Summary
Although Electronic Arts’Command & Conquerfranchise is 30 years old, that doesn’t mean it hasn’t moved with the times. With the rise of mobile gaming, EA has even adapted the classicCommand & Conquerreal-time strategy gameplay into multiple mobile releases, such asCommand & Conquer: RivalsandCommand & Conquer: Legions.
Within Apple’s iOS App Store, there are a range of other RTS titles available; from similar AAA real-time strategy adaptations, to retro-inspired indie takes on the genre.
Although Swedish developer Raw Fury’s 2018 real-time strategy titleBad Northarguably acts as a microcosm of the RTS genre’s tactical elements, its minimalist design lends itself to accessible play. Expanding the base game withimproved mechanics and additional content, 2019’sBad North: Jotunn Editionalso brought the cutesy defending of randomly generated islandsfrom Viking invadersto mobile devices.
Earning new units, choosing between a commander’s traits, and collecting items to continue the protection of the game’s microscopic dwellings have been elegantly adapted in the mobile port of this acclaimed RTS title. With the rising tension of multiple difficulty modes, and a customizable group of settlers, seeingBad North’s “adorable soldiers juxtaposed against the blood-stained realities of war” has never been easier.
Considering the technological limitations of porting a real-time strategy title to mobile devices, the fact that"few games have managed to capture the complexity of Roman civilization likeRome: Total War,“and that it runs consistently, is seemingly a marvel of modern mobile video game development.
In porting Creative Assembly’s RTS classic, mobile users cannot only play one of theTotal War series' most acclaimed titles, but they can take it with them wherever they go. AlthoughRome: Total Waron iOS is certainly a streamlined version of the 2004 classic, the arguably praise-worthy performance and fidelity of its mobile port are to be commended.
In setting its sights on a more personal, small-scale skirmish approach to real-time strategy gameplay, Relic Entertainment’sCompany of Heroesintroduced an innovative new property to the 2004 RTS market. Beyond that, it also sought to stake its claim on a more narrative-focused experience.
Paired with the smooth gameplay and fast load times of Feral Interactive’s mobile port, playingCompany of Heroeson iOS is arguably much the same experience as would be expected of its retail PC release. Ultimately,Company of Heroesis not just a flagship title of the real-time strategy genre, butone of the best WW2 experienceson the market. As such, especially considering the mobile port’s accessibility and versatility, commanding Allied units has arguably never been easier.
5World War Armies
A Vehicle-Focused RTS Title Set During The Conflict Of The Second World War
While the setting of the Second World War has seen more than its fair share of titles, most have seemingly focused on the brothers-in-arms comradery and bravery of the conflict.
In zeroing in on the military might of WW2’s various armored vehicles,World War Armiesprovides players with a free-to-play real-time strategy experience that provides infantry units but arguably focuses on theexplosive exploits of the war’s machinery.Bolstered by player-versus-player combat, Hypemasters' entry into the video game space has provided mobile players with a consistent and compelling entry-level RTS.
Considering the weight of Microsoft’s real-time strategy franchiseAge of Empires' name, the fact that a competent and consistent adaptation of the RTS series was brought to mobile devices is astounding.
However, as"historical strategy games are becoming all the more popular on mobile devices,“it’s less surprising that developer Level Infinite was able to bring the 25-year-old RTS property to iOS. Following a similar path to coreAge of Empirestitles, withminor mechanical alterations for new playersand the new platform,Age of Empires Mobileis not only an arguably impressive RTS on the app store but also a worthy addition to Microsoft’s library of games in general.
Despite its cartoon-like visuals andimplementation of chibi-esque hero units, Ironhide Game Studio’s 2017 real-time strategy titleIron Marinesis arguably as competent as some of the genre’s best entries. Available on both mobile devices and PC,Iron Marines' objective-based gameplay and science-fiction setting make it stand out from many other video games of its like.
From defending key areas to attacking enemy strongholds, the vast number of units and abilities on screen is a testament to the power of modern smart devices. While some other strategy titles on iOS may opt for a more concentrated approach,Iron Marines' grand scope and extensive unit selection make it a perfect cell phone gaming experience.
Despite the waning horsepower of mobile devices compared to video game consoles and PCs, many developers who wish to see their titles on iOS and Android often attempt to get as much graphical intensity from the devices as possible.
In a drastic reversal of this priority, Corroding Games' 2017 RTS titleRusted Warfareseemingly places gameplay first before aesthetics; seeking to be"inspired by classic real-time strategy games with modern tech.“Utilizing a retro-inspired top-down view and minimalist sprites,Rusted Warfaremakes use of its improved performance to provide players with more than 50 unique units with consistent battles with thousands of divisions at play.
Considering theCommand & Conquerseries' position as"the IP for anyone wanting to get into RTS"titles, it should be no surprise that any video game wishing to lean into Electronic Arts' 30-year-old series should hope to be similarly accessible.
As such, with campaign missions for each faction and the ability to control each unit independently, Gear Games’Art of War 3: Global Conflictis simultaneously an entry-level title and a competent experience for proficient players. With a traditional hero versus villain story with the warring factions of the Confederation and the Resistance, along with unique units and abilities,Art of War 3: Global Conflictis a content-rich experience that is more than worth the time investment for anyCommand & Conquerenthusiasts.
