It’s time to explore what strategy games are set to arrive in the near future. More specifically, we’ve been seeing a huge resurgence of RTS games after a rather long drought. Here you’ll find the hottest upcoming RTS games set to launch in 2026 (and beyond) that we’re really excited about.
We want to underline this list is strictly dedicated to real-time strategy games, whether they’re more focused on base/city-building or battles. If you’re looking for turn-based strategy games, you won’t find them here. We’ve also chosen to include some games that are already out in early access but are targeting a full launch at some point soon, barring any delays.
Without further ado, read on below to learn about the biggest and most exciting upcoming RTS games that are expected to arrive soon-ish, and keep coming back for more, as we’ll be updating this sizable list as the calendar in front of us becomes more defined.
Calyx
Calyx is another upcoming RTS with a very specific and off-beat pitch: What if a mining outpost’s only enemy was an alien organism that’s a plant-like lifeform? We’ve seen such idea before in sci-fi settings, but it’s never been presented as the main threat, especially if we’re talking about strategy games. That simple idea alone made us automatically wishlist Calyx.
“Boss-like and ever evolving, the Calyx is a powerful plant-alien that, left unchecked, quickly spreads to control swathes of the map,” the description says. The goal? To continue to mine ore uninterrupted and expand the power network and defences as operations expand on the surface of a planet overrun by the hostile organism. This isn’t a common enemy, so the solution to push back against it won’t be traditional either.
Release date: January 29, 2026
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV
The WH40K: Dawn of War series is back with a fourth entry developed by KING Art, the studio behind Iron Harvest. War returns to Kronus, and four different armies will be available when the game releases later this year: Space Marines, Orks, Necrons, and the Adeptus Mechanicus, who make their Dawn of War debut. With a return to base-building mechanics and squad-based combat on top of new commanders, it seems this instalment could be a return to form.
The expansive campaign, fully playable in solo or co-op, has been co-written by Black Library author John French. Outside the story, classic modes like Last Stand are comic back, but also expect “configurable AI battles” in Skirmish and 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3 multiplayer. And of course, the army painter tool is back.
Release window: TBD 2026
Crimson Freedom
Crimson Freedom is a “story-driven RTS set on Mars.” It’s taking cues from the classics, but also daring to explore its own ideas and focus on “a more relaxed pace” that’s all about “less micro, more macro.” Three unique factions, each with its own narrative perspective, will be available at launch: the Red Rebellion, the Orbis Concordia, and the Ascentx. They’re designed to be deeply asymmetrical and explore humanity’s relationship with AI.
“With base building, army management, resource systems, compelling campaigns, and strong, distinctive factions, our game delivers the pure RTS experience, enhanced with modern looks and thoughtful innovations. No gimmicks, just the timeless strategy you expect, done right.” At the time of writing, multiplayer isn’t part of the package.
Release window: TBD 2026
Veterans: Napoleonic Wars
Tactical Boar’s upcoming tactical RTS took us by surprise, but it’s instantly caught our attention with its specific focus on the Napoleonic Wars and enticing pitch of fast-paced and accessible tactical battles for solo gamers.
Veterans: Napoleonic Wars features no base-building, instead focusing on the battles and vast regiments of infantry, cavalry, and artillery. It’s all happening in real-time, but also meant not to be overwhelming for less experienced RTS players. The developers also promise meaty progression mechanics, huge dynamic environments with weather effects, and large-scale conflicts “with thousands of soldiers” on the screen at once.
Release window: TBD 2026
Sanctuary: Shattered Sun
Sanctuary: Shattered Sun comes from Enhearten Media and promises large-scale battles that take place “across the surface of a star-encompassing Dyson Sphere.” The team is promising unique features such as “earth-cracking superweapons” and the ability to control the weather to create devastating strategic opportunities. Those two elements alone are enough to sell us on the rest.
While the setting and the aforementioned mechanics sound unlike anything else in the RTS space at the moment, the devs promise it’s classical-feeling and focused on grand strategy instead of “endless clicking” and micromanaging. You can even issue orders to units still in production and save templates of base layouts. The scale of the conflict is underlined, as “up to 10,000 units” can be under our control, and Enhearten promises that performance will remain rock-solid regardless of the chaos that unfolds. We can’t wait to see more.
