Best Action RTS Games, Ranked

The action RTS genre has been a long-standing favorite among PC gamers for decades now, and as the genre looks to expand into the world of console gaming too, more and more high-quality titles are being released year after year. Whether it’s combating aliens in a sci-fi setting or traveling back to an ancient historical time period, the RTS genre truly has something for everyone.

With a focus on strategy and management, these games can require more forethought and planning than many others. From micromanaging squads on the frontlines of combat to grandiose campaigns and city building, many games have integrated several gameplay mechanics into them, but each is heavily centered around action-packed real-time strategy.

Updated May 3, 2024, by Jason Wojnar: The Real-Time Strategy genre has such a steep learning curve because it combines thinking ahead with enacting a strategy in the moment. At the highest level, players have to click away with precision and speed while also being steps ahead of their competitors. The games added to this list below in the update all share this feature along with the existing ones. The genre is not as popular as it once was, but it still has a dedicated following who latch onto the newest releases and keep the classics alive.

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14 Dune 2

No Metacritic Score Available

This game almost single-handedly created the genre that gamers know today as RTS. While it lacks a lot of the modern conveniences of the genre, it was incredibly innovative and influential, and every RTS owes it a debt.

The idea of gathering resources to build and manage units added an economy to each mission, adding another layer of strategy that is key to the genre. With Dune being so popular from the recent film adaptations, now is as good a time as ever to jump into this game.

13 Halo Wars

Metascore: 82

RTS games set in already-popular game franchises give players an opportunity to see the universe from a different perspective. Halo Wars does just this, along with giving the genre an honest go on consoles, a place where it always had trouble adjusting.

Halo Wars serves as a solid RTS for beginners, since adapting the genre to an Xbox 360 controller streamlines a lot of the experience. Fans of the genre will not feel too left out, though, since it still feels like a genuine RTS. Most importantly, Halo fans will be pleased by this spin-off’s take on the world.

12 Warcraft (Series)

Metascore: 93 (Warcraft 3)

The Warcraft series might be overshadowed by the MMORPG World of Warcraft, but that should not take away from its contribution to the RTS genre. Warcraft 3 is a particularly celebrated entry for its hero units, which led to games like DOTA.

The first two games in the series were also standout additions to the genre for their day. The debut entry in particular put develper Blizzard on their path to becoming the legends they are today. The single-player mode of the series is notable for having more complicated objectives than the standard “destroy the enemy” that is inherent to the genre.

11 Brutal Legend

Metascore: 83

Double Fine’s tribute to Heavy Metal is easily the most unique game on this list. It is both an action-adventure game and RTS rolled into one. Players control Eddie Rigs as if they are playing a 3D action game, but major story events turn into a lite RTS mode which includes all the staples of the genre.

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This is where the game either elevates or goes off a cliff, depending on one’s tastes. All the same, the aesthetics, celebrity voice roles, and sheer sincerity should be enough to let any gamer see this title through to the end.

10 Aliens: Dark Descent

Metascore: 80

Aliens: Dark Descent is the latest game in the iconic Aliens franchise. Set on the planet Lethe, players command a squad of colonial marines in their fight against a Xenomorph outbreak, as well as against the cultists who follow them.

The gameplay is similar to XCOM, only replacing the turn-based combat with real-time action. Players will have to manage the facilities within their base, their squad’s equipment and preparation, as well as their tactics and movement in the field. The tense atmosphere and gameplay make for a great action RTS experience, and no prior knowledge of the Aliens universe is required to jump in.

9 Homeworld (Series)

Metascore: 93 (Homeworld)

Originally released in 1999, Homeworld has long been a beloved title in the RTS space, particularly among fans of sci-fi settings. A sequel and a remastered collection have been released over the years, with Homeworld 3 expected to release in 2024.

Players control a fleet of starships and engage in huge 3D space battles in one of the best space RTS experiences around. With a wide variety of unit customization and battlefield tactics, there is plenty to get stuck into with the Homeworld series, and never a better time to get started than now.

