16 BEST RTS Games of 2022

Are you looking to dive into a new thrilling RTS game this year? There are a ton of thrilling RTS titles coming out that we can’t wait to try. In this list, we’re going to highlight a few of those. However, don’t see these games as ranked in any particular order. We’re still having to wait for these games to make their way out into the marketplace. With that said, check out a few games you’ll want to keep tabs on.

Disclaimer: Gord, Builders of Egypt, Dark Moon, Terminator: Dark Fate – Defiance, Broken Arrow, Ratten Reich, Company of Heroes 3, Men of War II, Manor Lord, Stargate Timekeepers, Pharaoh: A New Era was removed due to be delayed.

#16 Terra Invicta

Developer: Long War Studios
Publisher: Hooded Horse
Platform: PC
Release date: September 26, 2022

Humanity has gotten proof that alien life exists, and with the alien race slowly making its way to our planet, action must be taken!

Terra Invicta will put you in charge of a faction that feels they have the best plan for handling the alien invasion. Some will prefer force, while others want a more peaceful tactic.

Choose a side, then fight for control of the planet so you can enact your plan! After that, start spreading humanity’s resources throughout the solar system so they can be further prepared for the coming aliens. You hold the planet’s fate in your hands, so be ready for it.

#15 Against the Storm

Developer: Eremite Games
Publisher: Hooded Horse
Platform: PC
Release date: November 01, 2022

When a kingdom is on the brink of destruction, it’s up to you to help them survive!

Against the Storm takes place in a world where a terrifyingly powerful storm has wiped out the cities of a vast kingdom. As the new Viceroy, you must help rebuild by going into a forest and constructing settlements.

These settlements will help one another, so ensure that they’re all viable and can be self-sustaining when possible. But that’s not the only thing you need to worry about. The storm that wiped everything out will return. So rebuild your kingdom and endure the punishment of the storm, or start all over again and hope you do better the next time.

#14 Cartel Tycoon

• Release date: March 18, 2021
• Developer: Moon Moose
• Publisher: tinyBuild
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 5

How many of you have ever watched the movie Scarface? Or Narcos on Netflix? Have you ever honestly wondered what it’s really like to be the head of a cartel?

If so (and don’t want to actually do crimes…), you’ll want to get Cartel Tycoon to try out your hand at leadership. Because this game is exactly what it sounds like. You’ll start your own cartel from scratch. Get product, find ways to distribute it, make money, and more. Just remember, the more powerful you get, the more your enemies will come for you.

So you’ll need to do all you can to protect yourself, your product, and your empire. Will you be able to rise to the top?

#13 Ultimate Epic Battle Simulator 2

• Release date: May 12, 2022
• Developer: Brilliant Game Studios
• Publisher: Brilliant Game Studios
• Platform: Microsoft Windows

Are you ready for a BATTLE?!?!?!?! But not just any battle, an EPIC BATTLE?!?!?!

If so, then you need to get Ultimate Epic Battle Simulator 2 as soon as possible. Because this is a title that well and truly lets you create all the epic battles you could ever want, and then some. Seriously, even if it’s something that is totally insane, or on a legendary scale, you can do it in this title!

Even if it’s featuring MILLIONS of characters on the screen, the game will render it and make it clear how things are going. So jump in and see just how many crazy kinds of fights you can do!

#12 Frozenheim

• Release date: June 16, 2022
• Developer: Paranoid Interactive
• Publisher: Hyperstrange
• Platform: Microsoft Windows

If you’re ready to get your Viking on, Frozenheim has your back. In this title, you’ll play as a group of Vikings who must setup their new home, and then prepare it for all that is coming.

You’ll need to explore the lands you find yourselves in and ensure you have the materials needed to survive and expand. Then, prepare it for battle against forces both natural and non. You can even seek the help and blessings of the gods themselves in order to make it!

