Real-time strategy games with gorgeous sprites

Real time strategy games and the sprite art make a perfect combination. After all, many strategy fans who grew up with the genre started out playing pixel art games. That’s one of the reasons why many of today’s real-time strategy games, which often come from independent developers, adopt a nostalgic, sprite-based art style.

Of course, using retro-style art can also save budget, but that doesn’t mean these games aren’t capable of great art direction and visual style. The games here represent some of the most creative and visually interesting uses of pixel art and sprites in the RTS genre.

9

factory

An automated workforce

The strategic layer of factory It’s just one aspect of its appeal. Watching a factory come together as disparate parts are combined and joined together to create efficient workflows is a joy to behold. It’s only enhanced by the game’s gorgeous pixel art style.

There is a distinctive industrial aesthetic that factory has, reminiscent of lo-fi science fiction or dieselpunk. It gives the game instant appeal, even before mentioning the excellent balance of resource gathering, building, and defense built into the game loop.

8

world box

God Sim Sandbox

world boxGod Sim’s sandbox may not be the most strategic game on the list, but the ability to nurture (or destroy) various fantasy cultures and influence their warlike or diplomatic ways certainly gives strategy fans something to look forward to. to go deeper.

What it really does world box What shines, however, is its bright and colorful pixel art. The villager and housing sprites are lovely, but the animations for special abilities, disasters, and titans are really excellent. Plus, manifesting as a giant crab with lasers to subdue unruly villagers is always fun.

7

Necrosmith 2

Building armies of the undead

Necrosmith 2 It is an interesting mix of genres; There’s a little tower defense, a bit of real-time strategy, and a little role-playing game. Players take on the role of a necromancer who collects body parts to raise a variety of undead minions. These minions then protect said necromancer’s tower and explore the world map in search of new loot.

The designs of the creatures are varied and creative, and change depending on the pieces used in their creation. The addition of Titan creatures in this sequel allows for larger, more distinctive visual designs, and really works in the game’s favor.

6

crying suns

Starfighter Skirmishes

crying sunsThe real-time tactical starship battles are a joy to behold, with brilliantly realized squadrons of ship sprites running around and enough explosions and laser fire to fill the screen. It is a game that requires tactical skill to command ships effectively on the grid-based battlefield.

However, that is only one aspect of the game. Players will also experience gorgeous pixel art renditions of space scenes, planet scenes, and distinctive characters throughout the roguelike journey. crying suns It offers not only visually, but also deep and engaging gameplay.

5

Kingdom Two Crowns

Build and protect the kingdom

Kingdom Two Crowns brings a unique side-scrolling perspective to your tactical settlement building and defense gameplay loop. The art style is fantastic, from the painterly scenes to the side sprites of the characters and architecture.

The side perspective provides the opportunity to create striking silhouettes and facades, which the game takes full advantage of. The gameplay is also excellent, offering a balance between attack and defense using both the players’ armies and their monarch character to fight enemies.

4

Songs of conquest

Power and magic

Technically, Songs of conquest It is a turn-based strategy game. However, with its elements of real-time world exploration and city building, plus its unique blend of retro and modern in its clean, beautifully animated sprite designs, it seems like a necessary addition to this list.

The game is greatly inspired by Power and Magic series, but manages to add enough personality of its own to feel special. Players will especially enjoy the option to play infinite custom maps or select campaigns, all of which can be done solo or in multiplayer.

3

Age Of Empires 2: Definitive Edition

The best version of a classic

age of empires 2 It is the quintessential example of a great strategy game for building a civilization. This 20th anniversary re-release cleaned up the already excellent sprite art, making it simply beautiful on modern 4K displays.

There is also an avalanche of content on the Definitive editioncovering all expansions to the base game and even adding new campaigns, civilizations and cooperative modes. It is the best way to play a classic that any strategy fan should learn.

2

Command & Conquer Collection Remastered

Long live the king of RTS

For players whose strategic tastes lean more toward base building and the details of unit management, there are few games that can top the original. Command and conquer series. The sprite art in these titles may be showing its age, but the modern overhaul in the Remastered Collection It is useful in that sense.

He Command and conquer The series has always been excellent at using color schemes to create highly readable unit designs, even with the limitations of retro displays. He Remastered Collection This is only improved by smooth, clean units that can be easily analyzed in the heat of battle.

1

edge world

Unique colony management

Rimworld Taking on the harsh realities of colony management has proven incredibly popular. Part of this is due to the game’s unique take on sprite art, using a more modern animated art style for character sprites, combined with retro-flavored top-down colony views and grid-based construction.

There are enough unique biomes and models to keep the game visually interesting at all times, which is a must in a game designed for multiple playthroughs. However, some would say that the true beauty of edge world lies in watching the colonists slowly go crazy in their grim reality.