Release window: TBD 2026
ZeroSpace
ZeroSpace’s basic premise is an incredibly ambitious one: A massive RTS where all the game modes (single player, co-op, PvE, and PvP) take place in the same, shared MMO galaxy map. Think PlanetSide 2 but real-time strategy. Starlance Studios has announced a demo is coming in late January, so we’ll be able to check it out for ourselves soon.
The goal is to create a “living, breathing galaxy shared by thousands of real players.” The progress of each faction as they try to conquer and defend worlds will be tracked live in a similar fashion to Helldivers 2’s Galactic War. Strongholds can be upgraded as more resources are extracted and heroes can even reshape the battlefields. ZeroSpace looks quite complex, but the presentation is stunning, and the systems look very robust, so colour us intrigued.
Release window: TBD 2026
Global Conflagration
On a surface level, Global Conflagration looks like yet another indie revival of the C&C formula. However, special attention has been paid to streamlining and modernizing the gameplay loop while adding a layer of customization. After last year’s demo, the team decided to delay the early access launch until 2026, saying they “want to make sure it comes with all the essential features expected of an RTS game.”
The setting for the game is a Europe that’s “thrown into chaos once again by the actions of an elusive private military company.” Three factions rise in response: Carpathia, the nationalistic movement with an iron fist, the EDU, which is facing bureaucratic barriers that prevent it from defending itself from the threat, and the mysterious Vanguard, the aforementioned military company with Russian backing. Each has its own, completely unique roster of units, so expect major gameplay differences.
Release window: TBD 2026
Empire Eternal
Suppose you’re a big Age of Empires and Empire Earth fan, you’ll be happy to learn about Empire Eternal, an RTS which seems to be channelling the strengths of both legendary series while also promising extensive modding support at launch.
EPO Games and MicroProse Software aren’t ready to lock a release window just yet, but they’ve been engaging with the community for a while and detailing what we can expect from the moment-to-moment gameplay. Beyond the obvious inspirations and graphics that look adequately retro (but 3D and ambitious), it looks like the team has been crafting a genuinely deep RTS title that aims to deliver not just an homage, but also a logical evolution of the old-school AoE and EE games.
Release window: TBD 2026
D.O.R.F. Real-Time Strategic Conflict
D.O.R.F. is another title that we’ve kept tabs on for a while now, and it certainly looks like one of the most interesting ‘refreshes’ of the C&C formula that is currently in the works. It also reminded us of both Final Liberation and Krush Kill ‘N Destroy, which are pretty deep cuts.
This is another one that hasn’t set a release window yet, but going into 2026, we’re expecting to hear more about it, and from the outside, development is looking quite advanced. A highlight of its Steam page is that LAN-based PvP is confirmed to be coming, making it a complete, truly old-school experience that we can’t wait to check out. Just look at those lovely sprites, the chunky menus, and its cohesive presentation!
Release window: TBD 2026
The Last General
The Last General may look quite similar to Broken Arrow at first, but it’s leaning more towards wargame on a massive scale, with absurdly huge battlefields full of towns and cities “to take and protect.” As such, you’re in control of the larger picture rather than individual units. Objectives and strategies are described as “high-level” by developer Wakety, and we can already infer what the game is going for.
On top of the military action, there’s promise of economic and political decisions too. The types of conflicts available to be experienced in both single-player and online PvP and co-op modes include “insurrections, assassinations, protection, rescue, escape, and survival.” Crucial infrastructure and economic buildings can also be damaged or taken, so planning ahead on different levels seems like a requirement, not a suggestion. Diehards will surely appreciate this one, but we’ll have to wait until next year to check it out in full. A demo could hit before then, though.
Release window: TBD 2026
Game of Thrones: War for Westeros
Game of Thrones: War for Westeros is finally bringing George R.R. Martin’s fantasy universe to the RTS genre, and we think Age of Darkness developer and publisher PlaySide is a good pick to handle this one even if we had some criticisms of their previous game. By and large, it looks like Battle for Middle-earth but Westeros-set, and that’s one hell of a pitch on paper.
