StarCraft is one of the best and most popular RTS game out there. StarCraft II is still one of the most competitive games played at the highest levels all over the world. If you have already played StarCraft and fallen in love with the strategy genre, then you must be itching for some more fantastic games in the genre that also offer great gameplay experience along with an intriguing storyline. Well, look no further because we bring you 15 of the best games like StarCraft that you can enjoy in 2020.
Games Like StarCraft to Play in 2020
I have added the quick links to all the games mentioned in this list. You can click on the links to quickly move to the game you find most interesting.
- Age of Empires: Definitive Edition
- Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
- Command & Conquer: The Ultimate Collection
- Supreme Commander Collection
- Company of Heroes 2
- Halo Wars 2
- Rise of Nations Extended Edition
- Warcraft III : Reforged
- Age of Mythology: Extended Edition
- Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2
- World of Warships
- Total War: Warhammer II
- Total War: Arena
- Ancestors Legacy
- Bad North
1. Age of Empires: Definitive Edition
Any list of the best RTS games is incomplete without the iconic Age of Empires franchise. While most of you might have already played the game before, I’d highly recommend you to check out Age of Empires: Definitive Edition, a remastered version of the classic. The game features all of the original title’s content with modernized gameplay, new visuals and a bunch of other new features that I’m sure you’ll appreciate.
The game offers over 40 hours of updated campaign content, new competitive modes and 4K visuals that will surely bring back memories from your childhood. For the unaware, Age of Empires is a classic RTS in which you pick a civilization, start from the stone age and build your way up to the modern age.
In the process, you also interact with other civilizations, make allies or take down enemies. The game requires players to strategize their civilization’s growth and always stay a step ahead of the opponents.
Compatibility: Windows
Buy ($19.99)
2. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
Sid Meier’s Civilization franchise is quite popular among strategy enthusiasts and the latest title in the lineup – Civilization VI – is definitely worth trying if you’re looking for a great turn-based real-time strategy game. In the game, you start off by picking a civilization and settling down on a map as a nomadic tribe.
You then have to build up your resources and advance through the ages to become a world dominating superpower. On your way to reach that goal, you’ll make allies with other civilizations or take down whichever civilization comes in your way. If you’re a fan of RTS games, Civilizations VI should be right up your alley.
Compatibility: Windows, Nintendo Switch, macOS, iOS, Linux
Buy ($17.99)
3. Command & Conquer: The Ultimate Collection
Think Age of Empires but in a much more modern setting and Command & Conquer is what you get. An excellent StarCraft alternative that tests your ability to strategize and conquer your opponents. The Command & Conquer Ultimate Collection offers all the 17 games and expansions in the franchise, which is a lot of play time for anyone who hasn’t played a Command & Conquer game before.
The collection even features Command & Conquer: Renegade, the series’ only first-person shooter, along with the rest of the RTS titles. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 is one of my personal favorites and I highly recommend you to check out the game if you’re looking for a fun strategy title with great campaign stories and even better (albeit slightly over the top) cut scenes.
Compatibility: Windows
Buy ($14.99)
4. Supreme Commander Collection
Supreme Commander Collection is another great real-time strategy franchise that you should try if you’re on the lookout for a great StarCraft alternative. The game focuses on using giant bipedal mechs to build a base, reach higher technological tiers and then conquer the bases of your opponents.
The collection features all of the games in the franchise, right from the first Supreme Commander game to Supreme Commander 2: Infinite War Battle Pack, offering players a ton of play time at a rather affordable price tag.
Compatibility: Windows
Buy ($6.76)
5. Company of Heroes 2
Experience the intricacies of World War II in Company of Heroes 2, a real-time strategy title which is a perfect blend of classic RTs game mechanics and modern features. One of the finest strategy titles you can play, Company of Heroes 2 takes players to the Eastern Front of World War 2 where they have to take control of the Soviet Red Army.
One of the most interesting things about Company of Heroes 2 is its TrueSight feature, which allows players to get a better judgement of their troop’s visibility range based on the environmental conditions and type of unit. This adds another level of complexity to the game, which makes it even more challenging.
Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux
Buy ($6.79)
6. Halo Wars 2
The Halo franchise boasts of some of the most popular first-person shooters out there, but did you know that there’s an RTS Halo game? Well, if you didn’t, then you should definitely check out Halo Wars and Halo Wars 2, a completely different take on the franchise which allows you to command entire armies and lead them to battle against the enemies.
The game features a number of StarCraft-like elements, however, the main focus of the game is warfare with emphasis on resource management and unit construction. Halo Wars 2 is a must-play for any Halo fans out there.
Compatibility: Windows, Xbox One
Buy ($18.90)
7. Rise of Nations Extended Edition
Rise of Nations is the spiritual successor to the Age of Empires series, and just like AoE it has also received an updated version. The extended edition includes the original game, Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots, and a number of new features including improved visuals and full Steamworks integration.
The game follows the same style and gameplay as Age of Empires, with players starting in the ancient age and advancing to the modern age by gathering resources. You get to choose from 18 unique civilizations, each with their own traits and abilities, which adds a lot of replayability value to the title.
