Games based on movies tend to be a cash grab. Most of them aim to sell huge number of copies by taking advantage of the fan-base. However, there are some good, licensed games that must be played. So, that’s why today I made this top 8 licensed real time strategy games based on books and movies.
If you can’t find a strategy based on your favorite movie or book, you might try mod communities. Many games have mod support and modders like to create content for popular literatures.
Officially licensed real time strategy games based on books and movies:
1. The Battle for Middle Earth 1 & 2
Lord of the Rings is the best fantasy literature of all times. Now that its new Amazon series released, it’s the perfect time to play RTS games based on the Tolkien’s work.
The Battle for Middle Earth franchise is a real-time strategy games set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy world. You can control one of the many factions from the books. Such as humans, elves, dwarves, orcs, and goblins. Heroes are also in the game, voiced by their respective actors in the movies.
What am I talking about? I mean, if you like LOTR and RTS, you probably know this franchise already.
The Battle for Middle Earth series includes two main games and Witch King expansion packs. So, if you’ve missed one, I think this is the perfect time to go back.
2. Dune: Spice Wars
Dune is a novel series created by Frank Herbert in 1965. It’s referred as the bestselling science fiction novel in history. Throughout years many movies and series created based on it. However, it none of them were big like Dune 2021 movie. And now, Dune universe is more popular than ever!
Dune: Spice Wars is a real-time strategy game set in the universe of Frank Herbert’s Dune. In game, you control one of the many factions from the novels, including House Atreides, House Harkonnen, or the Fremen. All looking to control the desert planet of Arrakis.
All in all, it’s another great game from the creators of Northgard. Anyone who like Dune or real time strategy gaming should play it. The spice must flow after all!
3. Aliens: Dark Descent
Do you remember the 2003 game Aliens Versus Predator: Extinction? It was PlayStation 2 and Xbox exclusive. Anyway, Aliens: Dark Descent is just like the 2003 Alien game, both RTS. Looks like it took total 20 years to create another RTS Alien game.
Aliens: Dark Descent is a squad-based, single-player real time strategy game inspired by the Alien franchise. You’ll be leading marines trying to stop Xenomorph outbreak on Moon Lethe.
The game is set in the dark corridors of a space station overrun by aliens. It’s pretty harsh and scary. But you can customize your squad with a selection of different classes.
Level up, specialize, develop, and research. So that you can defeat Xenomorph once and for all.
4. Starship Troopers: Terran Command
Starship Troopers is a sci-fi novel created in 1959. You might know it from the 1997 movie of the same name. In 2022, Starship Troopers returned as a real time strategy game.
Starship Troopers: Terran Command is a real-time strategy game where you take control of a mobile infantry unit and fight against Arachnid threat.
In the game, you’ll be helping the population of harsh desert planet Kwalasha. As a quick reaction force, you must eliminate threats wherever they emerge.
Take part in an exciting sci-fi military campaign and eliminate some bugs!
5. Battlestar Galactica Deadlock
Battlestar Galactica Deadlock is a real-time strategy game of the famous science fiction media franchise. It’s a good show, watch it if you like sci-fi series.
In the game you’ll take command of the Colonial Fleet in defense of the Twelve Colonies during the First Cylon War. Fighting against Cylons in a variety of different missions and scenarios is the core of this game.
Detailed 3D models of the ships, deep strategic gameplay, and a story-driven campaign takes you to a journey through the universe of the show.
6. Star Wars
Star Wars is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. Yet, there are only 2 real time strategy games based on it.
First one is Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds Saga 2001.
In this game you’ll be controlling armies of the Star Wars™ Episode II: Attack of the Clones.
The gameplay involves managing resources, building a base, and constructing armies to battle against other factions. Just like regular real time strategy games, but in Star Wars universe.
Second one Star Wars Empire at War 2006. It’s set in times of galactic civil war.
You can choose between Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire in a struggle for galactic domination.
7. Conan Unconquered
Conan the Barbarian is a fictional sword and sorcery hero story created in 1932. Though it became mainstream after the Conan movies of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
We’re seeing Conan in the gaming too. 2019 Conan Unconquered and 2018 Conan Exiles.
Conan Unconquered is a real-time strategy game set in the world of Conan the Barbarian. You must build and defend a base against waves of enemies. Basically, it’s a RTS survival defense game.
The game perfectly mixes city builder, RTS, and survival genres. It even has co-op option where you can defend against hordes with a friend of yours.
All in all, Conan Unconquered is a thrilling experience for fans of the franchise and RTS games in general.
8. Sea Salt
Sea Salt is a strategy game inspired by the works of H. P. Lovecraft. American horror fiction. writer.
You take on the role of a powerful and vengeful sea deity called Dagon. Commanding a horde of creatures to wreak havoc on humans. Playing as the evil protagonist is quite fun to be honest.
Features of the Sea Salt:
- Commanding variety of units. Such as cultists, monsters, demons, etc.
- Unlockable hellish tarots that let you command 16 different units.
- Challenging battles with the hunters.
