RTS defense is the subgenre of regular real time strategy games. It is my favorite because there is something unique about defending against enemies. After all, I’m fan of the movie 300, in which Leonidas and his 300 men defended their homeland against waves of invaders.
They Are Billions is the most popular game of this genre. However, there are many more RTS defense games out there. Including some lesser-known amazing hidden gems, which I’ve shared below.
By the way, RTS defense genre also as known as horde defense or wave defense games. So, it’s hard to categorize or compile games like these. But I think I did a great job listing 10 best RTS defense games below.
1. Age of Darkness
Age of Darkness is the best survival RTS game at the moment even though it’s an early access game. That’s my personal opinion but it seems steam user reviews agree with me.
The game uses a revolutionary technology called SwarmTech that allows 70,000 swarming AI unit on screen. Dealing and defending against countless hordes is a blast.
There are unique heroes, buildings, spells, items, units to flex your strategy in Age of Darkness. You must gather resources, build your base, train armies, control your hero, and defend at all costs.
2. They Are Billions
Even though They Are Billions is the most popular strategy survival game, I rank it second because Age of Darkness is better in my opinion.
The game tasks you with building and defending colonies against hordes of zombies. You’ll be managing resources, build structures, training units, and building defensive structures.
Randomly generated world survival mode is great. But my favorite is the campaign which offers 48 unique missions and 60 hours of gameplay.
3. Vedelem: The Golden Horde
Vedelem: The Golden Horde is a medieval real-time strategy defense game. In history, Golden Horde was originally a Mongol khanate later Turkified. So, in the game you’ll be defending against countless horde armies.
Build your castle, walls, defenses, and armies to survive against the horde.
By the way, the game is completely free to play on Steam. So, if you like the genre, you can try it without any consideration. I really like it, I bet you’ll like it too. Besides, steam reviews are %90 positive.
4. Beneath the Mountain
Beneath the Mountain is another RTS defense game where you play as a Dwarven King.
You’ll be leading your Dwarven civilization under the mountain, digging, and expanding. Of course, since it is a defense game, your civilization will be facing periodic Orc invasions.
LICENSED LORD OF THE RINGS GAMES
So, try and find the heart of the mountain before orcs destroy your kingdom under the iron hills.
The game itself is an early access game and have mixed reviews. However, there aren’t many games featuring Dwarven civilization and lore. That’s why as a LOTR fan, I really like this game.
5. Diplomacy is Not an Option
Diplomacy is Not an Option is one of the cutest RTS strategy games. Because of its cartoonish, smooth, and colorful graphics.
But in essence, the game is dark. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers die during siege battles. It kinda reminds me of Stronghold franchise.
As an early access game, Diplomacy is Not an Option offers a short camping at the moment. But it does scratch the RTS survival itch.
6. Rise to Ruins
Rise to Ruins is one of the most unique games you can play. It combines God games, management, and tower defense genres perfectly.
In essence, it’s a fantasy village sim where you expand daytime and fight monster hordes at night.
For a dirt-cheap price, this game offers long hours of game play. Small team of developers are constantly updating game with new content. So, you won’t be disappointed if you’re looking for a deep game to delve in.
7. Conan Unconquered
Conan Unconquered is a real-time strategy game based on the world of Conan the Barbarian. Check other RTS games based on books & movies here.
In the game you must build a stronghold and manage resources, while fighting off waves of enemies. You can play solo or team-up with a buddy of yours and do co-op in shared stronghold mode.
The ultimate goal is to defeat the final boss, Thugra Khotan, and his minions. Tyrant wants to conquer your lands and that just can’t happen.
8. Alien Marauder
I’ve talked about 7 RTS defense games so far. But none of them was sci-fi. This one is. Alien Marauder is a sci-fi real-time strategy game where you defend your colony against Vexan hordes. Vexans are fiendish alien beings that wants to devour everything in its path.
Build your colony, fortify your defenses, and survive against monsters in an alien planet.
The game includes a research system that allows you to unlock new technologies and units. Also, you’ll be controlling a powerful hero to lead your defences in an effective manner. All in all, it’s a fun science fiction game that must be played by the lovers of wave defense genre.
9. Creeper World 4
Creeper World 4 is the last game of Creeper World franchise where you defend last bastion of humanity against alien fluid. The unstoppable fluid alien wants to devour and destroy every world in its path!
You must defend against the Creeper. It’s a dangerous malevolent substance of unknown origin. This alien threat must be destroyed!
The game is the perfect bridge between RTS and tower defense genres. You’ll be building a base, managing resources, and coming up with strategies to defend.
Creeper World 4 features:
- Unique Creeper flowing physics mixed with wave mechanics.
- Tons of weapons. to choose among.
- Single player / Co-op.
- Campaign missions.
- Sandbox mode.
10. Factorio
Factorio is a popular indie strategy game where the player must design and build automated factories to produce items, defend against hostile creatures, and eventually launch a rocket to escape the planet.
The game takes place on an alien planet, where you need to gather resources to build and expand your factory. The gameplay involves designing a network of conveyor belts, pipes, and machines to refine and process raw materials. Deep crafting system with over 200 different items that can be created, and a multiplayer mode that allows you to collaborate and build factories together.
Of course, the alien planet is filled with bug like creatures that wants to devour you. Better build your factory safely to fend off attacks from enemy creatures whenever necessary.
Factorio is a must play game for all gamers, %95 overwhelmingly positive Steam reviews indicates that. If you’re still not sure, you can try the free demo on Steam.