Core Mechanics
Best Real-time combat Games
Combat happens in real time
48 games ranked by real-time combat intensity
Crusader Kings II
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleSandboxSpreadsheet territoryMulti-hour deep divesDiplomacy
Crusader Kings III
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleDialogue choicesResource managementTech/research treesSpreadsheet territory
Hearts of Iron IV
WindowsmacOSLinux
DiplomacyMap scaleSandboxOpen worldMethodical
Hearts of Iron III
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleSandboxSpreadsheet territoryMethodicalMulti-hour deep dives
Total War: WARHAMMER
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleOpen worldMethodicalFantasy mythologyReal-time combat
Total War: WARHAMMER II
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleMethodicalFantasy mythologyTurn-based combatTerritory control
Total War: WARHAMMER III
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleMethodicalTurn-based combatTerritory controlSpreadsheet territory
Total War: THREE KINGDOMS
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleSandboxMethodicalTurn-based combatTerritory control
Total War: SHOGUN 2
WindowsmacOSLinux
DiplomacyMap scaleMethodicalTurn-based combatTerritory control
Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleMethodicalTurn-based combatTerritory controlSpreadsheet territory
Total War: ATTILA
WindowsLinux
Map scaleOpen worldMethodicalResource managementTurn-based combat
Total War: PHARAOH
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleMethodicalResource managementTech/research treesReal-time combat
Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleSandboxMethodicalResource managementTech/research trees
A Total War Saga: TROY
WindowsmacOS
Fantasy mythologyMap scaleSandboxMMO socialMethodical
A Total War Saga: THRONES OF BRITANNIA
WindowsmacOSLinux
SandboxCity/empire buildingMethodicalResource managementReal-time combat
Total War: ROME REMASTERED
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleTurn-based combatMethodicalResource managementTech/research trees
Total War: EMPIRE – Definitive Edition
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleMethodicalSpreadsheet territoryMulti-hour deep divesDiplomacy
Total War: NAPOLEON – Definitive Edition
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleMethodicalSpreadsheet territoryMulti-hour deep divesDiplomacy
Distant Worlds 2
Windows
Map scaleResource managementTech/research treesSpreadsheet territoryTerritory control
NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Awakening
Windows
Map scaleWarfare emphasisMethodicalTerritory controlSpreadsheet territory
Terra Invicta
Windows
Map scaleSandboxMethodicalResource managementTech/research trees
Knights of Honor II: Sovereign
Windows
City/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldResource managementTech/research trees
Sins of a Solar Empire®: Rebellion
Windows
Map scaleSandboxExplorationBase managementResource management
Steel Division 2
Windows
Map scaleSandboxMethodicalReal-time combatTerritory control
ENDLESS™ Space 2
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleOpen worldSandboxMethodicalResource management
Master of Orion
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleMethodicalResource managementTech/research treesSpreadsheet territory
Dune: Spice Wars
Windows
Map scaleResource managementSolo contemplativeSci-fi technologyMethodical
Oriental Empires
Windows
Map scaleSandboxMethodicalResource managementTech/research trees
Dyson Sphere Program
Windows
Automation designOpen worldSandboxCity/empire buildingResource management
Mindustry
WindowsmacOSLinux
Automation designSandboxPixel artResource managementBase management
Rise of Industry
WindowsmacOSLinux
City/empire buildingAutomation designResource managementBase managementSolo contemplative
Kenshi
Windows
Open worldSandboxCity/empire buildingCraftingResource management
Going Medieval
Windows
City/empire buildingSandboxBase managementResource managementEmergent narrative
Surviving Mars
WindowsmacOSLinux
City/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldBase managementResource management
Dawn of Man
WindowsmacOS
Base managementCity/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldDialogue choices
Foundation
Windows
City/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldDialogue choicesBase management
Patron
Windows
City/empire buildingOpen worldSandboxBase managementResource management
Against the Storm
Windows
City/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldAutomation designRoguelike loops
Farthest Frontier
Windows
City/empire buildingSpreadsheet territoryResource managementTech/research treesTerritory control
The Wandering Village
WindowsmacOSLinux
City/empire buildingAutomation designExplorationRoguelike loopsBase management
Norland
Windows
City/empire buildingOpen worldSandboxResource managementBase management
Manor Lords
Windows
City/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldResource managementTech/research trees
Frostpunk
WindowsmacOS
City/empire buildingDialogue choicesBase managementResource managementEmergent narrative
Anno 1800
Windows
City/empire buildingSandboxExplorationDialogue choicesBase management
Anno 2205™
Windows
City/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldBase managementResource management
Anno 1404 - History Edition
Windows
City/empire buildingExplorationResource managementBase managementMap scale
Tropico 5
WindowsLinux
City/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldResource managementBase management
Tropico 4
Windows
City/empire buildingSandboxBase managementResource managementEconomic depth