Top Ten Best RTS Games
The top ten best real-time strategy games of all time. Don't agree with the list? Vote for an existing item you think should be ranked higher or if you are a logged in, add a new item for others to vote on or create your own version of this list.The Top Ten
Simply the best RTS game made in history.
Thousands of players over 10 years after release quite speaks for itself.
If in doubt, go buy it now for practically nothing, and try it out yourself!
Pure gold from the time Blizzard still had soul and focused on quality.
The biggest game in the whole game industry. Balanced on a level which has no competitor. Tons of options, no forced gameplay. I'm still in love with Protoss
Starcraft is the best RTS game. Balanced, a good story, this is an example of how RTS games should be made!
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The best game I have ever played!
This game is always the best Real-Time Strategy game.
You should try Company of heroes Online!
You will like it.
Great game that does best what an RTS should do - focus on strategy.
realistic war. Tank cannot kill with rifle like some other RTS games.
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Beats Total War in my opinion. Its has both jaw dropping graphics and easy to learn gameplay. Good for Pros and Newcomers alike. AOE still holds the throne for the Best historic RTS game...
the 3rd edition of the great series moves to America with better graphics
MatrixGuy
Expansions, greatest RTS ever made.
The sheer complexity of this this game leaves a person learning even after playing it over a 1000 times.
No exaggeration!
Realy good game, perfect balance.
Handy map editor so you can create very good mods.
One of them (dota) is really nice to play.
Quality RTS Game. 3D Graphics and 4 Different races.
Uses Battle.net, an amazing game server!
One downside the 4 races may seem unbalanced.
Dota map of WarCraft 3 is the real winner. Most entertaining of all strategy games put together.
Graphics are awesome considering the time the game was launched.
While other games may have better graphics and smoother mechanics, Rise of Nations has the nostalgia feel that no other game can match for me. Plus, the stability of it on pretty much any system makes it a must get for any RTS gamer, especially for those who don't have top-of-the-line systems.
This is very interesting game. I like it. I need another version of this game.
Huge variety and complexity, beautifully crafted and presented this is a cracking, immerse game. Full of subtle touches as you progress and constantly varying dynamics. This is my all time favorite game by a mile. On the surface, it may seem like AOE 2/3, but in my opinion it is far better and more interesting.
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Empire Earth (along with its expansion, EE:AoC) was an amazing game for its time. I still find myself returning to it from time to time.
It simply is an amazing RTS with gameplay that spans the history of man.
In most RTS games you can end a match in 30 minutes. In Empire Earth a match may last for hours and maybe days. The game also is the only one that has 15 epochs while others RTS games don't have more than 4. That's why its the best RTS game of all time!
Empire Earth is the Best Game of All Time should be Top 5 Atleast its better then Ages of Empires
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+7I can sum this game up in one simple word. Baneblade. There is nothing like watching the rolling death machine plowing its way through an army.
+5fast paced, frenetic, squad based combat, 7 playable races, and a sandbox turn-based campaign map for single player. Minimized resource management and maximum unit management. Customize-able squads allow you to change not only the look of the unit and your army as a whole but the functionality of the squad being upgraded, allowing for endless combinations, strategies, and tactics
+2This is coming from someone who has played Warhammer 40,000 all throughout his life and sees it as not just a simple hobby but essentially a life long love and something that you must go through with love, determination, and wits to be successful in. Warhammer 40,000 deserves to be ranked higher, but this rank is as we all know good as well. It combines science fiction, tactics, as well as good 'ole blood and gore. All Warhammer players also realize the sheer awesomeness of the chainsword as well
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The first RTS game to display 3D generated units and terrain (no sprites! ), affecting things like terrain that can block shots depending on high the shot is fired, and turrets that swivel and fire with every pixel.
Various worlds to ravage upon, including metal, beach, volcanic, ice and no land water based worlds (Yes, this game features a lot of sea/amphibious units).
This is a game about awesome game play - not a 'movie'
One of the first mainstream futuristic RTS's without this you wouldn't have half the amount of real time strategy games on this top 10.
Best RTS ever. Simple economy and ease to play with levels of tech to build up to. Wonderful list of units and the community add on's gave this game tons of play time. Ultimate mech warfare.
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The first rts game. Best rts saga. Great game with great characters and story. The other strategy games compare to this are just crap.
In C^^C series, RA 2 yuri is the best for me, you can out wit others with in 5 min. A lot of fast fast and long game strategies, good story line, good music. Bad side, too many mods and bugs, and map always reveal after explored, make it hard to sneak in. In entertaining perspective, I would rank ra2 yuri only after warcraft 3, only because warcraft3 has ton of custom and ton of players online.
I like all the games listed in this top ten, but CNC 3 was one of the last games released (at least good games, not something like C*N*C TT) in this epic series and I like it as one of the best for me followed by RAs (no matter which one) and then other installments in the series.
