Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness
Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness is a 1995 real-time strategy game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. Set in a high-fantasy world, it pits the Human Alliance against the Orcish Horde across land, sea and air, as players harvest gold, lumber and oil, build bases and wage war through two lengthy campaigns.
The game expanded on its predecessor with naval and air units, fog of war that concealed unexplored terrain, and robust support for multiplayer battles over networks, offering distinct perspectives on the same conflict from each faction. Its polished sprite-based visuals, spellcasting units and a bundled map editor that fostered custom scenarios made it a defining strategy title of the mid-1990s and a major commercial success.
The game helped establish the Warcraft universe that would later grow into a global phenomenon through subsequent strategy games and a landmark online role-playing game. It remains available through digital re-releases, letting players revisit a formative chapter in Blizzard's history.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, 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.
Wargus (Stratagus) Indie
FreeA free open-source engine that runs your original Warcraft II data with modern resolutions and hotkeys.
Wargus (Stratagus) runs on PC, Mac, Linux. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Steam Deck.
Godsworn Indie
€ 24,99An indie fantasy RTS with hand-painted art and hero units.
Godsworn runs on PC, Mac. Not available on Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
Warcraft II: Remastered
€ 9,99A modern remaster with hand-redrawn art and the original campaigns.
Warcraft II: Remastered runs on PC, Mac. Not available on Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Steam Deck.
Warcraft III: Reforged
€ 29,99The next chapter, remastered, with hero units and a story-driven campaign.
Warcraft III: Reforged runs on PC, Mac. Not available on Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Steam Deck.
Stronghold: Definitive Edition
€ 14,99Castle-building RTS from the same era of design, remade with a new campaign and map editor.
Stronghold: Definitive Edition runs on PC. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
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