Top 10 Upcoming RTS Games of 2025

RTS games are somewhat of a niche genre nowadays despite being the poster child of strategy games. Although, they weren't always that. One of the corners of RTS games is that these require you to have quick thinking, decision-making, and a steady mind. Generally, these games require you to command armies or civilizations, manage resources, and keep a steady production of units to fight off enemies, usually doing all of these in real time.

Video games like StarCraft and the still ongoing Age of Empires series have shaped the genre and solidified its popularity. While the genre itself had its ups and downs, from a failed renaissance to a surprising resurgence, for now, it is going steady. There are a couple of titles coming in 2025 that should keep any RTS player excited, and without further delay, let's take a look at them.

The First Explorers

Land on an island as one of the premier factions from antiquity in The First Explorers. The game looks to build on the model set by the Settlers and adapt from the 4X genre, creating a mix that still heavily leans on being an RTS. The game promises organic city-building and strategic planning brought on by a good RTS.

Developed by Buchwald Interactive, The First Explorers looks both pleasing and interesting. Although there is no set release date as of yet, it will first come to early access. The game also received a decent following after one of its gameplay videos went to over 500,000 views. Only time will tell how things will shape up for The First Explorers.

Tempest Rising

Moving onto the far future, Tempest Rising looks to be the dream game for any Command & Conquer fan. It seems to offer everything, from dynamic gameplay to flashy animation that keeps things simple yet engaging. Each unit looks distinct, and the two factions at play are a stark contrast, all the while keeping themselves within the theme. The game comes with the usual skirmish modes, multiplayer, and more. It also promises two single-player campaigns and two playable factions at the start, with a third one coming later.

The game also has some pretty neat lore, being set after a nuclear war. With promises to keep the vibes of RTSs of the 90s and 2000s, Tempest Rising looks to become a fan favorite. However, it did face some challenges, being originally slated to be released in 2023 and instead being pushed to a 2025 release date. However, with three months to go, the game is looking to be released on 25 April 2025.

D.O.R.F. Real-Time Strategic Conflict

Speaking of the 90s, D.O.R.F. Real-Time Strategic Conflict really harkens to the 90s aesthetic. You build your base, mine and refine resources, and create borderline comical units. Now, much like those old games, you combine Land, Air, and Sea units, which range from zeppelins to mechs, to edge your opponent out and achieve victory.

The idea of a mix of zeppelins and mechs sounds fascinating, and from all one can see from the game so far, that's just the tip of the iceberg. It also appears that you can take over enemy factories in brutal close-quarters combat. All in all, things look great and fun in this retro RTS.

Empire Eternal

Retro games are cool because they modernize tried-and-tested formulas and play on nostalgia. Empire Eternal definitely seems to be trying for that, as it is a remake of one of the most legendary RTS series, standing up there with Age of Empires.

Empire Eternal offers all that you'd expect from a remake, giving you ages and eras, many historical civilizations, and battles between sea, land, and air forces. Note that the game isn't a true remake because Empire Eternal isn't made by the same people. However, it definitely is a spiritual successor, and that should make everyone excited.

Rogue Command

Ever wondered what a roguelike RTS would look like? Well, you don't really have to. Rogue Command mixes and matches the classic drive of RTS with the pacing of a roguelike. The RTS portions are relatively the same, with your usual building up and fighting the enemy in a conquest mode. Afterward, however, you get the opportunity to unlock new blueprints for buildings and units as well as upgrades for them. 

Like most roguelikes, each run is different, and each time, you'll have to strategize from the ground up. It is a very neat way to do a strategy game, with short match times and fast pacing tempered by the ability to slow down time. The game is already out on early access, and so far, it looks great. Its full release is still unstated, but it might just come in 2025.

Sanctuary: Shattered Sun

This next game also takes things in a new direction. Sanctuary: Shattered Sun is a modern RTS set in a Dyson Sphere. The game also promises to punch things up in scale. Hundreds of units, a grander strategy feel, a super futuristic theme, and incredible graphics combine to make what appears to be an unforgettable experience.

The game also looks to have weather controls and terrain that you can destroy using super weapons, which looks to be a whole new level of gameplay. What's more, it promises to be optimized, and technology will be used to deliver both performance and graphics. This game also has an unannounced release date, but hopefully, we will get more news in 2025.

Falling Frontier

Falling Frontier takes you to the edges of space and lets you command a wide array of spaceships, creating your unique fleet of warships to protect and conquer the solar system. Fans of Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2 will recognize many of the mechanics, and overall, the game does have a very big 'Warhammer: 40,000' vibe to it. 

Probes and scouting vessels, along with their logistics, all add a few new elements to the gameplay that enrich the depth overall. Furthermore, you will also be able to customize ships and vessels, adding just that extra draw. This sci-fi Grant Strategy RTS looks to be a good one.

Dust Front RTS

2025 looks to be the year of grand strategy RTSs because next on the list is yet another so-called classic RTS with grand strategy elements. The overall vibes of the game make it feel like something out of 40k or Starship Troopers. 

The game offers many things you'd expect from RTSs and many more from Grand Strategies. The presence of a global map adds to the scale of things, and from its visuals, the game seems to give off very dark and grim vibes. Dust Front RTS also has a stellar art direction that looks to embody the genre itself. However, there is not too much information out there, and the game also lacks a release date.

Dinolords

Throughout the list, we have had differing eras of historical or post-historical factions. Dinolords, however, asks a very important question, "But what about Dinosaurs.' This time, it is with elements of Action RPG. You control a dino-riding protagonist wherein you control your realm and command your people to build and conquer.

The game looks to model itself on the Stronghold series, with similar graphics and modular castles. There is not too much information out there; however, from what we can see, the game sure looks fun.

Broken Arrow

Long-time fans of the genre will recognize the name, as Broken Arrow has been in the works for a while now. With an open beta that looked phenomenal, Broken Arrow brings modern war to modern games. You assemble a task force consisting of real-life units, choosing from real-life factions, and duke it out on the battlefield.

Broken Arrow aims to be a highly realistic, highly detailed, tactics-oriented RTS. The game brings a whole new meaning to combined arms forces as you utilize infantry, tanks, artillery, air forces, and naval elements to achieve domination on the battlefield. The game offers highly customizable units ranging from hundreds of unit types. Give your helicopter rockets for anti-infantry purposes or arm them with heavy-duty anti-tank missiles; it all falls to your choosing. Broken Arrow is being developed by genre veterans Slitherine, and their expertise shows. The game comes out in April 2025, and there is not one RTS fan who isn't pumped for it.

Also, check the Best Strategy Games of 2024 and Top 10 Upcoming Strategy Games of 2025.