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As players, we have fought in numerous battles on alien worlds and sci-fi futures, taking management of one-person armies like Commander Shepard, the Doom Slayer, or Master Chief… however what about when the scenario requires an precise military? Well then, you want our record of the perfect sci-fi technique video games ever made.
We’ve reached out throughout time and house to construct this record, taking a look at trendy hits and bona fide classics. Real-time technique, turn-based, grand technique, squad-based ways — it is all on the desk. The solely rule right here is that it is a record of boots-on-the-ground technique video games; in spite of everything, the troops do the dying, the fleet simply does the flying. Check out our greatest house technique video games record if you wish to command fleets of starships.
10. Dune: Spice Wars
Release date: April 26, 2022 | Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S | Developer: Shiro Games
We’d been wishing for new Dune video games for the longest time, however it took the success of Denis Villeneuve’s two films to usher in a brand new period of Arrakis-set video games price placing the stillsuit on.
We’re massive followers of Spice Wars, a criminally underrated technique title that mixes 4X and real-time technique components in a well-recognized sandy setting. It’s a killer pitch, and the moment-to-moment gameplay is not like some other RTS out there proper now. Just remember, this one is not beginner-friendly in any respect.
While a lot of the governing aesthetic is (clearly) borrowed from the Legendary-produced films, it was good to see developer Shiro Games put its personal stamp on the visuals and artwork, too. What’s usually been a muted and dull-ish universe in different arms actually pops in Spice Wars; from the heroic models of House Atreides to the menacing hordes backed by the Harkonnen, there is a good mix of acquainted designs and contemporary takes on Frank Herbert’s materials.
9. Age of Wonders: Planetfall
Release date: August 6, 2019 | Platforms: PC, macOS, PS4, Xbox One | Developer: Triumph Studios
Yes, we all know, Age of Wonders has historically been a fantasy 4X recreation sequence, however 2019’s entry lastly took issues into outer house.
The consequence? A wild turn-based technique recreation that embraces distinctive factions and unit design whereas placing its personal spin on tried-and-tested 4X technique methods and mechanics you may be conversant in. Age of Wonders: Planetfall is without doubt one of the most approachable video games on this record.
From dinosaur-riding Amazons to cyborg-zombies, Age of Wonders: Planetfall actually leans on a “fun-first” mentality, however regardless of that, it is shockingly well-balanced. There’s even a compelling narrative, as you “uncover the history of the fallen galactic empire” by exploring the world, conquering new areas, and coping with different civilizations by peace or battle.
It additionally helps on-line, native, and asynchronous multiplayer. On high of every thing, it is received a thriving modding scene because of official instruments.
8. Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds
Release date: November 13, 2001 | Platforms: PC, macOS | Developer: LucasArts, Ensemble Studios, Westlake Interactive
Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds already made our top 10 Star Wars video games list with its surefire ‘reskin’ of classical Age of Empires gameplay and lovely isometric 2D sprites, but it deserves a spot here too. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to have a lasting impact, and Galactic Battlegrounds is one of those sci-fi strategy games that always feel great to boot up for a game or two, alone or with friends.
Between the surprisingly well-rounded campaigns and infinitely replayable skirmish mode, RTS games don’t get much better. It covers multiple eras across the Star Wars timeline, too, so you can mash Gungan armies and Imperial stormtroopers together and create the battles that Lucasfilm never would.
In an age when most new Star Wars games target fidelity and try not to break the canon, it’s fun to go back to LucasArts’ more offbeat projects and be reminded that some famous IPs could stand being more flexible.
7. Into the Breach
Release date: February 27, 2018 | Platforms: PC, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch | Developer: Subset Games
Another entry we have talked about earlier than (this time on our greatest mech video games record), Into the Breach greater than earns its spot right here, too. Developed by Subset Games (makers of the superb FTL: Faster Than Light), Into The Breach is an missed banger that we won’t get sufficient of.
Like in lots of different mech tales, the menace is an alien invasion, however this time these monsters come from under, not above. Don’t be fooled by the charming pixel artwork model and adorably small-scale battlefields; this is without doubt one of the deepest and most addicting technique video games of the final decade.
Into the Breach embraces randomly-generated components into every run to maintain issues fascinating and difficult even after you determine the pilots, enemies, and mechs. It’s the last word ‘lean and imply’ turn-based technique recreation.
And as a bonus for sci-fi nerds, the builders even introduced in Chris Avellone (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II) as a visitor author to assist with its authentic story and world.
6. Supreme Commander 2
Release date: March 2, 2010 | Platforms: PC, macOS, Xbox 360 | Developer: Gas Powered Games, Virtual Programming
Supreme Commander 2 remains one of the undisputable gold standards of massive-scale RTS games. It may not be the deepest or tightest of the bunch, but its developers went all out with a unique take on the classics, embodying the adage “go big or go home” with reckless abandon.
Set in the 39th century on the planet Altair II, an assassination sparks a tinderbox that leads to an epic three-faction war across the planet, as former allies become bitter rivals. The UEF, Cybrans, and Illuminate all have their own unique playstyles, with strengths to leverage and weaknesses to exploit.
Battles in Supreme Commander 2 are next level. Mechs, land, sea, and air vehicles fill the screen as factories and other buildings expand to fuel the war machine. The action quickly ramps up, and then it just never stops.
