There’s never been a better time to be a PlayStation 5 gamer when it comes to real-time strategy (RTS) titles. The PS5‘s advanced processing power enables these complex, fast-paced games to shine like never before with stunning graphics, smooth performance, and innovative features.
In this guide, we‘ll break down 7 of the absolute best RTS games available on PlayStation 5 today. From medieval kingdoms to intergalactic space stations, these games offer diverse and thrilling challenges for armchair generals of all skill levels.
What Are Real-Time Strategy Games?
Real-time strategy (RTS) games task players with commanding armies or civilizations in battle against enemies. Gameplay occurs continuously without set turns, requiring quick thinking to counter opponents‘ moves while also executing your own attack and defense strategies.
Key elements of RTS games include:
- Resource management – Gathering materials to construct buildings and generate troops
- Base building – Designing structures for production, technology, and defense
- Unit control – Directing groups of fighters with unique attributes on the battlefield
- Real-time action – Constant input needed as game progresses without pauses
- Strategic thinking – Outmaneuvering challengers by making the right decisions at the right time
Skilled RTS players excel at multitasking under pressure while adhering to overarching plans. Victory goes to those who balance economy, development, and combat most effectively.
Now let‘s get to the top PlayStation 5 RTS titles available today!
#7: Tiny Tina‘s Assault on Dragon Keep: A Wonderlands One-shot Adventure
Developer: Gearbox Software
Release Date: November 17, 2022
The Borderlands franchise makes a surprise but welcome entry into the RTS genre with the chaotic Tiny Tina‘s Assault on Dragon Keep. This spin-off puts a signature Borderlands twist on fantasy RTS conventions for delightfully absurd results.
As the unpredictable Bunkers & Badasses game master Tiny Tina, players command armies of Vault Hunters, skeletons, orcs, dwarves, and more in a zany battle for control over the magical realm of Dragon Keep. Signature Borderlands humor and an unpredictable story from Tiny Tina propel the campaign forward across 15 story missions.
Gameplay revolves around gathering "the good stuff" – resources and loot – to upgrade your fortress and units. Defensive buildings, ranged units, and melee fighters each play critical roles in clashing with the enemy. While objective-based missions guide the experience, how you build your forces and execute assaults is up to you.
With Borderlands‘ signature art style and off-the-wall personality fully realized, Tiny Tina‘s Assault on Dragon Keep puts a well-needed comedic twist on castle defense and domination. This mashup is absolutely one of the most entertaining RTS options on PlayStation 5 even for newcomers to the genre.
Main Features:
- Build motley crews of Borderlands-inspired fighters
- Loot equipment and plow through enemies Diablo-style
- Construct wacky defensive towers and structures
- Laugh through Tiny Tina’s goofy narration
#6: SpellForce 3 Reforced
Developer: Grimlore Games
Release Date: June 7, 2022
Veteran developer Grimlore Games delivers their finest real-time strategy experience yet with the rereleased SpellForce 3. This acclaimed title blends RTS and RPG elements for extra depth and immersion compared to traditional examples of the genre.
The story follows a hero enlisted by the king to investigate mysterious happenings on the frontier. Through their journey, players construct bases, gather resources, lead troops into battle, and make key story decisions that impact the realm.
Central to the experience is developing your customizable hero and party members. Depending on your playstyle preferences, you can create specialized mages, agile rangers, stalwart warriors, and more by allocating points across skill trees.
Beyond influencing combat capabilities, levelling also unlocks gameplay perks like advanced troop instructions. This progression system nicely supplements the core RTS mechanics for added complexity fans will appreciate.
With 30+ hours of content in the solo campaign alone plus online PvP modes, SpellForce 3 Reforced provides tremendous bang for your buck. The dynamic blend of real-time strategy and RPG tropes creates an engrossing adventure perfect for the PS5.
Main Features:
- Seamless integration of RTS and RPG elements
- 30+ hour solo campaign with optional co-op
- Several multiplayer modes supporting competitive and cooperative play
- Powerful editor for creating custom maps
#5: Worms Rumble
Developer: Team17
Release Date: December 1, 2020
The Worms franchise is best known for chaotic, turn-based warfare, but Worms RumblePropels the series into real-time cross-platform conflict. Bringing 32-player battles to PS5 for the first time, this spin-off provides breezy, battle royale-inspired nonsense perfect for either solo or group play.
As the name implies, all participants play as heavily armed worms in arenas where only the last invertebrate left standing wins. Players freely run, jump, and aim weapons simultaneously across 2D environments chock full of hazards.
Variety is the spice of life and death here as worms wield genre-spanning weapons like holy hand grenades alongside new implements of destruction like the Rocket Shield. Personal flair also comes through custom costume pieces to show off your style.
Approachable gameplay, funny weapons, and copious customization make Worms Rumble a refreshingly different take on multiplayer RTS. The PS5’s slick online infrastructure also ensures battling friends on other platforms is smooth as butter.
Main Features:
- 32-player real-time battles
- Genre-spanning weapon selection
- Battle royale-inspired survival mode
- Cross-play with PC and Xbox
#4: Crusader Kings III
Developer: Paradox Development Studio
Release Date: March 29, 2022
Crusader Kings III brings Paradox’s signature blend of historical roleplaying and real-time feudal strategy to next-gen consoles for the first time. As both murderous monarch and master tactician, thrive across generations of medieval intrigue or face losing your royal lineage.
CKIII casts players as European nobility seeking power through conflict, diplomacy, and subterfuge. Gameplay revolves around navigating personal relationships and challenging foes. Marry into strength, demand oaths of loyalty from vassals, and leverage secrets against enemies – or rally troops to conquer rivals by force if needed.
