Graphical fidelity and realistic art styles have become hallmarks of the modern gaming experience. Developers today often prioritize systems like DLSS and FSR – technologies that, while revolutionary, introduce challenges for the industry. These systems allow games to be stripped of unique identity and charm, all in the pursuit of more visually stunning experiences. This trend has led many AAA games to feel similar and lacking in originality. Indie games, on the other hand, tend to avoid this issue by...
Cinematic storytelling is usually the last thing one expects when launching an RTS game. Most RTS titles prioritize meta gameplay over narrative, and when story-driven elements have been attempted, the results have been mixed at best. Consider games like Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne or the Dawn of War series; while many gamers regard them as some of the best stories told through the medium, both relied on an established fanbase and existing lore. The RTS genre has seen few...
In 1996, an era before Google, cellphones, and streaming, there existed a gem that ignited the hearts of the first real-time strategy gamers: Command and Conquer: Red Alert. Arguably one of the greatest strategy games of all time, it hails from Westwood Studios, one of the most widely recognised early developers of strategy games. This is a time prior to its acquisition (and destruction!) by Electronic Arts. Much like the ’90s that birthed it, Command and Conquer: Red Alert is...
Command and Conquer is a name that frequently comes up when people discuss RTS games. It embodies the best elements of the golden age of real-time strategy, yet, unfortunately, there hasn’t been a new mainline or spin-off entry for years. It seems that EA is prepared to let the franchise fade into obscurity. However, fuelled by nostalgia, dedicated fans refuse to let that happen. Among the various efforts to keep the spirit of the game alive, the most promising and...
It was clear from the outset that Gray Zone was a labour of love. The developers poured every ounce of their creative juices into the game. From the visuals, to the 2D comic-strip style cutscenes to the voice acting from the main characters. The level of detail in Gray Zone went beyond my expectation for an indie title. You played as Valern, a sullen young man who frees himself from the clutches of the evil Union, Gray Zone’s chief protagonists....
Beyond Astra, a promising entry into the 4X strategy genre by solo developer Nebule Games, brings together the scale and complexity of galactic conquest with intricate planetary management. With a release date aimed for 2025, this game has generated considerable excitement, particularly among fans of titles like X4: Foundations, Stellaris, and even Spore. The free demo currently available on Steam provides a glimpse into the game’s mechanics, showcasing the developer’s ambitious vision, but like many early demos, it leaves players...
In the history of real-time strategy, certain titles stand as classics, forever etched in the memories of players. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is undoubtedly one of these iconic games. With StarCraft II it’s evident that Blizzard Entertainment created something truly exceptional—a sequel that not only lived up to its predecessor but surpassed it in many ways. In the world of StarCraft II, we revisited the storylines and characters that had captivated us in the original. The protagonist, Jim Raynor,...
Welcome Back, Commander was one of the more intriguing titles on the list and deserves massive praise just for the choice of name. I had an opportunity to sample this retro real-time tactics game as part of the Steam Next Fest. You’re dropped into the city of Sun Stone, rendered is glorious MS Paint 98, when it is ravaged by a mysterious plague which has turned the inhabitants into blood-thirsty killers. You’re tasked with leading a strike team deep into...
I gave Collapsed Galaxy 2 a shot as part of the Steam Next Fest but honestly, it just didn’t click with me. As someone who never played the original Shattered Galaxy and doesn’t gravitate toward multiplayer-heavy games, I found myself confused and frustrated more than anything. Despite its potential, I struggled to see what makes this game special, and ultimately, I’ve taken it off my wishlist. What’s Good: What Needs Work (A Lot): Additional Gripes: The Bottom Line: For me,...
Astra Sentinel is poised to make its mark on the world of real-time strategy games. Developed by Somnambulist Games, this upcoming title promises to deliver a unique blend of strategic complexity, immersive storytelling, and visually stunning environments. As players prepare to defend humanity from an alien invasion, Astra Sentinel offers a fresh take on the traditional RTS formula, generating plenty of excitement within the gaming community. The game’s campaign mode is a standout feature, putting players in charge of regaining...
The cyclical rise and fall of empires is the foundation of the iconic quote, “History is doomed to repeat itself.” From the ascent of the Romans to the collapse of monarchies, history has consistently followed this pattern. Yet, this historical cycle of nations rising and falling has rarely been explored in video games. A few titles that come to mind are the cult classics, Empire Earth and Rise of Nations, both of which are now decades old and some even...
