The 15 Best Real-Time Strategy (RTS) Games Coming In 2026

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The Ultimate List of 15 RTS Games Releasing in 2026

Strategy game fans have had a lot to enjoy recently with the release of several excellent real-time strategy (RTS) titles. These include Age of Empires 4, Company of Heroes 3, and remakes of classics like Age of Empires 2, the original Age of Empires, and Age of Mythology. We also saw the original Dawn of War return, along with a fantastic campaign in Starship Troopers: Terran Command, and the arrival of Broken Arrow, which offers a strong alternative to games like WARNO and those from Eugen Systems.

As a huge RTS fan, I’m getting seriously hyped for 2026! It looks like it’s going to be an incredible year for the genre. We’re talking everything from huge space battles and intense WWII strategy to surviving the apocalypse and getting lost in epic fantasy worlds – there really is something for everyone. I’ve put together a list of 15 games that I think look particularly promising. They seem like they could really push the boundaries of what RTS can be, whether it’s through smarter ways to control units, better base-building, more complex logistics, or just a fantastic story.

No matter what kind of strategy game you enjoy – epic battles, careful planning, or immersive stories – the real-time strategy games coming out in 2026 promise to be incredibly engaging. Share your favorite upcoming titles in the comments, and let’s discuss!

15 – Ashes of Singularity 2

Ashes of the Singularity II is a remarkably ambitious sequel to the real-time strategy game, striving to redefine large-scale warfare. Developed by Oxide Games and published by Stardock Entertainment, the game lets players command the new human faction, the United Earth Forces, alongside or against the AI Substrate and the Post-Human Coalition. Battles take place on massive, continent-sized maps and even entire planets. Utilizing a new engine and modern technology, the game will display thousands of units on screen at once, with destructible environments and dynamic landscapes. The developers are focusing on broad strategic planning rather than precise unit control. In fact, they told me they want this game to be significantly different from titles like StarCraft or Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance – simply improving the graphics wasn’t enough.

14 – Systemic War

The recent demo of Systemic War was a hit with players, who flooded the Steam forums with requests for more playtime and positive feedback. The game offers a fresh take on the style of Eugen’s games like WARNO and Wargame, combining large-scale strategic management with fast-paced, real-time battles. Players will control a nation, managing its diplomacy, economy, infrastructure, and military, before commanding hundreds of modern units in expansive real-time combat. If you enjoy games like WARNO or Broken Arrow, and wish they included a grand strategic campaign similar to the Total War series, Systemic War is definitely one to watch or add to your wishlist.

13 – Calyx

If you’re looking for a unique strategy game, check out Calyx. It’s a sci-fi RTS where you defend a space-mining outpost from a constantly changing alien threat. Unlike most RTS games, the enemy in Calyx isn’t just a standard army – it’s a living, growing hive-mind that spreads across the map. You’ll need to build defenses, manage resources, and adapt your military tactics to stop it from taking over. If you liked Creeper World 4, you might also enjoy Calyx, and a demo is available so you can try it out!

12 – Veil of Ashes

As a strategy game fan, I’m really excited about Veil of Ashes! It’s a dark, steampunk RTS where you control squads of soldiers, cool steam-powered tanks, and these massive, towering machines – all on battlefields you can actually destroy. You can play the single-player campaign or jump into multiplayer where you team up with or fight against other players. What I love is that there are three totally different factions – a religious empire, a crumbling kingdom, and revolutionary groups – each with their own unique units and ways to play, so every game feels fresh. It’s not about building a huge base, though; it’s all about smart unit tactics. And the way they handle resources means the fighting never really stops, even if you lose some units. If you’re like me and love a moody, tactical RTS with awesome vehicles and a steam-powered aesthetic, Veil of Ashes could be a real surprise hit in 2026. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love commanding giant, impractical steampunk war machines? Iron Harvest proved that!

11 – Panzer Strike

Panzer Strike has a retro look that feels more like a game from 2006 than 2026. However, if it can successfully recreate the classic WWII real-time strategy gameplay of games like Blitzkrieg and Sudden Strike, it could appeal to a dedicated group of RTS fans who’ve been longing for that experience. The game lets players take command of either Soviet or German armies, battling across large maps with a wide range of WWII vehicles and troops, including tanks, infantry, and artillery.

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2025-12-01 12:43