Best RTS games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated rts games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free rts games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Diplomacy is Not an Option
Diplomacy is Not an Option is a strategy game set in a medieval fantasy world. Build your town and defenses, raise huge armies and fight against massive hordes of enemies. How long can you survive?
Axon TD: Uprising - Tower Defense
Axon TD lets you expand the map boundaries themselves. A huge arsenal of towers and a wide variety of enemies clash in a battlefield that grows to your whims. Engage in single, cooperative, and roguelite gameplay.
Mechabellum
Mechabellum is a rewarding tactical wargame where you gain victory by adapting your strategy and outthinking your opponents. Command a mechanized army in battles against humans or AI, customize your units and strategically place them on the battlefield to watch them destroy your enemies.
Kepler-2100
Kepler-2100 is a space fantasy strategy war game
Age of Mythology: Retold
From the creators of the award-winning Age of Empires franchise, Age of Mythology: Retold goes beyond history to a mythical age where gods, monsters, and humans collide.
9-Bit Armies: A Bit Too Far
Unleash voxel warfare in 9-Bit Armies: A Bit Too Far. Lead a modern military, build bases, unlock units, and attack in all-out war. Engage on land, sea and air in over two dozen missions, online skirmishes, or co-op. Easy to learn, a challenge to master.
Toy Shire
Are you prepared for a thrilling toy army tower defense adventure? Welcome to the Toy Shire! Battle diverse foes in various locations, defend your family, and repel foes from your area. Save the world by strengthening your defense with toy towers!
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Battle for galactic dominance in this real-time 4X strategy game with unrivaled scale! You’ll explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate through military force, diplomacy, trade, culture, influence, and other underhanded tactics.
Loopstructor
This is a strategy game that combines tower defense with Roguelike. Unlike traditional tower defense game, the towers in the game are vehicles that move along ‘loops’.You need to create defense loop and build battle trains to defend against enemy attacks.
Age of Defense
Age of Defense is a tower defense game full of mind-blowing mayhem. There are tons of monsters and tough defenders in the game each of which fits perfectly into a funny cartoonish setting.
Norland
Lead your noble family in this medieval colony sim, facing off against class conflict, religious struggle, and political treachery. Tend to your people’s needs, uncover the lost knowledge of a fallen empire, and engage in nefarious plots against your enemies.
Gladiator Guild Manager
A strategic autobattler sim where you build a team of gladiators, compete in arenas, plan fight tactics, and form alliances. Combine fighters, beasts, and mages, develop and equip them to optimize your well-oiled fighting machine, dominate the championships, and leave your mark on the world.
Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
Build a soviet republic from an impoverished country into a rich industrial superpower in a city builder with intricate production chains and a fully simulated global economy. Manage the lives of your citizens from education to work and party loyalty to criminal activity.
Republic of Pirates
Establish and grow a pirate utopia during the Golden Age of Piracy. Create a resource-based economy, engage in real-time naval combat, and navigate diplomatic relationships with rival powers. Explore the far reaches of the Caribbean in search of the ultimate fortune and glory…
TFC: The Fertile Crescent
The Fertile Crescent is a captivating reimagining of classic base-building RTS, inspired by the epic struggles of growth, advancement, and conquest in the cradle of civilization.
Empires of the Undergrowth
Command swarms of warriors at an unprecedented scale of warfare in this blend of RTS and base-building. Lead ant colonies against the many fearsome threats of the insect world, while building intricate nests, developing pheromone-based tactics, and evolving to meet growing dangers.
clickyland
clickyland is a tower defense village builder where clicks are your main resource. Use clicks to harvest resources, fight enemies and manage your village, but use them wisely as you only get 20 clicks every day! Can you reach day 100?
Galacticare
Build, manage and optimise intergalactic hospitals! Recruit staff to satisfy the whims of various alien species, and cure their bizarre illnesses - for money! Save the (literal) Galaxy in story mode, or head into sandbox to design the hospital of your dreams.
WARNO
Realistic, immersive, breathtaking. WARNO is the ultimate World War III battle simulator from the masters of strategy, Eugen Systems. A Cold War turns decisively hot as you command hundreds of units on a beautiful and brutal battlefield. Outsmart, outfight, and lead your forces to total victory.
