Rise of Nations
Rise of Nations is a 2003 real-time strategy game developed by Big Huge Games under designer Brian Reynolds, blending fast real-time action with grand-strategy concepts drawn from turn-based empire-building series like Civilization.
Players guide a civilization across eight ages, from the ancient world to the information era, researching technologies, expanding territory, and managing a national economy with resources including knowledge for research. Distinctive systems set it apart from typical skirmish-focused rivals: national borders that expand as your cities grow, attrition damage that wears down enemy armies fighting on your land, a cap on resource-gathering that curbs turtling, and a turn-based Conquer the World campaign layered over real-time battles.
Praised for its impressive scope and clever fusion of RTS and 4X ideas, it became a respected staple of the genre and received an expansion adding mythology-tinged nations. A remastered Extended Edition has since been released for modern platforms, letting strategy fans revisit its sweeping march through history on current hardware.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to Rise of Nations, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
Millennia Indie
€ 39,99An indie 4X strategy game charting alternate paths through human history.
Millennia runs on PC. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
Age of Empires IV
€ 59,99A modern epoch-spanning RTS with distinct civilizations.
Age of Empires IV runs on PC. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
Rise of Nations: Extended Edition
€ 19,99The remastered release with updated visuals and online multiplayer.
Rise of Nations: Extended Edition runs on PC. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Unsupported.
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