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I recently got this game, and its 2011! But seriously, amazing game, good story line, and fun gameplay. Pure miracle for its time
The 3D world makes you think and play in ways that are fun and difficult at the same time along with intense massive battles with a great story line, combine that with awesome multiplayer and great Ai and you have a perfect game.
I can't stop playing this game, I've bean playing for 5 years now, it's addicting and never seems to get boring
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The Contenders
+15Yes, the best RTS and one of the best games of all time. Why? Because it was the true definition of an RTS game series of whom got it start before Starcraft. It boasted 13 civilizations, although similar, each has unique units and abilities like faster work rate, stronger infantry, stronger cavalry, and is loaded with variety that changes your approach to strategy with each civilization. Terrain variety; sand, dirt, water, different forest types, and later snow and ice. This game had great graphics not only for its time but it still looks great. Even though I have AOE3 running on a great computer, I still consider AOE2's graphics superior because of the smooth gameplay and uncluttered feel. Not to put Starcraft down but I just do not like it, I have made myself play it so many times just because everyone makes it seem so good that I want to experience that joy, and I only end up with a headache and slight wanting-to-puke feelings. Not only do I feel Age of Empires 2 is my favorite RTS, but I honestly feel it is the best, and for good reason. If you haven't played this, don't watch videos and read about, go get AoE2 with the conquerors expansion, and just play it.
+8Literally the best RTS ever, I can't believe that AoE3 is beating AoE2. Conquerors expansion made this game the amazing, hands down my favorite and I've owned the top 6 rated on here. AoE2 deserves more than 11th.
+7Because of its, (for that time and still) truly unique random creation of multiplayer maps deeply balanced civilizations and gameplay makes this game one of the longest running RTS games series. Its still played online on Voobly, gameranger and other servers by thousands each day. No Gods, no aliens, just you, the game, and your skills. Definitely an awesome game.
More comments about Age of Empires IIKick ass game needs more votes but this blog is probably twenty years old so it really doesn't matter to me that much...
Best in graphics and sound! I love tis game very much!
Awesome game with awesome graphic, awesome game play, awesome sound, awesome story.
And waiting for its expansions : heart of the sworm & legacy of void...!
+6Age of Mythology was the first game I ever played... So much memories... After 10 years, I still play it, and I enjoy it the same. That says something, doesn't it? It's just something else... It's the very definition of a simple game, yet it's awesome...
AoM for ever!
RigasUT
+2I love this game to death! My only regret is that it faced a natural death as newer games stole the spotlight. To this day I secretly hope that everyone will discover what a great game it is.
+1I used to no life age of mythology for so long... Great game! I really enjoyed it because the strategy is a lot like real life!
This game is excellent. Not to mention it is great fun to relive the films as RTS. All expansions take you deeper into the world of Middle Earth.
This is hands down one of the most fun and interesting RTS games I've ever played.
Best game! Many different types of units, different building trees and very good graphics for a game of that time!
and the 2nd part together with the edain mod couldn't be beaten by other games!
This game has the biggest battle scale on the list, you can command hundreds of units at once and then view at it's epic-scale battles, I didn't like the second one personally, not sure what you guys think...
My number one favorite RTS of all times. I especially enjoy the customizable skirmish matches on large maps.
One of the best RTS's I've ever played, fast, tactical and intense.
More comments about Supreme CommanderBest RTS, havnet found another game like it that integrates the permanent hero with the normal RTS style of play
I love the sixteen factions/races, the scads of classes for hero creation and the items available to modify them. Theres truely no other rts like it.
its a very good rts game. for me its the best old-primary rts game. I'll play it for rest of my life.
More comments about Warlords Battlecry IIIOne of the first games I played. And it got my attention since first time I played it. I like how real everything is about managing your castle. The happyness, the combat, building, economy, everything kept me with this game untill today
The Best Ever Game Made on the history and time of crusade wars by Lionheart Sultan Salahuddin.. both the legendary persons. with awesome warrior skills
Almost good as first one, but still one of the best.
Much better thn stronghold 2.
This is and will always be the game which all others RTS-games will try to live up to. Westwood Studios, I salute you!
The first game.. just because of its epicness.
Awesome music as well. Frank Klepacki rocks!
hassefar60
I could go through the hassle of writing a clear and precise analysis on why it's easily the most perfect RTS ever made, but you newbies wouldn't understand anyways.
On top of nostalgia value, this game has a lot to credit it: an interesting and well developed plot, a quintessential RTS mechanic, cool units, even good atmosphere (including the funny quotes your units say if you click on them over and over again - and who could forget exploding sheep? ). Starcraft is basically just this game set in space (and the leftovers of a lost Warhammer 40k lisence), and frankly Warcraft 3 failed to meet the standard that this game set.
