Multiplayer-Focused RTS Games With Great Single-Player Story Modes

Multiplayer-Focused RTS Games With Great Single-Player Story Modes

Key Takeaways

  • Real-time strategy games offer engaging multiplayer matchups for competitive players.
  • Fans of single-player modes have access to story-driven RTS campaigns in various games.
  • Titles like
    Age of Mythology: Retold
    and
    Warcraft 3
    offer immersive narratives beyond just multiplayer.

As a long-time enthusiast of real-time strategy games and someone who has spent countless hours honing my command skills across various battlefields, I can confidently say that the single-player campaigns in these games have always been a significant draw for me. They offer an engaging narrative, a chance to learn the mechanics at a slower pace, and often provide a unique perspective on historical events or fictional worlds.


Strategy games that unfold in real-time offer a thrilling gaming experience, with many players relishing the intense multiplayer contests found within top titles of this category. Players find joy in surpassing opponents and either building a formidable army to overpower them or devising alternative strategies for victory.

Some gamers prefer the single-player aspects of this genre and don’t want to miss out on the fun because certain titles focus more on multiplayer. Fortunately, these players can enjoy a variety of exceptional story-driven RTS campaigns, even in games that might initially appear to be all about multiplayer.

8 Age Of Mythology: Retold

Arkantos’ Story Is An Epic Tale For The Ages

Despite not achieving the same level of popularity as Age of Empires 2, it’s clear that Age of Mythology still maintains a devoted player base who relish in the assortment of multiplayer modes found within this mythological adaptation of the AoE format.

Age of Mythology: Retold delivered what players were anticipating – more of the same greatness – particularly the captivating story campaigns that received significant attention and craftsmanship. It seems that being liberated from historical constraints common in other genre games significantly enhanced the narrative, and newcomers will be taken aback by the exceptional quality of the campaign once they take a look.

7 Empire Earth

Numerous Campaigns Across The Game’s Diverse Ages

Empire Earth is among the most untamed Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games ever developed, spanning eras that range from prehistoric periods all the way into future timelines. Players will find enjoyment in multiplayer contests where rushing through the ages becomes a priority before amassing an unrivaled army and engaging in battle ensues.

This fresh spin on the genre’s gameplay adds a gleam to its campaigns, enabling players to explore everything from narratives rooted in real historical events to whimsical original stories filled with engaging dialogue and situations. It’s advantageous that Empire Earth‘s gameplay bears a strong resemblance to Age of Empires, making it more accessible for players seeking to dive into the single-player content without encountering many difficulties.

6 Warcraft 3: Reign Of Chaos

An Epic Fantasy Story With Some Of Gaming’s Most Iconic Characters

At one point, Blizzard Entertainment was widely recognized as one of the top video game companies, with titles such as “Warcraft 3” contributing to this reputation. The real-time strategy (RTS) gameplay was captivating, but what truly made this game a hit among the masses was its epic narrative.

In the long term, multiplayer might have kept “Warcraft 3” popular, yet it was the captivating narrative that first won over fans. This tale, rich with epic moments, allowed players to guide heroes and observe their decline – a unique feature among real-time strategy games.

5 Homeworld

An Impressive Sci-Fi RTS With A Campaign To Match

When initially launched, Homeworld was considered one of the most awe-inspiring Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games ever developed. Its learning curve was quite challenging, yet it richly compensated players who learned from their mistakes and mastered the art of amassing a formidable fleet, ultimately outmatching their adversaries.

In “Homeworld”, both hardcore RTS enthusiasts and casual gamers could find delight. While the multiplayer aspect was a thrill for veteran RTS fans, the captivating campaign allowed everyone to immerse themselves in a compelling story about helping the Kushan reclaim their homeland. This tale serves as an ideal introduction for those new to the game before they decide to explore the intricacies of the multiplayer mode.

4 Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun

A Campy Story That Helped This Game Become More Popular With Fans

Tiberian Sun is among the top-tier games in the Command & Conquer series that gamers can experience. The game’s visual presentation was significantly improved from its predecessors, making multiplayer encounters thrilling and action-packed, especially during the dramatic battles players got to witness.

The icing on the cake was the campy, single-player narrative that embraced its over-the-top FMVs wholeheartedly, providing a captivating sci-fi backdrop. This Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game’s campaign offered diverse objectives to keep players engaged and eager to delve into the allure of this popular title’s storyline.

3 The Lord Of The Rings: Battle For Middle-earth

The Two Campaigns Ensure That This LotR RTS Remains Beloved By Many

Any Lord of the Rings fan would love the idea of playing an RTS game set in the series’ world. Battle for Middle-earth accomplishes exactly that, serving up an excellent multiplayer experience that dedicated fans continue to enjoy on unofficial game servers.

In simpler terms, “The ‘Good’ campaign” presents the tale from the books and movies, allowing players to participate in the triumphs of the Fellowship. Conversely, many enthusiasts appreciate the “Evil” campaign for offering a different perspective on the story, which appeals particularly to long-time fans of “The Lord of the Rings.

2 Age Of Empires 4

Structures Its Campaign Like A Documentary

Enthusiasts were thrilled to learn that a fresh installment of the beloved series, “Age of Empires,” was finally coming out after quite a long time, making many happy with the launch of “Age of Empires 4.” This follow-up game captures the finest aspects of “Age of Empires 2” and enhances certain gameplay mechanics in a manner that fans will surely appreciate.

In terms of multiplayer, it delivers the standard set by the Age of Empires series. However, the single-player campaign may catch fans off guard. Remarkably, the game chooses to present its narrative in a documentary style, which fits perfectly given that it’s a retelling of historical martial conflicts.

1 StarCraft

Another Iconic Blizzard RTS With A High-Quality Campaign

Back in the day, I found myself utterly captivated by an extraordinary Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game known as StarCraft. This game was a groundbreaking phenomenon, taking me on a journey through a futuristic universe inhabited by three distinct races: The Terrans, Zerg, and Protoss. Each of these races offers a unique playstyle, with the Terrans being versatile, the Zerg exhibiting raw power, and the Protoss showcasing advanced technology. Controlling any one of them was a pleasure, and their individual strengths ensured a balanced multiplayer scenario, making every game engaging and exciting!

Without doubt, discussing StarCraft wouldn’t be complete without bringing up its captivating story-driven campaign filled with exceptional writing. The fact that the sequel is often deemed less compelling from a narrative standpoint, despite being technically superior, showcases Blizzard’s outstanding ability in scriptwriting for this game.

Read More

2024-11-12 09:05