I’m a huge RTS fanatic. I have been since I started playing the original Command and Conquer in 1995 when I was just 5 years old. RTS stands for real time strategy it’s a game where you control an entire army or civilization instead of an individual character. I’ve played as many as I can throughout the years. One of my favorite things about the genre is that RTS games can age very well. This is a list of older RTS games that are still incredibly fun to pick up and play even in 2019.





The Criteria for this list:

-The game must be released in 2009 or earlier

-The game must be under $20 to purchase

-The game must have some element of RTS (it can be 4k style, but no turn based or tower defense games)

-Lastly the game must be available on the Steam store for simplicity of linking, I will add other stores and markets to this blog in time but to start having all of these in one place is a good place to start. I want to note that these are not affiliate links simply recommendations.





5. Command and Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars/Kane’s Wrath

This game was, in my opinion that last great Command and Conquer game that was ever made. There were two more main games made after this one (Red Alert 3 and Command and Conquer 4) but this one was really the last one I enjoyed. The game features the Nod/GDI Tiberium universe from the original 1995 title. It’s a quality RTS with great interface and very sharp graphics. The mix of a futuristic and dystopian war-torn world creates an intriguing atmosphere. The expansion Kane’s Wrath is a stand-alone game that includes a very fun and addicting global conquest mode. It has great 3D graphics and was released in 2009.





Currently $19.99 on steam store for either original game or standalone expansion Kane’s Wraith

https://store.steampowered.com/app/24810/

Command and Conquer 3 Kane's Wrath





4. Rome Total War

The second oldest game on this list, released in 2004 it was one of the first titles games in the massive Total War series. It was the 3rd in installment of 13 total games. I find myself going back to it more often than even most of the newer games in the series. This game is a good mix of simplicity while still having enough complex features to keep you interested. This is a game that will be fun for history buffs as it covers a prime Roman period and includes most of the ancient Mediterranean/Europe civilizations such as the Gauls, Greeks,Carthaginians and of course the various houses of Rome. The game allows you to control your own pace within the battles which helps with immersion and replayability.





Currently $12.99 on Steam for the base game + expansion

https://store.steampowered.com/app/4760/

Rome Total War





3. Rise of Nations

The easiest way to describe this game is Age of Empires and Sid Meier’s Civilization had a baby and made this game. This game starts in the ancient era and goes all the way up to an era with satellites and ballistic nuclear missiles. The game features wonders and civics like the popular civilization series but is entirely in real time strategy style like Age of Empires. This game will also be fun for history buffs as it includes a world conquest mode that is like the board game Risk. This one is a unique style that I personally have never seen duplicated. It's also the oldest game on this list released in 2003.





Currently $19.99 usd for base game and expansion on steam store

https://store.steampowered.com/app/287450/

Rise of Nations





2. Company of Heroes

No other RTS game I’ve played really captures the chaos of WWII like Company of Heroes. The game becomes stressful, hectic, and downright overwhelming during battles. It really makes you feel the chaos while you are playing but in a good way. Released in 2009 the Graphics hold up incredibly well and game keeps very distinct feel. There is very little base building element and lot of strategy. Things like hiding behind cover or hitting a tank on its rear armor will win you this game. Company of Heroes has a great campaign (and several good expansions to go with that) that includes a cool gods-eye view of Omaha beach on D-Day as its inaugural mission.





Currently $19.99 for the base game on steam store

https://store.steampowered.com/app/228200/

Company of Heroes





1. Star Wars Empire at War

This is easily the best Star Wars RTS of all time. Released in 2006 the graphics hold up astonishingly well. The land battles still leave something to be desired, but the Space battles are as good as almost any RTS/4k game on the market. There is an expansive galactic conquest mode that will leave you entertained for hours. The game carries quite a bit of lore for hardcore Star Wars fans. It features an interesting hard point system for larger ships and buildings. If played right its very balanced and boasts a lot of depth. I still find myself playing this game for hours at a time to this day. Bonus points it has a fully supported mod interface on the steam workshop and enough mods to last you for a lifetime.





Currently $19.99 usd for the base game + expansion on steam store

https://store.steampowered.com/app/32470/

Star Wars Empire at War



