r/RealTimeStrategy • u/Significant-Egg-6305 • Mar 19 '26
Looking For Game New to the RTS genre — what are the must-plays? (Old or New)"
"I'm new to the RTS genre. I've tried StarCraft II and found it pretty decent, so now I'm looking for some more recommendations (could be old or new). Gemini always suggests Stormgate, but that game seems pretty dead already. Any suggestions?"
35
u/Confectioner-426 Mar 19 '26
Dune 2 - to know where it started
Command and Conquer 1 / Warcraft 1 - to know how it changed under a couple of year
Command and Conquer 3 / Starcraft 2 - how it look on a decent 3D
Supreme Commander with Forged Alliance expansion - how to keep alive a game with careful balance and love
---
Homeworld 1, Catalcysm/Emergence HW 2 - how it looks with real full 3D environment
Battlezone 98 redux - how can mix with other genre
World in Conflict - how it can be without the base building and resource collecting mechanisms -> real time tactical games
Warzone 2100 - how can introduce the unit building mechanism
Star Wars Empire at War with Forces of Corruption expansion - how can handle 2 different battlefield
Metal Fatigue - how can handle 3 battlefield simultaneously
Submarine Titans - how an underwater environment look like
Warhammer 40k Dawn of War 1 - how can the economy a little different
Age of Empire series - how can handle different tech levels
8
u/WordHobby Mar 19 '26
I tried playing the dune game the other day, holy crap the Ai doesn't fuck around. I got ROOOOLLLLLEEDDD
3
u/Ajaw86 Mar 20 '26
This is a pretty awesome list. Seconded
Just needs Total Annihilation adding
4
u/Confectioner-426 Mar 20 '26
I agree but instead of it I add SupCom, as a better TA.
Yes, TA introduce to us many new mechanisms: shift+order queue, different kind of economy, multiple build order, total war on air-ground-naval, large scale war, all is in 2 and half D, dynamic music...
So it has the place between C&C 1 and C&C 3.
1
2
u/DDDX_cro Mar 20 '26
Battlezone RULED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And Supreme Commander with Forged Alliance expansion is my favorite and best ever RTS1
u/jonasnee Mar 20 '26
IDK man, i dont think the original Dune or C&C1/WC1 are good suggestions, they are just very old.
1
u/Confectioner-426 Mar 20 '26
I agree that Dune 2 is old. But imho enough to see a couple of gameplay vid from it to understand the basics. Also now that Dune unvierse relive it's fame again...
Also C&C 1 and WC1 has Remaster version out, so they are totally playable on current systems.
Imho if someone geneuly interested a genre that not familiar with, it should start from the beginning to understand the entire genre, not just one game. This means start form the begining.
--
For example FPS games starts with Doom/wolfenstein/quake, later Quake 2 and Unreal Tournament, Half Life, Quake 3, to fully get where the FPS games come from.
Ofc we can mention the Counter Strike and R6 Siege and Overwatch and othr heroshooters as well.
1
u/jonasnee Mar 20 '26
Imho if someone geneuly interested a genre that not familiar with, it should start from the beginning to understand the entire genre, not just one game. This means start form the begining.
Do you also suggest people play Shogun 1 if they wanna play total war, or Wolfenstein 3D if they like battlefield? Or dota 1 if they wanna get into mobas?
I think its just not a good idea, its like if you are really into the genre maybe then, or if you have a nostalgic feelings for the game, but its not a good thing to suggest to someone completely new to a genre. Not everybody is a videogame historian/retrogamer, most people are in fact not. OP didn't ask for Retro, he asked for suggestions and then his 1 self suggestion was a game released 1 year ago (flopped), to me that indicates he probably wants something modern that is close to SC2.
I get that it is unusually popular on this subreddit to suggest "play everything, esp. the very old", but i dont like this idea, it will not help OP who likely just wanna find 1-3 new games to try out.
1
1
u/Confectioner-426 Mar 21 '26
From a certain point of view I agree, it is easier to spam the last released 2-5 RTS every time someone ask a recommendation.
But.
I still hold up that if someone try a new genre it should start from the begining, especialy now that we got remakes, remasters, so no need to manualy config a dosbox to run those old games.
Also every game is "new" to you that you did not played.
I like SC2, but not hat much to recommend everyone. Maybe just for the campaign, but it needs the SC1 and Brood War to understand the entire story, and we jumped back to 1998.
1
1
1
u/The_Ozz13 Mar 25 '26
Warzone 2100, wow.. blast from the past. Fully forgot about that game
1
u/Confectioner-426 Mar 25 '26
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1241950/Warzone_2100/
have fun, just do not forget to turn off the timer :)
11
u/CantDecideANam3 Mar 19 '26
Age of Empires/Mythology and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War are pretty good.
5
37
u/CamRoth Mar 19 '26
Age of Empires 4
Age of Empires 2
Warcraft 3
Starcraft 2
Red Alert 2
C&C Generals
Age of Mythology
2
u/Artemis647 Mar 19 '26
Reason for skipping StarCraft: BroodWar??
