The Best Co-Op RTS Games, Ranked

Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games have been a source of cooperative fun and competitive fury for years. Anyone who has played Age of Empires will understand the competitive frustration of succumbing to another civilization’s army. RTS games have been ever-popular since 1989’s Herzog Zwei for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. Its birds-eye view-based tactics combined with real-time action created a wave that would influence gaming from 1989 to the present day and beyond.

From the simplistic Age of Empires 2 to the chaotic Stellaris, there’s something for every kind of player and every skill level in this varied genre. Nevertheless, while some RTS games are best played alone, this list will delve into the best co-op RTS games that are perfect to play with a friend or two.

Updated on December 22, 2023, by Joe Grantham: As with any video game genre, the Real Time Strategy genre encompasses a multitude of different titles with new games being regularly released and players returning to their favorites for nostalgia. Some golden oldies can even be forgotten about for years, but what all these games have in common is that they offer players the chance to experience epic real-time battles and base-building with their friends. The best co-op RTS games have both co-op campaigns and online multiplayer modes where friends can test out their tactics against other duos. The ability to team up and try to take down the toughest levels of AI should also not be overlooked, especially for players who like a challenge.

Despite Metascores being shown, some games are ranked higher or lower due to a superior or inferior co-op experience compared to others.

14 Conan Unconquered

Metascore: 62

Offering a different spin to the other RTS entries in this list is the survival-based Conan Unconquered. Players are tasked with defending their town from incoming raiders while upgrading defenses and surviving perpetual onslaughts. The game’s only stronghold and all resources are shared with a co-op partner, so cooperation and communication are the keys to victory.

Conan Unconquered does not hold hands in teaching the ropes, so think quickly, get creative, and be prepared for a steep learning curve. For a beginner tip, don’t wall yourself in too quickly; explore your civilization and find strategic points to reinforce in order to survive the beastly onslaught.

13 Iron Harvest

Metascore: 75

Iron Harvest is a classic RTS with an interesting setting as it imagines an alternative early 20th-century history. In this world, the Great War was fought with huge dieselpunk machines, and now they are reshaping the world, with warfare constantly evolving.

While the game isn’t that well known, it does feature dedicated co-op campaigns for friends to enjoy together, or they could instead engage in multiplayer battles. Released in 2020, players can expect modern graphics with traditional gameplay.

12 Dune: Spice Wars

Metascore: 74

With the ongoing film series starring Timothee Chalamet, the Dune franchise has once again pulled its head out from under the sand and risen to prominence. Dune: Spice Wars is a new RTS with 4X elements and, thanks to modern graphics, is one of the best-looking entries in the genre.

Instead of being all about war, players will also engage in politics, spying, and, of course, an economic system that revolves around Spice. With all these elements and the potential for betrayal, playing with friends in co-op can be extremely entertaining. Players will also have to be on the lookout for the colossal sandworms that can wipe out anything they come into contact with.

11 Company Of Heroes 2

Metascore: 80

A common element of RTS games, especially when playing with others, is codependency. Whether players are sharing resources or organizing simultaneous attacks, without proper planning they are sure to fail. Communication is key in Company of Heroes 2; strategizing to maximize the efficiency of units and exposing enemy weak spots together is an accomplished feat that will only leave players craving more.

In this World War 2 RTS, Company of Heroes 2’s Theater of War mode pits players up against a variety of foes in 18 missions which can be played cooperatively. There could have been more to offer for cooperative play, but what is available is enjoyable and immersive.

10 Halo Wars 2

Metascore: 79

In an ambitious change of direction, Ensemble Studios implemented a dramatic twist to the iconic Halo franchise with 2009’s Halo Wars. The first-person Needler combat was switched up for top-down, real-time strategy in an ambitious change of pace from its level-based shooter siblings, and it was received very well.

2017’s Halo Wars 2 attempted to build upon the foundations of its ancestor and at the very least managed to offer an engaging campaign with several game modes to choose from either solo or cooperatively. With an impressive range of 16 team leaders to choose from compared to the original’s six, it features a captivating campaign against the Banished in a fight for control over the Ark. By improving on Halo Wars in some ways such as in the graphics department and adding new features, it creates an engaging cooperative experience which will keep players at the edge of their seat throughout its campaign and other modes.

9 The Lord Of The Rings: The Battle For Middle-Earth 2

Metascore: 79

When it comes to the best Lord of the Rings games, one title in particular is often forgotten about, despite being a fantastic RTS that also can be played in co-op. The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth 2 allows fans of Tolkien’s world to take control of their favorite factions, and lead them into war. The available factions are Elves, Dwarves, Goblins, Mordor, Isengard, Men of the West, and lastly Angmar for players with The Rise of the Witch-king DLC.

Like most RTS games, players build structures where they can recruit and research units, and resources must be gathered too. Battles can either take place on open ground, or players can instead recreate the epic sieges of Helm’s Deep and Minas Tirith for example. Players will also be able to take control of iconic heroes from the books and films. Impressively The Battle for Middle-earth 2 features two campaigns one where players fight against evil and one where they embrace it. Both of these campaigns can be played in co-op mode.

