GAMERS DECIDE - Age of Empires

[Top 15] Best RTS Games That Are Excellent

Bajramovsky — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 21:44:17 +0000

RTS or real-time strategy games are, like the name implies, a subgenre of strategy games where the actual gameplay happens in real-time rather than turns.

While any strategy game which has real-time gameplay can fall under this definition, the RTS name has been associated with resource collecting,base building and unit commanding RTS games the most, such as Age of Empires.

If we don’t count Paradox Interactive' grand strategy games, which I've decided to exclude from this list, this genre has been quite stale in the mid 2010s, but in recent years it has experienced something of a revival, as you will be able to see from our list.

With that in mind, here are the best RTS games, in no particular order:

15. Age of Empires IV (PC)

Age of Empires IV Gameplay Trailer

Age of Empires IV, the second coming of the RTS genre. The newest Age of Empires game, coming in 16 years after Age of Empires III, managed to do the impossible. It managed to actually please fans of the genre. How did they do this? It’s simple, instead of messing around too much they gave the fans exactly what they wanted, which is just a basic RTS game made in modern times with modern tech. MEaning AoE IV isn’t exactly innovative, but it doesn’t need to be, what matters is that it got the basics right, the resource gathering, the base building, the unique factions. AoE IV is, in my opinion, the best RTS game currently out there, and I would highly recommend everyone to play it.

14. Age of Empires 2 Definitive (PC)

Age of Empires II Definitive Edition Trailer

Age of Empires II is considered by many to be the best RTS game of all time, the pinnacle of the genre. AoE II Definitive is a remaster of the original that includes all the previous expansions, better graphics and general improvements. AoE II is very similar to AoE IV, or vice versa since AoE II came first, the gameplay is excellent, the factions are extremely varied, especially with all the expansions. So, if it’s so similar to AoE IV, why should you get it instead of that? Well for starters it’s less than half the price, it objectively has more content, I mean it’s 20 years older, of course it has, and the multiplayer is still very active. All of this combined means that AoE II Definitive is still worth playing today.

13. Rise of Nations (PC / MacOS)

Rise of Nations Extended Edition Trailer

An often overlooked RTS game from the golden era of RTS games. Rise of Nations is probably my favorite RTS game ever, I’ve played it for thousands of hours. Like nearly all RTS games it’s based around resource gathering, base building and combat, but unlike many in Rise of Nations your base represents a city which controls some territory, and you can only build within your own nations territory. Also, the tech tree of Rise of Nations spans from the stone age all the way to modern times, and you know me, I any game that allows you to drop a nuke on someone is excellent. While a bit dated I would still recommend Rise of Nations to anyone interested in the genre. In certain aspects it’s completely unique and hasn't been surpassed by more modern titles still.

12. Age of Mythology HD (PC / MacOS)

Age of Mythology Extended Edition Trailer

Do you like RTS games? Are you a fan of Age of Empires? Do you have an unhealthy obsession with Greek mythology? Well this is the perfect game for you. How would I describe it, it’s basically Age of Empires, but set in the Troyan war era of Greek mythology. It allowed for more creativity to the developers since they were not tied down by historical accuracy. Unlike in AoE, here religion and mythology play a big role, choosing which god to serve determines which bonuses you get and which mythological unit you unlock. The campaign is excellent as well. Honestly I’ve probably played Age of Mythology more than the entire Age of Empires series. The game got an HD re-release, but I'm still hoping for a proper sequel or maybe even a Definitive edition like the old Age of Empires games got.

11. Stronghold Crusader (PC)

Stronghold Crusader HD Trailer

Now for another slightly obscure game. If you’re a fan of RTS games you’ve probably heard of the Stronghold series, but if you’re new it’s easy to overlook them. The game is set during the crusades, it focuses on the skirmish mode, with a proper campaign being absent, not counting certain historical maps. The gameplay basics are fairly simple, gather resources, build a base, build an army and win, but it has some complexities compared to AoE, for starters you have to magane food supplies, population happiness and a basic economy, building troops costs money after all. What makes Stronghold Crusader truly fun is the excellent AI adversaries, each of them has a unique animated portrait, unique voice lines and a unique style of play, which can clearly be seen in the way they build their castle. The game also comes with a decent scenario editor, where you can make custom maps. I’ve probably spent more time using this editor than I did actually playing the game.

10. Starcraft 2 (PC / MacOS)

Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty Trailer

Starcraft 2 is the essential RTS game. What needs to be said about Starcraft 2 other than the fact that the game's multiplayer mode spawned an entire esports scene. StarCraft 2 competitions are proof of just how excellent its gameplay is. Take control of one of three races and take on your friends in 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, or 4v4 in spectacular fun sci-fi combat, and the best part is that StarCraft 2 multiplayer is free since 2017. Probably one of the few remaining Blizzard games still worth playing today. (They really went downhill fast, right?)

