A real gamer would always prefer dedicated consoles to play games. However, there are some categories that are best played on Mac. And one such genre is strategy games. On your Mac, you can experience all its excitement and fun by using mouse and keyboard. Take a look at some of the best strategy games for Mac.
#1. Civilization V Turn-based Strategy Game
In this article we’ll highlight the best free RTS games you can find online. While this wasn’t strictly speaking the first real-time strategy game it was the first really popular one and it cemented certain. Take a look at this list of the top ten RTS games that are available online and are completely free. Each is given a brief description, with links to download the game. We look at the granddaddy of RTS, Dune II, Command & Conquer Gold, Glest, Warzone 2100 and Ground Control amongst others.
Civilization V Mac strategy game tests your skill as a ruler of a kingdom. The expanse of this game is nearly infinite. You need to start your kingdom from the beginning of civilization to the current Space Age.
Like a real king, you are supposed to wage war, create diplomatic policies, and use new technologies. The most exciting part of this game is you can engage yourself in combats with the greatest leaders.
A feature called GODS AND KINGS offers nine new civilizations like Carthage, Netherlands, the Celts, and Maya. Your interest will rise to new levels as you deploy spies in the kingdoms of enemies.
Price: $29.99
Download
#2. Civilization VI City Building Game
Civilization VI Mac game offers more excitement than its predecessor (see above). The most notable feature is the Rise and Fall of your empire. If you are a real leader, you can take your kingdom to its Golden Age. Otherwise, you will have to face dire consequences of the Dark Age.
However, with your political acumen, you can bring back your old glory of the Golden Age. You can take on challenges of Dark Age and rise again with a Heroic Age.
Gathering Storm is the toughest challenge. This will test your ability to make decisions. Any mistake can disturb the world ecosystem and raise questions about the future of the planet.
Price: $59.99
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#3. Mini Motorways Draw Roads that Drive the City
From the world of politics and diplomacy, now land on the city’s traffic. Mini Motorways – strategy game for Mac assigns you a mammoth task of managing city traffic. World over, there are cities growing dynamically, and heavy traffic is a challenge.
To ensure a smooth flow of traffic, you can build an efficient road network. For this purpose, you can seek the help of stunning maps and other upgrades.
You can also redesign your city to keep the traffic moving flawlessly. There are color modes to select, and these modes include colorblind and night modes.
Price: Available on Apple Arcade
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#4. Total War: EMPIRE Turn-based Empire Building Game
Do you want to expand your empire to water bodies? Apart from land, you can also rule oceans. Experience 3D real-time battles as you create a turn-based empire.
To conquer the seas and land, you need to use your diplomacy and trade expertise. You will love to devise new strategies to develop and expand your empire. Your cunning intelligence will certainly help you win this game.
Before buying this game, check your Mac models and minimum system requirements.
Price: $29.99
Download
#5. Stellar Commanders Multiplayer Real-time Strategy Game
Stellar Commanders combines the best of multiplayer and strategy games. You can control distant planets by joining hands with other players. And if you fail to annihilate your enemies in seven minutes, the planet explodes.
You can select weapons like rockets, tanks, and stealth generators. Moreover, this free game also offers bombastic orbital satellites. Use your strategy for surgical or strategic strikes. Invoke your destructive force to conquer crucial territories belong to opponents.
Price: Free
Download
#6. Spaceland Turn-based Strategy Game
The free strategy game reminds you of any popular Hollywood action flick starring Sylvester Stallone or Arnold Schwarzenegger. You have a team of fighters and you need to bring them together for a bloody mission.
Show your combative skills as you are shooting, kicking, and destroying enemy lands. The battle lasts for up to 15 minutes. You will feel adrenaline rush while leading a squad of space rangers.
To conquer enemies, you have the best weapons at your disposal. Assault rifles, machine guns, plasma guns, grenade launchers, and more.
Price: Free
Download
#7. BATTLETECH War Game
BATTLETECH takes you fast forward to 3025. However, the situation does not sound any better than the present days. Because mankind has not made much progress. Combat is part and parcel of life. Every day, there is a battle between noble houses spread around the galaxy.
You are a bodyguard of Lady Arano, who has to manage political in-fights, apart from saving her own region. In this situation, you have to play a crucial responsibility to protect her from all sides. This strategy game has a more tactical, turn-based approach to combat.
Price: $39.99
Download
That’s all!
Signing out…
Since game developers have to use high-end software, most strategy games for Mac come at a price. If you are looking for a free strategy game for Mac, there is little chance you get a few. Did you like any game from the list above? Leave your comments!
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Most Popular Real Time Strategy Games
Command and Conquer Gold
Command and Conquer - the RTS super classic now a free download!
Savage - Battle for Newerth
Rts Games online, free
An action-packed Real Time Strategy Shooter game!
Warzone 2100
Build and Customize Your Vehicles to Seize Territory in a Post-Apocalyptic World!
Bos Wars
Build a Military Machine and Take Out an Evil Dictator in This Free Classic Real Time Strategy Game!
