Few concepts capture the essence of the modern world as effectively as globalism. In the latter half of the 20th century, it emerged as the transformative force that truly connected people on a global scale. However, it also introduced numerous variables into the economy and geopolitics, shaping the world we know today. These variables have been the root cause of various crises and small-scale conflicts. The consequences of these challenges are often borne by third-world countries, which remain in desperate...
The Second World War was arguably one of the most horrific events in human history. It claimed the highest death toll of any war and its unprecedented scale overshadowed all previous conflicts. Perhaps this is why society has struggled to move on from it. A brief look at modern media reveals how frequently we revisit stories from that era. This is largely because it is often regarded as the last so-called “true war” that humanity fought collectively. This sentiment is...
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Legacy in gaming is challenging to define. It can either provide a solid foundation for a game to thrive or set a bar so high that no future game can reach it. In this sense, legacy truly embodies the concept of a double-edged sword. Yet, despite this challenge, many games have built enduring legacies and succeeded, while others have stumbled. Among these legacies, perhaps the most intriguing is that of Age of Empires. When Age of Empires IV was released,...
Big news, RTS fans! The demo for Sanctuary: Shattered Sun is launching early next year, but there’s something you can do right now to support the game: wishlist it on Steam. Wishlisting helps us immensely by signaling to the almighty Steam algorithms that Sanctuary is a game worth watching. If you’re as excited about the next generation of large-scale RTS as we are, hit that wishlist button today: To mark the occasion, I sat down with one of Sanctuary’s developers,...
Avancadia, an indie studio based in Switzerland, is bringing something new to the RTS table with their latest title, Arcane Wilds, which has just launched in Steam Early Access. Combining the rugged charm of the Wild West with the mystical allure of fantasy, Arcane Wilds promises a unique experience for both RTS newcomers and veterans alike. This isn’t just another resource-gathering RTS. In Arcane Wilds, resources don’t magically teleport back to your base. Instead, they stay at their gathering sites,...
Homeworld 3 is set to receive its final major update as Blackbird Interactive prepares to “close this chapter” on the once-revered space RTS series. Scheduled for release on November 21, Update 1.3 promises significant changes, refining both combat and the campaign experience. While the news marks the end of new content for the game, Blackbird remains committed to ensuring a stable and enjoyable experience for players. When Homeworld 3 launched in May, it sought to reignite the magic of a...
OpenRA continues to be the go-to platform for fans of classic RTS games like Red Alert, Command & Conquer, and Dune 2000. This open-source project brings timeless strategy games to modern systems, enhancing their playability while staying true to their roots. And now, a brand-new playtest version, Playtest 20241116, introduces a host of exciting updates that elevate the experience further. One of the standout features of this release is the introduction of post-processing effects. These graphical enhancements give the game...
Blizzard just pulled off a classic move – dropping remasters of Warcraft and Warcraft 2 with no prior warning. The reveal coincided with the company’s 30th anniversary celebration, featuring a trailer packed with side-by-side comparisons of the original graphics and the new, hand-drawn visuals. Let’s address the obvious question: why remaster these classics now? While the Warcraft 2 remaster had leaked, the first Warcraft was a surprise. According to franchise manager Brad Chan, these updates aim to respect the games’...
The RTS genre often feels like it’s been on life support for years. When you think of the classics – Command & Conquer, StarCraft, Warcraft – they’re pillars of the genre, but they also represent a bygone era. Today’s releases, even those born from the indie boom, rarely stray from those established formulas. That’s why Hyperwar stands out. It’s not here to pay homage; it’s here to redefine the genre with bold ideas and a modern approach. Previously known as...
In gaming, few stand the test of time, and even fewer are remembered fondly. Of all the games to have done so, perhaps none is more iconic than Age of Empire II. The RTS classic that brought about the golden age for the genre. And even now, 25 years after its initial release and 11 years after its HD definite edition, fans still want more. To which the developers have responded by announcing a new series of DLCs under the...
Innovation and advancement are the two major pillars on which modern gaming stands. This is why different genres have periodically risen to mainstream popularity throughout history. However, those that couldn’t adapt to changing times faded into obscurity. The RTS genre has recently seen a resurgence in popularity, largely due to the significant innovations introduced by many indie studios. Yet, amidst this wave of innovation, many have forgotten what made RTS games from the golden age so memorable. It wasn’t cutting-edge...
Modern conflicts are rarely explored in the RTS genre. Even when other genres, such as FPS, attempt to tackle these themes, they often take creative liberties to avoid referencing any specific real-world forces or powers. Games like Warno and War Game have delved into modern conflicts but tend to focus on self-contained, small-scale skirmishes. Truly epic-scale RTS games that depict present-day conflicts are uncommon—until now. ICBM Escalation, the upcoming game from SoftWarWare, releases on November 21st and offers players a grand,...
Hearts of Iron 4 is a name that needs no introduction, as it stands as one of the most iconic World War II real-time strategy games on the market. This reputation has been built through the efforts of a dedicated development team and a passionately engaged fanbase. The community has modded the game to include nearly every imaginable fictional and non-fictional scenario, including popular alternate history mods like “Kaiser Reich: Legacy of the Welt Krieg” and “Red Flood.” These mods...
Age of Mythology Retold has something big on the horizon: a new mode called Arena of the Gods. This mode introduces 35 missions packed with dynamic challenges and is arriving soon as part of a free update. Fans of this legendary RTS can look forward to navigating unique twists and earning powerful blessings while taking on mythic foes in this new experience. Here’s what’s in store with Arena of the Gods: Arena of the Gods’ content-packed, mission-based gauntlet is entirely...
After three months of hard work, the first episode of Critical Moves is finally up! We’re covering Strategy Game Remasters in this debut episode—what works, what flops, and everything in between. It’s been a learning experience, and we’re proud of what the team has created. If you’re into strategy games, give it a listen, hit subscribe, and share your thoughts. Critical Moves is made for the strategy community, so jump in, join the discussion, and let’s talk games! Strategy Game...
Free-to-Play is a phrase which has, historically, carried some fairly negative connotations. Here at RTS HQ, we aim to highlight the best strategy games across the board, and today we’re focusing on free-to-play real-time strategy games. These titles offer a great way to dive into RTS games without the upfront cost. This can be a great way for people who are curious about real-time strategy to experience some incredible games. Each of these titles brings something unique to the table,...
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...

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