With the ability to play as landed gentry or continental emperor alike, objectives run the gamut based on starting stature. Broad scope encourages playing across eras as your house rises and falls. This gameplay variety paired with adjustments tailoring mechanics for controllers make CKIII a showpiece RTS title on PS5.
Just beware plotting too much greedy expansion early on. Conquer carefully or your underprotected domains face revolts!
Main Features:
- Rule medieval dynasties over centuries
- Use diplomacy, deception, and war to gain power
- Play as nobles or royalty
- Conduct medieval governance and battle tactics
#3: Frostpunk
Developer: 11 bit studios
Release Date: October 11, 2022
Frostpunk combines city management and survival strategy into a chilling RTScentered around building a freezing apocalypse society. As leader of one of the last human settlements, guide citizens through desperate times where resources are eternally scarce and the temperature perpetually drops.
Gameplay is oriented around expanding the capabilities of your burgeoning metropolis steam-powered generator. Seek steel, coal, wood and more to produce food, research innovations, enforce laws, and maintain heating against the cold. Manage workflow by assigning jobs that keep society functioning. Become the backbone they need – or rule them as an iron-fisted autocrat. The choice is yours.
While building infrastructure, expect frequent encounters with refugees, bandits, and London scouts requesting supplies. Interactions nudge the story forward and shape public opinion. Plus, randomized events like blizzard conditions or citizen strikes dynamically challenge management skills. Survival hinges on your judgment calls.
With four scenarios and adjustable difficulty, Frostpunk allows players of all skill levels to experience keeping humanity’s flame lit when hope seems lost. Just mind the frost!
Main Features:
- Balance resource distribution, technology research, lawmaking, and labor
- Make moral choices influencing society as events unfold
- Withstand deadly cold snaps and winter storms
- Uplift citizens through faith, discipline, or propaganda
#2: They Are Billions
Developer: Numantian Games
Release Date: July 19, 2022
They Are Billions puts a zombie apocalypse twist on real-time strategy base building and economic micromanagement. With hordes of undead approaching to smash fragile colonies, players carefully balance resource acquisition, research, defense planning, and territory control to survive.
Opening missions teach the ropes of gathering materials, erecting walls, and utilizing soldier units to battle increasingly dangerous waves of zombies. Advanced buildings for generating additional resources or special attacks help expand infrastructure and push back the decaying masses.
While the campaign offers plenty of ghastly undead-thrashing action, continuous play is where They Are Billions truly shines. Randomly generated maps present new environmental challenges requiring players constantly adapt settlement and assault tactics alike. With nine difficulty levels available, veterans and newcomers alike face appropriate zombie-bashing tests.
They Are Billions zombie-filled graphics and soundtrack set an eerie mood while the responsive console interface streamlines controlling a prosperous sanctuary amidst the apocalypse. Whether relaxing or intense, this RTS masterpiece offers ample adrenaline-pumping challenges.
Main Features:
- Randomly generated maps and zombie infestations
- Nine adjustable difficulty levels
- Tower defense-like settlement building mechanics
- Survival mode supporting continuous single player or co-op
#1: Evil Genius 2: World Domination
Developer: Rebellion
Release Date: November 30, 2021
Evil Genius 2 remains the gold standard character-driven real-time strategy extravaganza on PlayStation 5. Step into a supervillain’s shoes constructing covert desert lairs, training minions in mischief, defending against meddling forces of justice, and executing globe-dominating master plans.
Play unfolds by expanding your doomsday hideout room by room while juggling objectives like generating income, increasing notoriety, researching new technologies, taking on planetary threats, and ultimately firing a world-ending super weapon should everything go perfectly.
Much like running an actual criminal enterprise, maintaining steady cash flow funds critical projects that (hopefully) undermine law enforcement permanently. Depending on difficulty settings, troublemakers could undermine operations if left unchecked so stay vigilant!
With vibrant graphics, varied biomes to dominate, and side challenges aplenty, Evil Genius 2’s blend of base building, minion control, and multi-phase master plans delivers endless hours of diabolically delightful strategy. All hail the chief!
Main Features:
- Build and manage your own functioning villainous lair
- Train and command a workforce of loyal minions
- Research technologies to unlock rooms, traps, and weapons
- Withstand and subvert the Forces of Justice
The Best PlayStation 5 Has to Offer
Real-time strategy fans – from new inductees to grizzled veterans – have plenty to celebrate with PlayStation 5’s robust library for the genre. Whether building mighty civilizations, devious criminal networks, or ramshackle outposts amidst the frozen wastes, these standout titles include memorable experiences sure to test your wits.
| Title | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Tiny Tina‘s Assault on Dragon Keep | Zany fantasy RTS spin-off of Borderlands franchise |
| SpellForce 3 Reforced | Seamless blend of RTS and RPG |
| Worms Rumble | 32-player real-time warfare |
| Crusader Kings III | Rule medieval dynasties through generations |
| Frostpunk | Survival city builder set in frozen post-apocalypse |
| They Are Billions | Build colonies to withstand relentless zombie attacks |
| Evil Genius 2 | Create and command your own villainous lair |
With real-time strategy continuing to advance alongside console and PC hardware, the future looks bright for even more outstanding examples leveraging next-gen capabilities. But the top PlayStation 5 RTS titles available now should spark plenty of strategic escapism and challenge armchair generals for hours upon hours already. Act now and start executing your plans for victory, glory, and maybe a bit of wanton destruction too!