9. Warcraft 3 (PC / macOS)

Warcraft III Intro

Remember when Blizzard was seen as the good guy? The good old times. Anyway, what is there to say about Warcraft III, one of the most influential games of all time. Warcraft III is an essential RTS game for any fan of the genre. One of the most famous MMORPG of all time is based on Warcraft lore. The game is your basic RTS game, this time with heroes and special abilities, but the campaign is where it truly shines. It’s possibly one of the best campaigns in any RTS game ever. It featured a very active modding scene that literally birthed a whole other genre of games, MOBAs. Despite being twenty years old it’s still excellent and worth playing today, as long as you can find a non-reforged copy (Warcraft III: Reforged being the abysmal attempted remake by Blizzard).

8. Homeworld Remastered Collection (PC)

Homeworld Remastered Collection Launch Trailer

The Homeworld Remastered Collection is a remaster of the critically acclaimed Homeworld and Homeworld 2, that brings it to modern players and systems with updated graphics, music, and new, high fidelity voice recordings by the original actors.

Homeworld 1 and 2 redefined what an RTS game could be, they’re set in space with units being controllable in fully 3D space, unlike many other space-themed RTS games, where it’s essentially a 2D map, but just in space. The story is excellent, the gameplay is still excellent, just make sure to grab the fan-made patch if you’re intending on playing it.

7. Company of Heroes 2 (PC / macOS)

Company of Heroes 2 Gameplay Trailer

Company of Heroes 2 is an RTS game where you control a squad of troops in WWII. The game is set on the eastern front, with plates controlling Red Army soldiers in their fight against Nazis, during various pivotal battles of WWII. CoH 2 features some unique mechanics, such as the truesight system that emulates the units’ line of sight, as well as the cover-system that encourages clever unit placement and the combined arms approach for hard and soft counters gameplay that will make you rethink before trying to destroy a tank with a simple squad of riflemen. What more is there to say, it’s extremely fun to this day and it features multiplayer.

6. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 (PC / MacOS / PS3 / XBox 360)

Red Alert 3: Uprising Launch Trailer

“The desperate leadership of a doomed Soviet Union travels back in time to change history and restore the glory of Mother Russia. The time travel mission goes awry, creating an alternate timeline where technology has followed an entirely different evolution, a new superpower has been thrust onto the world stage, and World War III is raging.”

If the premise of this game doesn’t intrigue you, I don’t know what will. What matters is that Red Alert 3 is incredibly fun, an excellent RTS game set in an alternate timeline. While the gameplay is fun where it truly shines are the campaigns with their incredibly campy full-motion video cutscenes. The game is worth buying just for Tim Curry’s performance as the USSR leader.

5. They are billions (PC / MacOS / PS4 / XBox One)

They Are Billions Trailer

They are billions is an RTS game set in a post-apocalyptic steampunk world. Oh, you want me to say more than that, fine. The player's goal is to build a base to protect themselves, explore the map, collect resources, and expand while fighting the local zombie population at the same time. The game has some 48 missions in total, while it’s not perfect it’s definitely a good example of an RTS game following the drought of the mid-2010s.

4. Northguard (PC / Xbox One / PS4 / Switch)

Northgard Official Release Trailer

If you’re a fan of Norse mythology and are looking for an RTS set in that world, then Northgard is just the game for you. Take control of one of six Viking clans who are fighting for control of a mysterious new land. Collect resources, survive the winter and lead your clan to victory, either in singleplayer or online multiplayer against your friends.

One of the better RTS games in recent times, the genre has really been experiencing something of a renaissance.

3. Cossacks 3 (PC)

Cossacks 3 OfficialTrailer

Don’t let the look of this game fool you, while it may not be a beauty, it’s incredibly fun to play. Cossacks 3 a remake of the 2001 RTS game Cossacks: European Wars and it definitely feels like an old-school RTS game. It’s set in 17th and 18th century Europe. You take control of one of 70 nations and fight in truly large-scale battles with literally thousands of troops. For a teenage me, It’s essentially a dream come true.

2. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2 (PC / macOS)

Dawn of War 2 Cinematic Trailer

Ah, the beautiful universe of Warhammer 40K, where big things kill bigger things, which are in turn killed by even bigger things. What better setting for a video game than this. Dawn of War 2 brings this universe and manages to capture its brutality in truly amazing and fun RTS gameplay. Its focus on fast-action, rather than the slow and methodical planning present in other RTS games, fits excellently into the 40K universe. Best of all the entire campaign is playable in co-op, so you can finally introduce one of your friends to the grim-darkness of 40K.

1. Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak (PC / macOS)

Homeworld Deserts of Kharak Launch Trailer

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak is a prequel to Homeworld, the 3D space RTS game. Set on the desert world of Kharak, the game focuses on different tribes fighting each other before they were unified in Homeworld. It’s a ground-based RTS game, which was quite a departure for the series and had made the player base very apprehensive, but Deserts of Kharak proved them wrong. It turned out to be excellent, not just another Homeworld game, but as an RTS game in general. If you’re a fan of the series’ story, this game is essentially a must-have.

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Orcs vs Humans. A tale as old as time.

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[Top 15] Best Online Strategy Games That Are Fun

Bajramovsky — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 18:09:56 +0000

Whether you are controlling entire nations or dynasties in grand strategy games, or just constructing a town in city builders, or maybe even just commanding a squad of troops, strategy games truly have something for everybody.

Since strategy games are based on careful and tactical approaches, there is no greater feeling than destroying another player in an online match.