Compatibility: Windows, Xbox One
Buy ($4.99)
8. Warcraft III : Reforged
Blizzard’s Warcraft franchise is also well regarded among fans of the RTS genre and we have high hopes from the upcoming Warcraft III: Reforged. The game is currently available for pre-orders and is expected to land in stores by the end of this year. If you don’t feel like waiting so long, however, do know that you can play all the previous games in the franchise if you pre-order Warcraft III: Reforged.
The game, much like other titles on this list, gives players the option to choose a faction and then build their base, assemble an army, and recruit powerful heroes to dominate their opponents. Warcraft III: Reforged is expected to bring a thorough visual overhaul, a suite of contemporary social and matchmaking features, and more.
Compatibility: Windows, macOS
Buy Standard Edition ($29.99)
9. Age of Mythology: Extended Edition
Age of Mythology is a real-time strategy game much like Age of Empires, with the only difference being that it has a more mythical setting. The game takes inspiration from Greek, Egyptian and Norse mythology, giving players access to a variety of different units and Heroes that help them take down their enemies. The game’s progression remains pretty much like Age of Empires, with players having to first set up a base, collect resources, train an army, and then take down their enemies.
Compatibility: Windows
Buy ($29.99)
10. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2
If you’re looking for a real-time strategy game of epic proportions, then you should definitely check out Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2 – the sequel to Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – which takes players on a journey like no other. The game’s plot revolves around a catastrophic weapon called the Spear of Khaine and three forces who’re in pursuit of the spear.
Players have to choose from one of the three available factions – including the Space Marines, the Eldar and the Orks – and fight the other two factions in the single player campaign. In the multiplayer mode, a variety of skins are available for the three factions which allows different players to use the same faction.
Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux
Buy ($7.99)
11. World of Warships
World of Warships is a free-to-play naval-themed real-time strategy game in which players control their fleet of warships to take down the enemy team. The game is a little slow-paced compared to some of the other games on this list and only offers two basic types of armament – ship guns and torpedoes.
World of Warships focuses heavily on team play, which adds another layer of difficulty to the strategy title as you have to coordinate with your teammates to flesh out a plan to take down the enemy. You should definitely try of World of Warships because of two main reasons – it’s free-to-play and it offers a great MMO experience.
Compatibility: Windows, macOS
Download (Free)
12. Total War: Warhammer II
Total War: Warhammer II is another great RTS title you should try if you’re looking for a good Starcraft alternative. The game brings to you a breathtaking new narrative campaign, set across the vast continents of Lustria, Ultuan, Naggaroth, and the Southlands. The game is the second chapter in the trilogy so you will need to play the first game to enjoy the game to its fullest.
In the game, you play as one of the eight legendary lords of four races and your main aim is to develop and lead your army to disturb the giant vortex while making attempts to foil the progress of other races.
Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux
Download ($29.99)
13. Total War: Arena
The first free-to-play game in the Total War series, Total War: Arena is an online multiplayer battle arena game. The game features 10v10 battles where each player controls three units, each of which contain up to 100 warriors. The objective, much like other games on this list, is to strategically put your resources to the use and defeat the enemies. The game offers a total of 14 commanders, out of which three are unlocked right from the start and players have to earn in-game currency to unlock the rest.
Compatibility: Windows
Download (Free)
14. Ancestors Legacy
Ancestors Legacy is another great real-time strategy title which differentiates itself from other games on this list by implementing a squad-based strategy mechanic. The game has a medieval European setting and tells the story of four different nations and their conflicts with each other.
Players can pick any one of the nation to enjoy the elaborate single player campaign or dabble in intense multiplayer battles. The game’s advanced tactical options that allow players to use terrain, experience and morale to set the course of their gameplay is a nice added touch.
Compatibility: Windows, Xbox One
Download ($17.49)
15. Bad North: Jotunn Edition
Bad North is one of the most charming real-time strategy games that you can play. In the game you defend your island against viking invaders. You get to play on different types of islands so you have to adjust strategy constantly.
I also adore the cartoonish graphics and mellow music that the games brings. Despite being a RTS game, I find it really soothing to play. If you don’t want to devote a lot of time in a game but still want to enjoy RTS mechanics, this is one of the best ones you can play.
Compatibility: Windows, Xbox One, macOS, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android
Download: ($14.99)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is there a game like StarCraft for Android?
Yes, there are many real-time strategy games like StarCraft that you can play on your Android device. Here are some of the games you can install and play:
- Bad North: ($4.99)
- Forge of Empires: (Free, in-app purchases)
- Empire: Four Kingdoms: (Free, in-app purchases)
Q. Is there a game like StarCraft for iPhone?
Yes. All the games I have mentioned above for Android are also available on iOS devices:
- Bad North: ($4.99)
- Forge of Empires: (Free, in-app purchases)
- Empire: Four Kingdoms: (Free, in-app purchases)
Q. What is the newest StarCraft game?
StarCraft II is still the latest full-game of the series. There have been many spin-off titles, but no full-fledged has been released after StarCraft II.
Q. Is StarCraft an RTS?
Yes, StarCraft is one of the classic real-strategy games. It along with other games like AOE made the RTS genre popular.
The Best Games Like StarCraft To Play
Not all of these games may share the same gameplay style or storyline as StarCraft, but they are all some of the best strategy games that offer a unique storyline and polished gameplay. If you think there are other strategy games or any other games like StarCraft that deserve to be on the list, then feel free to mention them in the comments below.
