The 7 Absolute Best Xbox One Real-Time Strategy Games of All Time

The Xbox One is a fantastic console that can be used for so many things. Gamers have been playing Xbox games for years, and even though there are many great games on Xbox One, some stand out from the rest. Real-time strategy (RTS) games can be tricky to master and even trickier to get into. They require a lot of attention, planning, and decision-making skills from their players. They aren’t usually the type of game you can pick up and play for half an hour before putting it back down again. If you’re new to the genre or just looking for some new RTS games to sink your teeth into, look no further than this list of the absolute best Xbox One RTS games of all time.

What is a Real-Time Strategy Game?

Real-time strategy is a genre of games in which the player controls a group of units, usually across a board, map, or graph, to complete certain goals. It’s a game that involves strategy and the ability to plan ahead while you play. The player can issue commands to their units and direct their actions according to strategies, such as building a base or conquering territory. The game’s main objective is to defeat the enemy forces located on opposing sides of the map. Some RTS games feature single-player campaigns, while others are designed for multiplayer play. However, many RTS games have both single-player and multiplayer modes.

Was the Xbox One Known for Real-Time Strategy Games?

The Xbox One was released in 2013 by Microsoft. It was the successor to their previous console, the Xbox 360. Originally, the Xbox One was known for its exclusive first-party titles, such as Halo and Forza. But in the last few years, it has become a haven for RTS games. With titles like Halo Wars 2 and Age of Empires: Definitive Edition, Xbox One owners have their pick from many great strategy games.

Many would argue that the Xbox One was not known for its real-time strategy games, but with amazing games like Wargroove, Gears of War, and Northgard, you will surely have a great time on your Xbox One. Here are the best Xbox One RTS games ever released, according to Metacritic. 

#7: 8-Bit Armies

8-Bit Armies is a fantastic RTS game for the Xbox One. This game is easy to learn and play RTS with a more cartoonish look, but don’t let the animation fool you. It’s the perfect blend between complexity and simplicity. 8-Bit Armies is also one of the best in its class because it has a great single-player campaign, co-op, and multiplayer mode. The graphics may be retro, but they are some of the best graphics out there for this type of game. You can easily zoom in or out with your troops while managing them with skill and precision.

There is even a cooperative mode so two players can go up against each other as they battle across beautifully designed maps. And if you want to experience the thrill of victory from another point of view, try playing against an AI opponent instead. It’s also great for people who want to try out a strategy game without having to be super familiar with it. There are no complicated mechanics or controls—everything is straightforward to learn.

8-Bit Armies has been around since 2016, but it remains one of the best Xbox One strategy games today.

#6: Port Royale 4

Port Royale 4 is a real-time strategy game that lets players take command of their own fleet of ships and build up a merchant empire in the Caribbean or the New World. The game has many gameplay elements, including trading routes, ship-to-ship battles, and exploration missions. Players take on the role of a colonial governor and are challenged to grow the economy while expanding, building, and governing their colony.

You are expected to govern your people properly, provide them with food and entertainment, and ensure they have jobs to keep them happy. The world is yours to explore in this long-running, award-winning series. It’s your decision to either establish dominance through trade and diplomacy or conquer your enemies through might alone.

The game has over 12 different ships, each with different abilities and stats. The missions are varied and challenging, keeping things interesting throughout the game. You’ll encounter many enemies during your journey, so it’s important to be prepared before each mission begins so that you don’t get overwhelmed by these enemies immediately.

With hours of gameplay and an engaging AI, there’s always something new for players to discover. If you’re looking for an alternative strategy game on Xbox One, look no further than Port Royale 4.

#5: The Colonists

The Colonists is an RTS game where you play as a group of space colonists trying to find a new home. It has a lot of elements that make it special. It’s got great graphics, a thrilling storyline, and a lot of different options for customizing your game experience. You’ll need to build and manage your colony’s resources, research new technologies, and protect yourself from the other colonies that are also trying to claim their spots in space. The game is well-known for its unique art style, impressive strategy, and resource management blend.

In The Colonists, you’ll have to manage resources, build outposts, and collect resources to grow your population and fight off other factions trying to take over your territory. You’ll also have to watch out for predators—you don’t want them in your defenses.