With that in mind here are 15 of the best online strategy games if you want to destroy other people with your strategic skills.

15. Age of Empires IV (PC)

Age of Empires IV gameplay Trailer

Age of Empires IV brings back the classic RTS gameplay to modern times. It’s surprisingly simple on the surface but difficult to master. Gather resources, build a base, build an army, attack the other players, a basic yet engaging gameplay loop that will keep you occupied for hundreds of hours.

14. Age of Empires II Definitive (PC)

Age of Empires II Definitive Edition Trailer

Age of Empires II Definitive edition is an updated version of a 20-year-old game, but don't let that fool you, it still plays great, now it just looks great as well. Like in AoE IV, you gather resources, build a base, an army, and destroy the enemy. The multiplayer component is still very active and fun, which makes it a perfect choice for someone who wants something similar to Age of Empire IV, but at a lower price.

13. StarCraft 2 (PC / MacOS)

Starcraft II Teaser Trailer

Starcraft 2 is the essential RTS game. What more needs to be said about Starcraft 2 other than the fact that the game's multiplayer mode spawned an entire esports scene. StarCraft 2 competitions are proof of just how good its gameplay is. Take control of one of three races and take on your friends in 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, or 4v4 in spectacular fun sci-fi combat, and the best part is that StarCraft 2 multiplayer is free since 2017.

12. Total War: Warhammer 2 (PC / macOS)

Total War: Warhammer II Mortal Empires Trailer

Total War: Warhammer 2 is a turn-based strategy game and a real-time tactics game set in the Warhammer fantasy world. You take control of a faction and guide it to victory by taking over territories, managing your economy, and fulfilling objectives in turns, similar to the Civilisation series. The best part is you get to play the actual battles in real-time, controlling regiments and using superior tactics to beat your enemies, and you can do all of that in multiplayer. This game is essentially a must-have if you're a fan of both strategy and fantasy.

11. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI (PC / MacOS / iOS / Android / PS4 / Xbox One / Switch)

Civilization VI Launch Trailer

Civilization VI is the latest game in the acclaimed 4x series. Take control of a civilization and guide it through the ages, from the stone age to the space race, one turn at a time. Achieve victory in a variety of ways; by focusing on science, culture, diplomacy, or conquest. The best thing I can say about Civilization VI is that it's one of a few games that let you drop a nuke on your friends' capital and watch them rage over it.

10. Foxhole (PC)

Foxhole Early Access Trailer

Foxhole is a massively multiplayer game featuring a persistent online war. You will work with hundreds of other players to win battles that can last up to a month of real-world time. Literally, every soldier is a player, every aspect of battle from gathering resources, base building, planning and logistics, reconnaissance, and so on are controlled by players. This makes the game extremely unique and one of the best war simulations out there.

9. Iron Harvest (PC / PS5 / Xbox Series X/S)

Iron Harvest Gameplay Trailer

Iron Harvest is an RTS game heavily inspired by Company of Heroes. The game is set in a 1920 alternative history universe, with giant dieselpunk mechs, because if there is one thing we know it’s that giant mechs make everything better. Iron Harvest features three campaigns, co-op, and multiplayer modes. Iron Harvest is perfect for people interested in strategy and alternative history.

8. Town of Salem (PC / macOS / iOS / Android)

Town of Salem Trailer

Town of Salem is inspired by party games such as Mafia and Werewolf. Players are secretly assigned roles belonging to teams, a smaller group of players “the guilty”, and a larger group of players “the innocent”. Both teams seek to eliminate the other for control of the town using different methods. Town of Salem is a social game, which means that most of the gameplay is talking and, usually, deceiving other players. This game is great if you want to showcase your lying and manipulation skills to your friends.

7. Northgard (PC / Xbox One / PS4 / Switch)

Northgard Release Trailer

If you’re a fan of Norse mythology and are looking for an RTS set in that world, then Northgard is just the game for you. In Northgard you take control of one of six Viking clans who are fighting for control of a mysterious new land. Collect resources, survive the winter and lead your clan to victory, either in singleplayer or online multiplayer against your friends.

6. Colony Survival (PC)

Colony Survival Trailer

Colony Survival is a unique first-person strategy game, where you build your base, command units, and defend your colony against hordes of enemies every night, alone or with a friend in co-op multiplayer. It’s basically what would happen if you made Minecraft into an RTS, even the voxel-based art style is very reminiscent of Minecraft.

5. Factorio (PC / macOS)

Factorio Trailer 2020

Factorio is a factory construction and management simulation. You play as a person stuck on an alien planet after a crash landing and your main goal is to escape. To do that you need a lot of resources, you start by manually collecting basic resources, but by the end, you will have a planet-spanning factory, all the while increasingly powerful aliens attack you. The game can be played in multiplayer, either PvE or PvP.

4. Humankind (PC / macOS)

Humankind Gameplay Overview

Humankind is a 4X strategy game, very similar to the Civilization series, but with a few unique ideas. The biggest difference is that you don’t control a single civilization, but rather you create your own through mixing different cultures. This system makes the game more dynamic since you get to keep the bonuses and penalties of all the different cultures. The battle system is also different from Civilization since each battle plays out like a mini turn-based game. You can also play Humankind in an extremely fun 8 player multiplayer mode.

