With the highly anticipated launch of Age of Empires IV have proved a bright spot in an otherwise turbulent past few years in the gaming industry.
However, it was in the late 1990s and into the early 2000s when many of these beloved franchises, like Starcraft, came into their own. Over at Ranker, thousands of armchair generals have cast their votes on which strategy games are the best of the best.
Company of Heroes (2006)
An innovator in the Real-Time Strategy subgenre, Company of Heroes is set during World War II and follows 101st Airborne Division during the 1944 liberation of . Company of Heroes introduced a unique strategic control-point system that gives reinforcement points based on control over strategic points.
Upon its release, Company of Heroes received near-universal acclaim, with many critics praising its gritty historical setting and unique design, praising it as one of the best historically-accurate WW2 games. Company of Heroes soon spawned a successful franchise, with Company of Heroes 3, set to be released in late 2022 with a revamped dynamic campaign.
Rise of Nations (2003)
The brainchild of prolific game designer Brian Reynolds, best known for his work on Civilization, Rise of Nations uniquely blends real-time strategy and turn-based strategy elements. Players have to guide one of 18 playable civilizations, as they make their way through 8 different historical ages. Rise of Nations may not nail historical accuracy, but it allows players to instead forge their own story.
Upon its release, Rise of Nations won multiple Strategy Game of the Year awards. With critics praising its intuitive interface and addictive game design. In 2008, a scientific study found that Rise of Nations improved a number of "critical cognitive skills" in older adults, through “nation-building and territorial expansion.”
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos (2002)
The third entry into the high fantasy Warcraft fictional universe, Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos employs a real-time strategy design as players build units, create bases, and collect resources to defeat an army of the Undead who have invaded Azeroth.
Warcraft III also adds a multiplayer mode based on skill-based matchmaking. Many reviewers praised Warcraft III advanced 3D rendered graphics and atmospheric soundtrack. In 2020, Warcraft III was remastered as Warcraft III: Reforged. While this upgrade does feature improved visuals, some critics were disappointed by the technical issues and missing features that befell the game at release.
Command & Conquer: Red Alert (1996)
A real-time strategy game set in an alternate reality version of the 1950s Cold War, Command & Conquer: Red Alert has players mine resources, build bases, create vehicles, and train troops to battle the Soviets for control of Europe.
What makes Command & Conquer: Red Alert so unique is its hilariously convoluted plot, which has Albert Einstein traveling back in time to kill Hitler but then causes a new timeline where Joseph Stalin is poised to invade Europe. This meme-able story is brought to life by a number of humorous live-action cinematic sequences.
Medieval II: Total War (2006)
The sequel to the incredibly successful first entry of the same name, Medieval II: Total War is arguably superior to its predecessor in every way. The Total War series uniquely combines elements of a turn-based strategic campaign and real-time tactical battles with thousands of soldiers.
The campaign spans the 11th to the 16th centuries and has players control one of many playable nations from medieval Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East. The game received much critical acclaim upon its release, even from historians, who praised its realism and authenticity to the time period.
StarCraft (1998)
A spinoff of the Warcraft series from Blizzard Entertainment, StarCraft takes the same real-time strategy mechanics but sets it in Space, meshing the military and Sci-Fi genres. The story revolves around three extraterrestrial species fighting for dominance of the galaxy.
Widely considered one the greatest RTS games, StarCraft and its sequel StarCraft II are still games worth playing, especially in South Korea where there is a multi-million dollar professional competition circuit for StarCraft and its sequels.
Rome: Total War (2004)
Frequently held up as the greatest historical strategy game by critics and gamers alike, Rome: Total War perfected Total War’s unique blend of “real-time tactical battles and a turn-based strategic campaign.” In this game, players take control of one of the three great Patrician houses of Rome and set off to conquer the known world.
Many elements came together to craft this masterpiece, from its beautiful 3D graphics, to its historically accurate battle tactics, and even its pulse-pounding original soundtrack, which received a BAFTA award in recognition. In 2021, Rome: Total War was remastered with a number of improvements to graphics and gameplay.
Civilization V (2010)
Arguably the most accessible and intuitive entry in Sid Meier's Civilization series, Civilization V built upon the lessons learned from its predecessors. Like in previous iterations, players take control of one of the great civilizations of the world and shepherd them through the ages of history.
Most notably, Civ 5 was built on a new engine that hexifyed the formerly square-based world of Civ, giving the gameplay a more dynamic flow. New features were also added such as city-states, revamped culture system, and ideologies, which came together to make Civ 5 one of the highest-ranked Civilization games in the series.
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 (2000)
In a rare example of a sequel that sures the original in almost every way, Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 follows an equally ridiculous plot as its predecessor, with players commanding either Soviet or Allied troops in an alternate universe with advanced technology.
When it came out, Red Alert 2 was one of the best-selling games of the 2000 holiday season. Critics found a lot to like in the game, with its well-balanced armies, new building mechanics, and the perfect balance between fast-paced action and pensive noted as high points.
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings (1999)
A classic of 1990s RTS strategy gaming, Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings is set in the middle ages with players taking control of one of thirteen playable civilizations. In this game, players gather resources which they then use to build armies and construct towns as they battle with enemy armies.
Upon its release, Age of Empires II was met with universal acclaim and held up as the gold standard for future RTS games. Many critics praised its attention to realism, epic atmosphere, and a slew of new features. More than anything, Age of Empires II proved for the first time that video games could be a work of art, just as painting or cinema. The recently released Age of Empires IV allows players to continue their journey.
