Best Real-Time with Pause 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 real-time with pause games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals real-time with pause games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Industries of Titan
Create a sprawling industrial city. Compete with other rival corporations on Titan for resources, territory, and power. Seek victory via technology, influence, warfare, or the wealth extracted from your citizens. Stake your claim to the Industries of Titan in this innovative sim/strategy game!
Victoria 3
Paradox Development Studio invites you to build your ideal society in the tumult of the exciting and transformative 19th century. Balance the competing interests in your society and earn your place in the sun in Victoria 3, one of the most anticipated games in Paradox’s history.
Cosmoteer: Starship Architect & Commander
Design and simulate the starships of your dreams! Command your ship or fleet in epic battles and manage your crew while exploring a dangerous galaxy. Play alone or with friends, test your ships in online PvP, and let your imagination reach for the stars!
Terra Invicta
An alien invasion has fractured humanity into seven ideological factions each with a unique vision for the future. Lead your chosen faction to take control of Earth’s nations, expand across the Solar System, and battle enemy fleets in tactical combat.
Fire Commander
See what it means to face the fire. Command a firefighting unit in an exciting tactical RTS. Save lives, manage your water supplies and care for your team in 30+ missions. Be a real hero!
Clanfolk
Clanfolk is a colony sim set in the Scottish Highlands. Harness your environment to survive - fish, gather, hunt, and farm as you prepare for the winter. Build an inn, trade with other clans, have children and marry them off - live life and prosper across the generations.
Trigon: Space Story
Trigon: Space Story sees you take command of your very own spaceship. Carry out tactical battles, defend your vessel against space pirates, and escape from enemy territory. On your voyages, you’ll face a slew of tricky decisions in your quest to uncover the mystery of the galaxy.
Black Geyser: Couriers of Darkness
Black Geyser is an isometric, party-based fantasy RPG inspired by genre classics. Recruit characters with unique personalities and explore a land ravaged by civil war and a mysterious curse of greed. Your choices, good or evil, will decide the fate of the Kingdom of Isilmerald.
Distant Worlds 2
Distant Worlds 2 is a vast, pausable real-time 4X space strategy game.
Airborne Kingdom
The sky city builder awaits. Create your own flying kingdom and lead it on a quest across an expansive world. Explore the varied landscape, build up a floating metropolis, aid struggling people below, uncover lost secrets and, ultimately, bring back the Airborne Kingdom legend.
NEBULOUS: Fleet Command
Take command of your hand-tailored fleet of space warships and use realistic radar, electronic warfare, advanced movement controls in 3D space, and precision targeting to outmaneuver and outwit your opponents in a simulation-heavy tactical space game like no other.
Power to the People
Build and maintain a power grid for a constantly growing population, while fighting off all kinds of disasters in this thrilling resource management experience. It's time for you to give "Power to the People"! Do you have what it takes to keep the lights on?
Rebel Inc: Escalation
A unique and deeply engaging political/military strategic simulation from the creator of Plague Inc. Balance competing civilian and military priorities and deal with a deadly insurgency in order to stabilise a war-torn country.
Lost in Random™
Play the odds in Lost in Random™, a gothic-fairy-tale-inspired action-adventure where every citizen’s fate is determined by a roll of the dice.
A Total War Saga: TROY
Inspired by The Iliad and brought to life through the award-winning strategy game series, A Total War Saga: TROY brings a blend of grand, turn-based empire management and spectacular real-time battles to the heart of the Trojan War.
Crusader Kings III
Love, fight, scheme, and claim greatness. Determine your noble house’s legacy in the sprawling grand strategy of Crusader Kings III. Death is only the beginning as you guide your dynasty’s bloodline in the rich and larger-than-life simulation of the Middle Ages.
Mass Effect™ 3 N7 Digital Deluxe Edition (2012)
Earth is burning. The Reapers have taken over and other civilizations are falling like dominoes. Lead the final fight to save humanity and take back Earth from these terrifying machines, Commander Shepard.
Another Brick in The Mall
Design, build and manage a giant shopping center. Open shops, supermarkets, restaurants, movie theaters, bowling alleys and more. Hire and manage the best staff for the job and milk your customers for all they're worth!
STATIONflow
STATIONflow is a game about controlling the flow of thousands of passengers by building and managing an efficient underground train station.
Startup Company
Startup Company is a business simulation sandbox game where you’re the CEO of a new company. Your job is to build your very own website and compete against the largest tech giants on the planet!
Automation Empire
Build and manage a massive industrial network of factories, mines, and farms. Employ a fleet of trains, trucks, and robotic drones. In the age of automation, efficiency is survival!
Railroad Corporation
Relive the pioneering spirit of the Golden Age of Steam by establishing your own railroad empire across 19th century North America. Bring settlements together, produce and trade goods and develop new technologies to stay ahead of the competition. Want more? RAILROAD CORPORATION 2 Out Now!
Dredgers
Based on traditional rogue-likes, Dredgers is a real-time dungeon crawler where you can play as 30 different races, each having their own stats and skills. With the unique class system you can mix and match classes as you desire, anything from an Archer-Knight to a Berserker-Summoner-Priest is possible!