3. MTG Arena (PC / MacOS / iOS / Android)

MTG Arena Gameplay Trailer

Magi: The Gathering Arena is a digital adaptation of the card game Magic: The Gathering. Since MTG Arena is based on the physical card game the goals are the same, collect cards, build out your deck, and battle other players using that deck. You can get cards through booster packs, in-game achievements, or microtransactions, the game is free to play after all. It’s definitely one of the better digital card games out there right now.

2. Total War: Three Kingdoms (PC / macOS)

Total War: Three Kingdoms Trailer

If you're a fan of Total War games, with their mix of turn-based strategy and real-time battles, but you don't enjoy too much fantasy, then Total War: Three Kingdoms is the perfect game for you. It's set in China during the Three Kingdoms period, where you take control of one of the warlords from that period and shape the future of China. As is standard for Total War games it features multiplayer, so you can play the campaign with a friend.

1. Call to Arms (PC)

Call to Arms Gameplay Trailer

Call to Arms is a mix of an RTS game and an FPS game. I know, if you’re reading this article it’s basically a dream come true. In Call to Arms, you take control of a squad of troops and position them on the map in an RTS style, but also you can control every soldier or vehicle in first-person mode. The multiplayer is fun as well and when you win you get to brag that you’re not just a better strategy game player, but also a better FPS player than your friends.

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We all know that the trebuchet is the superior siege weapon. Right?

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Top 15 Games Like Age of Empires

RuebenWalter — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 07:39:22 +0000

There is no beating around the bush, Age of Empires is one of the most successful RTS game series out there.

Some may argue it’s down to the ease of gameplay, others advocate for the balance between the different factions. But what happens when you’re all done with Age of Empires, when you can’t deal with another ‘mandatum’ from every unit.

Here is a list of games kind of like Age of Empires, perhaps even better in their own way, you be the judge:

15. Knights of Honor

Knights of Honor gameplay

To ease the transition, let’s begin with Knights of Honor. As king, it is up to you to lead your people from humble beginnings to a burgeoning empire feared for its power and admired for it’s prestige. All sound a bit familiar? Good.

What makes Knights of Honor awesome:

Unique knights loyal to only you come equipped with their own special skills; use them wisely from military to land administration and enhance their skills accordingly.
Develop your estates and castles to attend to your people and secure strategic advantages. There is more than war in this game.
Choose husbands for your daughters, consolidating power through marriage. Good ol’ patriarchy at play, but hey at least it’s historically accurate. Do with that what you will.

Diplomacy is vital: this Jaime Lannister looking creeper wants you to side with him, weigh up the repercussions carefully.

No mercy: a retreating enemy is only easier to finish off

14. Age of Mythology: Extended Edition

Age of Mythology Extended Edition gameplay

Age of Empires’ more interesting younger sibling is Age of Mythology. With exciting over the top mythological units at your disposal pit man against beast, many men if there is a minotaur, and invoke the favour of the Gods to give you that extra edge in battle.

What makes Age of Mythology awesome:

The extended edition adds Titans, the unwanted children of the Gods. Summon these colossal figures to level enemy cities.
Additional campaigns for hours of exciting gameplay. The Golden Gift campaign follows Dwarf brothers Eitri and Brokk as they work to defeat an old trickster.
Treaty mode: build your army in times of peace, but maybe do it on the sly because your enemies have more eyes than you know.

Battles for the Ages: creatures of myth collide spectacularly in this fantastic game

Y’all screwed now: a Titan is summoned through worship

13. Rise of Nations Extended Edition

Rise of Nations Extended Edition gameplay

Begin with a single city in the Ancient Age and then march through time, building infrastructure, researching technologies and constructing the wonders of our world. From the ancient pyramids to the Eiffel tower, amazing possibilities await. Don’t forget your military though, as we know by now, there is only one way to teach the villains of history a lesson, by force!

What makes Rise of Nations awesome:

With 18 nations to choose from, each with their own unique military units, structures and wonders, a deep pool is waiting to be plunged into.
Military units that will span your ages, from the hoplite to a frigate to a gunship.
Maps ranging from the Nile delta to the Himalayas – the world is your oyster to conquer

Humble beginnings: can’t you just smell the potential, great things are coming…

Modern warfare: it doesn’t look good for Warsaw, but hey when did it ever. We can count on it that they’ll come back harder and stronger than ever before.

12. Stronghold Crusader HD

Stronghold Crusader HD gameplay

The follow up to the best-selling classic, Stronghold puts you in the hot seat of the Crusades. Plan and fight your way through historic battles and castle sieges from one of the bloodiest periods of human history. You will see both sides of the coins as you lead the Crusades then fight for freedom as a Sultan.

What makes Stronghold Crusader HD awesome:

Four historical campaigns as both Crusaders and Saladin’s freedom fighters
View the entire battlefield on one screen
100 unique skirmish missions

The overhauled high definition version of this epic game just looks really, really good

Battle on a grand scale: these guys aren’t kidding when they said you can see the entire battle on one map.

