10 Best Forgotten RTS Games Gems To Play In 2025

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As a seasoned gamer who grew up in the golden age of strategy games, I have witnessed the evolution of the genre from its humble beginnings to the immersive experiences we see today. However, I can’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia for those long-forgotten classics that still hold a special place in my heart. These overlooked gems offer deep, engaging experiences that modern titles often fail to capture, and they serve as a reminder of the roots of strategic gameplay.

I remember playing Cossacks: Back to War during the heyday of real-time strategy games, and it was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. The Age of Discovery setting, unique unit art styles for each nation, and musket combat mechanics set it apart from its contemporaries. It’s a shame that it doesn’t get the recognition it deserves today.

World War II: Frontline Command holds a special place in my heart as one of my favorite games of all time. Despite being nearly forgotten by most, it offered an experience similar to Company of Heroes if it was made in 2003. I played it until the very end and loved every minute of it. Unfortunately, finding a copy today can be challenging, but it’s worth seeking out if you have the patience.

Mech Commander 2 was a game that left an indelible mark on my childhood. On Christmas Eve of 2001, I stumbled upon a demo of the game on my father’s computer and fell in love with its modular mechs and tactical battles. It’s a shame that it’s nearly impossible to find today, but for those who are willing to search, there are plenty of abandonware sites that have it available.

Praetorians was a refreshing change from the standard RTS games of the early 2000s. Instead of focusing on base building and resource collection, Praetorians emphasized tactical battles, allowing players to command formations and use special abilities. It’s a shame that it doesn’t get the recognition it deserves, but there is an HD remaster from 2020 that brings this classic back to life.

In closing, I urge fellow gamers to take a step back in time and explore these long-forgotten classics. They offer a unique perspective on the evolution of strategy games and remind us of the joy that can be found in simple, tactical gameplay. And who knows? You might even find a new favorite game along the way. Just remember, if you can’t find it in the app store, don’t be afraid to search for abandonware sites – sometimes the best games are hidden gems!

As the gaming landscape evolves with cutting-edge graphics and immersive mechanics, it’s easy for older strategy games to be overlooked. However, many of these forgotten classics still hold a special place in the hearts of gamers, mine especially, and they’re still capable of offering deep, engaging experiences that modern titles often miss. Whether you’re a veteran gamer seeking nostalgia or a newcomer eager to explore the roots of strategic gameplay, there’s a treasure trove of older strategy games waiting to be rediscovered. In this article, I’ll highlight some of the best-forgotten gems from the past, proving that great strategy knows no expiration date.

Absolutely, the following represents some of my preferred choices. If you have any suggestions to include, feel free to share, and I’ll make sure to incorporate them in this write-up!

10 – Cossacks: Back to War

As a long-time fan of real-time strategy games, I have fond memories of the Cossacks series that holds a special place in my gaming heart. Having grown up during the golden age of RTS, I can attest to its arrival at a time when the genre was thriving, and it managed to stand out from the crowd with its unique setting and innovative gameplay mechanics. The first installment in the series, which focused on The Age of Discovery, was a fresh take on a period unexplored by many games at the time.

The game offered a diverse range of playable nations, including Portugal, France, Prussia, and Turkey, each with their own distinctive building and unit art styles. What made it truly special for me was its departure from traditional melee combat, emphasizing musket combat instead. This shift in focus allowed for the creation of tactical unit formations, making gameplay more strategic and engaging than its predecessors. The addition of cannons to the battlefield also brought a new level of destruction that left an indelible mark on the genre.

In conclusion, I believe the Cossacks series was a masterful blend of historical accuracy, creative innovation, and strategic depth, making it one of my all-time favorite real-time strategy games. The memories I have of playing this game, along with its lasting impact on the RTS genre, will always hold a special place in my gaming history.

9 – Imperial Glory

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Having spent countless hours immersed in the world of real-time strategy games over the past two decades, I can confidently say that Imperial Glory stands out as a hidden gem among its contemporaries. As someone who has played both Total War and Paradox games extensively, I find it intriguing to note that some might argue Imperial Glory served as an early precursor to what would later become the off-brand knockoff of the Total War series with the release of Total War: Empire.

