Best Maps in RTS Games - Investment Policy

Key Takeaways

Real-time strategy games rely heavily on well-designed maps to push competitive gamers to strategize effectively.
Iconic custom and developer-made maps like StarCraft 2’s Abyssal Reef test players’ strategic skills in unique environments.
Maps like Age of Empires 2’s Black Forest force players to be intelligent with strategies, bridging the gap between turtling and infiltration.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that these three maps stand out as some of the most memorable and impactful in the real-time strategy (RTS) genre. Each one has left an indelible mark on the gaming landscape, pushing the boundaries of what RTS games can achieve.

Enthusiasts of real-time strategy games recognize that a game’s success often hinges on its maps. Whether it’s intricately designed campaign levels that leave a lasting impression or custom maps that challenge competitive players to their utmost, the innovative strategies required to conquer them are what truly captivate RTS fans.

These maps, whether created by fans or developers, serve as the most memorable representations of traditional Real-Time Strategy (RTS) map designs. They stand out due to their role in fostering early resource conflicts among teams, introducing fresh mechanics and concepts, encouraging distinct strategies for various army types, and often being associated with legendary matches.

10 StarCraft 2 – Abyssal Reef

Narrow Paths

Located on a coral reef, the custom-made map designed by SidianTheBard is widely recognized within the StarCraft community. The narrow strips of land submerged in water make expansion a highly competitive objective. Players are seen scrambling to claim rocky outposts and their valuable strategic resources ahead of their opponents.

In significant competitions such as the WCS 2017 global finals and various other tournaments between 2017 and 2018, the map was a common element. This map, with its imaginative semi-aquatic setting, is cherished by numerous professional StarCraft players for its unique charm.

9 Warcraft 3 – Terenas Stand

Grand Showdowns

The Terranas Stand is a two-player layout designed by Blizzard specifically for the game Warcraft 3. This map gained prominence among gamers due to its expansive, open areas and a centrally located mercenary tavern, which work well with swift and aggressive strategies for expansion.

This map has hosted many memorable clashes in competitive gaming, like the WSVG 2007 grand final. The original map stopped being used in competitive leagues in 2011, but a revised version of it, named Terenas Stand LV, was introduced with the 1.29 game update and has been utilized for tournaments as late as 2022.

8 Age Of Empires 2 – Black Forest

Can’t See The Wood For The Trees

In the game Age of Empires 2, skilled gamers find unique tactics to employ due to its design, and the Black Forest environment specifically encourages strategic thinking by limiting spaces with dense forests on all sides. Defensive strategies like walling and turtling are often used, but cunning players can infiltrate enemy territories early using villagers, then shift the game’s momentum in the middle stages with harassment and sabotage.

In the world of Age of Empires, I’ve found myself captivated by a map that has stood the test of time – the one that’s been a staple in tournament play since 2002 and continues to be a competitive favorite today. The Rage Forest tournament series even dedicates its entire series to this very map. For those who own Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition, you’ll find a near-twin of this map called Dark Forest.

7 Company Of Heroes – Angoville

Urban Warfare

The strategy game titled Company of Heroes is frequently lauded for its authentic portrayal of the diverse battlegrounds during World War II. A case in point is Angoville, where you’ll find both urban landscapes and expansive farmland. Each side can exploit the terrain uniquely. For instance, Axis units can effectively employ mortars and machine guns from the protection of farm buildings and hedgerows, while Allied forces can leverage their numerical superiority to outmaneuver and overpower enemies in open fields.

In multiplayer matches, the win frequently favors the player who captures both map locations rich in fuel, as this provides them with a substantial edge when it comes to manufacturing armored units. The gameplay then usually involves intense tug-of-war tactics, where players take turns controlling one point while attempting to disrupt the enemy at the other.

6 Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 – Urban Rush

A Bridge Too Far

The “Urban Rush” map from Red Alert 2 is quite popular among players, and it’s intriguing. A large piece of land in the center is linked by four significant bridges, which naturally form strategic bottlenecks for any player aiming to conquer the central airfield.