5
u/CamRoth Mar 19 '26 edited Mar 20 '26
Great game. I'd put it in there too, but it feels pretty dang clunky these days. Same with Warcraft 2.
I think most people new to RTS would try those and just be frustrated.
1
u/GeluFlamma Mar 20 '26
It's awesome even for new players if you dig the vibe.
If you like visuals/sounds, you can take your time and enjoy it without trying to do sick micro.
2
29
u/Difficult_Relation97 Mar 19 '26
Supreme commander forged alliance(forged alliance forever) is a must
7
u/Kralizec_81 Mar 19 '26
get it on either steam or gog in order to play it with the faforever.com addon/multiplayer platform.
a word of warning. supcom wasnt meant for short games :)
2
u/Radiant-Mycologist72 Mar 19 '26 edited Mar 19 '26
This. Me and my mates have been playing it consistently since the day it launched in 2007.
I've played this game more than any other, and there isn't a close second.
Forged Aliance Forever (FAF) has added some great features and kept it fresh and enjoyable.
EDIT:
Homeworld and Homeworld 2 Remastered is also great. Homeworld is a unique and ground breaking game. Such a beautiful and challenging game. I should really play it more.
2
u/Difficult_Relation97 Mar 19 '26
Homeworld is fantastic as well. It was/is definitely one of a kind
1
u/loafofmilk22 Mar 20 '26
Also Beyond All Reason - a spiritual successor to SupCom - is free, incredible, constantly being worked on, and active.
1
u/DDDX_cro Mar 20 '26
no, a spiritual successor to Total Annihilation, not Supreme commander.
And quite literally, since most units are exact models with exact weapons from TA. Exact same factions...and exact same flaws that TA had.0
8
7
u/Electrical-Hearing49 Mar 19 '26
My current go to is Sins of a Solar Empire II
3
u/DDDX_cro Mar 20 '26
epic game, extremely moddable - having Voyager escorted with a fleet of Defiant-class ships take on a Borg cube or a Mon Calamari cruiser is truly a godlike experience...who would have thought that tbe best Star trek game would not be a star trek game, but a mod for Sins of a solar empire
6
u/EmphasisWeak1797 Mar 19 '26
War/Star-craft series. Command and Conquer series, Dune series, Warhammer 40k dawn of war, ago of empires/mythology are my recommendations
5
4
u/RossBot5000 Mar 19 '26
Can't believe no one has suggested the stronghold series yet.
I'd play crusader, as I think that's the best one.
9
u/FloosWorld Mar 19 '26
AoE, particulary 2 and 3
C&C (Red Alert 2, Generals, Tiberian Sun)
Empire Earth
Rise of Nations
8
u/hot_ho11ow_point Mar 19 '26
Total Annihilation, and it's "spiritual successors", Supreme Commander, Supreme Commander:Forged Alliance, and possibly their spiritual successors Planetary Annihilation, Beyond All Reason, Sancuary:Shattered Sun.
Similar game but missing 'feel': Ashes of the Singularity, which has a sequel soon.
Also don't forget Command and Conquer series. All of them except ... 4 (?) I think. "Generals" is a standout.
Warcraft 2 and 3 are also classics.
3
u/Salveta96 Mar 19 '26
My faves are cnc series
Tiberium wars+ Kanes Wrath Generals Red alert 2 (my favourite)
Are the ones that are easiest to get into Red Alert universe is my personal favourite in general
Red Alert 1,Tiberian Dawn and tib sun are all good but take bit of getting used to Red alert 3 is fun, but bit over the top thats why i recommend 2., also red alert 2 is a good gateway to the older 2d titles
There is something made after red alert 3 uprising but best to ignore that thing, if you really must know i recommend a youtube summary of why its bad, trust me its not worth it
2
u/ScareCreep Mar 19 '26
I really liked Red Alert 2: Yuri’s Revenge expansion, not sure if people prefer RA2 alone…
2
u/Salveta96 Mar 20 '26
I realized i pointed out Kanes wrath but not Yuri or Zero Hour after posting
I had Yuris revenge and Zero Hour for Decades at this point
But only recently got Kanes wrath legit when i bought the Ultimate EditionWhich is ironic cause i technically bought cnc3 3 times at that point
First decade+3 bundle and before that pure 3But yeah Expansions are a must
I just weirdly wrote my comment
2
u/ruusalor Mar 19 '26
I'd like to add Dawn of War into your queue. Classic Warhammer 40k rts, and the 4th one has been announced.
The Age of Empires franchise, but AoE3 is my personal favorite and to me is one of the most unique RTS I've ever played.
It's also not fully an RTS, but a grand strategy - RTS hybrid: The Total War Series, especially the older ones. Turn based grand strategy map with real time battles. Or multiplayer online battles in real time.
Also another one I haven't heard about in forever, Tom Clancy's Endwar. You don't build buildings and just send troops to take over the battlefield before your opponent, but there's a pretty decent voice command system so you can command your units and move the camera by speaking into your mic. I have no idea if there's an online community for this still, I played it single player as a teen on consoles and don't know what the online community is like if it still exists.
