RTS Games

Epic Games Store offers some of the best RTS games. Download today and start playing fun and exciting RTS games.

RTS Games FAQ

What are real-time strategy games?

Real-time strategy games, aka RTS games, are tactical combat games where the player’s role is of a commander making decisions for their troops in real-time. The player has a bird's-eye view of the map and guides an army of units. The action constantly flows across the battlefield, and the player must make decisions regarding strategy, resources, and more while the action carries on.

Real-time strategy games generally focus on preparing for and, eventually, fighting in a battle. This often requires the player to build an army for each battle. Initial stages can involve resource gathering and base building. Players must swiftly grab land that has, or is near to, the materials that will create or pay for your base and units. The size and make-up of your army will be directly affected by the size of the base and the buildings that are crafted. Buildings are needed to spawn a specific unit into the game to support your tactics, so you’d need to build barracks to spawn soldiers or a garage to spawn vehicles. Those decisions will be made throughout the battle as players adapt to the constantly changing conditions on the battlefield. Oftentimes, the buildings can be upgraded to produce units at a faster rate or with more powerful effects.

During battle, the player will have to guide units across the map, placing them into positions to take advantage of their abilities. Players will have to decide what units go where and will have to keep track of how they are faring in battle. The units placed will then attack or defend against any nearby enemy. They’ll keep fighting no matter what, so it’s up to the player to decide if they require support, to move to another position, or to retreat.

Upgrades are a big part of RTS games. From bases to units, players will have to decide what technology is required during battle. This usually requires resources and research, which is a way of ensuring that upgrades don’t happen too quickly. Upgrades allow players to increase power, speed or bring in new units during battle. This will often be the difference between victory and defeat.

The maps that the battles take place on will inspire the tactics that the player uses. Environments can provide cover, positive or negative buffs, and more. Different units will be needed in a desert environment vs. a jungle, swamp, or city. You can take a tank through city streets and open fields, but a swamp will bog them down.

Overall, RTS games require players to think quickly and to micromanage a giant selection of units across lengthy battles.

What does RTS mean?

RTS means real-time strategy games.

Why is it fun playing RTS Games online?

When playing against another player, they’ll have a personal approach to the choices they make. AI can only generate tactics according to how they’re programmed, which will always be limited, but people will have surprising and strange approaches to games that you’ll have to take into account. Even veteran RTS players can struggle against a novice player who has a novel approach to tactics and action.

Are RTS Games hard to play?

They can be. They require the player to understand a lot of information and to adapt quickly when something goes wrong, or an opportunity presents itself. But most games will have difficulty levels that affect how the enemy plays and its overall strength.

Do you manage resources, buildings, and people in RTS Games?

Yes. These are all elements of most RTS games, which require resources in order to build bases and buildings, and buildings in order to spawn in people or other units.

Which types of PC RTS Games are there?

There are a number of themes that RTS games can take. Military strategy games will focus on real-world battles, units, and tactics. They can be historical, focussing on ancient battles with limited technology, or modern, with tanks, guns, and more. There are also fantasy-based RTS games, where mythological creatures are used in battle, and weapons are magical. Sci-fi RTS games are also popular, as they can offer spectacular effects from technologically advanced units. Lasers!