15 Best RTS Games Like Starcraft You Should Play in 2023

If you’re looking for a game that offers the same level of excitement and challenge as Starcraft, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one. The options out there are limited and most of them don’t come close to matching up. Luckily, we’ve found a few games that offer a similar experience without all the hassle. Our list includes some of the best strategy games out there and they’re all available for download or online play right now. Check them out and see for yourself how much fun you can have with Games Like Starcraft.

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1. Total War: Warhammer II

2. Stronghold Crusader HD

3. Stronghold Legends: Steam Edition

4. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

5. Battle Realms: Zen Edition

6. Northgard

7. Frozenheim

8. Stellaris

9. Dawn of Man

10. Mount and Blade Bannerlord

11. Company of Heroes 2

12. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI

13. Empire Earth

14. Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars

15. Crusader Kings 3

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Background: Three races struggle for survival in the outer galaxies. Terrans are the humans that seek to stay resourceful, Zergs are savage beasts that devour the universe, and Protoss are ancient noble warriors. Will those three work together to survive in this universe or to fight a common enemy? Or will they kill each other and become the greatest conqueror of the galaxy?

Mode: Versus mode where you fight against other players for the sake of conquering the world. Co-op mode where you invite your friends to play special missions. And lastly, custom arcade mode where you design your own game.

Price: Free-to-play

Number of Players: 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, 4v4

Main Features:

1. Total War: Warhammer II

The great vortex is being sought by four races. Each has its own goal. Whether they have good intentions or evil ones, you must control it first to protect your world, if the Vortex is in another’s nation’s hands, then your world will be in theirs.

Total War offers two unique features, a turn-based world, and a real-time battle. The game has lots of diplomacies, war, and conquer. From four races you can choose 8 Heros. Play multiplayer and prove you’re the best commander.

2. Stronghold Crusader HD

Stronghold Crusader is one of the most iconic real-time strategy games. Although it was released in 2002, the community is still alive and modding the game. Play through different stages and levels that get increasingly difficult.

Be introduced to many different lords that can be your allies or your enemies. Produce food, keep your people happy, turn them into an army and kill the enemy lord to win. Create siege weapons to destroy their castle and open a gate. Stronghold also offers a campaign that replicates realistic historical events.

3. Stronghold Legends: Steam Edition

The new Stronghold is here, but this time, it’s all about Legends! King Arthur, Merlin, and his loyal knights are here to defeat the forces of evil. Three different nations will offer you three different terrains, units, and features. Each special unit will have special powers.

Merlin can cast spells, King Arthur can summon knights, and Lancelot can boost the army’s strength. Castles in Stronghold will offer real-time physics. Any damage will be super detailed on the walls. In a game where Giants exist, dragons, and vampires, play the way you like it and experience the story of King Arthur and his knights.

4. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

Definitive Edition has surely brought this game back to life. The most iconic real-time strategy game is now available to be played multiplayer and cross-platform. Choose from tens of different civilizations, each having unique attributes. The game starts in the dark age with limited technology.

You and other players will race against each other to build a strong economy to be able to move on to the next age. From clubs and stones to bullets and cannons. Annihilate the enemy to win the game.

5. Battle Realms: Zen Edition

Inspired by Kung Fu stories and oriental mythology. Battle real is a real-time strategy and fantasy game. The game has a campaign where you follow the story of Kenji, based on your actions of helping villagers or attacking raiders, you will choose the path of the dragon or the serpent.

In Battle Realms, you start with a simple villager’s hut. Each villager needs to collect Rice and Water while also watering the Rice as the main resources. Use them to build different types of buildings. Recruit units, and then use those units to turn into different types. Destroy your enemy and counter his army.

6. Northgard

Based on Norse mythology comes Northgard, a game where Vikings seek to build a settlement after discovering new lands. It is your job to manage the settlement and decide what each piece of land becomes. Keep your people happy, secure food in winter, protect yourself from enemy waves, and conquer the entire land to become victorious.

