Best RTS Games on Steam You Need Right Now

Want to find a new top rated RTS game? Check out these titles available now on Steam.

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Main image courtesy of FlexJobs.

Have you been itching to find a new RTS game but aren’t sure which ones are worth your time? Then you’ve come to the right article, because that’s what we’re discussing today. People love RTS games because they let them take full control of the board, forcing you to grapple with lots of moving parts. Your decisions make an impact in real time, which is why these kinds of games are both challenging and rewarding.

No matter if you prefer full action, tower defense, or city builders, there’s an RTS game out there for everyone. Today we’re going to discuss the best ones available on Steam, that include:

  • Age of Empires IV
  • Age of Darkness Final Stand
  • Stronghold Definitive Edition
  • Mindustry
  • They Are Billions
  • Against the Storm
  • Hearts of Iron IV

Note: We’ve also listed the prices of these games as of this writing, which may reflect a discount.

Age of Empires IV - $19.99

Which civilization will you choose and how will you help your empire flourish?

age of empire screen shot
How will you shape the world? When you’re in control of some of the most successful world civilizations, only you can decide. Image courtesy of Steampowered.

“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.”

This RTS game is considered one of the most popular on the market, and is a great game for beginners as well as advanced players. You can choose from eight of the world’s civilizations and build, manage, and grow your numbers and your resources. You’ll also get to experience some of the most epic battles in history, where you control all the pieces to determine what the outcome will be. In this stimulating RTS game, you can lead your troops into battle, create buildings, and find your landmarks, which will allow you to advance to the next age. 

The graphics in this game are top notch, and while it is single player, you can connect with up to 7 of your friends in multiplayer modes. 

Age of Darkness Final Stand - $14.73

Fight against the never ending darkness in this top RTS game

age of darkness screen shot
Will you be able to stop the endless herd of Nightmares and take back your world? Image courtesy of Steampowered

“Age of Darkness: Final Stand is a dark fantasy survival RTS where you must illuminate, build and defend humanity’s last bastion against hordes of Nightmares. Set in the remnants of a kingdom consumed by a deadly fog, you decide.”

Another fantastic RTS game that consistently gets great reviews is Age of Darkness: Final Stand. This world has been consumed by a deadly fog, one that you must take apart piece by piece by following the map and reclaiming what was once in the light. Along the way you’ll fight endless waves of Nightmares, who want nothing other than to return the world to deadly darkness. You’re responsible for gathering resources, creating and fortifying your defenses, and finding blessings to give the side of light an advantage. But beware of Death Nights and Nightmare champions!

Stronghold Definitive Edition - $14.99

Construct strongholds, lead your armies, and wage war!

stronghold screen shot
This game has been remastered from the original version, but requires all your skills to be successful. Image courtesy of Steampowered

“Your stronghold awaits you. Build a castle economy, besiege unforgettable villains and return to the 'castle sim' that started it all. Experience this classic RTS with upgraded visuals, modernized gameplay, Steam multiplayer and a new campaign.”

You’re in charge of rebuilding the kingdom in this definitive edition of the beloved Stronghold RTS game. It’s more than just war in this game though, as you’re required to build your defenses, create a stable world, and prepare your army for battle. Not only can you wage war against the lords who tore apart the country, but you can recruit skilled characters such as engineers to create sophisticated siege weapons. Put your battle skills to the test and ensure your army is well-prepared before they engage. If not, you could be dealing with hundreds of injured soldiers!

Mindustry - $4.99

Create complicated supply chains to defend your structures

mindustry screen shot
While not a traditional RTS game, Mindustry is a fun way to play with sandbox, factory, RTS, and tower defense components. Image courtesy of Steampowered.

“An open-ended factory management game with RTS and tower defense elements.”

Although it’s not a traditional RTS game where you have a clear objective to defeat a villain or achieve a grand goal, it is a fun game that requires lots of planning. In Mindustry, you’re in charge of creating supply systems that will allow ammo to reach your turrets so you can defend against the enemy and prevent them from reaching the core. When you have the right supplies, you can capture new territory to put down more cores and continue your production. You can also play through two separate planetary campaigns while your factories are running smoothly, allowing you to focus on expanding to other sectors of the map.

They Are Billions - $22.49

Can you survive in a post-apocalyptic world full of zombies?

there are billions screen shot
Kill zombies, prevent infection, build up your colonies. Repeat. Image courtesy of Steampowered

“They Are Billions is a Steampunk strategy game set on a post-apocalyptic planet. Build and defend colonies to survive against the billions of the infected that seek to annihilate the few remaining living humans. Can humanity survive after the zombie apocalypse?”

If you’re ready for an RTS game with amazing graphics, 48 missions, and two ways to play, They are Billions could be just what you’re looking for. No matter if you choose survival mode or RTS mode, you’re in charge of building a human base, laying out defenses, gathering resources, and killing any zombies you come across—which can be hundreds or thousands at a time. It’s your job to create successful human colonies that can unite and take back their world from the infected masses, but to do so you’ll have to defend bases, pay workers, and manage the mercenaries who will fight the zombies.

Against the Storm - $19.49

Build a network of cities and connect them all in this fun and and engaging RTS game

against the storm screen shot
Will you be able to create settlements and support them long enough so that they’ll survive? Image courtesy of Steampowered.

“A dark fantasy city builder where you must rebuild civilization in the face of apocalyptic rains. As the Queen’s Viceroy, lead humans, beavers, lizards, foxes, and harpies to reclaim the wilderness and secure a future for civilization's last survivors.” 

In this world, the storm never ends, but when there is a lull, you’ll be sent out by the Scorched Queen to create new settlements. This is an interesting RTS game that focuses on settlement building, but it’s not just one and done. Once you have all the resources and labor you need to build a settlement, you’ll still need to make sure the Queen is pleased with your work. If she is, you can move on and create more, but still keep an eye on previous ones. You’ll move across a variety of locations, all while keeping the Queen happy and avoiding the destructive Blightrot.

You’re not alone in the struggle to survive and create settlements, as a variety of villagers is at your disposal, including foxes, beavers, lizards, and more. Use their skills to create colonies, but make sure you’re also keeping them happy and fed. There are external dangers that can threaten your settlement, as well as villager unrest—can you balance it all?

Hearts of Iron IV - $11.99

Which side will you choose during the epic battles of World War II?

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If you’ve always wanted to immerse yourself in the strategies of the nations during World War II, this is your chance. Image courtesy of Steampowered

“Victory is at your fingertips! Your ability to lead your nation is your supreme weapon, the strategy game Hearts of Iron IV lets you take command of any nation in World War II; the most engaging conflict in world history.”

In Hearts of Iron IV, it’s up to you to choose the nation you want to command either in 1936 or 1939, and you can also decide whether or not you want to follow a timeline that’s historically accurate. This popular RTS game puts players in charge of creating successful military strategy for land, sea, and air forces. In order to do so you’ll need to manage supply lines, fortify factories, and choose a military cabinet with the right advisors to achieve victory. This game requires meticulous planning and coordinated execution—are you up for it?

Those are our top RTS games on Steam right now 

Whether you want to rebuild a society, direct your legions, or create a castle economy, you can do it all with these RTS games. Hurry as these discounted prices won’t last!

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