Kingdom of Camelot: Battle for the North
Only You Can Save the Kingdom from the Barbaric Picts
Starcraft
Control Your Army Wisely and Crush Your Enemies Underfoot!
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
Top 10 Free Rts Games
Test Your Strategic and Tactical Might in this Action-Packed Sci-Fi Strategy Game!
Glest
Build and conquer in this free real time strategy adventure!
Age of Empires
Gather Supplies, Research New Tools, and Wage War!
Army Men RTS
Strategically Build and Manage an Army of Green Plastic Soldiers in their Critical War against the Tan Army!
All Real Time Strategy Games
10.0 = DFG Review Score
NA = Not Reviewed Yet
New! = Games listed in the last 30 days
= Mobile Games
Age of Empires
Gather supplies, research new tools, and wage war!
Age of Empires 2
Wage epic battles in the next chapter of human history!
Army Men RTS
Command squads of green soldiers and vehicles!
Battle Camp
Hatch, raise and train monsters in this unique MMORPG game!
Bos Wars
Overthrow the evil dictatorship in this intense RTS title.
Clash of Clans
Build a defensive fortress and raid other players!
Clash of Kings
Build a powerful army with a diverse range of soldiers.
Command and Conquer Gold
The RTS classic now a free download!
Dark Oberon
A simple and fun strategy game with rapid gameplay
Earth 2150 Trilogy
Experience all 3 epic titles in this exciting RTS series!
Egyptian Settlement 2
Venture back to the glory days of ancient Egypt!
Fate of the Dragon
Play as 1 of 3 warlords destined to reunite China.
Gate 88
Build up your space army and take over the galaxy!
Glest
Build and conquer in this free real time strategy adventure!
Ground Control 2
The mission: save your planet. Objective: destroy the enemy.
Kingdom of Camelot: Battle for the North
Only you can save the kingdom from the barbaric picts
Medieval Conquest
Build an enduring kingdom and legacy!
Modern War
Test your tactical might in this thrilling strategy game!
Nemesis of the Roman Empire
Best Free Rts Games For Mac
Command military units in the era of the Roman Empire.
Praetorians
Become a Roman general and lead your armies on conquests!
Savage - Battle for Newerth
An action-packed Real Time Strategy Shooter game!
Starcraft
Control your army wisely and crush your enemies underfoot!
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
Test your strategic and tactical might!
Supreme Commander
End the Infinite War by totally annihilating your enemies.
The Dark Legions
Bring down the evil King Kalap and bring peace to the land!
Totem Tribe
Lead your tribe to glory and prosperity!
Warlords Battlecry 3
Play 16 races and build mighty hero units!
Warzone 2100
Customize your own vehicles in this deep RTS!
Learn About Real Time Strategy Games
What are Real Time Strategy Games?
Combine the strategic forces of chess, the “this unit beats that” element of rock-scissors-paper, and the challenges of learning to use specific and limited resources to build a military force with your enemy playing while you do and you’ve got a real time strategy game.
History of Real Time Strategy Games
The classic board game of Risk is one of the inspirations for modern real-time strategy games. In Risk, each player was given soldiers to spread out on a world map. Players decided where to reinforce their troops and when to battle a neighbor. But imagine a game of Risk where everyone is moving at once and you are denied the ability to take as much time as you want to plan and execute your turn.
Westwood’s 1992 release of Dune II marked the beginning of the RTS genre as we know it today. The company soon released Command & Conquer which added a multiplayer component allowing human players to compete against each other. Blizzard Entertainment released its Warcraft fantasy RTS game in 1994 and later the incredibly popular sci-fi RTS StarCraft in 1998. Other popular RTS games over the years include Age of Empires (1997), Homeworld (1999), Company of Heroes (2006) and Sins of a Solar Empire (2008).
Game Play
The games generally start with the player receiving a few units or a building. The object, at the beginning of the game, is to learn how to use these limited resources to build new units or buildings and what those new units or buildings are capable of doing to advance the player’s position. To be successful the player must build an army and use the army to defend themselves and eliminate enemies. Most RTS games focus on accumulating resources through harvesting, mining, gathering, etc. and building up a society and military machine to conquer more parts of a map and finally destroy your enemies completely.
Real time strategy games are challenging due to the various strategic factors that involve successfully managing natural and financial resources, military planning, and battle execution.
Difference between Real Time Strategy and Turn Based Games
The unique element of RTS games is the continuous progression of the game play. Unlike turn-based games where each player takes his or her turn and all players take a turn before the first player can take another action; RTS games progress continuously and players will be taking action simultaneously. Actions can be undertaken by any player at any time just like in “real life” without waiting for other players to make a move.
Who will enjoy Real Time Strategy Games?
Those who want a deeper game experience besides just shooting enemies, those who enjoy multi-dimensional strategy, and don’t mind the pressure of real time will enjoy this genre. The real time component adds more excitement and action to the genre than turn based games. Multiplayer competition is a huge draw for those who get tired of playing the same computer AI and enjoy competing against others.