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The PlayStation Vita is a handheld video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on December 17, 2011, and on February 22, 2012, in North America, Australia, and Europe.
The PlayStation Vita’s main feature is its touchscreen feature. Users can use the touchscreen to navigate menus or touch icons to interact with the system’s applications. The device uses a proprietary 5-inch (127 mm) OLED multi-touch display with a resolution of 960 × 544 pixels. It has several dedicated touch buttons on the front faceplate, which you can use to control your system.
The PlayStation Vita may not be the hottest handheld game console out there, but it has some of the best games in any genre. There are plenty of great games on PlayStation Vita, but few are real-time strategy games. Though Sony no longer supports it, you can still purchase games for it on the PlayStation Store.
RTS games require you to think quickly and coordinate your actions with those of other people simultaneously, so they can be challenging to pull off on handheld devices, especially when using touchscreen controls. Despite that, there are still some really great PlayStation Vita RTS games available today, and this list ranks the absolute best ones available right now.
So, if you have a PS Vita and love RTS games, keep reading to find out what you should play right now.
What is a Real-Time Strategy Game?
A real-time strategy game (RTS) is a type of video game that puts you in charge of building, upgrading, and managing a group of units. You must ensure that your units are trained and prepared for battle while keeping them safe from enemy attacks.
As a player, you can’t pause the game and come back later to see how your strategy is going or what progress you’ve made. You have to wait until the end of each turn to see how things turn out.
The best PlayStation Vita RTS games offer an impressive variety of gameplay options and challenges — from grand-scale battles to smaller skirmishes. With the options available, you’re sure to find the right one.
Was the PlayStation Vita Known for Real-Time Strategy Games?
Although the PlayStation Vita isn’t remembered fondly, it may be regarded as ahead of its time. It may not have had the power of the Nintendo Switch, but the concept of a handheld console that can be played on the TV is present. With front and rear touch displays and a brilliant OLED screen, there was a lot to like about this small device.
The PlayStation Vita had some fantastic games, but the demand for real-time strategy was not met during its lifespan. The PlayStation Vita doesn’t have a lot of RTS games on it, which is understandable. After all, the console was never really marketed for that audience. However, there are still a few games worth checking out if you’re into the genre.
Below are our top picks for the best PlayStation Vita RTS games available today.
#6. emAegis of Earth: Protonovus Assault/em
- Leave no quadrant untouched as you spin 360 degrees in search of would-be destroyers
- Command and level up a huge variety of units and gargantuan weapons as you hone your tactical skills
- Command and level up a huge variety of units and gargantuan weapons as you hone your tactical skills
- Seize the initiative from your enemies and decimate their ranks as a robust cast of characters lend their support to the cause
- English (Publication Language)
emAegis of Earth: Protonovus Assault/em is a real-time strategy game developed and published by Acquire.
The game was released for the PlayStation Vita in 2016, and it takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where you play as a faction leader trying to save humanity from being exterminated by monsters.
The gameplay is a combination between real-time strategy and turn-based strategy. You have to build up your base and various facilities, research new technology and weapons, and keep an eye on your population’s needs so that they can help you fight against your enemies.
Players assume control of several cities, collecting taxes from citizens, distributing resources, purchasing equipment, and preparing the battlefield with artillery and infantry to protect the city against an imminent assault. Once the war begins, waves of the enemy will approach, with the player’s role being to protect their city using the armaments set in the preceding planning stage. To successfully complete waves, players can utilize a variety of tactics, such as the “merge” strategy, which involves putting two or more weapons of the same type in a line to enhance the damage they deal out.
You can check it out for yourself on Amazon here.
#5. emArmy Corps of Hell/em
- Lead an army of 100 goblin soldiers with unique classes and abilities who engage in an endless variety of actions and reactions onscreen
- Combine materials dropped by fallen foes to create new equipment for your troops and you; Customize equipment and items to change their look and upgrade the abilities of the King and his goblin soldiers
- Play with up to four players via ad-hoc multiplayer and face tougher bosses
- Use the rear touchpad to command your Goblins to play instruments, each activating special properties. Revive your hero, rejuvenate your soldiers, and inspire your army to increase their strength
- English (Publication Language)
Developed by Entersphere, emArmy Corps of Hell/em is one of the best PlayStation Vita real-time strategy games ever created.
In this game, you have to lead a team of military specialists to defeat the enemy and win the war. The game features various units you can use in battle and an extensive upgrade system that allows you to customize your units for maximum effectiveness.
It has an excellent interface and allows you to create whatever army you want to use, including different races, units, weapons, and defenses. You can also choose from a variety of maps and battle scenarios that will challenge even the most seasoned gamer. The game’s goal is to defend your castle against waves of enemies until your enemies are defeated or you are victorious.
The graphics are beautiful and realistic, making it easy for gamers to immerse themselves in the epic battle scenes depicted on screen. The sound effects are also top-notch; each gunshot or explosion sounds authentic and realistic, making it feel like you’re there with your troops fighting for their lives against a powerful enemy force.