11. Dawn of Man

Dawn of Man gameplay

Finally, a fresh title! Dawn of Man came out a little earlier this year and it does not disappoint. Just when you think you’ve played through every age, these guys bring us something new, the quite literal dawn of man. We’re talking woolly mammoth attacks, forging tools and staving off Neanderthal raiding parties. From the stone age to the iron age, bring forth your civilization.

What makes Dawn of Man awesome:

Hunt & Gather – the two things most vital to early human survival.
To build megalithic structures you will need to mine massive boulders, and discover the technology to transport them.
Certain foods are more abundant in certain seasons, if you want your people to survive the winter, you will have to plan ahead carefully.

It’s Good to be King: Haul those boulders guys, your eminence want to build a stone-henge.

Prehistoric Mortality Issues: I have a feeling we may lose a villager or two this afternoon.

10. SpellForce 3

SpellForce 3 gameplay

It’s not every day you come across a delicious blend of RTS and RPG. The year is 518, the Mage Wars are over thanks to the Crown but at great cost. Create a hero, assemble a party, level them up but you also have to create an economy, raise an army and lead it into battle.

What makes SpellForce 3 awesome:

A visually superb masterpiece. It’s like Age of Empires and Age of Mythology’s adopted child.
A 30+ hour campaign with a rich story that can be enjoyed in co-op with friends.
Focus on levelling up your hero and assembling the perfect war party, then play the war in the most strategic way possible, using terrain, troop formations, scouting and all the other awesome RTS elements.

Battle of the Titans: when everyone else becomes cannon fodder.

The A-Team: Admit it, that’s one handsome hero

9. Stronghold 2 Steam Edition

Stronghold 2 Steam Edition gameplay

All those times you played AoE, did you ever get particularly cheesed off at a certain peasant? Maybe you wanted to treat them really well, but there was never a satisfying way to do it, well, read no further! Sentence them to death, tax them, torture them, or throw a lovely banquet that they cannot attend. What did you expect they’re peasants, life isn’t always fair. Look out the window though my lord, Lord Barclay has laid siege to your castle.

What makes Stronghold 2 Steam Edition awesome:

Will you be a kind or benevolent king? Rehabilitate thieves are sentence them to death in a myriad of ways
Strive for the crown, you can gain honour by title, strategy or force.
Duel inside buildings, it’s your kingdom!

Castle building and siege craft come second to none in this RTS game

That’s a nice castle, good views, don’t mind if I take it off your hands?

8. Cossacks: Back to War

Cossacks: Back to War gameplay

A vintage that people still enjoy today. Plunge into the sixteenth century and wage medieval war against your European neighbours in a RTS with over a hundred captivating missions. All the features from Cossacks: European War and Cossacks: The Art of War and then some are jammed into this standalone DLC.

What makes Cossacks: Back to War awesome:

A new camel riding unit for Algeria and Turkey!
Two new nations, Hungary and Switzerland have come to the table.
Endless AI skirmishes on randomly generated maps

It’s grand scale war, and tactics count! Don’t charge out of range of your cannons or it won’t be good, I promise you.

Wow, so Pretty: I must destroy it.

7. Cossacks 3

Cossacks 3 gameplay

Fourteen years after Cossacks: Back to War comes Cossacks 3. There hasn’t been a more perfect blend of war, economy, army development, building and upgrading since that title, or so the developers boldly claim. So let’s give it a shot?

What makes Cossacks 3 awesome:

Large scale war, no jokes you can have thousands of units on the battlefield
20 nations, 120 unit types and 220 buildings are available
FIVE historic single player campaigns, and of course multiplayer

Prepare for Battle: Defend the city at all costs!

There’s no pussy-footing around, if you show up to battle unprepared, you will be destroyed.

6. Ancestors Legacy

Ancestors Legacy gameplay

It’s time to get gory, guts and glory are the order of the day. The coolest thing about this medieval RTS, you get to lead the Vikings! Oh and there’s the Anglo-Saxon, German and Slav nations if that’s your thing.

What makes Ancestors Legacy awesome:

Lead an army of Vikings!
The rendering was done using Unreal 4 tech, which means fantastic detail.
A cinematic action camera accessible with the push of the button that will drop you right into the middle of the bloodshed.

Bloody Duels: Commanders are some badass dudes, so take care of and look out for them.

Viking Commander: the illest bro to ever wield an axe

5. Medieval Kingdom Wars

Medieval Kingdom Wars gameplay

Age of Empires meets Total War, the two shake hands and we get to enjoy the fruit of the deal. The year is 1336, the start of the Hundred Years’ War, and your chance to re-write history. What makes this title interesting is instead of being head honcho, you are a minor lord in medieval Europe.

What makes Medieval Kingdom Wars awesome:

It came out this year and you can tell, top notch graphics!
The real time in RTS is quite literal in this title, there are no second chances!
A beautiful and accurate reproduction of western Europe with over two hundred detailed towns and hamlets.

Prepare for Battle: and keep an eye on those Frenchies

Detail is King: is that a trout swimming under the bridge? Why yes, yes it is

4. Northgard

Northgard gameplay

Vikings are awesome, point blank. So here, have a RTS based on Norse mythology where you play as a clan of Vikings competing for control of a newly discovered land. Riches await the brave, but beware for the land is shrouded in mystery and danger too.

