Summary
- Spellforce 3: Reforced combines RTS with RPG, drawing players in with an engaging story and intriguing unit exploration.
- Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War 2 offers fast-paced tactical combat with a mix of melee and ranged units to experiment with.
- Sins of a Solar Empire 2 provides detailed space combat simulation with intense battles and strategic management mechanics.
Real-time strategy games provide players with an abundance of entertainment, as many RTS games provide players with an assortment of interesting battlefields to fight on, either against other players or the computer. As they put their skills to the test in both historical locations and fantasy ones, too.
Best RTS Games With Modern Military Battles
Recreating the modern wars after World War 2 is not a dream anymore!
Besides the captivating locations, combat in these real-time strategy titles is one of the most important features of many of these games, as these battles need to be engaging to keep players hooked on playing them. With so many real-time strategy games available on the likes of Steam as well as on consoles, these are the real-time strategy games that have the best combat.
8 Spellforce 3: Reforced
A Great Mix Between RTS And RPG
SpellForced 3: Reforced
- Released
- December 7, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Grimlore Games, THQ Nordic
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy, Free-to-Play, Strategy
Starting strong, a great real-time strategy title players should consider when looking for a game with great combat is Spellforce 3: Reforced. The game is not only an RTS title but also combines its gameplay with the RPG genre to create a strategy game with an intriguing story that will have players attached to their units as they explore each region of the map.
As players conquer regions, they will be put into RTS skirmish-style games, where the members of the player's party are now transformed into Hero units. Using these units can create some exciting moments in Spellforce 3 as these characters have plenty of overpowered abilities that can truly turn the tide of battle while also allowing their smaller units to wade into war.
7 Warhammer 40k: Dawn Of War 2
Great Fast-Paced Tactical Combat
Warhammer 40k: Dawn Of War 2
- Released
- February 19, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- r
- Developer(s)
- Relic Entertainment, Feral Interactive
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy, Tactical, Strategy
- Platform(s)
- Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows
Players who are fans of the Warhammer 40k franchise are sure to find enjoyment when playing Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War 2. This RTS title is filled with fast-paced tactical combat that encourages the player to think on the go as they take on various missions as one of the six factions of the infamous Space Marines.
With a combination of both melee and ranged combat, players will have an assortment of units to experiment with in Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War 2. The units aren't the only deadly things in this RTS game, as the environments can also be used to the player's advantage, as these dynamic and destructible environments can also be used to defeat enemies.
6 Sins Of A Solar Empire 2
Intense Ship Battles In Space
Sins of a Solar Empire 2
- Released
- August 15, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Stardock Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- 4X, Strategy
- Platform(s)
- PC
While many of the real-time strategy games available to players have them choosing from human or at least humanoid units, there are some RTS titles that step away from the usual soldiers needed to fight in campaigns to instead take their battles into space. Sins of a Solar Empire 2 is one such example of this sort of RTS game, where players instead control spaceships that are likely to encounter opposition among the stars.
Best Real-Time Strategy Games Of The 2020s, Ranked (So Far)
Real-time strategy games are extremely fun and challenging. Here are some of the best titles in this genre that have been released in the 2020s.
While Sins of a Solar Empire 2 focuses on an assortment of management mechanics from not only the player's fleet, but also the entire empire they grow, the combat simulated in space is some of the most detailed. Players need to consider the speed of their turrets as well as how they wish to use their ships to block lethal hits.
5 Tempest Rising
An RTS Inspired By Classic Titles
Tempest Rising
- Released
- April 17, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Some players may be tempted to enjoy classic real-time strategy games, though many of these titles may struggle to run on modern machines. Thankfully, there are titles that have been released in recent years, such as Tempest Rising, that mimic the enjoyment and nostalgia of previous RTS titles while also being engaging to new players as well.
In between the usual base-building in Tempest Rising, this real-time strategy game is praised for its hard-hitting combat that takes place in a post-nuclear version of Earth. With three factions to choose from, each comes with its own unique units to make each battle feel different, as well as make for some exciting moments.
4 Warcraft 3: Reign Of Chaos
Bring Powerful Heroes To The Battlefield
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
- Released
- July 3, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Blizzard
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
- Platform(s)
- Microsoft Windows, macOS
The enjoyment of classic real-time strategy games such as Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos cannot be understated. As one of the first games made by Blizzard to enter 3D, the title was critically acclaimed on release, with not only the graphics pleasing people, but the combat too, especially as the choice of factions wasn't just for appearance, but also as each had its own strengths and weaknesses to alter a player's tactics in combat.
Although players can enjoy the reimagining of this title known as Warcraft 3: Reforged, nothing will beat the nostalgia and classic feeling of the original Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos RTS game that was released in 2002. From its saturated graphics to the excitement of battle in this 3D world.
3 Stellaris
Fully Customizable Fleets For Control Over All Warfare
Stellaris
- Released
- May 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Violent References, Mild Language
- Developer(s)
- Paradox Development Studio
- Genre(s)
- 4X, Grand Strategy
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Sins of a Solar Empire 2 isn't the only sci-fi real-time strategy game set in space that has some of the best combat in the genre. Another great option for players looking for intense combat while flying throughout the universe is Stellaris.
RTS Games With The Best Conquest Modes, Ranked
Conquest mode is a staple of real-time-strategy games, and these projects represent the concept at its peak.
With an enormous procedurally generated universe to explore, Stellaris has plenty of space for some of the biggest space battles in RTS history. Each war fleet created by the player is entirely customizable to not only match the player's playstyle but also allow the player to create the perfect battle force for when diplomacy is no longer working.
2 Company Of Heroes
A Redefining Real-Time Strategy Experience
Company Of Heroes
- Released
- September 12, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- Relic Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
- Platform(s)
- PC
Some of the best RTS titles are those which teleport players to a certain part of history. One of the most popular experiences for this strategy genre is allowing players to control factions within World War 2 as seen in Company of Heroes. As campaigns within Company of Heroes allow players to experience different battles from the actual Second World War, players will learn not only strategy but also the emotions of losing heroic soldiers in war.
Like any good real-time strategy title, the combat is not only brought to life through soldiers fighting against each other, but also the environments that are transformed through the various gunfire and explosions that occur, which may give the player an advantage at points.
1 Age Of Empires 2: Definitive Edition
Fight Various Civilizations Across Plenty of Thrilling Campaigns
Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition
- Released
- November 14, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Out of all the real-time strategy games that have been released over the years, those looking for great combat in an RTS should look no further than Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition. This franchise of real-time strategy games has continued to intrigue players, with classics like Age of Empires 2 being remade to include a fully remastered soundtrack and brilliant 4K graphics to allow players to see the details of every combat encounter.
In many ways, the battles of each interesting campaign in Age of Empires 2 paved the way for many future RTS titles, though players were happy to return to Age of Empires 2 for its 25th Anniversary as they strategized through growing a powerful army of diverse units.
Real-Time Strategy Games With The Steepest Learning Curves, Ranked
Players will have to put in the work and the hours to fully master these RTS games with incredibly steep learning curves.