“Classic real-time strategy in the world of Westeros. Conquer the Seven Kingdoms solo, or in treacherous free-for-all multiplayer,” the first details teased. The game design’s focus will be on asymmetrical armies, with House Stark, House Targaryen, House Lannister, and even the Night King’s army of the dead available at launch. Each faction will have unique heroes, units, and mechanics, and we’ve gotten a glimpse of a big meta-map in the vein of BFME’s War of the Ring mode. We couldn’t be more excited to learn more about it.
Release window: TBD 2026
Ashes of Singularity 2
A full decade after the original, Ashes of Singularity 2 is bringing back massive large-scale RTS battles, with a new “pure human faction” included in the mix. “In Ashes of the Singularity II players must choose between humanity, AI Substrate, or the Post-Human Coalition to determine the fate of our solar system. Speed and reflexes will not win the day, but rather the player’s ability to plan and execute powerful strategies to put forces and materials in the right place at the right time.”
So far, we know developer Oxide Games and publisher Stardock Entertainment are really pushing the narrative forward, but on the game content side of things, on top of the expansive campaign, fully featured offline Instant Action and both PvP and co-op online multiplayer will be supported. It’s all built around the promise of decision-making based on the larger picture of the conflict being far more important than the speedy micromanaging of other RTS titles, so this might be one to watch out for if you’re still a newbie or simply want to play something more forgiving.
Release window: TBD 2026
NULLSPACE
NULLSPACE comes from Kaigan Games, a studio which aims to deliver story-driven RTS set in a “retrofuturistic universe where you’ll construct stations, gather resources, and command fleets across star systems.” There’s a strong focus on realistic simulations and physics, whether you’re controlling small squadrons or massive star fleets.
As it stands, NULLSPACE is being marketed as a strictly single-player title, and the Homeworld influences are more than apparent, but you won’t hear us complain. “Lead or challenge factions like the democratic Hegen, the transhumanist Dominion, and the resourceful Junkers as they vie for survival and dominance,” the Steam description states. While we’ve yet to check this one out for ourselves, it’s bold and unique in a way few upcoming RTS are, and the early screenshots and video footage are extremely promising.
Release window: TBD
Liquidation
Liquidation is looking like yet another riff on classic StarCraft and Warcraft, but in the absence of new entries in Blizzard’s legendary RTS series, more efforts in this style are more than welcome. Sci-fi and fantasy collide in the “war-torn world of Veá,” where asymmetrical armies fight to control the substance known as “quenrium rose.”
Units can be equipped with different weapons while serving as clearly defined classes players must mix-and-match across single-player and multiplayer modes. A co-op story mode and ranked ladders are also planned to be available from the get-go, so Divio’s game (hitting early access first) packs everything we’d want from an aspiring new RTS.
Release window: TBD
Roman Empire Wars
Roman Empire Wars comes from studio Emperor Games and is targeting the tactical RTS crowd. More specifically, it looks like a sincere homage to the Rome: Total War games in the absence of new entries. Again, we love when indie developers try to make and deliver what we’ve been missing for too long.
At the same time, Roman Empire Wars also presents itself as a slightly more focused take on the Roman Empire and “the real-life war campaigns” that defined many Emperors’ reigns. The many settings include Greece, Carthage, Persia, Egypt, and Great Britain, so its scope isn’t limited either. Moreover, the graphical presentation is looking quite sharp and stunning. Since we now have a firm launch date, expect to learn more sooner rather than later.
Release window: TBD
Real-time strategy games released in 2026
Stay tuned for our list of the most exciting RTS that have launched this year with their respective launch dates. Check out our reviews and early access impressions for some of them too.
Expect more updates on both already announced and all-new RTS games as we march deeper into 2026. With the genre enjoying a revival across indies and bigger studios, it’s an exciting time to be into real-time strategy, and we’re hoping for even more significant announcements in the near future. For now, we highly recommend working on your backlog before all these new arrivals. As always, we’ll be keeping tabs here on everything happening in the strategy gaming space.
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