10 Real-Time Strategy (RTS) Games Like Age of Empires II

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The Next Age of Strategy: Finding Your Next Favorite RTS

For many of us, *Age of Empires II* isn’t just a game – it’s a classic. Even after over twenty years, it remains the benchmark for real-time strategy games, known for its great mix of history, engaging base-building, smooth combat, and instantly recognizable art style. If you’ve played *Age of Empires II* extensively and are looking for a new, similarly strategic experience, you’ve come to the right place. There are plenty of other real-time strategy games that offer similar gameplay, whether through historical settings, base management, or large-scale battles. This article will guide you to the best RTS games that capture the spirit of *Age of Empires*, offering the strategic depth you love while also introducing fresh ideas. Prepare to discover your next favorite RTS!

10 – Empires: Dawn of the Modern World

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Here’s an interesting fact: a designer who worked on the popular games Age of Empires and Empire Earth also contributed to Empires: Dawn of the Modern World. This game is a historical real-time strategy title that blends elements of both those classics. What really sets it apart is its broad historical range, taking you from the Medieval period all the way to World War II. You can play as one of nine unique civilizations, each with its own units and ways to play. The single-player campaigns are especially well-done, offering a more engaging and cinematic story than many other strategy games. Empires: Dawn of the Modern World was developed by Stainless Steel Studios, who later created Rise & Fall: Civilizations at War before unfortunately going out of business and transferring the game to Midway Games.

9 – Cossacks 2

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If you’re looking for a real-time strategy game like Age of Empires II, the Cossacks series is easily the one I’ve played the most. If you enjoy the historical setting of Age of Empires but want much larger battles – imagine Age of Empires II with truly massive, ‘realistic’ fights – Cossacks 2 is perfect. It has the same base-building and resource management you’re used to, but what really sets it apart is the ability to control thousands of units at once, arrange them into formations, and participate in huge battles. Unlike Age of Empires II, which limited you to 200 units, a single group in Cossacks could have over a hundred. This was especially impressive when the game first came out, before games like Total War: Rome were popular, and it still feels incredible today. Cossacks 2 also adds a detailed morale and fatigue system, meaning troop formations and smart positioning are key to winning, making for a more challenging and realistic military experience.

8 – Tzar: The Burden of the Crown

For years, *Tzar: The Burden of the Crown* was a little-known strategy game, mostly popular in Eastern Europe and among a few dedicated gaming groups who managed to find physical copies. I personally never played it, but friends of mine loved it back in the early 2000s. *Tzar* plays a lot like *Age of Empires II*, but with a unique fantasy setting. You’ll still gather resources, build a base, and train an army, but magic, mythical creatures, and units that gain experience set it apart. The game also features an interesting technology system where you choose between four different focuses – Religion, Magic, War, or Trade – which significantly impacts how you play each game. If you’re looking for a classic real-time strategy game with a magical twist, *Tzar* is a fantastic choice, and it’s now widely available thanks to digital distribution by GoG.

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2025-09-20 18:43