The Best Games With Unique Blends Of RTS And RPG Gameplay

Key Takeaways

• Mixing RPG elements with strategy games can create unique experiences, held together by story-driven campaign modes.
• Games like
  Dawn Of War 2
  and
  Warlords Battlecry 3
  introduced hero units and RPG mechanics into RTS gameplay.
• Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos
  redefined the RTS genre by incorporating hero units and RPG-style campaigns, showcasing excellent game design.

Many modern games combine two or more genres into something new, but this wasn’t always the case. At first, there were strategy games and role-playing games. It wasn’t until later that developers decided to start mixing the two together to create something unique.

There have been some great games and entire franchises that mix RPG elements with strategy gameplay. Most often, these games take place in a fantasy world and are held together by a story-driven campaign mode that gives them meaning. Hero units are common, with the player being able to level these up and select new skills, before using them during tactical battles. From strategy iconic to under-the-radar gems, these are the best games that blend the RTS and RPG genres.

8 Mount & Blade: Warband

Open World Sandbox RTS

Mount & Blade: Warband is something of an oddity in many ways. There are few RTS games that offer sandbox-style gameplay. Mount & Blade: Warband achieves this by mixing in RPG elements, as the player attempts to make the jump from a humble mercenary to a King of the land.

The game world is dynamic, and the player is free to approach the game as they see fit. They can form alliances, complete quests, and build their reputation. The battles can be truly epic, and follow a well-rounded RTS system. Overall, Mount & Blade: Warband is a great game, and one that both RTS and RPG fans can enjoy.

7 Warhammer 40K: Dawn Of War 2

The Definitive 40K RTS

The original Dawn Of War was a good RTS, but it was a little one-dimensional in the way the player could ignore their hero units entirely, and play an overwhelming force style of game, much like a traditional RTS game.

Dawn OF War 2 solved this problem. It placed much more emphasis on the hero units and the tactical use of their special abilities. Additionally, the RPG-style unit progression system was improved, and it became much more beneficial to try and keep units alive to turn them into veterans.

6 Heroes Of Might And Magic 3

Turn-Based And Real-Time Combined

Combining classic turn-based strategy gameplay with real-time aspects and an RPG-style progression system, Heroes Of Might And Magic 3 is a fantastic game that is still well worth playing today, even though it was first released over 20 years ago.

With its high fantasy backdrop, players have to explore the map, gather armies, obtain equipment, and level up. The game manages to keep the pace up, even though the main strategic map gameplay is turn-based. The game also has a compelling story and a great campaign mode, further enhancing its RPG elements.

5 Total War: Three Kingdoms

Asian-Themed RTS With RPG Elements

Combining Asian-themed RPG elements with the proven Total War RTS battle system,Total War: Three Kingdoms mixes exceptional tactical combat with character progression that is straight out of the RPG playbook.

Set in the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history, the campaign mode draws heavily on the traditions of the region. The player is tasked with managing their chosen kingdom on the strategic map and controlling troops on the real-time battle maps. The narrative is well-written, and the game is highly polished. Overall, this is one of the better Total War games that dared to move away from the proven recipe.

4 The Banner Saga 3

Norse Inspired Storytelling

The Banner Saga 3 is a strategy game that puts its storytelling center stage. With its basis in Norse mythology, the game delivers an RPG-style campaign experience, even though battles are entirely strategic in nature.

The player controls characters who can be fully customized, developing new skills and becoming more powerful and valuable units that the player will rely on during strategic battles. Overall, the result is a seamless blend of strategy and RPG, which is glued together by the great campaign mode and excellent narrative.

3 Warlords Battlecry 3

Hero Units Are Key

Warlords Battlecry 3 did a fantastic job of merging some great RTS-style combat with meaningful RPG mechanics. This was mainly done by introducing the player to hero units, which could be leveled up over time, and would then become a key part of the player’s troop lineup.

The level of customization in this game is impressive, as is the exquisitely crafted fantasy world that the game takes place in. The player is free to build defensive bases or go on an all-out attack by creating large armies. The campaign mode does a good job of balancing all-out warfare with rewarding exploration as well.

2 Warcraft 3: Reign Of Chaos

Redefined The RTS Genre

This list wouldn’t have been complete without a Warcraft game getting a mention, and it is Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos that takes its rightful place near the top. This 2002 game completely changed the RTS genre by incorporating hero units and an RPG-style campaign.

With its excellently crafted narrative, as one would expect from Blizzard, the game is highly polished on all fronts. Alongside some classic RTS action, the player must level up heroes, collect items and equipment, and choose the right skills to use in battle.

1 SpellForce: The Order Of Dawn

A Fantastic RTS/RPG Hybrid

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Android
• Released: November 28, 2003
• Developer: EA Phenomic
• Genre: Real-time strategy, Role-playing Game

SpellForce: The Order of Dawn takes the top place on this list for a very good reason: The fact that it manages to meld two very different genres, RPG and RTS, into a sensible and unified whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.

Large-scale battles take place in a fantasy world, with the player leveling up their heroes, unlocking new sills, and gathering better equipment for them. The fact the player can seamlessly switch between commanding an entire army to controlling a single hero unit seamlessly is the standout feature of the game, one that many other games since have tried to emulate with mixed results.