Are you ready to fight and survive? Join the battle on Amazon here.
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#4. CastleStorm
CastleStorm is a real-time strategy game that takes place in Medieval times.
The player takes control of a group of castle defenders and must strategically build their castle to fend off invaders. It features both single-player and multiplayer modes. It’s easy to understand, but it can be challenging at the same time. The game’s objective is to keep the enemies from reaching their goal at the top of your castle. You can build walls, towers, and other defensive structures to slow down the enemy’s progress and protect your own.
The game has a lot of different types of units, including archers and siege vehicles, that can help you defend against waves of attackers. Your units can also heal themselves when damaged, which is helpful because they take a lot of damage from being shot at by enemies.
Each level includes objectives like destroying enemy buildings or capturing an area on the map with enemies inside; if all these objectives are completed, you win.
#3. PixelJunk Monsters: Ultimate HD
PixelJunk Monsters: Ultimate HD is an absolute must-play on your PlayStation Vita, and it’s not just because it’s an enjoyable game. It’s also because of all the ways it pushes the capabilities of the PlayStation Vita hardware.
This game combines tower defense, resource management, and real-time strategy gameplay. It’s a great game for people who like classic real-time strategy games but want something more modern. It is a game about building an army of monsters to fight other monsters and humans attacking your base. You start with a small army of monsters, but you can create larger armies as you level up and build more of them.
The game has a straightforward concept: build structures and collect resources to defend against monsters. However, the game has an incredibly deep and engaging gameplay that allows players to create massive structures with ease because of its easy-to-use controls, intuitive user interface, and fun user interface design. The graphics are great for a PSP game, and the soundtrack is catchy.
It’s not as difficult as some other games in this genre, but it’s still challenging enough to keep you coming back for more. If you’re looking for something simple yet fun to allow your brain to do its thing, PixelJunk Monsters: Ultimate HD will fit the bill. Plus, if you’re new to these types of games, it’s a great place to start before moving on to more complex ones.
#2. emNew Little King's Story/em
is a real-time strategy game released on the PlayStation Vita in 2012.
The game’s story features 3D visuals, turn-based gameplay, and a story mode that follows the adventures of young King Corobo and his court as they travel around the kingdom of Alpoko in search of new lands to conquer.
Your goal is to build your kingdom by building structures, gathering resources, and defeating enemy armies. This means that you must ensure that your people are well-fed and protected from harm. You’ll also have to ensure that your kingdom isn’t invaded by other kingdoms, which can be difficult if they have powerful armies.
Players will go on an epic trip, visiting seven different kingdoms and battling terrible dark lords who have kidnapped the royal princesses. Gamers will need to lead their Royal Guard in every big battle and plan attacks intelligently as their populations and territory expand.
emNew Little King's Story/em is a great game because it has a lot of depth. It takes place over many years in your kingdom’s history. You can use plenty of strategies to win battles against other players or against computer-controlled enemies (which include both humans and monsters). You can customize your characters in many ways; for example, some characters have special abilities like being able to heal themselves when they’re injured or having extra health when they’re injured.
Expand your kingdom with emNew Little King's Story/em when you buy it off Amazon here.
#1. emPlants vs. Zombies/em
- Hardcover Book
- Tobin, Paul (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 80 Pages - 01/20/2015 (Publication Date) - Dark Horse Books (Publisher)
emPlants vs. Zombies/em is a straightforward game, but it’s one of the best PlayStation Vita RTS games of all time because it’s fun, addictive, and challenging.
You must defend yourself against an army of zombies by planting sunflowers, peas, and cherry bombs on your lawn. It’s not as simple as it sounds, though, because you need to ensure they are planted in the right place so they can grow into plants that will defend you from the zombies. Some zombies may be defeated by one type of plant, while others can only be defeated using another class altogether.
The basic goal is to prevent waves and zombies from reaching your home by planting different plants at strategic points around your house. It’s a surprisingly deep game with multiple levels to keep players occupied for hours. You also need to keep an eye on the rest of your garden because if one of your plants gets eaten, then there will be fewer plants left for you to use!
In addition to being a fun strategy game, it’s also very creative, with tons of levels and a wide variety of plants and zombies to fight against. It’s also highly accessible: even if you have no experience with real-time strategy games or even video games in general, you’ll be able to jump in and play emPlants vs. Zombies/em without any trouble.
And, with its bright colors and cartoonish look, this game is perfect for younger gamers who might be intimidated by other strategy games’ more realistic graphics or complex gameplay systems.
Plant your garden to survive the zombies with emPlants vs. Zombies/em on Amazon emPlants vs. Zombies/em“].
Final Thoughts
The Vita may not be Sony’s most beloved platform, but the dedicated system does have a fair share of quality games. Some are ports of PS3 and PS4 games, while others are unique experiences designed to take advantage of Vita’s powers. If you don’t already own a Vita, you may be better off picking up a Nintendo Switch or even an Xbox One. But if you already have one lying around and want to play some RTS titles on it, the RTS games above are all good options.
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Last update on 2023-03-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
