7 of the Best Real-Time Strategy Game Series for Windows PCs

When it comes to real-time strategy (RTS) games, Windows PC is the best gaming platform. The PC’s mouse and keyboard hotkey controls are always better for commanding units and managing resources in all types of battlefields. The RTS genre is all about real-time military strategy, with two (or more) opposing armies fighting for victory on the battlefield. There have been numerous great real-time strategy game series for Windows dating back to the 1990s. These are some of the best Windows PC RTS game franchises to play.

Age of Empires

The Age of Empires real-time strategy game series has been the premier historical RTS franchise since the 1990s. This game series is renowned for its balanced resource management and tactical combat blend. The AoE games are generally accessible (easy to start playing) but also offer deep, strategic gameplay. Exploration, technology research, combat, and economic management have always been the four pillars of gameplay that have made the AoE game series great.

There have been four primary games in the Age of Empires series. With a Metacritic average rating of 92, Age of Empires 2 is the undoubted highlight of its franchise. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is the remastered version of AoE 2, with enhanced graphics and audio, that receives regular content updates.

StarCraft

StarCraft is a sci-fi real-time strategy game series that has set a benchmark for faction balance, high-paced gameplay, and strategic depth. This game series includes three well-balanced races (Zerg, Protoss, and Terran) that operate very differently. Although the StarCraft series is more renowned for multiplayer, its games also have compelling and cinematic single-player sci-fi campaigns for players to play.

There have been only two main games within the StarCraft series, albeit with numerous additional expansion packs. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is a cult classic that refined the mechanics of the original game. That RTS game had a thriving esports scene during its golden age and still has a dedicated niche community that keeps it relevant today.

Total War

The Total War real-time strategy game series is one that offers huge variety and scope, spanning multiple historical eras and fantasy (Warhammer) settings. What sets Total War apart from other RTS game series is how it combines real-time tactical battles with turn-based strategy. The TW games have expansive turn-based campaign maps on which players manage army movement, diplomacy, and city management. However, it also incorporates cinematic real-time battles on a scale few other RTS games can match.

With 16 Total War games in total, TW is one of the most extensive real-time strategy game series. Total War: Warhammer III is one of the highlights for content diversity and players who prefer fantasy settings. The Shogun 2 Total War game, which has an average Metacritic rating of 90, is one of the most polished and balanced historical additions to the franchise.

Command & Conquer

Command & Conquer was the pioneer of the real-time strategy genre back in the 1990s. The earlier C&C games in the series set a benchmark for fast-paced and intense action-oriented gameplay. Command & Conquer games have more accessible, explosive gameplay with their single-resource economy systems. This real-time strategy game series is also renowned for its live-action motion video cutscenes that brought its single-player campaigns to life.

Although the C&C games are of mixed quality, the best in the series are classic RTS titles. Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2 is one of the classic C&C games with its perfectly balanced fast-based RTS formula and memorable alternative history campaigns. Yuri’s Revenge and the original Red Alert are also among the most highly-rated C&C games.

Company of Heroes

Company of Heroes is a RTS game series based on World War II theaters in Europe and North Africa. The great thing about the Company of Heroes real-time strategy games series is its innovative cover and suppression gameplay mechanics and destructible battlefield environments. This is more of a squad-level RTS game series in which unit positioning, cover, and angle can significantly impact battlefield combat. Company of Heroes games also focus more on map territory control than APM (actions per minute) real-time strategy titles, such as StarCraft.

There have been three additions to the Company of Heroes game series to date. In terms of historical impact and single-player campaign, the original Company of Heroes is the most highly rated. However, Company of Heroes 3 is better for multiplayer as the recent addition to the series, with faster matchmaking that’s still receiving regular updates.

Warhammer: Dawn of War

The Warhammer: Dawn of War series effectively translates miniature Warhammer tabletop gaming into exciting real-time strategy games. This is one of the best real-time strategy game series because of its innovative gameplay mechanics and immersive atmosphere. Unlike more traditional RTS titles, Dawn of War games focus more on capturing and holding strategic map points. Its territorial squad-based combat makes tactical positioning and map control more important in DoW games.

There are four main games in the Warhammer: Dawn of War real-time strategy game series, with one scheduled for release in 2026. For many players, the original Dawn of War game remains the best in the series. That game established the DoW series with its memorable storytelling and exciting, fast-paced gameplay. It also has highly-rated expansions, such as Dark Crusade, that offer great replayability value.

Homeworld

The Homeworld real-time strategy game series has been the pioneer of three-dimensional RTS space warfare. It is a game series that revolutionized the RTS genre with its fully 3D tactical combat, which enables players to move units on all axes within deeper maps. Homeworld games are also renowned for their gripping story-based campaigns and immersive atmospheres. Few other RTS games can match Homeworld for massive, cinematic space battles.

Homeworld is a trilogy of games, with a couple of spinoffs. The original Homeworld is still rated the best in the series for its compelling story and unique atmosphere. However, Homeworld Remastered is the best overall package because it includes the first and second games with overhauled graphics and updated sound.

If you want to play some of the best RTS titles, then check out the best real-time strategy game series above. Those franchises include the finest RTS games in history, some of which have remastered versions. Games like Homeworld, Company of Heroes, Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, StarCraft II, and Total War: Warhammer III are among the most enthralling RTS titles.