Summary
Real-time strategy games have offered players a huge variety of experiences over the years, taking on all manner of distinct themes. From the gritty WW2 battles ofCompany Of Heroes, to the fantasy worlds ofWarcraft, the real-time strategy genre is far from lacking in variety.
Science-fiction, however, is arguably its biggest and most common theme, with RTS icons such asHomeworld, theCommand & Conquerseries, and the monumentalStarCraftbeing among the genre’s best and most popular. Furthermore, the genre is rooted in science-fiction, with the innovativeDune 2: The Building Of A Dynastyhelping to solidify the RTS formula that players know and love.
This highly atmospheric real-time strategy game takes place in the universe of the classic sci-fi horror franchise,Alien.Aliens: Dark Descent, however, takes more inspiration from James Cameron’sAliensthan it does from Ridley Scott’s 1979 classic.Aliens: Dark Descentis truly faithful to its source material, and this is perhaps its greatest strength, providingAliensfans with an immersive and often intense strategy game that’sworthy of theAlienname.
Managing each squad member and attempting to prevent mental breakdowns from overwhelming stress, allwhile managing resourcesand battling off the Xenomorphs, is a consistently intense experience that will soon have players muttering Bill Paxton’s iconicAliensline. For players looking for a unique real-time strategy experience that enjoys the unique blend of action and horror present inAliens,Dark Descentis an easy recommendation.
Set in the iconic universe of Frank Herbert’sDune, this sci-fi real-time strategy game is a unique combination of real-time strategy and 4X mechanics. This combination of systems results in an experience that’s not for everyone, but stands out on its own in a relatively saturated genre.
The esteemed works ofFrank Herbert’sDuneUniverse, especially the first book in the series, are hallmarks of science fiction. However,Duneis also an important part of RTS history, withDune 2: The Building Of A Dynastybeing among the first real-time strategy games to be released.
This massivelyevocativeStar Warsgameprovides a real-time strategy experience on a grand scale. In the game, players take control of either the Rebel Alliance or the Empire, with both factions playing dramatically differently from one another.
Star Wars: Empire At Waris great for fans of the legendary sci-fi franchise, as it’s incredibly faithful to the source material. Furthermore, the game is brilliantly unique for its combination of space and ground combat. For fans of both real-time strategy and theStar Warsuniverse,Star Wars: Empire At Waris a must-play. Thankfully, it’s still available to play on Steam. Furthermore,Star Wars: Empire At Warfeatures an abundance of well-crafted mods that players can access through the Steam workshop.
Developedby Relic Entertainment,Homeworldis a hallmark of the real-time strategy genre, especially in the realm of science fiction. This sci-fi RTS is particularly distinct for its blend of storytelling, emotive music, and - most notably - its real-time space combat.
Homeworld’sspace combat doesn’t take place on a flat plane, instead allowing players to control their ships in fully simulated space. This adds extreme levels of depth to every combat encounter, resulting in some truly impressive battles throughout the game.
Taking place in the grim-dark universe ofWarhammer 40,000,Dawn Of Waris a gritty and often gore-filled experience that’s both visceral and action-packed. Many games have tried to adapttheWarhammer 40,000universe, but few have been as successful asWarhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War. This is perhaps becauseDawn Of Warmanages to evoke much of what makes theWarhammer 40,000setting such an iconic piece of science-fiction.
The well-crafted narrative, exciting missions, and intense real-time strategy gameplay makeWarhammer 40,000: Dawn Of Waran accessible RTS experience that rarely becomes stale, especially as the action is so fun to simply watch.Dawn Of Waris also easier to micromanage, and particularly unique, thanks to its squad-based system. Instead of building and controlling individual units, players are able to pump out entire squads at a time.
Many entries intheCommand & Conquerseriesfit the bill as an iconic sci-fi RTS game; from the originalCommand & ConquerandTiberium Wars, all the way to theRed Alertgames, everyCommand & Conquerfan has a favorite. Thankfully, they’re all easily accessible titles. This is even true for the original games, which received a lovingly crafted remaster back in 2020.
Command & Conqueris notorious for its tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, hammy live-action cutscenes, and accessible gameplay. The blend of strategy and tactics facilitated byCommand & Conquer’saccessible systems ensures that players can spend more time in the action and less time micromanaging. For some, that’s likely to be a downside, but it allowsCommand & Conquerto stand out among the crowd.
This sequel to the 90s sci-fi classic of the same name is responsible for not only solidifying real-time strategy as an e-sport but also maintaining it. Although its heyday has been and gone,StarCraft 2is still alive and kicking today. Players who have never tried their hand at this APM-intensive sci-fi RTS, or those who haven’t returned to it in a while, should absolutely consider learning - or relearning - this mechanically dense game.
StarCraft 2is highly competitive, featuring three asymmetric races that play dramatically differently from one another; the Terran, the Protoss, and the Zerg. These races are iconic, and the interplay between them is one ofStarCraft 2’sgreatest strengths.StarCraft 2also features a series of well-crafted single-player campaigns, which is great for those who don’t enjoy competitive real-time strategy.