Most fun RTS I've ever played in my life...! Take this with a grain of salt because I've only ever played this on Xbox
I understand this isn't like a lot of RTS games out there but that is what makes it so great and my favorite, the fact that it is all about utilizing strategy on the battle feild and not on resource gathering
Halo wars is one of the best rts out there! It is very unqiue and creative to creat an rts based off the halo series, and it totally rocks! Vote for halo wars!
Extremely awesome, I love Halo wars! Halo Wars I like a tower defense (exceptional of the the campaign mode) Combined with a Halo game. Very good! I would really recommend trying the Halo wars demo on the Xbox 360 game marketplace or buying the full version.
Its just awesome the gameplay is really good and the grapics remain quite well after so many years its a really enjoyable game if u play this with your friends on a lan party I reccomend using this gam
Truly an amazing game, I've played it since 2003 and I still LOVE it! There's so much to do and the campaign is really large, it is the most fun RTS game in my oppinion.
Combination of RTS with TPS. Love the fact how you need a great commander at the same time skillful player.
Absolute masterpiece. The previous Savage : Battle of Newerth was great too
Very fun game I use to love playing it. They need to make a updated version. A lot of teams to chose from and all unique.
Although starcraft was just the most amazing 1.
critcakes
Black and white 2 and 1 are two of the greatest games I have ever played. These two beat the majority of the games on this list and the public are in need of the beautiful graphics and innovative gameplay.
The game is huge and complex.
If you really like strategy this is the game to try.
You can play it for a lot of hours.
EU 3 has no graphics but it deserves to be at top 5. One of the coolest RTS I've ever played.
This game has a great storyline and an awesome engine. It is ought to be higher up in the list. This game was not marketed well but that doent mean that gamers should overlook this
This game's epic scale battles and amazing graphics along with very intresting weapons such as the nuke make it one of the best RTS games ever.
Red Alert 2 is the most fun game I have ever played and by far my favorite. It has so much action and pure destruction that you can play it for four hours before you realize that it is time to turn it off. Yuri's Revenge was even more fun but it is not on the list. ALL of the C&C games deserve to be at least somewhere on this list, I just had to vote for this one>
This in mind one of the greatest RTS' of all time. Set in WWII you can control Japanese, German, Russian, British Commonwealth and American forces. Each one has dozens of soldiers, artillery, tanks, SP artillery, armored cars, special units and more.
I also love the unscripted bits. The joy you get watching as a p51 mustang fly down fire two rockets sending buildings crumbling and men flying. Only to be hit by an 88MM and sent into a dive, where it then slams into the ground its wings fly off as it rips down the street only to hit and wreck the 88 that downed it. Watching as a Goliath drives into a building filled with American soldiers whereupon it detonates killing a dozen men and completely destroy the building sending rubble flying.
The multiplayer is great too, with maps made for quick fast paced skirmishes, to large maps that become wars of attrition to dig out the bastards and set them alight with a Flammenwerfer.
Watching as a Russian sniper is taking potshots at Japanese infantrymen, just to have a tank blow his tower to bits, only for seconds later a Russian pops up from a ditch and lobs a Molotov at the tank. And that would just be taking place in a span of fifteen seconds. Amazing game that deserves a place in the top ten.
Best strategy game ever made. Since then no other game has come even close to its brilliance.
Best strategy game ever made. No strategy game since then even came close to its brilliance.
It's a good game, the naval combat system is the best from all Real time strategy games but is pretty old but I would like to see Rise and fall 2.
I'm putting all of the Red Alert games, aldo Red Alert 3 is my favorite because of the graphics, before it was released I used to play Red Alert 2 all the time, and loved it.
This is the third best C&C game and the last one on this list, this game was extremely fun and addictive, compared to its horrible sequel ( C&C 4 ).
Is the best way to describe this game. Grand strategy at its finest. It might not be on the ground controlling individual soldiers. Instead you control a country, any country from 1936 to 1948. With a huge tech tree with thousands of possibilities. I led the country of Germany, instead of starting war with Russia I calmed them down and focused all my forces to the west. Keeping England, Canada and America at bay as I had my scientists working on Nuclear technology. I then crossed the English channel as my strategic bombers dropped nukes on key British cities sending them back to the stone age. The possibilities are endless and you are given a large amount of freedom. Playing as the island nation of Haiti, I led my Haitian people to conquer the Dominican republic and then onto Cuba. Whereupon I leaned towards the Axis forces and started attacking small countries in south America. What other game lets you do that. None I say (Other then previous Hearts of Iron games)
Playing as the Soviet Union, telling the Molotov/Ribbentrop pact to bugger itself whereupon I take control of most of Europe. Amazing feeling. Which is why I believe this should have a place in the top 10.
This game is so underrated, but I love it! I have no idea why people don't like it, some people have never even played it, it's a really fun and action-packed game.
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