Summary
The real-time strategy genre is one of the most popular across all gaming platforms, and it’s been so for a few decades now. There’s something special and entertainingabout commanding an army or a small group of characterswhile having to strategically place them and plan out their movements to ensure victory.
Many of these games rely on their combat system and faction variety to deliver an enjoyable experience to players. However, others go much beyond that, featuring enticing stories that complement the rest of the game to create the ultimate real-time strategy experience. Here are a fewreal-time strategy gameswith fantastic stories.
Set betweenStar Wars: Episode IIIandEpisode IV, this game focuses on battles between the Rebel Alliance and the evil Galactic Empire. Featuring both space and ground battles, it offers players a chance to lead their own battalion and make strategic decisions to overcome obstacles and ultimately defeat the opposing army. Players can either choose to play as the Rebel Alliance or the Empire, depending on their preference.
Star Wars: Empire at Waralso features iconic moments from the saga, such as the destruction of Alderaan with large-scale fleets hovering above the planet. This game’s story is great because it combines strategy with a fascinating period inStar Warshistory, touching on the armed conflict that eventually leads to Luke joining the Rebel Army andbecoming a Jedi.
Set in one of the darkest periods of human history,Company of Heroes 3’s events take place across Europe and North Africa during World War II. Focusing on the invasion of Italy and North Africa, the game will not only let players take control of their own army forces, but also provide a certain emphasis on their contributions throughout the war.
As with any other war story,Company of Heroes 3is full of loss, sacrifice, and camaraderie, which makes the experience much more immersive by raising the stakes. Combining operational and real-time battle tactics and partially grounded on historical accuracy of the period, this title delivers an enjoyable strategic experience that will have players invested before long.
Set in a Cold War scenario where the Allies and the Soviets are fighting to establish dominance,Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2players will have to plan their moves strategically to survive enemy attacks and defeat their opponents. Luckily, the heavy air that comes with armed conflict is somewhat dissipated by a few superweapons introduced in the game. This does take away some of the seriousness, but it works well with the overall concept.
While not a similar genre, the combination of Soviet technology with superweapons and advanced warfare elements feels reminiscent to what players can see in theWolfensteintitles. Combining political aspects of real life with sci-fi elements doesn’t sound like it would work, especially when talking about a real-time strategy game. However,Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2pulls it off gracefully.
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaosis, to say the least, a tragic and complex tale that players will want to experience time and time again. As the Scourge faction, led by Arthas, spreads through every corner of Azeroth, the game switches back and forth between the narrative perspectives of an Orc, a Night Elf, and a Human, as well as a few members of the undead factions.
The game’s story is great not only due to its magical setting,multiple faction variety, and combat mechanics, but also because it has its fair share of betrayal, corruption, and tragedy. 22 years after its release,Warcraft III: Reign of Chaosis still regarded by many as one of the titles responsible for setting the standard for fantasy storytelling in modern gaming.
Last, but not least, there isHomeworld, which set the stage for many of its sequels,includingHomeworld 3. The game tells the story of the Kushan, a people that embark on a journey hoping to recover their home planet. It portrays their struggle for survival, and the reasons behind their exile from the planet they once called their own.
Players will have to hone their strategic skills to survive the multiple conflicts that happen throughout the game, including epic space battles that, while limited at the time by graphics and game mechanic possibilities, are still fun to experience and win. In 2015, a remastered version of the game was released. While many long-time fans loved it, it was received with a mixed response overall, with the original still being scored higher by a few gaming outlets.