8 Empires of the Undergrowth

Steam User Rating: 94%

Empires of the Undergrowth is a unique RTS experience that sees players take control of an ant colony as they struggle to survive the experiments of a mad scientist. Players can choose from a variety of different ant species and will have to collect resources to feed their queen, as well as combat a range of insect enemies along the way.

Although still in early access, the game features a number of deep mechanics, as players must burrow their way around the environment, collect food, and create spaces for eggs. There is plenty to love about this project from Slug Disco, with much more to come when the game fully releases.

7 Steel Division 2

Metascore: 73

In Steel Division 2, players command massive armies across large-scale battles in a World War 2 setting. There are not many games that are able to realistically simulate wartime tactics quite like this one.

The only downside to the game is that it can be very difficult for newer players to get into since there is limited help offered in-game and a number of complex mechanics for players to learn. Fortunately, the game’s enthusiastic community is happy to help and provide plenty of support through tutorials and forums.

6 The Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-Earth

Metascore: 82

Arguably one of the best games ever set in the iconic Lord of the Rings universe, Battle For Middle Earth and its sequel Battle For Middle Earth 2 have been highly praised for their large-scale RTS combat and campaign mechanics.

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Despite both games being released over 15 years ago, the modding community is continually adding content to the game, with the latest free “Age of the Ring” update giving the game a huge overhaul. Sure to please any Tolkien fan, this game is also likely to provide plenty of enjoyment for anyone looking to command large armies and witness epic spectacles on the battlefield.

5 StarCraft (Series)

Metascore: 88 (StarCraft)

Formerly the frontier of eSports and one of the most popular RTS titles of all time, the StarCraft series has faded away in recent years. With no mention of a StarCraft 3 coming any time soon, developers at Blizzard Entertainment have turned their focus elsewhere.

Despite this, StarCraft and the more popular StarCraft 2 remain among the best RTS games of all time. With a slightly more arcade-style aesthetic than some other titles, the games are focused on fast-paced competitive battles and require a combination of planning and skill to win.

4 Company of Heroes (Series)

Metascore: 93 (Company of Heroes)

Having released its third installment, the Company of Heroes franchise puts players in command of large-scale armies during World War 2. With a number of factions and settings across the series, players can experience historical authenticity and real-time tactics in an excellent blend of intensity and strategy.

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Whether for fans of the RTS genre as a whole or for fans of the WW2 setting specifically, Company of Heroes really provides the best of both worlds and introduces players to a number of iconic units, vehicles, and aircraft as they battle over territory in a range of campaigns and game modes.

3 Command and Conquer (Series)

Metascore: 94 (Command and Conquer)

The Command and Conquer series has long been a fan-favorite for sci-fi RTS lovers and really revolutionized the genre with its unit combination of base building, unit variation, and large-scale combat.

From the Cold War-themed Red Alert trilogy to the Tiberium Wars saga, Command, and Conquer has consistently delivered with brilliant and engaging futuristic battles featuring air, land, and even sea units. The deployment of dramatic super-weapons can also add an element of urgency to each battle, with every side working towards the ultimate goal of obliterating all others.

2 Age of Empires (Series)

Metascore: 92 (Age of Empires 2)

Age of Empires is a must-play for any fans of historical RTS games or city builders. Players must command one of a number of historical nations as they work to build up a settlement from nothing, eventually turning it into a formidable city and destroying their opponents.

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The latest installment, Age of Empires 4, focuses on the period between the Dark and Imperial Ages, though previous iterations have focused on the Discovery Age as well. Whether playing as the noble samurai or imperial France, each nation offers a unique playstyle with its own unique constructions, units, and abilities.

1 Total War (Series)

Metascore: 92 (Rome: Total War)

Arguably the greatest series when it comes to action RTS is the Total War series. Starting in the year 2000 with Total War: Shogun, the series, developed by Creative Assembly, now spans a multitude of historical eras and even the fantasy realm with the Warhammer trilogy.

Whether for fans of the Napoleonic era, Ancient Rome, or Medieval Europe, the opportunity to command historical armies and conquer lands in the game’s epic grand campaigns should appeal to players of all backgrounds and interests. The upcoming Total War: Pharaoh seeks to expand the series even further.

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