A large campaign across 21 grueling chapters awaits you. So survive the cold seasons to come, or else end up in Valhalla earlier than you desired…

#11 Line War

• Release date: May 5, 2022
• Developer: Studio Centurion
• Publisher: Studio Centurion
• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Macintosh operating systems

Inspired by the RTS games of old, Line War tries its best to be the “next-gen RTS title” with a really unique hook of how to control all your units: you literally draw a line to guide them.

It sounds to good to be true, right? But that’s indeed how it works. You’ll be able to draw simple lines to plan strategies, make key movements of your units, and make chain commands that’ll ensure your forces are where they are needed to be.

But arguably the best part about Line War is the fact that they’re constantly evolving, listening to those that play it, and want to make the game even better. Check out their Steam page and you’ll see all the improvements and additions that they have lined up.

#10 Warpips

• Release date: April 21, 2022
• Developer: Skirmish Mode Games
• Publisher: DAEDALIC Entertainment GmbH
• Platform: Microsoft Windows

Warpips is a strategy game that asks you to make the most possible units you can without having to fear any micromanaging on your part. You can just focus on the gameplay itself, and that makes it special.

It also makes the game incredibly chaotic, as you’ll start out by picking your units and trying to make the best synergy with them, and then, you’ll let them loose on the battlefield, and then call down the thunder with the ones that you got.

The gameplay is infinitely replayable due to how random things can get, and how fast you’ll be thinking as you unleash your forces.

So jump in and see if you can master the chaos of war.

#9 Farthest Frontier

• Release date: August 9, 2022
• Developer: Crate Entertainment
• Publisher: Crate Entertainment
• Platform: Microsoft Windows

Farthest Frontier is an RTS/worldbuilder game that asks you to do one of the most difficult tasks possible: build yourself a new life in the literal farthest reaches of the planet you’re on.

You’ll lead a colony of people to the edge of the map, and then start a new life with them. And it’ll be anything but easy due to how detailed the title is. Don’t believe us? This game has one of the most detailed farming systems around. Furthermore, your villagers will actually go and live their lives as you play the game, so you’ll need to take care of them as you expand.

You’ll be able to build your colony in a variety of ways, and even do a Pacifist Mode to ensure that you don’t get attacked by enemies.

#8 Crossfire: Legion

• Developer: Blackbird Interactive
• Publisher: Prime Matter
• Platform: PC
• Release: Spring 2022

Set within the Crossfire IP is a new upcoming RTS game called Crossfire: Legion. This is actually a game from the same developers bringing out Homeworld 3, another title on our list. Here, factions fight for control, and the only way to achieve their goals is by heading into the battlefield. Players will have to manage resources, send out commands, and attempt to pull off enough strategic tactics to take out the opposing force. Outside of the single-player campaigns, there are some online competitive PvP matches to partake in or even cooperative scenarios. With that said, this game is only slated to launch as an early access title sometime in the spring of this year.

#7 Total War: Warhammer III

• Developer: Creative Assembly
• Publisher: Sega, Feral Interactive
• Platform: PC
• Release: February 17, 2022

Unless a delay pops up, we should just be days away at this point from getting our hands on the third installment to the Total War: Warhammer trilogy. Here players are going to the Realm of Chaos. Unfortunately, developers have been keeping things a bit quiet regarding the game. But we know that this time around, rather than having four factions to work, Total War: Warhammer III will be coming out with six different factions, including the four Chaos Gods and Kislev and Cathay. Likewise, we know that the map will be pretty large compared to previous installments.

#6 Starship Troopers – Terran Command

• Developer: The Artistocrats
• Publisher: Slitherine Software
• Platform: PC
• Release: March 31, 2022

Who doesn’t love the Starship Troopers franchise? Set in the future where humanity is facing giant bugs to save our planet. It’s a thrilling series, and this year we get to add a new game into the fold with Starship Troopers – Terran Command. The game is centered around a group of troopers having to save the planet of Kwalasha. Used primarily as a mining facility for resources, a swarm of insects bursts into the scene. Now, outmatched with a growing number of giant alien parasites, players will need to use their wit and tactics to save the mining facility from being completely lost.