However, my personal experience tells me otherwise. In 2005, when Imperial Glory was first unveiled, I was captivated by its innovative blend of grand-strategy and real-time strategy elements that were not yet commonplace in the industry. The game’s graphics were impressive for its time, with each nation boasting unique units and custom-designed battle maps attached to sections of the European map.

The longevity of Imperial Glory is a testament to its quality, as it continues to maintain an active community of players even today, cementing its place in gaming history as a cult classic. As someone who has followed the evolution of strategy games, I can confidently say that Imperial Glory remains a game worth revisiting and experiencing for both newcomers and veterans of the genre alike.

8 – Impossible Creatures

I never got a chance to play this game when it first launched, but leaving Impossible Creatures off my list would undoubtedly spark some frustration! I recall seeing it on sale in every physical store around that time. Given that it was from the same team behind Homeworld, it’s no surprise there was so much excitement about their upcoming release. The concept of this game and the affection for it among gamers is clear: you can combine animal parts to create extraordinary, powerful creatures for combat – a flying bear, a chameleon cheetah, or even a lemming rat are all options!

8 – World War 2: Frontline Command

As a long-time enthusiast of strategy games, I must say that one hidden gem that hardly gets any recognition is World War II: Frontline Command from 2003. Growing up in the era when real-time strategy games were all the rage, this game stood out to me like a beacon amidst the sea of mediocre titles.

I remember scouring the depths of Reddit, a veritable wasteland for any semblance of discussion about this game, but alas, I found nary a whisper. It’s as if it never existed, which is a true shame, considering its exceptional qualities.

If you were to compare World War II: Frontline Command to another popular real-time strategy game like Company of Heroes, you would find that the former was a time-traveler from 2003, as the gameplay and mechanics felt incredibly similar but somehow more refined and polished. From bombastic set pieces to an in-depth campaign, suppression mechanics for cover, a vast array of unit variety, and multiple strategies to tackle each mission, this game had it all.

I vividly recall sinking countless hours into the game, captivated by its immersive gameplay, until I reached the very end. It was truly a labor of love that left me with a deep sense of satisfaction. Unfortunately, the game’s rarity makes it difficult to find nowadays. You’ll either have to scour online marketplaces or track down abandonware copies of it if you want to experience this underappreciated gem for yourself.

To those who dare venture into the world of forgotten games, I implore you: seek out World War II: Frontline Command and prepare yourself for a journey back in time to when strategy games were at their finest.

7 – Mech Commander 2

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Back in 2001, on a chilly Christmas Eve, I stumbled upon an unfamiliar demo while playing around on my dad’s computer. Fast forward two decades, and I found myself on a mission to rediscover this long-lost gem. The Bushwacker mech, a vivid memory etched in my mind, led me to its online presence, confirming that it was indeed the game I played on that memorable night. As for Mech Commander 2, let me tell you, it’s not your typical Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game. Instead of commanding basic units, you controlled modular mechs, each with unique strengths and weaknesses, which could be customized using salvaged parts found in the field. It was a breath of fresh air in the early 2000s gaming landscape. Alas, the game is hard to come by nowadays, but there are several abandonware sites where you might find it hidden among their collections.

6 – Praetorians

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Instead of being a typical Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game from the early 2000s, following in the footsteps of Age of Empires and Starcraft, Praetorians chose to break the mold by focusing primarily on tactical battle aspects rather than base building and resource collection. Unlike other strategy games where you control individual units, Praetorians allows you to command formations, similar to Rome: Total War. You can switch formations, employ special abilities such as the testudo formation to shield against archers or set up a spear wall to counter a cavalry charge. What makes it stand out from other games of its time, I believe, is its Roman theme, which was quite popular and had limited representation at that point in time. Keep in mind that Rome: Total War didn’t release until 2024, over a year after Praetorians, making this game somewhat unique. An HD remaster released in 2020 received positive reviews, so you can enjoy this classic without any modifications if you wish.

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2025-01-04 19:43