Most played real-time with pause games on Steam
Take a look at the top real-time with pause games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 15th 2025.
1. Door Kickers 2: Task Force North
Command military Special Ops Teams in gripping tactical combat against a Middle East-based terrorist network. Sequel to RockPaperShotgun's "Best Tactics Game of 2014". Door Kickers 2: Task Force North is a tactical, top-down and real-time with pause game developed and published by KillHouse Games. Released on February 10th 2025 has received 10,848 reviews of which 10,389 were positive and 459 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played real-time with pause game, thanks to its 618 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.3
10,389
459
618
players
2. 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? Diplomacy is Not an Option is a real-time with pause, resource management and simulation game developed and published by Door 407. Released on October 04th 2024 has received 9,673 reviews of which 8,217 were positive and 1,456 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. While seeing 495 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among real-time with pause games based on player count.
8.3
8,217
1,456
495
players
3. Europa Universalis III Complete
Europa Universalis III Complete includes the original Europa Universalis III as well as the expansions In Nomine and Napoleons Ambition Europa Universalis III delves deeply into the areas of exploration, trade, warfare and diplomacy. Europa Universalis III Complete is a grand strategy, strategy and historical game developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive. Released on February 04th 2009 has received 1,971 reviews of which 1,646 were positive and 325 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played real-time with pause games.
8.0
1,646
325
53
players
4. From Glory To Goo
From Glory To Goo is a Sci-Fi survival RTS set on an alien world. Serve as humanity's bulwark by establishing a colony and supporting your colonists still in orbit. But beware, for The Goo, a relentless and shape-shifting force approaches from all sides, even above and below. From Glory To Goo is a base-building, colony sim and tower defense game developed and published by Stratagem Blue. Released on April 02nd 2024 has received 902 reviews of which 865 were positive and 37 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played real-time with pause games.
9
865
37
42
players
5. Original War
An American geological expedition, under a UN mandate, assesses the natural resources in a distant part of Siberia, deep in the trackless steppes of Eastern Russia. But instead of oil, they discover a deposit of a hitherto unknown mineral. Original War is a strategy, rts and sci-fi game developed by Altar Games and published by Bohemia Interactive. Released on January 27th 2014 has received 2,030 reviews of which 1,928 were positive and 102 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played real-time with pause games.
9.0
1,928
102
32
players
6. Creeper World 2: Anniversary Edition
Deceptively simple... amazingly deep. Creeper World 2 thrusts you into the 14th millennium fighting and enemy that flows and oozes through the terrain. Employ advanced weapons,gravity manipulating repulsors, wormhole like rifts, and your own wit against this never yielding enemy. Creeper World 2: Anniversary Edition is a strategy, indie and simulation game developed and published by Knuckle Cracker. Released on November 16th 2016 has received 459 reviews of which 414 were positive and 45 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played real-time with pause games.
8.4
414
45
24
players
7. Jagged Alliance - Back in Action
A contemporary remake of the much-loved series of turn-based mercenary-themed strategy games. Jagged Alliance - Back in Action is a strategy, rpg and tactical game developed by Coreplay GmbH and Bigmoon Studios and published by THQ Nordic. Released on February 08th 2012 has received 1,711 reviews of which 1,241 were positive and 470 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played real-time with pause games.
7.0
1,241
470
16
players
8. Polaris Sector
Can anyone build an empire in a place like this? Other factions are naturally suspicious of newcomers and may wage war at the first sign of unidentified craft. Here, a natural death is an uncommon luxury. Polaris Sector is a strategy, simulation and 4x game developed by SoftWarWare and published by Slitherine Ltd.. Released on March 22nd 2016 has received 455 reviews of which 325 were positive and 130 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played real-time with pause games.
6.8
325
130
11
players
9. Black Geyser: Couriers of Darkness
Black Geyser is an isometric, party-based fantasy RPG inspired by genre classics. Recruit characters with unique personalities and explore a land ravaged by civil war and a mysterious curse of greed. Your choices, good or evil, will decide the fate of the Kingdom of Isilmerald. Black Geyser: Couriers of Darkness is a rpg, crpg and real-time with pause game developed by GrapeOcean Technologies and published by GrapeOcean Technologies and V Publishing. Released on March 17th 2022 has received 889 reviews of which 663 were positive and 226 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played real-time with pause games.
7.1
663
226
8
players
10. Drakensang
Drakensang is a third-person party-based RPG based on the pen & paper role-play rules of The Dark Eye. Drakensang is the first PC game for over 10 years to be based on Germany's most successful and popular role-play system. Drakensang builds on the pen & paper rules as applied in version 4.0. Drakensang is a rpg, fantasy and party-based rpg game developed by Radon Labs and published by dtp Entertainment. Released on March 09th 2009 has received 735 reviews of which 592 were positive and 143 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played real-time with pause games.
7.6
592
143
5
players
Best deals on real-time with pause games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of real-time with pause games available on Steam right now, updated on June 15th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted real-time with pause games.
