Top 10 RTS Games with Unforgettable Conquest Modes You Must Try!

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Summary

  • RTS genre has seen fluctuating demand, with RTS games evolving and radiating over the years.
  • Conquest mode is a core feature in most RTS games, allowing players to pit their settlements against the world.
  • The best RTS games, like Empire: Total War and Sid Meier’s Civilization V, offer unique conquest experiences.

Over the last few decades, the real-time strategy (RTS) genre has taken an unconventional path compared to mainstay genres such as role-playing games (RPGs) and shooters. Unlike these enduring categories, RTS games have experienced significant fluctuations in popularity, development, and quality. Some view their heyday as being in the ’90s and early 2000s, while others appreciate how the genre has adapted and grown since then.

In the heart of most Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games lies a common element, irrespective of individual preferences. This fundamental aspect is the players engaging in a grand conquest, where they confront the world with their settlements. Whether it’s a solitary Medieval hamlet, a self-governing nation, or an extraterrestrial civilization in outer space, testing its mettle in conquest mode is usually the most captivating part of an RTS gameplay experience. The ones that excel in this regard have been assembled here, organized based on the playability and the appeal of replaying their conquest modes.

10. Universe At War: Earth Assault

Claim Earth for the Alien Faction Of Your Choice

Ever since its debut in 2007, “Universe at War: Earth Assault” has earned a reputation as a cult classic due to its distinct combination of Eastern-influenced mecha units and Western-style alien assailants, reminiscent of “War of the Worlds”. What sets it apart is the conquest mode, where players strive to dominate the globe using a map similar to Risk. Interestingly, this global conquest can only be achieved once Earth has been overtaken by its extraterrestrial invaders.

In the game Earth Assault, the Conquest mode doesn’t serve as a means to reclaim Earth for humanity, but rather it’s a method for the most powerful alien faction to establish sole dominion over Earth. The objective in this mode, known as “Conquer the World,” is for the selected faction to conquer every territory on Earth. Each faction has its own distinct approach to this task. For instance, The Hierarchy stands out because they choose not to construct settlements at all. Instead, they generate combat units directly from their mobile mechs, resulting in an aggressive, nomadic style of invasion.

9. Star Wars: Empire At War

Conquer Planet By Planet, Land And Space

The Star Wars series lends itself effortlessly to the Real-Time Strategy (RTS) genre, given its renowned spacecraft and creatures. Similar to its precursor, Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds, Star Wars: Empire At War skillfully employs these settings and symbols to create a highly engaging RTS experience.

As a fervent admirer, let me express that the conquest mode in this game surpasses all expectations. It entices players to accumulate armadas and dominate the cosmos, planet by planet. Each celestial body is subdued after vanquishing the indigenous military forces both in space and on the ground, making sure no starfighter or walker remains idle.

8. The Settlers 7: Paths To A Kingdom

Old-School RTS Combat Meets 4X Management

After experiencing some stumbles in earlier releases, I must say that The Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom has truly managed to rekindle the enchantment found in classics like The Settlers II. This real-time strategy (RTS) game offers an engaging and surprisingly tailored experience, with a conquest mode that’s consistently rewarding and never plays out the same way twice.

In this game, there’s a strong focus on controlling the economy, yet it also offers an option for players to triumph through military force if they prefer. The combat sequences follow standard RTS patterns, but the dramatic music and storytelling narrator give these fights a sense of enjoyment and excitement.

7. The Lord Of The Rings: The Battle For Middle-Earth

Every Unit Can Become The Next Hero

Immersion in the conquest mode of “The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth” can easily consume hours. It offers players a grand journey through the famous sites depicted in the movies, featuring all key characters and beasts. Remarkably, it also maintains a record of individual units across campaigns.

The final characteristic adds depth to the conquest experience, making it rewarding throughout its entirety. A single Elven archer or Gondorian ranger could have stayed by your side from the initial mission until the end, which is also true for special hero units, enhancing any prolonged gameplay in Battle for Middle-Earth, making it captivating.

