Influential Real-Time Strategy Games Worth Playing Just For Their Importance To The Genre

Real-time strategy games are almost as old as gaming itself. Since the late 80s, players have been captivated by this genre, which has not only made the surrounding industry grow but also promoted that more and more games are made every year.

While modern gaming consoles and PCs are capable of handling incredibly detailed graphics and outstanding, fun game mechanics, there was a time when this wasn't the case. There was a time when real-time strategy games had to rely solely on being great and having amazing campaigns, which led to a few titles making history. Here are some influential real-time strategy games worth playing just for their importance to the genre.

5 Command & Conquer: Red Alert

A Game That Helped Popularize Resource Management Game Mechanics

• Full-motion video cutscenes
• Resource management game mechanics

Command & Conquer is set in a not-so-distant future world divided by two main factions called the Global Defense Initiative (GDI), and the Brotherhood of Nod. Both powers fight for control of a precious resource known as Tiberium. This element is key to world dominance, which will force both factions to engage in different conflict scenarios from which only a single victor can emerge.

Players can choose either faction, with each one providing a different narrative perspective and unique outcomes. Introducing fast-paced warfare tactics, extremely challenging levels, and offering a branched storyline, this game helped define real-time strategy games in the 90s and popularized modern resource management game mechanics.

4 Warcraft: Orcs & Humans

A Title That Helped Introduce Fantasy Into the Real-Time Strategy Genre

• Helped popularize fantasy in the real-time genre
• Laid the foundations for future World of Warcraft releases

Like most other World of Warcraft titles, Warcraft: Orcs & Humans is set in the fictional world of Azeroth and revolves around the conflict between the human kingdom of Stormwind and the orcish horde. Players can take control of either faction, each with its own abilities, perks, strategies and units.

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Similar to other games in the franchise, Warcraft: Orcs & Humans takes place in a medieval setting, with castles, mythical creatures and an abundance of magic spells that will be at players' disposal. This title expanded on base-building, resource gathering and management, and helped establish a big part of modern Warcraft lore. It also helped make fantasy settings more popular in the real-time strategy genre.

3 StarCraft

An eSports Favorite That Helped Revolutionize Multiplayer Modes

• An eSports favorite
• Redefined what competitive multiplayer meant at the time

Starcraft is a real-time strategy game that follows the story of three main factions: Terrans, Zerg, and Protoss. The game focuses on their battle for dominance of the coveted Koprulu sector, first colonized by the Terrans. With complex politics, warfare, and heavy reliance on survival tactics and strategy, Starcraft presents players with an interesting story about a struggle over control of the galaxy.

This title helped set the standard for competitive multiplayer, became an eSports favorite, and helped inspire dozens of other space-themed real-time strategy games—many of which are still going strong today. All in all, it's safe to say that Starcraft is worth playing for many reasons, including its importance to the real-time strategy genre.

2 Age of Empires 2: The Age Of Kings

Strong Focus On History And Ancient Civilizations

• Complex tech trees with detailed civilization information
• The game helped popularize historical settings in the real-time strategy genre

Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings starts in a medieval setting, with several civilizations for beginners, intermediate and advanced players. The game allows players to build an empire and progress from the Dark Ages to the Imperial Age. With numerous campaigns including famed leaders, such as Joan of Arc, Saladin, and Genghis Khan, the game poses fun challenges that never feel repetitive.

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Just like Warcraft: Orcs & Humans helped make fantasy a lot more popular in the real-time strategy genre, Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings did so for historical settings. One of the main reasons why this title is so important to the genre is that it features complex tech trees, which show available units, technologies and buildings for each civilization.

1 Rise Of Nations

A Masterful Combination of Real-Time Strategy and 4X Elements

• A great blend of real-time strategy and 4X elements
• Players can solve conflicts through diplomacy to avoid warfare

As its name suggests, Rise of Nations covers almost all of human history, focusing on civilizations from each era. As the game progresses, players will have to guide their civilization through technological advancements, territory expansion and conquest, and warfare. Resource management also plays a key role in the game, as it can greatly determine whether players are successful.

There are many ways to win in Rise of Nations, and not all of them play out on the battlefield, as players can also take diplomatic approaches to problem-solving. The game masterfully blends real-time strategy combat with 4X elements and revolutionized map control game mechanics and territory boundary management.

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