RTS or Real-Time Strategy is the characteristic of a game where you control a country or nation with its resources (nature, human, and economy) and try to expand its territory. The player has to plan their move well so the country or nation that they are controlling can be a powerhouse.

The popularity of RTS games is nowhere close to back in the early 2000s where it was booming. But with graphics ahead of its time, RTS games is a great game to play, especially with friends using the local network. FYI, playing an RTS game is not going to be a quick session, you need time and a well-cooked strategy, and it’s hard to quit once you get things going.

Today Dunia Games will take you on a nostalgia trip with the 10 most popular classic RTS games. See the full list below.

1. Age of Empire II

Age of Empire II is the sequel to Age of Empire made by Microsoft, where the game was significantly improved. Even after the release of Age of Empire III that got better graphics, people are still playing Age of Empire II. the flexible gameplay is the reason why PC gamers remain playing the second game. Until finally, Microsoft released the high definition (HD) version to answer what gamers have been asking for. The small size and the low specification requirement made Age of Empire II an awesome game for your introduction to the RTS genre.

2. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2

One of the most popular RTS games in the 200s is Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2. The game developed by Westwood Studios and Electronic Arts presents a controversial theme. You will see the conflict between two sides, the Alliance and Soviet, where each sides consists of several countries, each with its own advantage. You have to take what you have and strategize to win the opposing side. The game is a must-have game on every internet cafe. So if you grow up visiting an internet cafe in the 2000s, then you are familiar with this game.

3. StarCraft

StarCraft is another classic popular RTS game in the past. The game released by Blizzard Entertainment is about the never-ending battle between the four species, Terrans, Zerg, Protoss, and Xel’Naga. The four species has its advantages, so you need to device a plan around these advantages. Blizzard Entertainment has revived this game with StarCraft Remastered with better graphics, but unfortunately, the game is quite expensive. However, you get to play the classic StarCraft for free.

4. Warcraft III

Warcraft III is the most successful Warcraft game ever released by Blizzard Entertainment in 2002. Compared to the previous series, the third game hypnotized gamers across the world to play the game. Set in a fictional world named Azeroth, the players entered a never-ending battle between the Orc and Humans who are working with Dwarves and Elves. The unique lore and characters made Warcraft II one of the most successful RTS games that every net cafe must have.additionally, Warcraft II is the reason why MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) games exist thanks to one of the mods called DotA (Defend of the Ancient) made by IceFrog.

5. Stronghold: Crusader

Stronghold Crusader is a popular classic RTS game developed by Firefly Studios and got a perfect review score from PC games. Taking the theme of Crusade in the middle age and a 3D graphic ahead of its time, Stronghold: Crusade is one of the best RTS games at that time besides the games listed above. Besides planning a strategy, the player also managed the economic system, managed the population, and many more. So it’s not surprising to see that a lot of gamers still play the game today. 

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6. Rise of Nations

Rise of Nations is one of the best RTS games that you can play to this date. The game got good graphics and still looks decent and it’s quite light for today’s hardware. In essence, this RTS game is like any other, collect resources, upgrade the civilization, then start the expansion/attacking other players.

At the beginning, you are asked to choose which nation you will be controlling. There are 24 nations, each with its advantages, from the economy, resources, defense, offense, and other aspects. Every nation its unique army, although everything becomes equal during the industrial era. Personally, the writer prefers Bantu or Nubians or Americans.

7. Age of Mythology

Age of Mythology is an RTS game where you build a city, defense, and an army to attack your enemies. In essence, the game’s formula is similar to Age of Empires, but instead of kingdoms, you have to choose between three ancient civilizations with awesome myth, Greek, Egypt, and Scandinavia.

8. Company of Heroes

Company of Heroes is an RTS game developed by Relic Entertainment and published by Sega. the game takes the player to play as one of the sides and lead them to war. After the PC version, now Company of Heroes is available for mobile devices.

9. Age of Empire III

After the success of the second game, Microsoft Games Studios released the third Age of Empire game. The game is popular thanks to the significant improvement of the graphics. Thanks to that, the game records a great sale record, even a lot of net cafes prefers to install this game and not the other MMORPG games.

10. Stronghold 2

The final game on this list is Stronghold 2 a classic RTS game set during the middle age released in 2005. The game developed by Firefly Studios is the strong competitor of Age of Empire III. now both Stronghold 2 and Age of Empire III are available in Definitive Edition,  with significant improvement on the visual aspect.

That’s the list of the most popular classic RTS games on net cafes. Stay tuned for more information about games and anime and don’t forget to follow Dunia Games on Facebook and Instagram for more updates. And visit our partner Indozone Game for the latest tech and game news.

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