The Most Influential RTS Games, Ranked

Key Takeaways

• The RTS genre has evolved over almost 50 years due to a variety of pivotal titles, not just one.
• Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance & Homeworld are classic, innovative staples of the RTS genre.
• StarCraft, Company of Heroes, & Age of Empires 2 are highly regarded within the RTS genre.

With a nearly 50-year history, the real-time strategy genre has gone through a plethora of sweeping changes and interactive alterations. As such, the RTS genre is somewhat beholden to the creative drive of not just one pivotal title, but a laundry list of experiences.

Ranging from the hard-hitting critical darlings of classic Blizzard RTS titles to interpretations and expansions of the genre on contemporary hardware, the real-time strategy genre has developed incrementally throughout the years.

8 Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance

The Modern RTS Juggernaut That’s Bolstered By Fan Creation

Built upon the solid foundation of Supreme Commander‘s original 2007 release, Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance released later in the year and expanded the Supreme Commander series into a series with a seemingly unimaginable RTS presence.

Producing tightly wound gameplay, and a compelling sci-fi narrative, Supreme Commander is arguably a cornerstone release of the RTS genre. Bolstered by Forged Alliance‘s release – which re-balanced the title’s factions and units with the introduction of the Seraphim – Supreme Commander has seemingly only transcended its original release thanks to its “unparalleled modability” and fan commitment. As such, nearly 20 years since its release, its continued presence is proof enough of its place in the annals of RTS greats.

7 Homeworld

A Technological Tour De Force That Interwove Narrative & Gameplay

With the 1999 debut of Homeworld‘s smooth and consistent 3D movement, alongside its engaging story and groundbreaking mechanics, the RTS genre arguably saw one of its greatest technological leaps. Spawning a variety of expansions, and renown as a “revolutionary sci-fi franchise”, the Homeworld franchise’s installments have become staples of PC gaming and the RTS genre.

Instilling a sense of urgency and high stakes through its world-finding narrative and persistent fleet from mission to mission, Homeworld is an RTS that is not afraid to let the player make mistakes. With a steep learning curve when controlling units – from scouts to corvettes – Homeworld‘s gameplay not only creates tension but bolsters the title’s plot through its mechanics.

6 Age Of Mythology

The Fantastical Sibling To Age Of Empires That Moved Away From Realism

While it may have originated as a spin-off of the widely-acclaimed Age of Empires series, Age of Mythology has carved out a place in the RTS genre all for itself. Clearly showing that a market exists for more fantastical RTS experiences, even in 2002, Age of Mythology‘s pantheon of gods-fearing societies has since gone on to delight players and even contribute to scientific learning.

Having found its way out of Age of Empire’s shadow, as an experience that truly stood out, Age of Mythology‘s base cultures of Greeks, Egyptians, and Norse societies not only provide aesthetic alterations but produce tangible changes to gameplay. As the gods of these civilizations bestow their powers on their chosen people, the grounded conflict seen in other RTS titles is rocked by lightning bolts and Minotaur-esque titans.

5 Starcraft

A Pivotal Title In The Creation Of Competitive eSports

While the established fundamentals of Starcraft’s narrative and gameplay are core to its 1998 release, Blizzard’s inaugural sci-fi RTS has found its place as a touchstone of the genre arguably due to its societal impact.

In “dominating the competitive RTS scene” in Korea in the late 90s and early 00s, Starcraft found itself as a formative installment not only within the RTS genre but competitive eSports as a whole. Having expanded into a multimedia IP through novels, board games, and proposed video games in alternate genres, the Starcraft series’ original installment is a clear cornerstone of not only the RTS genre but also the medium of video games.

4 Company Of Heroes

A Hyper-Focussed Historical RTS With A Uniquely Personal Narrative

Although its more personal focus greatly sets it apart from the grand scope of many other RTS titles, Company of Heroes‘ historical strategy gameplay is arguably just as fundamental to the genre as other titans of the like.

Although its gameplay is more unit-based, with only two playable factions, its tightly wound mechanics and narrative grounding have resulted in it being considered to be the best WW2 strategy game of all time. With its plot following the Allied invasion of Normandy, and the liberation of France from Axis powers, Company of Heroes‘ 2006 release is a fully-rounded RTS experience. Beyond this, the Company of Heroes franchise has gone on to dizzying heights – with sequels, mobile ports, and even a loosely adapted 2013 motion picture – yet its initial installment is still a highly personal RTS touchstone.

3 Warcraft 3

A Unique Fantasy RTS That Predates WoW & Created Dota

Although the pseudo-monopolistic hold of World of Warcraft on the MMORPG genre is somewhat taken for granted now, Blizzard’s success with RPG elements and fantasy narratives can be traced to its time with the Warcraft RTS franchise.

Beyond Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos‘ seemingly flawless RTS elements, mechanics, and plot, the title also introduced a whole host of unique aspects. From incorporating role-playing mechanics into its RTS framework, and containing ‘hero’ characters who can dominate the field, Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos‘ influence on later RTS works is seemingly evident. Even beyond its unique world that “transformed from a successful RTS into an IP that would stretch across multiple genres and forms of media”, Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos‘ World Editor tools were also integral to the creation of modes and games that went on to develop into fully-fledged titles such as Valve’s highly-successful MOBA, Dota.

2 Starcraft 2: Wings Of Liberty

Blizzard’s Sci-Fi Sequel That Brought eSports To A Worldwide Audience

While Starcraft 2‘s single-player offerings are arguably not as strong as some other RTS titles, Blizzard’s trailblazing sequel is arguably one of the most impactful video games in the industry.

While the original Starcraft seemingly pioneered eSports in Korea, Starcraft 2 brought that same overwhelming success to a global audience. As a result, Blizzard “undoubtedly created one of the best, if not the best, competitive strategy games ever” – and its success can still be found in its cultural impact. From its position as an inaugural title in the burgeoning world of video game streaming, and a touchstone of not only gaming but scientific research in the industry, Blizzard’s RTS sequel is undoubtedly formative for the genre.

1 Age Of Empires 2: The Age Of Kings

The Historical Sequel With Fans & Remasters Galore

While the Age of Empires franchise has had no shortage of success in the RTS space, it’s within its second installment that the series arguably reached its zenith. As Age of Empires 2 “looms large in the minds of fans and critics as the powerhouse of the franchise”, its interpretation and expansion of the RTS formula have made it a touchstone title of the genre.

In providing players with much more expansive defensive options from its inaugural title, alongside the inclusion of unit formations, Age of Empires 2 formed an environment that was seemingly perfect for strategic gameplay. Despite the RTS genre’s more striking focus on mechanical development, Age of Empires 2 is a much more robust narrative experience. With iconic leaders and historical events scattered throughout its campaign, Age of Empires 2 is an extremely well-rounded RTS experience. As a result, Age of Empires 2 has found a place as a pivotal title in the RTS genre – bolstered by its multiple remastered experiences – in 2013 and 2019 – that brings its gameplay to new audiences.