There are different clans you can choose from, and different types of building you can construct. Play the story mode and learn about Rig and his journey to avenge his father’s murder.

7. Frozenheim

Another game based on Norse mythology. Frozenheim is a real-time strategy game where you control a group of Vikings on a quest to conquer and rule the lands. First, you will have to build a settlement. Then you must manage this settlement and check the requirements to keep it alive and strong! Once you’re ready to move on, build an army for ferocious Vikings that seek death in battle to go to Valhalla.

Hunt fish, grow crops, and butcher animals to produce food. Each season will affect the environment and terrain, you better have enough food left for winter.

8. Stellaris

Stellaris is a super complicated real-time strategy game that takes place in outer space. There are tens of different nations you can play. Hundreds of custom nations you can create. Start with your ruler, then your political system, then with your empire’s pros and cons.

This massive game will unimaginably test your skills. You must rule plants, discover new stars, conquer the enemy’s borders, declare war, trade, and much more to get an advantage. Stellaris needs lots of time to learn and lots of time for a game to complete.

9. Dawn of Man

Although Dawn of Man is more focused on building a colony, it also takes place in hostile lands. Whether it’s predators or raiders, you must always be prepared for the worse. Dawn of Man is a real-time colony-building game where you control people from the stone age and watch them progress through different ages.

Create weapons using sticks and stones, then upgrade them to steel and armor. Build walls around your colony. Fish and hunt animals. Farm and harvest crops. Populate your city and play endlessly.

10. Mount and Blade Bannerlord

After the success of Mount and Blade Warband, the sequel of this game became anticipated by many people. Mount and Blade Bannerlord is a unique real-time battle game there diverse into two major sections. The first one is the map where your character moves around with his party to visit other cities or interact with lords or attack enemies.

The other section is the true in-game part where you control your character. Using a single man, you can control hundreds of men who are next to you. Position archers in front to pour hail of arrows on the approaching army. Become a part of a faction or create your own kingdom.

11. Company of Heroes 2

Experience World War 2 for the first time ever in unique gameplay. This RTS game will blow your mind as you fight the enemy invaders. Play as the Red Army of the Soviet Empire. The Single-Player Campaign will put you in historical battles.

Control your units, tanks, and your fleet in order to destroy the enemy’s advances. The game has high graphics and great warfare quality. No game can replicate WW2 like the Company of Heroes has. You will understand what true war means when you complete the game.

12. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI

Sid Meier is a turn-based game. Players are free to completely control the system and features of the game. However, once you start playing, you will have to make quick decisions and proper ones. For example, placing your city next to a river increases your population cap. The type of unit or building you want to produce must be worth it because it takes turn-based time.

There are different ways to win the game, it can be done through a Science Victory, or a Military Victory, or a Culture Victory, or Diplomatic Victory. Based on your preference and style you must check the victory condition for each and attempt to meet them.

13. Empire Earth

Although an old game, Empire Earth remained better than its future sequels. From the age of cavemen and stones to the age of robots and machines, Empire Earth is all about conquest and conquer. Build an army to protect your capital. Race against the dark times and develop new technologies.

Prosper and explore the fog of war to discover more resources. Enemies can attack at any time, so you must be prepared with strong walls and towers. Play the campaign and follow stories of real-time events.

14. Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars

The Tiberium Universe has fallen into a massive war, and it is your job to put an end to this conflict once and for all. Command and Conquer had always been known for its smooth gameplay and amusing battles. The effects of explosions on the terrains and the units are spectacular.

Command and Conquer offers over 35 single-player missions where it will get you familiar with the game. Multiplayer on the other hand will be complete chaos against other players and their styles. Test your tactics and skills, and become victorious.

15. Crusader Kings 3

Create your legacy in the middle ages. Rule over the multiple lands that exist on our planet. Different continents, countries, and different empires are all for you to claim. Crusader Kings 3 had been extremely anticipated by many Grand strategy fans.

This game offers plenty of customization regarding the way you want to rule. Watch your kingdom expand. Create allies and enemies. Let your dynasty take control after your death, and march your army to invade other rulers.