Mech Engineer
A dark sci-fi mech assembling manager with semi-auto battles against mutating, alien bio-weapon.
Men of War II
Experience warfare like never before! Men of War II, the anticipated sequel to the highly acclaimed RTS franchise is here with all-new units, locations, campaigns, game modes and true trademarks of the series: historical fidelity and action-filled gameplay on the Eastern and Western Fronts of WWII.Most played rts games on Steam
Take a look at the top rts games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 15th 2025.
1. Total War: WARHAMMER III
The cataclysmic conclusion to the Total War: WARHAMMER trilogy is here. Rally your forces and step into the Realm of Chaos, a dimension of mind-bending horror where the very fate of the world will be decided. Will you conquer your Daemons… or command them? Total War: WARHAMMER III is a strategy, turn-based strategy and grand strategy game developed by Creative Assembly and Feral Interactive and published by Feral Interactive and SEGA. Released on February 16th 2022 has received 117,780 reviews of which 85,068 were positive and 32,712 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played rts game, thanks to its 36,048 peak concurrent players over the last day.
7.2
85,068
32,712
36,048
players
2. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
42 Civilizations, 229 Campaign Missions, Singleplayer, Co-Op, Multiplayer, In-Game Editor, Mods, Cross-play...It is good to be the king. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is a strategy, rts and city builder game developed by Forgotten Empires, Tantalus Media, Wicked Witch, World's Edge and CaptureAge and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on November 14th 2019 has received 159,608 reviews of which 151,527 were positive and 8,081 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. While seeing 28,305 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among rts games based on player count.
9.4
151,527
8,081
28,305
players
3. Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition
Celebrating its first year of delighting millions of global players, the award-winning and best-selling strategy franchise continues with Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, putting you at the center of even more epic historical battles that shaped the world. Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition is a strategy, rts and base-building game developed by Relic Entertainment, Forgotten Empires, Climax Studios and World's Edge and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on October 28th 2021 has received 78,584 reviews of which 67,670 were positive and 10,914 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. While seeing 24,322 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among rts games based on player count.
8.5
67,670
10,914
24,322
players
4. Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition offers players a trial of this historical single & multiplayer RTS experience. *Note: To unlock all features of the game please see the “Base Game” product. Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is a strategy, base-building and rts game developed by World's Edge, Tantalus Media and Forgotten Empires and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on October 15th 2020 has received 47,511 reviews of which 40,165 were positive and 7,346 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. With 6,235 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played rts games.
8.3
40,165
7,346
6,235
players
5. Call to Arms - Gates of Hell: Ostfront
Call to Arms - Gates of Hell is a realistic RTS/ RTT game that offers endless replay value. Command all types of troops in historical singleplayer, dynamic campaign, PvP and PvE battles. Are you ready for some serious immersion in World War 2? Call to Arms - Gates of Hell: Ostfront is a world war ii, strategy and real time tactics game developed by Barbedwire Studios and Digitalmindsoft and published by Digitalmindsoft. Released on June 11th 2021 has received 22,710 reviews of which 18,875 were positive and 3,835 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. With 5,311 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played rts games.
8.2
18,875
3,835
5,311
players
6. Company of Heroes 2
Experience the ultimate WWII RTS platform with COH2 and its standalone expansions. This package includes the base game, which you can then upgrade by purchasing The Western Front Armies, Ardennes Assault and/or The British Forces. More info in the "About This Game" section below. Company of Heroes 2 is a strategy, world war ii and rts game developed by Relic Entertainment and Feral Interactive (Linux) and published by Relic Entertainment, Feral interactive (Mac) and Feral Interactive (Linux). Released on June 25th 2013 has received 109,353 reviews of which 86,351 were positive and 23,002 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 5,110 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played rts games.
7.8
86,351
23,002
5,110
players
7. Age of Empires II (Retired)
Age of Empires II has been re-imagined in high definition. With the release of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, this product will not be updated further. Age of Empires II (Retired) is a strategy, rts and medieval game developed by SkyBox Labs, Hidden Path Entertainment, Ensemble Studios and Forgotten Empires and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on April 09th 2013 has received 101,108 reviews of which 96,842 were positive and 4,266 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 3,870 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played rts games.