What makes Northgard awesome:

Survive dire wolves and undead warriors, battle or befriend giants.
Different victory conditions – Conquest, Fame, Lore and Trading
Build your own settlement on the newly discovered continent of Northgard

There can be only one! Kidding these two are homeboys

For Valhalla! Send your little Viking warriors to drink mead up in the great halls.

3. Total War: ATILLA

Total War: ATILLA gameplay

Famine, disease and war have swept the landscape. Out of the darkness a new power is rising from the East. A million horsemen led by the most prolific figure in military is headed for Rome. Choose your side; brace yourself against the tide or eliminate oppression and create a new world.

What makes Total War: ATILLA awesome:

The raze mechanic; weaponize fire in all new ways.
Significant improvements to both campaign and battle visuals bring the destruction of civilization to life magnificently.
Choose to start as the Roman Empire, with vast territories under your control, then watch how quickly it all comes crumbling down as you struggle to stay alive.

The Raze: Hey guys, I think I smell popcorn…

Where’s Waldo: hiding from the Huns fool!

2. Total War: WARHAMMER 2

Total War: WARHAMMER 2 gameplay

The next instalment in the Total War franchise goes back to fantasy. Command troops and monsters in this strategy of Olympic proportions. Choose your faction and mount a campaign to save or destroy a sprawling fantasy world.

What makes Total War: WARHAMMER 2 awesome:

Like Atilla, this is a game of two halves, one a turn based open world campaign, the other a real time tactical open field battle.
Each race has two lords (which you can level up, armour up and weapon up) which means you and a friend can co-op the campaigns as the same race.
Aerial dragon combat!

Holy Cow: that’s a birdman riding a dinosaur. I’m on their team.

That’s a skeleton riding a giant cobra skeleton. I’ll stay on the dino-team.

1. Kingdoms and Castles

Kingdoms and Castles gameplay

Let’s break the mould on this last one, what do you say? No? Well there’s more than enough to choose from up until now. The focus here is not to crush an enemy, but to take your tiny hamlet to a town, build a castle, and then bobs your uncle, you have a kingdom! Ok, so it won’t be that easy, you have to defend against Vikings, dragons and all sorts of other terrors. Good luck!

What makes Kingdoms and Castles awesome:

It’s medieval SimCity
Layout is actually important to peasant happiness, usually not too much of a factor but hey.
Tax the peasants, feed the peasants, and heal the peasants. Build churches and taverns for them, self-reflection is important. At the end of the day, they will make you sink or float.

Castle with Potential: Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a home cinema and tower to lock the princess in!

High Standards: For my people, only the best. Ah rats, incoming dragon!

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I just said 'like'! Not better than I swear!

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Age of Empires

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The Top 11 Games like Age of Mythology (Games Better Than AofM in Their Own Way)

Jointron33 — Fri, 31 May 2019 02:37:10 +0000

Almost 17 years ago, gamers were transported to an era where mortals were but ants compared to the knee-high sandals of legendary gods like Poseidon, Ra and Loki.

In a race against time, Atlantean admiral Arkantos and his men embarked on an odyssey, challenging Greeks, Egyptians, the Norse and their respective gods in order to capture the cyclops warlord Gargarensis and stop the second coming of Kronos.

However, it’s 2019, three years since AofM’s latest expansion and you’ve more than likely completed all that there is to Age of Mythology (including Titans, its Extended Edition and Tale of Dragons). You're saddened by the RTS shaped hole in your heart, and we can’t blame you. But, fear not, my fellow military generals! Your prayers to the heavens have been answered.

Age of Mythology’s success continued the RTS legacy that led way to the next 11 military strategy games on today’s list (and countless more!). Whether it be hyper-realistic graphics or the inclusion of RPG elements, each of these next games changed RTS games as we know it. Witness the evolution of the RTS genre, from 2000 to now, and find your next bingeable game.

11. Age of Empires® III

Age of Empires III Gameplay

Lose yourself in Age of Empires III, the third installment in Ensemble’s AofE series, as one of fourteen European nations fighting between 1492 and 1876 to colonize the new Americas.

Become some of the modern world’s greatest military leaders, like Napoleon Bonaparte or Ivan the Terrible, in this RTS-RPG fusion. Advance your Home City through technological eras and conquer less advanced enemy nations.

Players can also follow the three-act, three-generation campaign, as the Black family fights to survive, establish and thrive in a colonial United States. Start as Morgan Black in Malta and sail to New Spain to find the Fountain of Youth, fight off Russians in Alaska as John Black in Act II, or fight for American independence in the last act.

The New World is Hi Def: Witness the striking map graphics as you walk by bristling branches, over fallen bodies and raze your enemies' fortifications to the ground in a massive pillar of fire and carnage!

10. Stronghold HD

Stronghold HD Gameplay

Experience the original castle simulator that changed it all.

Design, build and siege historical castles in Stronghold HD’s 21 mission-long campaign and reunite medieval England against the traitorous Wolf. Collect resources, bolster your city with stone walls and take back your lands in a single-player campaign, or online in a winner-takes-all death-match against up to eight players.