6. Endless Legend

A Different Conquest Experience For Every Faction

In numerous aspects, the game “Endless Legend” follows the conventions of a 4X game, featuring a hexagonal grid map and combining traditional turn-based exploration to uncover adversaries and resources. However, it distinguishes itself significantly through its visually stunning fantasy backdrop and extensive lists of distinctive playable characters, both heroes and creatures.

In the game ‘Endless Legend’, each faction is unique, akin to different species of animals. You’ll find units as diverse as hydras, merfolk, dragon-men, and crystal constructs. Since battles transport you into separate mini-maps every time, the limited space combined with the vast array of units ensures that every move counts significantly. Moreover, the vibrant landscapes and scarcity of resources encourage players to constantly seek out new conflicts and territories, making each battle feel crucial.

5. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War

Constant Expansion or Utter Defeat

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but be captivated by the way Warhammer 40K, the ultimate tabletop wargame, mirrors the essence of conquest. Unsurprisingly, its PC RTS counterpart, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, follows suit, almost entirely revolving around a grand conquest. This game truly lives up to the format it represents.

In contrast to many other Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games that focus on establishing central bases and producing units from there, Dawn of War prioritizes combat, with players initially engaging in battles before expanding their armies. The primary means of army growth within the game involves capturing key points, upgrading these areas, and subsequently seizing more territories. This aggressive approach to expansion aligns well with the theme of the over-the-top, war-torn universe depicted in Warhammer 40K.

4. Sins Of A Solar Empire

Conquer A Galaxy As Large As You Can Imagine

In the game named Sins of a Solar Empire, players aren’t limited to just capturing one planet; instead, they have the opportunity to control entire solar systems consisting of multiple planets. The maps in this game are customizable, allowing players with a keen sense of ambition to engage in conquests spanning hundreds of stars.

On a potent computer, it’s possible for “Sins of a Solar Empire” to manage numerous space battles involving dozens, if not hundreds, of spaceships simultaneously. If this prospect seems overwhelming, the game offers an exceptionally helpful user interface that allows seamless switching between any units or planets within an empire, thus preventing the intense star combat from spiraling into unmanageable confusion.

3. Rise Of Nations

Pure RTS Unit Management At Its Finest

The strategy game titled “Rise of Nations” is frequently likened to “Age of Empires“, not only because it adopts their general mechanics and user interface, but also due to its equally captivating Real-Time Strategy (RTS) gameplay and numerous military conquests that remain engaging even after countless hours of play.

Similar to games like Age of Empires and its counterparts, Rise of Nations follows the strategy that a strong defense comes from a good offense. This means players are often seen building large armies with diverse units to protect their territories and expand into others. The age system, which allows progression from primitive times to the nuclear era, adds an element of asymmetric combat, making each conquest unpredictable and exciting.

2. Sid Meier’s Civilization V

The Most Versatile Military Campaigns Available

It’s important to note that Sid Meier’s Civilization IV had an impressive conquest mode, but it wasn’t until the release of Civilization V that the series truly refined the pace and strategy within this format. By simplifying each map tile to a single unit (except for a few special units like leaders), the game encourages players to think critically, plan ahead, and frequently adjust their strategies.

In this game, you, as the player, have control over various aspects such as the map design, involved civilizations, resources available, and numerous other elements of conquest. However, the ultimate objective remains constant: seize every opposing capital utilizing any strategies at your disposal. Due to multiple artificial intelligences controlling each civilization, each game results in a unique conquest experience that is both unpredictable and intensely strategic.

1. Empire: Total War

Strategic Battles To Slow Down and Plan Tactics

In contrast to other gaming franchises, there’s no separate “conquest mode” in the Total War series, primarily because the gameplay is centered around this mode itself. The Total War games, as their name implies, are all about conquest, and while they have received favorable reviews, none have been praised quite like Empire: Total War.

In an ironic twist for a conquest mode, what truly sets Empire apart from other games in the series is its unique elements that slow down and even hinder the actual combat. Instead of the fast-paced spear warfare you’d expect, it emphasizes musket warfare – a more deliberate and strategic style of combat. This pacey gameplay turns each battle into a thoughtful chess match, rather than a frenetic game of spit.

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2025-03-19 07:07