Unique bridge structures set this map apart, making it a famous choice for 1v1 contests. Strategies often involve harassing opponents to gain time and secure control over the nearby bridge territories. These skirmishes can result in tense, closely-matched battles between equally skilled players.

5 Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War 2 – The Last Stand

All Or Nothing

The “Dawn of War” series is renowned for its grand campaign missions, which offer a more structured and carefully designed experience compared to typical real-time strategies, thanks to the inclusion of heroic characters. One standout mission in “Dawn of War 2” that exemplifies this is “The Last Stand”. This extensive mission fluctuates between offensive and defensive phases as players progress through it.

Initially, players should concentrate on eliminating nearby hives to reduce the number of Tyranid spawns during the mission. Subsequently, they must seize designated areas and protect them from incoming enemy assaults. The climax involves a thrilling point defense confrontation, after which players face off against the Tyranid Hive Tyrant Alpha boss in a decisive showdown. This battle is an unforgettable, win-or-lose scenario.

4 Total Annihilation – Over Crude Water

Metal Maze

Among the memorable multiplayer maps from the timeless strategy game, Total Annihilation, the map titled Over Crude Water stands out for several reasons. This map features an intricate network of metallic bridges that span across a grid-like structure, linking a substantial central area to smaller sections in the corners. Beneath these structures, you’ll find both land and water.

This particular map is notable because it accommodates a high number of players and a vast building area, making it one of the rare ones. Additionally, it belongs to the select group of “Core Prime” maps, implying increased metal production. Moreover, energy generation is effortless here, providing players with ample flexibility in their construction decisions. The strategic bridges are another distinctive feature that adds complexity and makes this map a memorable experience for players.

For players with the 2016 Steam re-release of the game, this map needs to be downloaded separately.

3 Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War 3 – The Storm Prince

The Perfect Storm

Despite being the second-to-last mission in Dawn of War 3’s campaign, The Storm Prince carries an air of conclusion, as if it’s summing up the challenges the player has been presented with. This mission is impressively expansive, requiring players to manage each of the three factions successively and employ strategies they’ve developed throughout their journey.

As a gamer, I found myself embarking on a challenging journey where I was paired with two Eldar heroes and a modest troop, our goal being to reach a location and set up camp, which led to an intense skirmish. Subsequently, I switched roles and had to defend as Orks before amassing my own offensive unit. The mission climaxed in a dramatic last stand alongside the Space Marines, a grueling battle of endurance where only a handful of warriors survived – a fight that surpassed even the game’s ultimate showdown.

2 StarCraft 2 – Lost Temple

An RTS Fan Favorite

Starcraft 2

Inquire about memorable StarCraft 2 maps with a player who has been active in its early competitive scene, and it’s likely they’ll mention Lost Temple. This classic map, initially designed by Scott Mercer for the original StarCraft, was extremely popular within the competitive scene and remains so in StarCraft 2 as well, where it is greatly respected.

Between 2010 and 2011, this particular map was a common aspect of competitive ladder matches, but it was later swapped out for an updated version known as Shattered Temple. The layout is intriguing because raised areas offer strategic defensive positions for players, yet central open spaces ignite intense battles over extra resources, leading to resource-hungry wars.

1 StarCraft – Aeon Of Strife

Dawn Of The MOBA

One fascinating feature of custom map design in open-ended editors is the ability to invent entirely new gameplay styles. In fact, this versatility has sparked numerous instances where developers or enthusiasts have been motivated by custom maps to develop entire new games, even entire genres! The Aeon of Strife map for StarCraft could be considered the most renowned instance of this phenomenon, playing a role in the creation of Defense of the Ancients and the MOBA genre. Essentially, Aeon of Strife allowed players to command a single hero unit, battling against enemy lines and attempting to destroy the opposing team’s central structure.

The game lacked the same polish as those it influenced, yet it included features such as in-mission character enhancement, distinct enemy paths, and an objective to demolish the opponent’s bases. Initially designed by Gunner_4_ever for Starcraft in 2002, the map is often recognized as the blueprint for the Defense of the Ancients map in WarCraft 3.

2024-10-31 14:35