The Most Influential RTS Games, Ranked

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Key Takeaways

  • The RTS genre has evolved over almost 50 years due to a variety of pivotal titles, not just one.
  • Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance & Homeworld are classic, innovative staples of the RTS genre.
  • StarCraft, Company of Heroes, & Age of Empires 2 are highly regarded within the RTS genre.

As someone who has spent countless hours huddled around a computer screen, strategizing and micro-managing my digital armies, I can confidently say that these games have shaped my life in more ways than one. Each title on this list holds a special place in my heart, but if I had to pick just one as the ultimate RTS experience, it would be Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings.

Over the past half century, I’ve seen the real-time strategy (RTS) gaming landscape evolve dramatically, with gameplay mechanics and interactive elements shifting constantly. To be honest, it’s not really one groundbreaking title that’s shaped the RTS genre; instead, it’s a series of unforgettable experiences that have left their mark.

Over time, the real-time strategy genre has evolved steadily, starting with the intense, critically acclaimed games from Blizzard’s classic RTS series, and moving on to innovative interpretations and updates of the genre on modern platforms.

8. Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance

The Modern RTS Juggernaut That’s Bolstered By Fan Creation

As a dedicated gamer, I can attest that Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance, following hot on the heels of its 2007 predecessor, took the already impressive Real-Time Strategy (RTS) world by storm. This game significantly expanded and enriched the Supreme Commander series, creating an RTS presence that was beyond what I could have initially imagined.

Supreme Commander is widely considered a landmark title in the Real-Time Strategy (RTS) genre due to its intricately designed gameplay and captivating sci-fi storyline. The release of the expansion pack, Forged Alliance, which fine-tuned the game’s factions and units by introducing the Seraphim, has further solidified its status. Its unique modability and dedicated fanbase have allowed it to surpass its initial success, maintaining its relevance in the RTS scene even 20 years after its release, demonstrating its enduring impact on the genre’s history.

7. Homeworld

A Technological Tour De Force That Interwove Narrative & Gameplay

1999 marked the launch of Homeworld, a groundbreaking real-time strategy (RTS) game that offered seamless 3D movement, an immersive storyline, and innovative mechanics. This title is widely regarded as one of the most significant technological advancements in the RTS genre. Over time, it gave birth to numerous expansions and earned recognition as a pioneering science-fiction series. Today, Homeworld games are cherished as essential additions to PC gaming and the RTS community.

Homeworld, this real-time strategy (RTS) game, doesn’t shy away from allowing players to make errors as it immerses them in an urgent and high-stakes narrative, with each mission seamlessly following another. The learning curve for controlling units, ranging from scouts to corvettes, can be quite steep, but this challenging gameplay not only generates tension but also enhances the storyline by intertwining mechanics with the plot.

6. Age Of Mythology

The Fantastical Sibling To Age Of Empires That Moved Away From Realism

Initially conceived as a spin-off from the highly popular “Age of Empires” series, “Age of Mythology” has distinctly established its own niche within the real-time strategy (RTS) genre. In 2002, it demonstrated that there was an audience yearning for more mythical RTS games, and since then, its civilizations based on mythological gods have captivated players and even inspired scientific exploration.

Moving beyond the influence of “Age of Empires”, “Age of Mythology” distinguishes itself with its unique base cultures – Greeks, Egyptians, and Norse societies. These cultural shifts not only offer visual enhancements but also significantly alter gameplay mechanics. As the deities of these civilizations grant their powers to their followers, traditional real-time strategy encounters are transformed by thunderbolts and towering, Minotaur-like titans.

5. Starcraft

A Pivotal Title In The Creation Of Competitive eSports

Back in 1998, I first got my hands on Starcraft, and even after all these years, it remains a cornerstone of the real-time strategy game genre for me. This classic sci-fi RTS has left an indelible mark not just on its gameplay mechanics but also on society as a whole.

In the late 90s and early 00s, Korea saw Starcraft becoming a defining game in the real-time strategy (RTS) scene, and even shaping competitive eSports as we know it today. Over time, the Starcraft series grew to encompass various media forms such as novels, board games, and proposed games in different genres. The original installation of this series stands out as a significant foundation not only for the RTS genre but also for video games themselves.

4. Company Of Heroes

A Hyper-Focussed Historical RTS With A Uniquely Personal Narrative

While its unique emphasis on a personal narrative distinguishes it significantly from the expansive scale typical of many Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games, the strategic gameplay of Company of Heroes, set in historical context, is equally crucial to the genre’s foundation as other renowned titles.

Despite having a unit-focused gameplay structure and featuring just two playable factions, the meticulously designed mechanics and immersive narrative have earned Company of Heroes the reputation as the best World War II strategy game ever made. Set during the Allied invasion of Normandy and the liberation of France from Axis control, its 2006 release offers a comprehensive real-time strategy (RTS) experience. Over time, the Company of Heroes franchise has scaled new heights with sequels, mobile adaptations, and even a film adaptation in 2013. However, its original game remains a deeply impactful RTS milestone.

3. Warcraft 3

A Unique Fantasy RTS That Predates WoW & Created Dota

As a devoted fan, I must admit that World of Warcraft’s dominance in the MMORPG genre has become something of an expected norm. However, delving into the roots of Blizzard’s success, we can trace it back to their time with the Warcraft Real-Time Strategy (RTS) franchise, where they mastered RPG elements and crafted captivating fantasy narratives.

Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos stands out not just for its exceptional real-time strategy (RTS) components, gameplay, and narrative, but also for introducing several innovative features. For instance, it combined RTS with role-playing mechanics, and introduced ‘hero’ characters who could significantly impact battles. The impact of Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos on subsequent RTS games is evident. Moreover, the game’s universe evolved from a successful RTS into an intellectual property (IP) that expanded across various genres and media forms. Additionally, the World Editor tools in Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos were instrumental in the creation of modes and even entire games like Valve’s popular Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA), Dota.

2. Starcraft 2: Wings Of Liberty

Blizzard’s Sci-Fi Sequel That Brought eSports To A Worldwide Audience

Even though some real-time strategy (RTS) games may have stronger single-player aspects than Starcraft 2, it’s hard to deny that this sequel by Blizzard has had a significant influence on the gaming industry as a whole.

Initially, Starcraft appeared to spark eSports popularity in Korea, but Starcraft 2 expanded that initial success to a worldwide audience. Consequently, Blizzard produced one of the finest, arguably the best, competitive strategy games – an achievement still evident in its cultural influence. Starcraft 2 served as a pioneer in video game streaming and remains influential not just within gaming, but also in scientific research, thereby significantly shaping the real-time strategy (RTS) genre.

1. Age Of Empires 2: The Age Of Kings

The Historical Sequel With Fans & Remasters Galore

The popular “Age of Empires” series has seen great success in the Real-Time Strategy (RTS) genre, but it’s with the second installment, “Age of Empires 2”, that many believe the series truly peaked. This game is often remembered fondly by fans and critics alike as the cornerstone of the franchise due to its innovative and expansive take on the RTS formula, making it a significant milestone in the genre’s history.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at how much Age of Empires 2 expanded the defensive options for players from its initial release, not to mention the addition of unit formations. This combination created an almost ideal setting for strategic gameplay. While other Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games often place a greater emphasis on mechanical development, Age of Empires 2 stands out as a more immersive narrative experience. With its array of iconic leaders and historical events woven into the campaign, Age of Empires 2 offers an exceptionally well-rounded RTS adventure. Over time, it has solidified its status as a seminal title within the RTS genre, particularly with its remastered versions in 2013 and 2019, which have broadened its appeal to new generations of gamers.

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2024-12-10 03:37