Many of you are likely familiar with or have played Crusader Kings. Its second instalment is widely regarded as one of the best historical games driven by player choice. Though it carries the RTS tag on Steam, anyone who has played it knows it’s not truly an RTS in the strictest sense. Solely based on the fact that it focuses more on player-created scenarios and the consequences of the player’s choices. That is where Age of History III comes into...
Wow – I wasn’t expecting this when I fired up the Drone Perspective demo available as part of the Steam Next Fest. It’s easily the most unique game I’ve played in 2024, and it’s been living rent-free in my head ever since. The game puts you in the hot seat as a drone operator, commanding Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie teams from miles away. On paper, it’s a solid real-time tactics game where you’re juggling squad positions and orchestrating precision strikes....
RTS Tactical Warfare finds itself caught between two identities. It attempts to capture the nostalgia of Command & Conquer while also trying to modernize the RTS genre, but it struggles to do either effectively. When you first jump into the demo, made available as part of the Steam Next Fest, the Command & Conquer influence is obvious, from the controls to the base-building mechanics. The skirmish mode introduces the classic formula of constructing power stations, barracks, factories, and a superweapon...
As someone who typically gravitates towards larger-scale real-time strategy games, Commandos: Origins marks a bit of a departure from my usual games, but this is Steam Next Fest so its an opportunity to try something different. My preferences lean towards managing armies and resource management, so getting hands-on with the demo of this smaller-scale, tactical stealth game was an interesting change of pace. In Commandos: Origins, the gameplay focuses on controlling small squads of elite soldiers during WWII, sneaking behind...
Empire of the Ants, based on Bernard Werber’s novel, is a real-time strategy game that’s both visually stunning and fun to play. After our preview earlier this year, I got another chance to spend some time with the demo as part of the Steam Next Fest, and while it’s not the most complex RTS on the market, it definitely delivers a unique experience — controlling an ant colony as they navigate through a resource-scarce and hostile environment. The demo gives...
Nostalgia for the ‘good old days’ has become increasingly common in modern gaming. This trend is partly fuelled by the current state of the industry, which often favours generic live-service games over truly authentic experiences. However, nostalgia alone isn’t the whole story—many older players are simply drawn to the past, while newer gamers struggle to understand why they enjoy titles that, by modern standards, seem technically inferior. That’s why a game like Global Conflagration is more relevant now than ever....
When I first reviewed Space Tales in July, I said I really wanted to like it, but ultimately, it fell short. The visual design was undeniably a highlight, pulling me into a retro-futuristic world that felt like The Jetsons crossed with Worms. However, the gameplay just didn’t live up to the promise. The survival mode was overly simplistic, lacking the depth needed to keep things interesting, and the absence of tooltips made it harder to engage with the mechanics. Despite...
It’s that time of year again, and real-time strategy gamers are in for a treat. The Steam Next Fest has rolled around once again and there’s a whole host of upcoming RTS games you can sample during the next eight days, between 14 and 21 October. If you’re a fan of grand battles, tactical skirmishes or if you’re looking for something a little different, you’ll find it during Next Fest. It’s a perfect opportunity to check out demos of upcoming...
Grand Strategy and 4X games have come a long way, transforming from niche genres into major pillars of the gaming industry. Yet, their shared DNA with real-time strategy often goes unnoticed. In truth, these genres are a natural evolution of the RTS formula, a response to the stagnation of traditional RTS and the advancements in hardware. As gaming landscapes evolved, developers expanded the scale and depth of their games, resulting in iconic titles like Stellaris and Civilization. Although these games...
Casual gamers have often stereotyped real-time strategy games as overly complex. However, this perception quickly changes for anyone who actually plays them, as many of these games are easy to learn but difficult to master. Yet, with the upcoming release of Sea Power, one might begin to wonder if this stereotype is finally gaining some validity. The game blends traditional RTS mechanics with a full-scale naval combat simulation, and I don’t make that claim lightly. Players have full real-time control...
IMMORTAL: Gates of Pyre offers a refreshing mix of familiar mechanics and new ideas. Developed by SunSpear Games, this title incorporates the depth that RTS fans enjoy, while introducing a few innovations that set it apart from traditional offerings. With a thoughtful approach to strategy and gameplay, IMMORTAL aims to carve out its own space within the genre. In IMMORTAL: Gates of Pyre, players control powerful generals known as Immortals, each representing a different nation and equipped with distinct abilities...