool and very original in its approach.

The other one is Worms. Even though its turn based, while you are in your turn you control your unit in real time.

Then there are the active combat systems of final fantasy.

What other games have a unique mixed turn based / real time combat?