As we wrap up 2024, it’s time to look into what games are coming in 2025 and beyond. The strategy games space will be especially busy in the coming months, and more specifically, we’re seeing a huge resurgence of RTS games. Here you’ll find the upcoming RTS games set to launch in 2025 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 next year… if there are no delays.
Without further ado, read on below to learn about the hottest upcoming RTS games that are expected to arrive in 2025, and keep coming back for more, as we’ll be updating this list as the calendar becomes clearer.
Tempest Rising
We’ve been covering Tempest Rising a lot recently, and with good reason: It’s one of the (if not the) best-looking RTS games coming out next year. Now backed by huge names like Knights Peak and Saber Interactive, buzz and temperature surrounding this release are quickly rising as much as our excitement.
Visually, the game looks stunning and like a perfect spiritual successor to the Command & Conquer series, but more importantly, it seems to have plenty of ideas of its own, and special care has been put into its story campaign. Furthermore, public demos were quite satisfying and let everyone know developer Slipgate Ironworks isn’t messing around. It seems the current plan is to have ranked multiplayer from the get-go too, so competitive RTS players should 100% keep two eyes on this one.
Release date: April 24, 2025
Farthest Frontier
Farthest Frontier comes from Crate Entertainment (the studio behind the great Diablo-like Grim Dawn) and has been out in Steam early access since summer 2022, already showing tons of promise. First and foremost, it’s a town-builder in which players must tame the wilderness and turn a lowly village into a bustling town.
Some might dispute its real-time strategy DNA, but it’s very much an RTS. Sure, you’ll be taking some time off and looking after resources and towns quite often, but it all plays out in real time, and fending off invaders is a thing. For those strategy game enthusiasts who prefer the building and management side of things, Farthest Frontier is looking like one of the must-plays of next year.
Release window: Spring 2025 (already available via early access)
Age of Darkness: Final Stand
Age of Darkness: Final Stand is one of those video games with a truly captivating art style that’s just perfectly executed. As it nears its 1.0 launch, it’s only looking even more polished and… daunting. While the game is an RTS through and through, it’s focused on telling a story of survival against a seemingly endless horde. It presents a dark fantasy world that seems utterly hopeless, but maybe mankind can make it through. If you like a good challenge, don’t skip it.
The best part is that Age of Darkness has been available via early access since late 2021, so we know for sure that PlaySide has cooked with this one. It’s already packed with features, and the 1.0 launch mostly feels like the studio/publisher putting the finishing touches on it (including multiplayer). This full release is also very near, as teased by the recently released launch trailer.
Release window: Early 2025 (already available via early access)
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 channeling 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
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 2025, 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
Stay tuned for more updates on RTS games, both already announced and all-new, as we leave 2024 behind and step into the first few months of 2025. 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 some large announcements sooner rather than later too. For now, though, we’d recommend working on your backlog before all these new launches. As always, we’ll be keeping tabs on everything happening in the space here at GameWatcher.
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