9.4
96,842
4,266
3,870
players
8. Age of Mythology: Retold
From the creators of the award-winning Age of Empires franchise, Age of Mythology: Retold goes beyond history to a mythical age where gods, monsters, and humans collide. Age of Mythology: Retold is a strategy, rts and base-building game developed by World's Edge, Forgotten Empires, Tantalus Media, CaptureAge and Virtuos Games and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on September 04th 2024 has received 16,088 reviews of which 14,473 were positive and 1,615 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 2,965 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played rts games.
8.8
14,473
1,615
2,965
players
9. Northgard
Northgard is a critically acclaimed strategy game based on Norse mythology. Lead your clan, uncover the secrets of a mysterious newfound continent and defeat your enemies to conquer the Throne! Northgard is a strategy, city builder and simulation game developed and published by Shiro Games. Released on March 07th 2018 has received 64,080 reviews of which 55,486 were positive and 8,594 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 2,912 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played rts games.
8.5
55,486
8,594
2,912
players
10. Total War: WARHAMMER II
Strategy gaming perfected. A breath-taking campaign of exploration, expansion and conquest across a fantasy world. Turn-based civilisation management and real-time epic strategy battles with thousands of troops and monsters at your command. Total War: WARHAMMER II is a strategy, fantasy and turn-based strategy game developed by Creative Assembly and Feral Interactive (Linux) and published by Feral interactive (Mac), Feral Interactive (Linux) and SEGA. Released on September 28th 2017 has received 124,090 reviews of which 114,619 were positive and 9,471 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 2,603 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played rts games.
9.1
114,619
9,471
2,603
players
Best deals on rts games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of rts games available on Steam right now, updated on April 15th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted rts games.
1. Stronghold Crusader 2
Stronghold Crusader 2 is the long awaited sequel to the original castle sim. After 12 years Stronghold returns to the desert with a new 3D engine and powerful Havok Physics. Crusader 2 recaptures the original game’s addictive, fast-paced gameplay and authentic castle simulation. Stronghold Crusader 2 is a strategy, medieval and city builder game developed and published by FireFly Studios. Released on September 22nd 2014 has received 16,919 reviews of which 12,202 were positive and 4,717 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Featuring a massive 95% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for rts category.
7.1
12,202
4,717
-95%
34.80€
1.74€
2. Medieval Kingdom Wars
Rewrite medieval history through bloody siege combat in a fusion of RTS and Grand Strategy genres. Rule, build, and serve your King as a minor lord in medieval Europe. Experience siege, field and naval combat with an unseen degree of brutality. Rogue-like progression, epic towns and battles await… Medieval Kingdom Wars is a grand strategy, rts and medieval game developed by Reverie World Studios and published by indie.io. Released on January 03rd 2019 has received 2,585 reviews of which 1,977 were positive and 608 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 93% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in rts games.
7.4
1,977
608
-93%
14.29€
1.00€
3. Tooth and Tail
Lead the revolution with an army of flamethrowing Boars, mustard gas-lobbing Skunks, and paratrooper-puking Owls. Tooth and Tail is a Real-Time-Strategy game featuring Single Player, Online Competitive Play, Split Screen, Replays, and more. Build a base, lead your army, eat your enemies! Tooth and Tail is a strategy, rts and pixel graphics game developed and published by Pocketwatch Games. Released on September 12th 2017 has received 4,043 reviews of which 3,234 were positive and 809 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 91% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in rts games.
7.8
3,234
809
-91%
20.00€
1.80€
4. Cartel Tycoon
Cartel Tycoon is a survival business sim inspired by the ‘80s and '90s narco trade. Expand and conquer, fight off rival thugs and evade the authorities. Earn people's loyalty and strive to overcome the doomed fate of a power-hungry drug lord. Cartel Tycoon is a top-down, rts and resource management game developed by Moon Moose and published by tinyBuild. Released on July 26th 2022 has received 3,507 reviews of which 2,680 were positive and 827 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for rts games.
