Best RTS Games For Tank Warfare

Best RTS Games For Tank Warfare

Key Takeaways

  • Tanks play a crucial role in these real-time strategy games by offering heavy firepower.
  • Games like Warzone 2100, Warno, and Dawn of War 2 include tank-centric gameplay, emphasizing their importance in battles.
  • Tank management is key to victory in games like Call to Arms and Red Alert 3, where tanks are the crux of winning armies.

As a seasoned veteran of real-time strategy games and a diehard fan of tanks, I can confidently say that there’s nothing quite as satisfying as commanding an army of steel behemoths in these digital battlefields. From the futuristic landscapes of Warzone 2100 to the grim reality of Warno set during a hypothetical World War III, each game offers its unique take on tank-centric gameplay that keeps me coming back for more.


Just as tanks themselves exhibit diverse forms and functions, so do video games centered around these armored giants. Tanks can add authenticity to military simulations, offer diverse units, or simply deliver massive destruction. They are integral to numerous game genres, but none more prevalent than real-time strategy games.

In real-time strategy games, it’s not unusual to feel swamped by the multitude of options at your disposal as a player. Deciding which units to employ and figuring out effective strategies against an adversary’s forces can be challenging. Tanks, with their diverse construction options and potent firepower, can prove invaluable in these games if managed wisely—and they are skillfully integrated into the mechanics of most RTS titles.

5 Warzone 2100

An Open Source RTS Classic

  • Released: April 10, 1999
  • Developer: Pumpkin Studios, Underdone Gaming, Warzone 2100 Project
  • Platforms: PC

Warzone 2100 is a long-standing, free, open-source Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game that has been popular among fans for years. Featuring a futuristic setting, it boasts an extensive tech tree that enables technology to advance as players progress and adapt to their enemies. The game offers a comprehensive campaign with ample customization options between the two main factions, while staying true to the concept of synthetic armies being numerous and affordable, whereas human armies are costlier but offer superior quality.

In simpler terms, “Warzone 2100” is a real-time strategy game (RTS) that primarily focuses on tank warfare. The majority of conflicts between factions are resolved through the use of tanks equipped with large cannons and treads for mobility. To succeed in this game, it’s crucial to continuously upgrade your tanks and maintain technological superiority.

4 Warno

A Grim WW3 RTS

Warno aims to explore a thought-provoking scenario: What if the Cold War had escalated into a full-blown conflict? Set in the 1980s, Warno is an extensive and intricate real-time strategy game where you take command of either NATO or Warsaw Pact-aligned forces, fighting for global dominance in a war scenario. The game’s grandeur is amplified by its realistic depiction and the need for strategic precision in every engagement.

As a dedicated enthusiast, I can’t help but acknowledge the pivotal role tanks play in the strategy of both factions. They establish the rhythm and dynamics, enabling them to outmaneuver their adversaries and launch surprise attacks. It’s all about harmony in Warno, yet it’s essential to remember that the potency of tanks relies heavily on the support from the air or the ground troops. After all, a tank alone is just a powerful machine without the right team backing it up!

3 Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War 2

Colossal Grimdark Artillery Awaits

Instead of concentrating on massive armies or safeguarding an elaborate fortress like its predecessor did, Dawn of War 2 focuses on a tightly knit strike team of either attackers or defenders striving to advance their faction’s goals in a single strategic location within this grimdark universe. Having a smaller group of attackers in this real-time strategy game means that tanks are significant investments, as they can significantly impact the course of the game.

In this game, each faction’s tanks are individually designed, implying that if your faction has tanks, they will have a distinct role. Remember, due to their slow nature, it’s wise to protect larger tank units with faster, more mobile ones.

2 Call To Arms – Gates Of Hell: Ostfront

Visceral WW2 RTS Combat

  • Released: June 11, 2021
  • Developer: Barbedwire Studios, Digitalmindsoft
  • Platforms: PC

Battle Cry – Gates of Hell: Eastern Front

In this game, tanks play a crucial role and are essential for building a victorious army across all its maps. Proper deployment of tanks is key, as their strategic positioning can tip the balance from defeat to victory.

1 Command And Conquer: Red Alert 3

Soviet Time Traveling Antics

Absolutely, Red Alert 3 isn’t the most sober title on the list, but it’s an excellent beginner-friendly real-time strategy (RTS) game that offers a hilarious array of units to play with as you navigate a thrilling sci-fi narrative involving time travel to save the Soviet Union. It’s not a story about realistic events, but rather one filled with humor and over-the-top action.

In this game, effectively managing your units is crucial, yet nothing overshadows the significance of high raw unit production. Crafting a tailored assault strategy to capture objectives both on land and sea is indispensable, and defending them is equally vital. Within this gameplay approach, tanks play a pivotal role in maintaining the advantage over your opponent.

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2024-10-16 13:33