The top 12 RTS video games on Android in 2023

 

You might be surprised to learn that your Android phone has direct access to several of the top RTS games. There are many wonderful original games created just for mobile devices, even though many of these games are PC versions that work best on one of our favourite inexpensive Android tablets.

While some of these RTS games are great regardless of the genre, we went above and above to choose the top RTS games. We've got an RTS game for everyone, from PC classics like Rome: Total War to the quirky, minimalist Rymdkapsel.

Cultist Simulator

One of the best card games for Android is called Cultist Simulator, but unlike most others, it is played in real-time. You will travel on a Lovecraftian journey in Cultist Simulator where you will call upon ghosts, meet gods, and outwit the authorities. While at first glance it might not appear like an RTS, you'll soon find yourself entangled in a web of conspiracies and lies that demands a lot of strategic forethought. It's important to manage your resources carefully, but if you respond poorly to an incident, control can start to elude you.

Rusted Warfare

screenshot from Rusted Warfare depicting two armies engaged in combat from above.

Rusted Warfare's incredibly antiquated aesthetics shouldn't turn you off. It harkens back to the days of Total Annihilation and Supreme Commander, where winning required controlling enormous armies. Rusted Warfare is one of the top Android strategy games because it skillfully adapts these elements for mobile devices. This game is for those who want a no-frills classic RTS on mobile; it doesn't spend time with a swanky user interface or lovely animations.

Rome: Total War

One of the first and best games in the Total War series, which has been around for years, can be found on the Play Store. With a brand-new user interface and intelligently reworked controls, Rome: Total War's Android adaptation enables players to enjoy this fantastic game on a touch screen. It's a stunning example of how to make a challenging RTS playable on mobile devices, making it simple to manage hundreds of men from your phone.

Bad North: Jotunn Edition

You take command of an island kingdom that is being besieged by Viking invaders in Bad North. You'll move between procedurally generated islands throughout the game to guide your people to safety as you repel waves of ax-wielding marauders. Missions are brief enough to keep your interest while being long enough for success to feel fulfilling. (Perfect for the commute!)

You'll set up your forces around the island and provide general commands before to the commencement of each mission. No need to micromanage; each unit is capable of understanding your directives and applying them as they see fit. Don't be fooled by the attractive appearance; in a matter of minutes, your warriors will be fighting to the death while you are knee-deep in Viking blood.

Plague Inc.

If the worldwide epidemic hasn't quelled your desire to wipe off the earth, Plague Inc., a browser classic, is the game for you. It's a challenging game that rewards strategic preparation and deft movement to successfully exterminate civilization. For newbies, failing repeatedly is a necessary part of the process, but when the last victim of your illness passes away, you'll be eager to try again right away.

You'll spend the game discovering additional traits for your ailment after selecting the kind you want to utilise. New symptoms, transmission mechanisms, or talents can be traits, but updating your condition requires prudence. Once people become aware of your illness, it's a race against time before they spread it.

Element

From the beginning, Element was intended to be simple to pick up and play. While the gameplay is based on the traditional RTS model (collect resources to develop troops to fight your opponent), a match is over in a matter of minutes. While many other games tout a comparable advantage, Element stands out for its perfect execution.

The game Element is not simple. Although the player has few options (there are just four different types of buildings/units), it takes a lot of practise to use them effectively. The turning point of a game is frequently reached in less than a minute, despite the brief "calm" period of setup. 

Rymdkapsel

Rymdkapsel is indefinable. It combines a base-building, puzzle, and tower-defence game into one and realises that a great RTS may be made without flashy graphics or complicated features.

The basic rules of Rymdkapsel are to create your base, investigate monoliths, and protect it from assassination triangles. Although the emphasis is on customising your base to your preferences, without proper resource management and corridor planning, your ideas will fall short. It's fantastic for folks who enjoy receiving praise for excellence. A contemplative experience is produced by RTS mechanics reduced to their most basic form, at least until homicidal triangles ruin your intentions.

League of Legends: Wild Rift

MOBAs are often played on a desktop computer, but League of Legends: Wild Rift shows that you can play a MOBA entirely on a smartphone. It is a condensed version of the main game with 5v5 gameplay and no pay-to-win features. Like many MOBAs, it is based on real-time strategy (RTS) gaming, therefore it is played in real time.

As a live service game, Wild Rift is a great option if you want something that is always being updated. If you'd rather experience things offline, skip here.

Iron Marines: Invasion

The first Iron Marines game was a wonderful mobile real-time strategy game and a spin-off of the Kingdom Rush series. Iron Marines: Invasion builds on the positive aspects of the original game. Since everything is offline, there is no PvP gameplay in this. However, the level of personalization, the number of missions, and the variety of difficult game types will keep you coming back.

Iron Marines: Invasion tends to appeal to casual gamers more than other RTS games because even the worst difficulty can be overcome. Give it a try; it's one of the top RTS games available just on mobile.

Company of Heroes

Fast-paced World War II RTS Company of Heroes was originally developed for the PC and then transferred to mobile devices. Those who are familiar with the PC version will note the significant UI modifications made to adapt the game for mobile right away, notably the new Command Wheel feature that simplifies ordering your troops.

For good reason, Company of Heroes' RTS formula made it an instant classic. Despite being fast-paced, the action is simple to pick up, and you have a wide variety of options for winning matches. If narrative campaigns aren't your thing, the Skirmish mode will let you compete against an AI foe.