8 Northgard

Metascore: 81

Shiro Games’ Northgard is one of the more recent RTS games that has become popular with players all over the world. Controlling a Viking-themed civilization, the game is centered around a fight for control in unknown territories. In this game’s co-op modes, players are placed into a randomly generated miniature campaign, with randomized set objectives to complete in 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, or AllvAll formats.

While its main campaign may be single-player only, Northgard offers an enjoyable cooperative or skirmish experience with lots of replay value.

7 Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3

Metascore: 82

Similar to Age of Empires 2, Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 is another bastion of the RTS genre. It gained cult status quickly after its predecessors weaved solid, exciting gameplay with a goofy yet captivating storyline. Tim Curry’s meme-worthy performance, particularly his excitement around space exploration, gives the game a minor kick up the list. It may be an old game by now, but it still ranks highly within gaming communities as a strong entry into the best RTS games of all time.

The only downside: a mod is required to access the game’s online service as its original online service, GameSpy, closed down in 2014. Thankfully, the game’s dedicated online community has created its own self-managed servers, so players can experience Tim Curry in all his glory.

6 Stellaris

Metascore: 78

Paradox Development Studios’ space-themed RTS Stellaris is a juggernaut of a game that has soared in popularity since its release in 2016. In this game, players are tasked with exploring and colonizing the intergalactic expanse while delicately balancing diplomatic relations between a variety of different alien species and humanoid sects. Not all is as it seems, however, as random events can occur at any point and completely change the tide of both battle and overall gameplay. With this in mind, it makes for a varied and challenging game throughout every run.

Full to the brim with complex civilizations, factions, game mechanics, and random events, it’s guaranteed to provide hours of entertainment and (enjoyable) frustration for players and their co-op buddies. The learning curve may be steep, but the reward is well worth it. Two of the great things about co-op in Stellaris are that only the host needs to have DLC and players also get to run a galactic empire together, making for a truly unique experience.

5 Halo Wars

Metascore: 82

At least until the game’s sequel was released, Halo Wars while never the highest-ranked Halo game, was certainly the most unique title in the franchise. For the first time ever, players were able to take command of UNSC or Covenant forces, in a relatively simple but engaging RTS game. With most of its player base likely coming over from the world of sci-fi shooters, Halo Wars managed to find the perfect balance between accessibility and depth.

In online multiplayer or co-op vs. AI, players can engage in epic 1v1, 2v2, or 3v3 battles of Wraiths, Scorpions, ODSTs, and the occasional Scarab that only end when all enemy bases have been taken out. Halo Wars also has one of the best RTS campaigns ever made with immersive cutscenes that send chills down the spine. As with anything else in Halo Wars, the campaign is best enjoyed alongside a friend with players able to allocate their resources and units in whichever way they see fit.

4 Total War: Shogun 2

Metascore: 90

It may have turn-based elements outside of battle, but many players recommend Total War: Shogun 2 for its incredibly enjoyable cooperative RTS capabilities. In battle, the game transforms into a real-time strategic battle for victory.

It displays a stripped-down vision of the traditional RTS, with base building, research, and unit recruitment being omitted; but what remains is thrilling and inviting for many. This would be an excellent game to introduce someone to strategy games in general, before watching them take the plunge into the full-blown RTS mechanics other games on this list offer. While Shogun 2 has good co-op options, there are still games that offer friends an even better experience.

3 StarCraft 2

Metascore: 93

Blizzard Entertainment’s StarCraft 2 became one of the most successful contemporary RTS games shortly after its 2010 release. With incredibly precise and complex gameplay and captivating mechanics and characters alike, it has become a bastion for the strategic genre and is considered one of the best by many.

In 2015, the studio released an arcade-style cooperative mode to the game with a variety of commanders and map scenarios to choose from. To this day, these scenario-based maps with campaign-style objectives are the most played feature of this coveted RTS. The main campaign of StarCraft 2 is single-player only, but it would be a sin to omit StarCraft 2 from this list for that reason alone. Players can still enjoy co-op in other game modes.

2 Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War 2

Metascore: 85

The Warhammer games have been a staple of PC gaming for years, with some standing head and shoulders above the rest. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2 is one such game, that sets players on an intergalactic battle of the ages which will require consistent communication with their co-op partners. It’s considered a monolith of RTS games for its detailed and immersive campaign, and the diverse tactical cooperative gameplay it offers.

Fans of the game have praised it for its story, which is enjoyable in both single and multiplayer. The impressive campaign spans a hefty 15 hours if players are purely focusing on the main objectives, so it’s an ideal game for a weekend of playing as a suited-up space marine. As this campaign can be enjoyed in co-op, Dawn of War 2 is undoubtedly one of the best co-op RTS games.

1 Age of Empires 2

Metascore: 92

One of the game franchises that sparked the RTS craze still stands true to its throne today. Set in the merciless Middle Ages, Forgotten Empires’ Age of Empires 2 allows players to choose from 13 different civilizations with their own perks and downsides, with the option to completely customize the game to their will.

By collecting resources to build buildings and units, and to research upgrades, it ticks all the boxes of a classic, no-nonsense RTS game that still has an incredibly active player base. This would be the ideal game for introducing a beginner to RTS games for the first time as it has a friendly learning curve, but don’t be fooled; it takes a while to master. Three million copies sold within three months of its initial release can only emphasize how strong a game this is, and it’s only made better with friends.

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