Conquer and expand your military to be the most feared kingdom in England, or create a stable economy and control your objectives with an ever-expanding wealth. You decide.

A timeless land: Begin in 1066 Britain but finish in the century of your choice - without a time limit, you decide on your kingdom’s penultimate magnificence.

Strategic Sieging: Wield your power by applying constant pressure to your enemies. Make the wealthiest kings cower from the sound of your rolling trebuchet, catapults and legions.

9. Stronghold Legends: Steam Edition

Stronghold Legends: Steam Edition Gameplay

Witness the beloved castle simulator mythicized to another level. Choose one of three of history’s most fabled characters of olde, gain access to their unique storyline or unlock new maps, achievements and campaigns on Steam.

Become King Arthur and command his Knights of the Round Table as you charge into combat. Terrify your opponents in warped dead lands as Vlad the Impaler (a.k.a. Dracula) with an army of werewolves, demons and evil creepers by your side. Or, live out the ancient Germanic saga of the hero Siegfried through ice-lands in 24 missions.

See the Stronghold universe you grew up spelled with witches, demons, giants, dragons and more!

Castles Only Uttered: Construct breathtaking castles and cities seen like never before in the reimagining of the Stronghold world.

8. Warparty

Warparty Gameplay

The world has fallen into chaos with only ruins to remind dispersed tribes of the last great Age. There, a kingdom so advanced harnessed power that blurred the lines between magic and technology.

Lead your people out of hostile land and thrive in an unknown world filled with lost artifacts, wild dinosaurs and rival tribes. Raise your forces, hunt down dinosaurs and tame them into obedient steeds. Harness the awe-inspiring power of a forgotten civilization and strike those who would dare face you in battle with lightning bolts and meteor showers.

Survive and bring order back to the ancient world, or blur like many others into chaos.

Survival of the Fittest: Prove man’s worth as the greatest of nature’s creations and defeat all that this Stone Age landscape has to throw at you and your tribe.

Rehash History: Scout from your base, visit ancient ruins and discover the secret weapons of your ancestors. Beware! You may not be the only one there.

7. Warlords Battlecry III

Warlords Battlecry III Gameplay

Experience the game to first combine RTS and RPG elements. Back again - now with a longer list of heroes and factions for fans and noobs alike.

Travel Etheria as one of 16 races including 28 character classes. Complete map-specific missions as a hero with up to 20 loyal soldiers, and engage in your diplomatic side by befriending long-time enemies or betraying allied races. Customize your hero by fulfilling quests, focusing on one of four professions and leveling up. Etheria is your oyster. How will your legend be written?

Hero for Hire: Complete missions for foreign cities and collect resources and allies as payment.

RPG in RTS: Play in a hero-centric world and watch as your hero slowly decimates scores of lackey soldiers.

6. Warcraft 3 Reforged

Warcraft 3 Reforged Gameplay

Partake in Azeroth’s epic storyline like never before in this reimagining of the Warcraft world.

Completely reshot for its release, newcomers and veterans can undergo the founding of Orgrimmar and the rise of Lich King for the very first time. Relive Reign of Chaos and the Frozen Throne anew as the Warcraft world is obliterated and built back brick-by-brick. Or, join the battlefield, playing as the Orcs, Humans, Night Elves or Undead and recruit powerful heroes to destroy the enemy base.

Your Favorite World 2.0: Experience Azeroth from day one and battle through hours of gameplay.

A Visual Revelation: Sit in awe as the world you thought you knew is updated with stunning visual features.

5. Dungeons 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXrix9pO3Mo

Dungeons 3 Gameplay

Unleash your dark side in Dungeons 3 as the Dungeon Lord, who, having established his empire, continues to expand upon his evil destiny.

Construct, manage and defend your lair against incoming heroes. Dig tunnels, capture enemy rooms and portals, mine gold, set traps and, when need be, attack giants, wizards and warriors. Leave your lair in Dungeons 3 newest addition and control the overworld with orcs, succubae and zombies.

Good being Bad: Build your dungeon and thwart foolish heroes who would try to stop you.

Speak (Only) Evil: No two levels are the same in Dungeons 3, with more than 20 hours of gameplay, players are sure to keep coming back for more.

4. Total War: Warhammer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvC2rubKyes

Total War: Warhammer Gameplay

Delve into the Total War: Warhammer gameplay in a totally new way. This legendary TBS/RTT game is back. but this time in a fantastical world sure to leave fanatics in awe.

Lose all sight of your social life as you dive deeper into massive clashing armies, vast unit building and strategic diplomacy. Battle infamous heroes, giant monsters, flying creatures and waves of magical storms. Restore peace to the empire or destroy anyone who would stand against you.

All Out Mayhem: Lead your soldiers into battle and experience the overwhelming wave of real-time battle sequences.

Changing Terrains: Travel through different climates and terrains, each with their own surprise element or two.

3. Northgard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaXMjcrNIt0

Northgard Gameplay

Look deep (really deep if need be) into your Viking past and control your clan as you face a new world with unexpected foes, such as dire wolves, undead warriors and harsh winters.

Bring renown to your clan and sail to the new shores of Northgard. Build a settlement and write history through conquest, trade and commitment to your gods. Play against AI or online and see if you can reach the final Norse God rank.