7.4
2,680
827
-91%
27.78€
2.50€
5. Sudden Strike 4
Sudden Strike is back! The beloved Real Time Strategy series returns, this time with bigger battlefields, more units, better graphics, new scenarios and legendary commanders – making Sudden Strike 4 more tactical and realistic than ever before! Sudden Strike 4 is a strategy, rts and world war ii game developed by Kite Games and published by Kalypso Media. Released on August 11th 2017 has received 7,774 reviews of which 6,056 were positive and 1,718 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for rts games.
7.6
6,056
1,718
-90%
19.00€
1.90€
6. Men of War: Assault Squad 2
Men of War: Assault Squad 2 features new single player style skirmish modes that take players from extreme tank combat to deadly sniper stealth missions. Commanders can now faceoff against opponents on various new multiplayer 1v1 – 8v8 maps. Men of War: Assault Squad 2 is a strategy, world war ii and war game developed by Digitalmindsoft and published by Fulqrum Publishing. Released on May 15th 2014 has received 43,994 reviews of which 40,143 were positive and 3,851 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 89% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for rts games.
9.0
40,143
3,851
-89%
31.00€
3.41€
7. S.W.I.N.E. HD Remaster
S.W.I.N.E. HD Remaster is the new edition of the challenging classic strategy game S.W.I.N.E! The filthiest of all wars between the Rabbit and the Pig armies is a sophisticated real-time strategy with completely revised textures, detailed unit models, a 16:9 adapted interface. S.W.I.N.E. HD Remaster is a strategy, rts and retro game developed by Kite Games and published by Kite Games and WhisperGames. Released on May 23rd 2019 has received 1,182 reviews of which 1,077 were positive and 105 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 88% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for rts games.
8.6
1,077
105
-88%
10.00€
1.20€
8. Men of War: Assault Squad
Men of War: Assault Squad features a completely new cooperative skirmish game mode with access to five different nations (Russia, Germany, USA, Commonwealth and, for the first time ever in the Men of War series, Japan) as well as increased realism and accessibility. Men of War: Assault Squad is a strategy, world war ii and war game developed by Digitalmindsoft and published by Fulqrum Publishing. Released on February 24th 2011 has received 4,913 reviews of which 4,313 were positive and 600 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 88% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for rts games.
8.5
4,313
600
-88%
10.00€
1.20€
9. Imperium Galactica II
Reintroducing a classic from the golden era of gaming, the original empire building space RTS, Imperium Galactica 2 is back and looking better than ever with new high-res textures and vivid colors. Imperium Galactica II is a strategy, space and 4x game developed by Digital Reality and Gyroscope Games and published by THQ Nordic. Released on January 19th 2017 has received 580 reviews of which 506 were positive and 74 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 88% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for rts games.
8.2
506
74
-88%
10.25€
1.23€
10. Company of Heroes 2
Experience the ultimate WWII RTS platform with COH2 and its standalone expansions. This package includes the base game, which you can then upgrade by purchasing The Western Front Armies, Ardennes Assault and/or The British Forces. More info in the "About This Game" section below. Company of Heroes 2 is a strategy, world war ii and rts game developed by Relic Entertainment and Feral Interactive (Linux) and published by Relic Entertainment, Feral interactive (Mac) and Feral Interactive (Linux). Released on June 25th 2013 has received 109,353 reviews of which 86,351 were positive and 23,002 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 88% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for rts games.
7.8
86,351
23,002
-88%
19.50€
2.34€
Free rts games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play rts games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 15th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play rts games.
1. Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition offers players a trial of this historical single & multiplayer RTS experience. *Note: To unlock all features of the game please see the “Base Game” product. Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is a strategy, base-building and rts game developed by World's Edge, Tantalus Media and Forgotten Empires and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on October 15th 2020 has received 47,511 reviews of which 40,165 were positive and 7,346 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. With 6,235 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free rts games on Steam.
8.3
40,165
7,346
6,235
players
2. War Selection
War Selection is a compelling RTS game featuring base building, resource extraction and warfare. Evolve from a stone age tribe to a distinct industrial nation with unique game mechanics and battle for supremacy with dozens of players on a unique procedurally generated map. War Selection is a strategy, base-building and free to play game developed and published by Glyph Worlds. Released on October 08th 2019 has received 21,670 reviews of which 18,620 were positive and 3,050 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 1,203, this rts game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free rts games on Steam.
