Best RTS 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 rts games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free rts games are available at the bottom of the page.
Most played rts games on Steam
Take a look at the top rts games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 14th 2025.
1. Total War: WARHAMMER III
The cataclysmic conclusion to the Total War: WARHAMMER trilogy is here. Rally your forces and step into the Realm of Chaos, a dimension of mind-bending horror where the very fate of the world will be decided. Will you conquer your Daemons… or command them? Total War: WARHAMMER III is a strategy, turn-based strategy and grand strategy game developed by Creative Assembly and Feral Interactive and published by Feral Interactive and SEGA. Released on February 16th 2022 has received 119,858 reviews of which 87,141 were positive and 32,717 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played rts game, thanks to its 18,261 peak concurrent players over the last day.2. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
42 Civilizations, 229 Campaign Missions, Singleplayer, Co-Op, Multiplayer, In-Game Editor, Mods, Cross-play...It is good to be the king. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is a strategy, rts and city builder game developed by Forgotten Empires, Tantalus Media, Wicked Witch, World's Edge and CaptureAge and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on November 14th 2019 has received 162,462 reviews of which 154,061 were positive and 8,401 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. While seeing 15,604 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among rts games based on player count.3. Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition
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. Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition is a strategy, rts and base-building game developed by Relic Entertainment, Forgotten Empires, Climax Studios and World's Edge and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on October 28th 2021 has received 80,870 reviews of which 69,559 were positive and 11,311 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. While seeing 6,925 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among rts games based on player count.4. Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition offers players a trial of this historical single & multiplayer RTS experience. *Note: To unlock all features of the game please see the “Base Game” product. Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is a strategy, base-building and rts game developed by World's Edge, Tantalus Media and Forgotten Empires and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on October 15th 2020 has received 48,342 reviews of which 40,941 were positive and 7,401 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. With 3,390 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played rts games.5. STAR WARS™ Empire at War - Gold Pack
Command or corrupt an entire galaxy in the definitive Star Wars strategy collection. It is a time of galactic civil war. Will you take up the reins of the Rebellion, assume control of the Empire, or rule the Star Wars Underworld? STAR WARS™ Empire at War - Gold Pack is a strategy, rts and space game developed by Petroglyph and published by LucasArts, Lucasfilm and Disney. Released on May 25th 2010 has received 39,435 reviews of which 38,503 were positive and 932 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 2,809 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played rts games.6. Age of Empires II (Retired)
Age of Empires II has been re-imagined in high definition. With the release of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, this product will not be updated further. Age of Empires II (Retired) is a strategy, rts and medieval game developed by SkyBox Labs, Hidden Path Entertainment, Ensemble Studios and Forgotten Empires and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on April 09th 2013 has received 101,351 reviews of which 97,083 were positive and 4,268 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 2,492 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played rts games.7. Company of Heroes 2
Experience the ultimate WWII RTS platform with COH2 and its standalone expansions. This package includes the base game, which you can then upgrade by purchasing The Western Front Armies, Ardennes Assault and/or The British Forces. More info in the "About This Game" section below. Company of Heroes 2 is a strategy, world war ii and rts game developed by Relic Entertainment and Feral Interactive (Linux) and published by Relic Entertainment, Feral interactive (Mac) and Feral Interactive (Linux). Released on June 25th 2013 has received 109,825 reviews of which 86,713 were positive and 23,112 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 2,223 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played rts games.8. Age of Mythology: Retold
From the creators of the award-winning Age of Empires franchise, Age of Mythology: Retold goes beyond history to a mythical age where gods, monsters, and humans collide. Age of Mythology: Retold is a strategy, 3d and rts game developed by World's Edge, Forgotten Empires, Tantalus Media, CaptureAge and Virtuos Games and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on September 04th 2024 has received 16,708 reviews of which 15,043 were positive and 1,665 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 2,121 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played rts games.9. Northgard
Northgard is a critically acclaimed strategy game based on Norse mythology. Lead your clan, uncover the secrets of a mysterious newfound continent and defeat your enemies to conquer the Throne! Northgard is a strategy, city builder and simulation game developed and published by Shiro Games. Released on March 07th 2018 has received 64,695 reviews of which 55,844 were positive and 8,851 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 2,103 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played rts games.10. Total War: SHOGUN 2
Total War: SHOGUN 2 is the perfect mix of real-time and turn-based strategy gaming for newcomers and veterans alike. Total War: SHOGUN 2 is a strategy, historical and turn-based strategy game developed by Creative Assembly and Feral Interactive (Linux) and published by Feral interactive (Mac), Feral Interactive (Linux) and SEGA. Released on March 14th 2011 has received 24,952 reviews of which 22,620 were positive and 2,332 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 2,058 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played rts games.Best deals on rts games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of rts games available on Steam right now, updated on June 14th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted rts games.