A Welcome Invitation: Stockpile and ration resources to survive arid winters.

New World, New You: Assign your vikings various jobs (from warrior to sailor) to survive in all climates.

2. Ancestors Legacy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi7YzptmPWE

Ancestors Legacy Gameplay

Find and follow your roots in this hyperrealistic medieval Europe and select one of four nations (Viking, Anglo-Saxon, German or Slav).

Go out, conquer lands and raid and pillage enemy fortifications. Know, however, that it will take more than all out mobilization of your army to win. Only by reviewing your options, environment and both permanent and temporary bases will you emerge victorious.

Moving as One: Move your men through open terrain by implementing squad-based tactics.

In the Thick of It: Change your viewing mode to cinematic and watch as you demolish any sign of your enemy’s existence.

1. SpellForce 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWmVKXJa2u8

SpellForce 3 Gameplay

Experience the ultimate blending of RTS and RPG like never before as you create your own distinct hero and build an army from scratch.

Eo, a land lost in anarchy, is in need of a new hope. Choose from three factions (humans, orcs and elves), assemble a team and experience Eo in a way unique to only them. Build up your forces and rush into epic battle seen before only on the silver screen.

Explore Eo: A world of complete mystery filled with secrets is just out of sight as you involve yourself with unique stories and characters.

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Age of Empires 4 Release Date, Gameplay, Trailers, Story, News

samanders — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 07:57:27 +0000

Age of Empires was a blockbuster hit when it first launched in 1997, tasking players with conquering the world.

The series we love is now back, with Age of Empires 4 currently in development. Microsoft promises to give us the game we’ve all been waiting for, and it looks like Age of Empires will be as glorious as ever.

Age of Empires 4 Story

It’s been over a decade since the release of Age of Empires III in 2005, but we’re finally getting another one. Age of Empires 4 will take players back through history as we expand our empires.

We can expect Age of Empires 4 to feature many of the series’ staple elements, like resource management, army building, and city construction. This new installment will likely touch up these features with a modern take and a graphic overhaul.

We hope to see epic clashes of huge armies, cities bigger than ever before, and sprawling economies in this next installment.

Age of Empires: the previous installment of the series came out in 2005 and was a massive hit. We can expect something even bigger for the series’ return.

Age of Empires 4 Release Date

Age of Empires 4 has not been given a release date. Development was announced in August of 2017, but the game was not present at E3 2018. We can expect the game to be out for PC in the next 2 years, with presence at future conferences like PAX or Gamescom.

Age of Empires 4 Gameplay

Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is the latest Age of Empires game from Microsoft. It is a remake of the 1997 Age of Empires.

Age of Empires 4 will be a real time grand strategy game, set throughout human history. The game will be exclusively multiplayer against varying amounts of both human and AI opponents. You will be able to play both online and offline. Conquer with your friends, or take over the world alone.

The Age of Empires series has always followed a classic formula to deliver an intense strategy experience. The next entry will be no different, starting you off with just a settlement at the beginning of each game. Your first settlement is your stepping stone to advancing your civilization. It builds your workers and soldiers, which are key to domination.

Your workers can build barracks, trading posts, refineries, and much more. This gives you access to the world’s resources, your military, and total domination. Once you’re set up, you can begin to explore the world.

Inevitably you will run into your opponents, and it’s up to you to get an edge on them. Whether you encounter the Mongols or Imperial England, you will have to act quickly. Combat revolves around a strategic mix of formations and units. Combine ranged soldiers, swordsmen, battering rams, and more for a swift and brutal assault.

You decide the course of human history.

Clashing Armies: Arranging your troops is critical to victory. A well-formed block of elite soldiers can be impenetrable.

Age of Empires 4 Trailers

Age of Empires 4 Trailer

Age of Empires 4 News

Age of Empires 4 is going to be released for Windows 10 and will be an epic return for the series. After a 12-year silence from the historical strategy saga, this latest entry promises to bring us all the excitement and intrigue from the original games.

Every other game in the series has been developed by the defunct Ensemble Studios, but Age of Empires 4 will be developed by Relic Entertainment. This is Relic’s first Age of Empires game, but the studio promises to deliver. They want to “fuse historical context with deep strategic gameplay” and promise that it will revitalize the series.

Relic Entertainment has 120 developers and is a seasoned studio who has worked with series like Warhammer and Company of Heroes. They have sold millions of units and were even named IGN’s Best Developer in 2006. With this pedigree, we can expect a sizable budget between $20-$100 million dollars for the game.

Age of Empires 4 has had a secretive development cycle, with no official screenshots, gameplay, or release date. Previous installments have focused on specific eras in history, like medieval times. But the trailer for this game reveals that the series could have a broader approach to history. And, of course, the core gameplay will follow the tried-and-true formula of the series.

Age of Empires 3 came out in 2005, so Relic Entertainment has a lot more to work with when it comes to technology. We can expect the game to operate on a much bigger scale, which would have been impossible before. And, of course, graphics will be a no-brainer. Age of Empires 4 will be a huge, welcome return of a beloved series, and we can hope to see it in the next couple of years.

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Lay siege to the largest empires in history.

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