Some players argue to this day that the first game was more complex, and they might be right, but Supreme Commander 2’s quality-of-life changes and accessibility-oriented tweaks give it the edge in our mind.
5. Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars
Release date: March 26, 2007 | Platforms: PC, macOS, Xbox 360 | Developer: EA Los Angeles
Command & Conquer is arguably essentially the most iconic RTS franchise of all time, and virtually all of its entries might be labeled as sci-fi. But which is the perfect of the bunch? An argument will be made for loads of them (our Entertainment Editor thinks it is Red Alert 2), however that is my record, so I’m going with C&C3: Tiberium Wars.
It simply appears like the proper center level between old-school real-time technique and welcome modernisations, and we admire the trouble to push the story ahead in massive methods. We even just like the controversial Scrin extraterrestrial invaders, and type of want that they had a much bigger exhibiting within the marketing campaign missions, too. Speaking of which, RTS story campaigns do not get significantly better than Tiberium Wars’ 38-mission providing, full with the franchise’s legendary live-action cutscenes.
Nowadays, Command & Conquer has been all however deserted by writer EA, however its legacy cannot be ignored, and should you’re interested in all of it, the third mainline installment may be the proper technique to fall in love with the sequence.
4. Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri
Release date: February 9, 1999 | Platforms: PC, Linux, macOS | Developer: Firaxis Games
As a non secular successor to the enduring Civilization sequence, Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri was possibly a bit too offbeat for franchise regulars, however it nonetheless carved out its personal legacy by doing its personal factor in a definite sci-fi universe.
Alpha Centauri… sorry, Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri takes gamers to the twenty second century, when seven human factions land on the planet Chiron within the Alpha Centauri system. Once there, everyone works together and they’re all best buds… nah, obviously the usual petty conflicts break out, leading to some classic 4X turn-based strategy action.
Anyone going into Alpha Centauri for the first time in 2025 should know its user interface and pacing feel rough by today’s standards, but if you can get past those obstacles early on, you’ll soon discover one of the most engrossing strategy games of all time.
Many have tried to recapture Alpha Centauri’s magic – including Firaxis themselves, who took Civilization to space with Civilization: Beyond Earth – yet no one was able to fully replicate the original’s charm. We’ll be patiently waiting for a true heir to the throne, but in the meantime, we’ll be repeatedly replaying this masterpiece.
3. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War
Release date: September 20, 2004 | Platforms: PC | Developer: Relic Entertainment
Walk softly, and carry a giant gun. We’ve been banging the ‘Dawn of War is the greatest Warhammer 40K recreation of all time’ drum for some time now, and we stand by it, however we’re additionally comfy saying it is among the many greatest sci-fi technique video games ever, interval.
Dawn of War has wonderful story campaigns, in depth rosters of models throughout a number of of essentially the most iconic factions within the WH40K universe, a neat ‘military painter’ software that will help you recreate your tabletop 40K forces in-game, and tons of skirmish maps to play offline and on-line.
Relic Entertainment was at its peak when it unleashed this one, and the growth packs solely made it extra attractive (particularly Dark Crusade). We additionally simply obtained a solid remaster, which makes having fun with one of many most interesting RTS video games round simpler than ever.
With Dawn of War 4 coming in 2026 (if the Emperor permits) and aiming to honor the unique, that Definitive Edition’s timing is totally excellent. Even should you solely have a passing curiosity in Warhammer 40,000, be certain that to test this one out.
Release date: February 5, 2016 | Platforms: PC, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Developer: Firaxis Games
If you do not rely Space Invaders, the rebooted XCOM video games are undoubtedly the greatest alien invasion video games of all time, and if we had to decide on a favorite amongst them, we would go together with XCOM 2 any day of the week.
After Earth’s unconditional give up, the aliens rule the planet, but some stay dedicated to combating towards the extra-terrestrial oppressors. It’s a killer pitch, and the sequel delivered on all fronts.
With the remaining XCOM forces now on the run, an alien craft turns into a cellular HQ, and inverting the dynamic of the battle (making people the ‘invaders’ attempting to disrupt a longtime system) made for fairly enjoyable story and gameplay adjustments. Make certain you are ready to take care of a crushingly onerous turn-based recreation although. Each mistake might be your’ final, and dropping totally kitted troopers to dumb errors stings onerous.
1. StarCraft 2
Release date: July 27, 2010 | Platforms: PC, macOS | Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
What can we are saying in spite of everything this time? StarCraft 2 is the perfect real-time technique recreation of all time, by no means thoughts simply sci-fi entries, so in fact it is grabbed the highest spot right here. And how did Starcraft obtain such dominance? By maintaining issues remarkably easy.
There are solely three factions — the Terrans, Protoss, and Zerg — however every has its personal distinct playstyle, models, and techniques. The core gameplay loop is intuitive and approachable, whereas nonetheless providing a sky-high ability ceiling for aggressive gamers to duke it out, and the marketing campaign narrative takes some universe-altering swings because the story is instructed by gameplay and gorgeous CGI cutscenes.
Some diehard followers nonetheless want the unique Starcraft, and we respect that, however having replayed each lately, there is no contest for us. StarCraft 2 is not only a graphical improve; it iterated on every thing that made the primary recreation particular after which took every thing to the subsequent stage. We could by no means get one other RTS prefer it ever once more.
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