1. Starship Troopers: Terran Command
Lead the Mobile Infantry in this RTS game set in the Starship Troopers film universe. Balance your army composition with a diverse set of unit types, overcome line-of-sight and line-of-fire challenges through tactical positioning, and use special abilities to smash the Arachnid hordes! Starship Troopers: Terran Command is a strategy, rts and singleplayer game developed by The Artistocrats and published by Slitherine Ltd.. Released on June 16th 2022 has received 10,784 reviews of which 9,461 were positive and 1,323 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for rts category.2. Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak
A ground-based RTS prequel to the classic Homeworld games. Assemble your fleet and lead them to victory on the shifting sands of Kharak in this compelling strategy game for PC from Blackbird Interactive. Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak is a strategy, rts and sci-fi game developed by Blackbird Interactive and published by Gearbox Publishing. Released on January 20th 2016 has received 8,519 reviews of which 6,789 were positive and 1,730 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in rts games.3. Ancestors Legacy
Ancestors Legacy is a squad-based real time strategy with a strong focus on tactics. Inspired by medieval European history, it brings to life four different nations and their conflicts, usually solved by war. Ancestors Legacy is a strategy, medieval and rts game developed and published by Destructive Creations. Released on May 22nd 2018 has received 8,373 reviews of which 6,597 were positive and 1,776 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in rts games.4. Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation
A massive-scale real-time strategy game where you command entire armies on a dynamic battlefield. Conquer multiple worlds across several single-player campaigns; or play with your friends in multiplayer combat. Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation is a rts, base-building and pvp game developed by Stardock Entertainment and Oxide Games and published by Stardock Entertainment. Released on November 10th 2016 has received 4,772 reviews of which 3,548 were positive and 1,224 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 99% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for rts games.5. Driftland: The Magic Revival
After a devastating war between ancient mages, a powerful spell is all that holds together the shattered planet of Driftland. Take on the role of a powerful mage capable of moving and connecting floating lands, develop a mighty empire, and restore Driftland to its former glory! Driftland: The Magic Revival is a rts, 4x and god game game developed and published by Star Drifters. Released on April 18th 2019 has received 1,930 reviews of which 1,407 were positive and 523 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 99% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for rts games.6. Dark Future: Blood Red States
Step into the extraordinary, dystopian world of Dark Future, filled with danger, chaos and adventure. A game of both action and strategy unlike any other, featuring a unique time dilating command mode to help you make tactical decisions on the dangerous highways of this world. Dark Future: Blood Red States is a vehicular combat, rts and turn-based tactics game developed and published by Auroch Digital. Released on May 16th 2019 has received 477 reviews of which 295 were positive and 182 were negative resulting in a rating of 6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 99% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for rts games.7. Dungeons 3
At last, the Dungeon Lord has successfully united the forces of evil and established his dark empire. Time for the next step in his most diabolical quest: expansion! Dungeons 3 is a strategy, villain protagonist and base-building game developed by Realmforge Studios and published by Kalypso Media. Released on October 13th 2017 has received 18,382 reviews of which 17,320 were positive and 1,062 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for rts games.8. Battlezone 98 Redux
One of the greatest sci-fi strategy games of all time returns with remastered visuals, online multiplayer and near unlimited mod content from Steam Workshop. Experience thrilling first person action and acclaimed RTS in this explosive alternate vision of the 1960s space race. Battlezone 98 Redux is a strategy, action and first-person game developed by Big Boat Interactive and published by Rebellion. Released on April 18th 2016 has received 1,064 reviews of which 975 were positive and 89 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for rts games.9. Tooth and Tail
Lead the revolution with an army of flamethrowing Boars, mustard gas-lobbing Skunks, and paratrooper-puking Owls. Tooth and Tail is a Real-Time-Strategy game featuring Single Player, Online Competitive Play, Split Screen, Replays, and more. Build a base, lead your army, eat your enemies! Tooth and Tail is a strategy, rts and pixel graphics game developed and published by Pocketwatch Games. Released on September 12th 2017 has received 4,057 reviews of which 3,242 were positive and 815 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for rts games.10. Knights of Honor II: Sovereign
Become the king and fight over Europe in this fresh take on medieval real-time grand strategy. Manage provinces, gather armies, initiate diplomacy, and dabble in espionage. The path is open: become the true Sovereign of your people and bring them to glory. Knights of Honor II: Sovereign is a strategy, simulation and medieval game developed by Black Sea Games and published by THQ Nordic. Released on December 06th 2022 has received 5,792 reviews of which 4,450 were positive and 1,342 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for rts games.Free rts games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play rts games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 14th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play rts games.