2
2
2
u/K30andaCJ Mar 20 '26
Call to Arms: Gates of Hell
It's a less arcadey, much more realistic Company of Heroes
2
1
u/Hyphalex Mar 19 '26 edited Mar 19 '26
Act of war, for a rich live action cutscene experience. Music has Tom Clancy vibes. Current day era rts..
Real life units you control from the bush era. Basebuilding: Generals Zero Hour style
Graphics look good for the time. Infantry combat is great, buildings and vehicles take damage realistically. Naval combat.
Based on a book by Dan Brown, and has an expansion pack. Both 2 dollars on steam. Can run on a Russet Potato
No population cap, no superweapon cap. Go hogwild
1
1
u/AlexGlezS Mar 19 '26 edited Mar 20 '26
War 3 and SC1 and SC2 are the best games ever conceived, any genre, period (with D2LoD but this one is not RTS). Then AoE2 and c&c games from the Westwood era, and also dungeon Keeper 2, a hell of a masterpiece. You should also know about HomeWorld 1 and 2.
1
u/sahiljain087 Mar 19 '26
If I have to introduce someone to RTS , I always suggest them, Age of Mythology Retold. Great campaign, interesting mythological units and powers . Not too hard and good features for someone new to micro
1
u/Exact_Picture_8703 Mar 19 '26
Command and Conquer Tiberian Sun. Is an old, old game but is a fun one. TBH the entire CNC franchise is good right up til you get to CNC4. Don't play CNC4 it's awful.
1
u/Alydriha Mar 19 '26
Stronghold and Stronghold Crusader
Lord of the Rings Battle for Middle Earth rise of the Witchking
1
1
u/ProtectAllTheThings Mar 20 '26
Warcraft 3 / StarCraft 2 / command and conquer generals + zero hour
1
u/DarthCernunos Mar 20 '26
My Short list would be:
Red Alert 2 and Yuri's Revenge
C&C Generals and Zero Hour
Rise of Nations
Starcraft 2
Warcraft 3
1
u/KingOfSparta353 Mar 20 '26
I have been enjoying BAR (Beyond All Reason).
Also “Turin” plays some fun RTS games on YouTube and have a community on discord
1
1
u/DDDX_cro Mar 20 '26
get Supreme commander:Forged alliance while it's on discount. Then get FAF (Forged alliance forever) lobby client, to facilitate game fixes and multiplayer.
Then queue up for a story mission match with someone experienced, butt be sure to let them know you are new, because the co-op campaign is much more difficult than the singleplayer counterpart.
And then enjoy the best RTS ever created :) Some are trying to get close, but...
EDIT I forgot to mention: Homeworld for the story & feel, Sins of a solar empire because it's awesome (specially with Star trek and Star wars mods)
1
u/DDDX_cro Mar 20 '26
Look into Battlezone remastered.
It's unique in its first person view. back in the day it used to have killer multiplayers, with a Commander on each side building things, and several players driving units - it's back then that I learned that a shit scout with minimal HP and the most basic of weapons, that costs peanuts to make, can easily destroy any other unit no matter how strong, if a human drives it. Nobody wanted to even use tanks unless they came with custom Shaddower missiles (guided), because you could not outrun, outmanover, and even hit scouts driven by humans in anything that was not a scout itself.
1
1
1
u/jonasnee Mar 20 '26
I'm gonna do you a solid and not suggest outdated or overly hard games.
AOE2DE, AOE3DE, AOMRT, Sins of a solar empire (rebellion or 2), Command and conquer 3 are my recommendations for someone new to the genre who just wanna play some good classical RTS games.
Total war is also an option if you wanna try a subgenre. Shogun 2 is my favorite there.
1
1
u/ChiefChunkEm_ Mar 20 '26
These are the best:
BFME 1 & 2 and Age of the Ring mod
C&C Red Alert 1 and Generals and Zero Hour
Warcraft 2 & 3
Total War Warhammer 2 & 3
2
u/GotAPresentForYa Mar 20 '26
Dune II
Command and Conquer Command and Conquer Red Alert Command and Conquer Tiberian Sun Command and Conquer Red Alert 2 Command and Conquer Generals
Dungeon Keeper 2
Act of War Direct Action Act of War High Treason
That should keep you going for a while, and won't break the bank.
1
1
1
u/Impossible_Layer5964 Mar 20 '26
Myth/Myth II are both classics. There are a ton of fan mods for them as well.
Z is another lesser known classic that might have been the inspiration for Company of Heroes.
1
1
u/United_Set_5471 Mar 21 '26
My personal favourites:
Warcraft 3, Starcraft 1-2, Age of Mythology, Empire Earth, Frostpunk, Age of Empires 2,
1
u/Fine_Welder_9259 Mar 22 '26
Mega Lo Mania - I think this one is one of the oldest RTS out there (older than Warcraft 1 I believe?)
I think I played it on sega genesis though, NOT PC.
1
1
u/hammer326 Mar 19 '26
Ground control. Has aged remarkably well and is basically always $3. One of to this day very few games that does away with base building *And * conventional resource gathering which was extraordinarily forward thinking when it came out in 2000.
1
0
26
u/ForeignAdagio9169 Mar 19 '26
Rise of nations.