1. The Dwarves
A few heroes are facing hundreds of foes – are you even able to lead the coolest fantasy people to victory against the dark hordes? Explore a vast world, fight tactical real-time battles, and experience the fantastic story based on the bestseller "The Dwarves". The Dwarves is a dwarf, rpg and fantasy game developed by KING Art and published by THQ Nordic and EuroVideo Medien . Released on December 01st 2016 has received 2,023 reviews of which 1,495 were positive and 528 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Featuring a massive 98% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for real-time with pause category.
7.2
1,495
528
-98%
39.99€
0.90€
2. Aarklash: Legacy
In Aarklash: Legacy take command of a mercenary squad in search of truth and guide it through countless battles.Welcome to Aarklash, a land of chaos where incessant battles between the forces of Light, Destiny and Darkness have lasted since the beginning of time. Aarklash: Legacy is a rpg, strategy and adventure game developed by Cyanide Studio and published by Nacon. Released on September 12th 2013 has received 832 reviews of which 610 were positive and 222 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 98% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in real-time with pause games.
7.0
610
222
-98%
13.29€
0.39€
3. Masquerada: Songs and Shadows
Masquerada is a single-player tactical RPG set in a Renaissance-inspired city of magic, where real-time combat can be paused to set up elemental combos powered by Venetian-styled masks. Come for gorgeous hand-drawn art; stay for the rich lore & a thoughtful, fully-voiced tale of intrigue & tragedy. Masquerada: Songs and Shadows is a real-time with pause, dark fantasy and party-based rpg game developed by Witching Hour Studios and published by Ysbryd Games. Released on September 30th 2016 has received 540 reviews of which 478 were positive and 62 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 97% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in real-time with pause games.
8.3
478
62
-97%
19.99€
0.74€
4. 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? Diplomacy is Not an Option is a real-time with pause, resource management and simulation game developed and published by Door 407. Released on October 04th 2024 has received 9,673 reviews of which 8,217 were positive and 1,456 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for real-time with pause games.
8.3
8,217
1,456
-97%
28.99€
0.87€
5. Original War
An American geological expedition, under a UN mandate, assesses the natural resources in a distant part of Siberia, deep in the trackless steppes of Eastern Russia. But instead of oil, they discover a deposit of a hitherto unknown mineral. Original War is a strategy, rts and sci-fi game developed by Altar Games and published by Bohemia Interactive. Released on January 27th 2014 has received 2,030 reviews of which 1,928 were positive and 102 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 96% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for real-time with pause games.
9.0
1,928
102
-96%
9.99€
0.41€
6. UFO: Afterlight
The story is situated on Mars. It starts where UFO: Aftermath left off and runs simultaneously with UFO: Aftershock. While the Laputans on Earth are fighting Wargots and Starghosts and finding out what caused the destruction of their home planet, a small colony on Mars is trying to survive and flourish. UFO: Afterlight is a strategy, tactical and sci-fi game developed by Altar Games and published by Bohemia Interactive. Released on January 06th 2014 has received 517 reviews of which 337 were positive and 180 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for real-time with pause games.
6.3
337
180
-95%
5.99€
0.33€
7. Star Wolves
Star wolves is a 3D space RPG with deep strategy and tactical elements. The game thrusts players into a world of freelance space hunters in the XXI-XXII century A.D. during a time of political crisis for the all-powerful Empire and the three mega-corporations that control all the known worlds. Star Wolves is a rpg, strategy and space game developed by X-Bow Software and published by Fulqrum Publishing. Released on March 02nd 2010 has received 422 reviews of which 358 were positive and 64 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 84% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for real-time with pause games.
7.9
358
64
-84%
3.99€
0.66€
8. Drakensang
Drakensang is a third-person party-based RPG based on the pen & paper role-play rules of The Dark Eye. Drakensang is the first PC game for over 10 years to be based on Germany's most successful and popular role-play system. Drakensang builds on the pen & paper rules as applied in version 4.0. Drakensang is a rpg, fantasy and party-based rpg game developed by Radon Labs and published by dtp Entertainment. Released on March 09th 2009 has received 735 reviews of which 592 were positive and 143 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a 47% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for real-time with pause games.
7.6
592
143
-47%
9.99€
5.32€
9. March of the Eagles
“he Who Fears Being Conquered Is Sure Of Defeat.”The war-game March of the Eagles focuses on the dramatic conflicts of Europe during 1805 to 1820. Explore one of the defining periods in European history with this experience crafted by the masters of Grand Strategy, Paradox Development Studio. March of the Eagles is a strategy, simulation and grand strategy game developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive. Released on February 18th 2013 has received 374 reviews of which 252 were positive and 122 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a 47% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for real-time with pause games.
6.5
252
122
-47%
19.99€
10.63€
10. Door Kickers 2: Task Force North
Command military Special Ops Teams in gripping tactical combat against a Middle East-based terrorist network. Sequel to RockPaperShotgun's "Best Tactics Game of 2014". Door Kickers 2: Task Force North is a tactical, top-down and real-time with pause game developed and published by KillHouse Games. Released on February 10th 2025 has received 10,848 reviews of which 10,389 were positive and 459 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a 45% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for real-time with pause games.
9.3
10,389
459
-45%
24.00€
13.32€