8.4
18,620
3,050
1,203
players
3. EMERGENCY
Save lives – be a hero! Join forces against the chaos in the newest title of the award-winning EMERGENCY series. Take up your shift as incident commander and coordinate with other players to fight fires, arrest gangsters and rescue injured civilians. Your city needs you! EMERGENCY is a free to play, multiplayer and strategy game developed and published by Sixteen Tons Entertainment. Released on August 15th 2023 has received 5,328 reviews of which 3,609 were positive and 1,719 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 230, this rts game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free rts games on Steam.
6.6
3,609
1,719
230
players
4. Art of War: Red Tides
Art of War: Red Tides is a fair multiplayer strategy game that allows different teams on the same platform (e.g. smartphones, PC, etc.) to battle against each other. You will encounter players around the world! Art of War: Red Tides is a free to play, strategy and multiplayer game developed and published by Game Science. Released on December 22nd 2016 has received 6,893 reviews of which 5,437 were positive and 1,456 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free rts games on Steam.
7.7
5,437
1,456
100
players
5. Zero-K
With 100+ truly unique units, Zero-K is an RTS of freedom and creativity, tempered by a decade of refinement. Sculpt land into a castle and throw invaders off it with a Jugglenaut. Explore a massive campaign, solo or co-op. Hop online for epic 32 player battles or fast paced 1v1, on 100s of maps. Zero-K is a strategy, free to play and rts game developed and published by Zero-K Team. Released on April 27th 2018 has received 3,856 reviews of which 3,613 were positive and 243 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free rts games on Steam.
9.0
3,613
243
89
players
6. My Lands: Black Gem Hunting
My Lands is a free online RTS where dark and light forces fight for Black Gem and dominion in a vast fantasy world. Cooperation between players, joint economy development, creation of clans and alliances and elaboration of a team strategy serve as the very foundation of the game. My Lands: Black Gem Hunting is a strategy, free to play and rts game developed by Gravvit Ltd and Forbes Consult Ltd and published by ELYLAND INVESTMENT COMPANY Ltd. Released on September 16th 2014 has received 3,304 reviews of which 2,766 were positive and 538 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free rts games on Steam.
8.1
2,766
538
85
players
7. AirMech
AirMech® Strike is a fast paced Action-RTS game that can be played solo, coop, or competitively online. Earn Kudos and Experience in battle and unlock a wide collection of AirMechs and Units while you practice the perfect strategy to emerge victorious! AirMech is a free to play, strategy and multiplayer game developed and published by Carbon Games. Released on March 30th 2018 has received 10,654 reviews of which 8,960 were positive and 1,694 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free rts games on Steam.
8.2
8,960
1,694
47
players
8. Warzone 2100
In the late 21st century, the world's civilizations are wiped out by a series of nuclear strikes, seemingly caused by a massive malfunction of the new NASDA (North American Strategic Defense Agency) strategic defense system. Warzone 2100 is a strategy, free to play and rts game developed by Pumpkin Studios, Underdone Gaming and Warzone 2100 Project and published by Underdone Gaming. Released on February 18th 2020 has received 1,479 reviews of which 1,336 were positive and 143 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free rts games on Steam.
8.6
1,336
143
35
players
9. AOD: Art Of Defense
AOD is a new gameplay in the traditional tower defence genre. You must protect your base from waves of approaching enemies. Build and improve your towers and units and destroy your enemies in any way you can. Don't be weak, destroy them all, show who's in charge! AOD: Art Of Defense is a tower defense, real time tactics and wargame game developed and published by Sateda. Released on December 01st 2020 has received 369 reviews of which 288 were positive and 81 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free rts games on Steam.
7.3
288
81
33
players
10. Empires Apart
An exciting free-to-play Real Time Strategy game set in medieval times. Uniquely designed factions, customization options, singleplayer and multiplayer gameplay. Gather resources, raise an army and lead your civilization to victory in a classic RTS, brought to the modern age. Empires Apart is a strategy, rts and free to play game developed by DESTINYbit and published by Slitherine Ltd.. Released on March 29th 2018 has received 2,429 reviews of which 1,660 were positive and 769 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free rts games on Steam.
6.7
1,660
769
18
players