Best Expansions For Real-Time Strategy Games, Ranked

Key Takeaways

Original RTS games were simple – modern ones mix genres for complexity.
Timer can be too stressful for newcomers, some great RTS games don’t need speed.
Expansions like Rebellion & Kane’s Wrath improved the base games in every way.

As a long-time enthusiast of real-time strategy games, I must say that each one of these expansions is a testament to the genre’s ability to evolve and entertain. From the groundbreaking improvements brought by Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance, to the engaging narrative of Homeworld: Cataclysm, and the humorous twist in Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 – Yuri’s Revenge, these expansions have surely left an indelible mark on my gaming life.

Back in the day, I found that early real-time strategy (RTS) games were quite straightforward titles, even classics like StarCraft didn’t have a lot of complexity when it came to gameplay. These days, developers are getting creative by blending different genres, layering turn-based strategic elements on top of real-time battles to add depth. Some also incorporate role-playing game (RPG) aspects to enrich the overall experience.

Absolutely, enhancing a well-liked game can be achieved by releasing an expansion pack. This approach is frequently used for strategy games, as it’s relatively easy to incorporate new factions and additional units. However, some expansions have gone above and beyond, significantly improving the original games in numerous aspects.

7 Sins Of A Solar Empire: Rebellion

Refined Enemy AI

Platforms: GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows
Released: June 12, 2012
Developer: Ironclad Games, Stardock
Genre: Real-time strategy, Simulation Video Game, Indie game, Action game, Strategy

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion functions as an independent version of an expansion for the initial game. This implies that players don’t require the original game to enjoy the expansion. The key addition in the Rebellion expansion is the introduction of two new factions, namely the rebels and the loyalists, enriching the gameplay experience.

In “Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion,” enhancements were made to both the enemy artificial intelligence and large-scale battle dynamics. Consequently, the galaxy appeared more responsive and lively compared to the original game, giving off an impression of greater vitality. The sequel was generally well-received, with many of its features serving as a foundation for “Sins Of A Solar Empire 2.

6 Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath

Kane Is Back!

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360
Released: March 25, 2008
Developer: Danger Close, BreakAway Games
Genre: Real-time strategy, Strategy

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but sing praises about the real-time strategy masterpiece, Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars. But when they dropped Kane’s Wrath, it took the experience to a whole new level! The campaign mode was fleshed out in a way that truly did justice to the legendary character of Kane, one of gaming’s most iconic villains. Creating an expansion for an already stellar game around such a popular figure was nothing short of genius.

In the realm of Command & Conquer, Kane’s Wrath introduced sub-factions within the main factions, enriching the gameplay experience with an extra layer of complexity. Notably, a new strategic, turn-based map mode significantly altered the game dynamics. The storyline was smooth and professionally presented, and Kane continued to embody his mysterious persona as usual.

5 Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Dark Crusade

Introducing Two New Races

The original game, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, was highly appreciated and paved the way for the franchise’s future developments. Later on, there was the release of the expansion pack titled Dark Crusade. Unlike other expansions that required players to own the base game, this one could be purchased independently. The introduction of Dark Crusade brought in two new factions, the Tau and the Necrons, into the game world.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to say it wasn’t just the fresh races that made Dark Crusade shine brightly. It was the thrilling introduction of the dynamic campaign mode that set it apart. This feature allowed me to tailor my strategy and approach to the main story in numerous ways, making every playthrough unique. To this day, Dark Crusade is still celebrated as one of the finest expansions in the whole franchise, a true testament to its enduring quality.

4 Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance

Epic Battles On A Large Scale

As a gaming enthusiast, I can tell you that Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance is an expansion pack for the original game, but it’s not just any ordinary one. It built upon the proven strategy formula of its predecessor and introduced even more tactical possibilities. A fresh alien race called the Seraphim was incorporated, while existing factions got a makeover with new units and enhanced abilities.

The graphics of the game were upgraded, and its speed was boosted, resulting in smoother gameplay during intense battles. The AI of the enemies was enhanced to make battles on large maps significantly more difficult. In summary, Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance represented a significant improvement over an already exceptional game.

3 Homeworld: Cataclysm

Introducing Kiith Somtaaw

Platforms: Windows
Released: September, 2000
Developer: Barking Dog Studios
Genre: Real-time strategy

As a dedicated fan, I initially thought that no expansion could ever follow the dramatic conclusion of the original Homeworld game. However, my assumptions were shattered when I learned about the release of Homeworld: Cataclysm. Instead of trying to expand upon the existing storyline, this expansion instead introduced a fresh element – the Kiith Somtaaw faction with their unique campaign.

The expansion added new ships, and also new abilities such as being able to capture enemy ships. One of the best features of the expansion was the improvements to the UI. The original game was criticized as being overly complex to play, and the expansion addressed this with UI improvements.

2 Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 – Yuri’s Revenge

A Humorous Expansion To Red Alert 2

The “Red Alert” and “Red Alert 2” games significantly shifted the direction of the “Command & Conquer” series. Compared to other “C&C” games, these titles had a less serious tone and utilized smaller battlefields. This change resulted in two real-time strategy (RTS) games that were not only entertaining but also demanding to play.

Yuri’s Retaliation, as a sequel, enhanced and refined its predecessor’s elements. The expansion introduced entirely fresh campaigns for both the Soviets and the Allies, each interwoven with an intriguing narrative thread revolving around Yuri’s ambition to dominate the world through mind control. In summary, Yuri’s Retaliation extended the gaming experience significantly for RA fans.

1 StarCraft: Brood War

Well Balanced And Challenging

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 64, Classic Mac OS
Released: December 18, 1998
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment, Saffire
Genre: Real-time strategy

StarCraft, developed by Blizzard Entertainment, was an enormous success and significantly contributed to shaping the Real-Time Strategy (RTS) genre we know today. Fans continue to appreciate it. To keep things fresh, Blizzard introduced the expansion pack, StarCraft: Brood War. One of the reasons for the original game’s popularity was its straightforward nature. Yet, this simplicity led players to quickly discover strategies that were far more effective than others. The StarCraft: Brood War expansion addressed this issue by introducing new complexities and balance.

In StarCraft: Brood War, fresh units were incorporated across all three factions, significantly altering the strategic landscape. Previous battle strategies became obsolete as players found themselves faced with novel challenges. To conquer these new complexities, gamers had to dedicate time to master the revised gameplay dynamics that StarCraft: Brood War presented. Ultimately, it became one of the most renowned expansions in video gaming history.

2024-10-10 16:34