#4: Stellaris: Console Edition

Stellaris is a 4X grand strategy game that takes place in the distant future. You can choose to play as one of many races. You must explore the galaxy and expand your empire by colonizing new planets, mining resources, researching technology, and building armies. It’s a turn-based science fiction strategy game that puts you in charge of a species’ evolution and expansion through space. You’ll have to balance your empire’s growth and combat with resources, diplomacy, and other challenges.

This game puts you in command of an empire and gives you the opportunity to explore an entire galaxy while building up your forces and resources to make war on other empires. It’s not just about combat; Stellaris’ focus on diplomacy means you’ll have to get creative when dealing with other players.

The game has an epic scope with deep strategic elements and was well-received by critics. It’s a complex and interesting experience that keeps players hooked for hours. It doesn’t hurt that it looks incredible, either. If you’re looking for an awesome strategy game for your Xbox One, this is it.

#3: Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun

Shadow Tactics is a new game from Daedalic Entertainment that puts you in charge of a small team with its skills and abilities. The game takes place in feudal Japan, where you play as a master ninja and fight for your life against countless enemies. It’s a stealth-action game that puts you in the shoes of a young ninja who must sneak through enemy territory, killing anyone in their path. You’ll have to use your wits and cunning to complete each level and your weapons and skills to play a part in this epic adventure. You’ll have to sneak through enemy territory, perform assassinations and sabotage missions, and ultimately find your way out of enemy territory alive.

The game is easy to get into, but it’s hard to stop playing once you start. There are a ton of different weapons and abilities to choose from, and each one feels unique and powerful. You can craft your unique path through each mission by deciding how best to use your ninja skills and abilities. The graphics are superbly realistic, as well as being stylized in such a way that they feel both ancient and futuristic at the same time. The music is beautiful, too — it starts slow with strings, then builds up into something epic by the end!

#2: Halo Wars: Definitive Edition

Halo Wars: Definitive Edition is everything you could want in a real-time strategy game. It has a fantastic story, many characters to choose from, and an addictive battle system. It’s got a lot of the same good qualities as its predecessor, Halo Wars 2, but with added difficulty levels, a map editor, and a new narrative that focuses more on the characters and their relationships than the action.

The gameplay itself is smooth and easy to pick up at any point. You’re not just choosing between good or evil — you’re also deciding where your army should go and when they should attack next. It makes for some really tense moments when you’re trying to stop the Covenant from destroying your base while keeping your own forces alive throughout the entire battle.

No matter what you’re looking for in a real-time strategy game, Halo Wars: Definitive Edition has it. It’s got something for the casual player who wants to learn how to play with a few online friends, and something more serious gamers can sink their teeth into in ranked or custom matches. The game has a lot of cool features, like being able to play as both the UNSC and Covenant forces in multiplayer matches. It also keeps track of your stats so you can see how you’re doing against other players worldwide.

#1: RimWorld Console Edition

RimWorld is a sci-fi colony simulation game where you control a group of survivors and try to build a new colony. The game has an easy-to-use interface but offers deep gameplay with near-infinite difficulty levels.

This game is incredible because it’s not just a traditional RTS game — it’s also an RPG. You’ll be able to develop your character as you play and make decisions based on what they need to survive. You get to build up your colony from scratch, and you can even take on quests from other players if you want.

Rimworld offers a limited number of starting situations to pick from, but the primary plot remains the same. The player characters (find themselves stuck on a randomly constructed planet near the edge of known space — a “rim world”). The characters have a set of positive or negative attributes that impact how they can help or harm the colony, the decisions they make, and how their presence affects the other characters. Additional characters will join the colony as time passes. Characters can be rescued after being arrested following a raid, wandering in, or crash-landing on the player map.

Conclusion

When it comes to the console RTS genre, there is plenty of choices. If you’re an Xbox One owner looking for a real-time strategy fix, these games will fit the bill. Their RTS components range from turn-based to fast-paced, but all of them have excellent UI and controls that are easy to work with. Each game offers plenty of replayability and is unique in its own right, so take a look at our list, grab one or two and get conquering.

Summary of the 6 Best Xbox One RTS Games of All Time

Up Next

• The 7 Absolute Best Xbox First-Person Shooters of All Time
• The Absolute Best Xbox Real Time Strategy Games of All Time
• The Absolute Best Xbox 360 Sandbox Games of All Time
• The Absolute Best Xbox One Sandbox Games of All Time