#5 Knights of Honor II: Sovereign

• Developer: Black Sea Games
• Publisher: THQ Nordic
• Platform: PC
• Release: NA

Knights of Honor was released back in 2004, but now we’re getting a new installment quite a few years later. This is a grand strategy game where you’re taking the role of a king trying to control all of Europe. There are the usual tropes from the genre here. You’ll have challenges, resources to gather, nations to battle, diplomacy to strike up, and sway the people to fall in line with your rule. Grand strategy games can be complex, and it might be a bit overwhelming to go through for some. Developers are trying to change that with this game and make everything a bit more streamlined. Overall, the game will lose some of the complexities for newcomers and could potentially create a gateway title for the genre as a whole.

#4 Warno

• Developer: Eugen Systems
• Publisher: Eugen Systems
• Platform: PC
• Release: January 20, 2022

What if the Cold War spiraled out of control and sparked World War III? Warno offers one developer’s look into what could have been the answer to that question. In this game, we’re tossed into the 1980s, and the Cold War has decided to unleash hell. War breaks out, countries take up arms, towns become battlefields, and chaos consumes the lands. This game focuses on NATO and the Warsaw Pact, where you command a military into the heat of battle. Take control of soldiers, aircraft, tanks, helicopters, to other massive mechanical armored vehicles as you venture into the unknown in an attempt to conquer. This game is currently available for players to try out right now. Although with that said, Warno is in early access, so you can expect to see a few updates roll out as the developers push to get the game out into a full launch.

#3 Prehistoric Kingdom

• Developer: Blue Meridian
• Publisher: Crytivo
• Platforms: PC
• Release: April 2022

Prehistoric Kingdom is an upcoming title where players go through a simulation management game. It’s quite a bit like the Jurassic World Evolution series if you’re familiar with that franchise. In this game, players are building up a prehistoric zoo where you’ll design different enclosures, place down shelters, and provide all the necessary care for different dinosaurs, whether it’s a Woolly Mammoth to a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Meanwhile, players will have to manage their staff outside of designing your park. This means hiring staff who can help take care of the animals and help the guests who visit your park. Currently, the development studio is aiming for a release this April, but it will be launching as an early access title for the time being.

#2 Diplomacy is Not an Option

• Developer: Door 407
• Publisher: Door 407
• Platforms: PC
• Release: January 26, 2022 Early Access

We see quite a bit of strategy games where you’re trying to keep a kingdom lively and your people happy. However, what if the game throws you into a kingdom where your lack of care leads to rebellion? That’s essentially what Diplomacy is Not an Option is all about. You’re a king who’s constantly battling tough decisions that prove unpopular, and soon you’re fighting off hordes of rebellious citizens that wish to overthrow the kingdom’s power. Gather your resources, build up walls, ensure your army is readily available, and fight whatever comes knocking at your gate. Do whatever you think is best. Dabble with the taboo magicians that can reign fire down from the heavens above or keep the playing field more traditional, and it’s all your choice. You are the king, after all.

#1 Dune: Spice Wars

• Developer: Shiro Games
• Publisher: Funcom, Shiro Games
• Platform: PC
• Release: 2022 Early Access

Dune has been getting a significant resurgence lately with the latest movie. Now fans can get ready for a new 4X RTS title with Dune: Spice Wars. Here, you’ll be leading a group through the unforgiving and dry world of Arrakis. The Spice resource market is booming, and you’ll be hunting for the goods. Explore, gather resources, fight off other factions and beasts that seek out your precious loot as well. At the moment, we don’t have a release date for the game, but it does look like when the developers get ready for its launch, Dune: Spice Wars will first release into the marketplace through early access.