Key Takeaways
- StarCraft 2 offers deep tactical gameplay in its co-op campaign mode.
- Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition provides balanced mechanics and modernized visuals for cooperative play.
- Company of Heroes 2 features realistic World War 2 settings and requires efficient communication for success.
The real-time strategy genre has been around for a few decades, with new and improved titles being developed and released over the years. While some timeless classics were released as a standalone entry, others kicked off incredibly long franchises that have kept growing throughout their lifetime.
Playing real-time strategy games alone is already a lot of fun, as players can take on different enemy factions and plan out their attack approach to emerge victorious and progress through the story. However, games in this genre truly come to life and become a blast when played with friends in co-op mode. Here are some of the best real-time strategy games with co-op campaigns.
5 StarCraft 2
Great Lore, Deep Tactical Gameplay
- Unique abilities and commanders for players to choose from
- Collaboration and communication are key
A classic in the real-time strategy genre, StarCraft 2 offers a great campaign with deep strategic gameplay and a powerful narrative. When playing in co-op mode, players can join forces with their friends to take on the game’s campaign while controlling different commanders through various missions. Like other co-op games, StarCraft 2 requires collaboration between all parties to win and succeed throughout the entirety of the story.
There’s also tons of lore to discover and deep tactical gameplay that both veteran fans of the franchise and newcomers will love and enjoy.
4 Age Of Empires 2: Definitive Edition
An Outstanding Rework Of A Timeless Classic
- Modernized User Interface and graphics
- Balanced mechanics that require communication between all parties involved
A rework of the original classic, Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition, introduces enhanced visuals, better gameplay in general, and, of course, the option to play the campaign in cooperative mode. Players can take on different historical battles with their friends as they work together to gather and manage their resources, build large armies to conquer their enemies, and take their civilizations forward.
The new co-op mode in the game not only offers tons of fun and hours of entertainment but also poses a challenge that wasn’t present in the original title, as players will have to seamlessly manage their economies and military strategies while communicating as efficiently as possible with their friends.
3 Company Of Heroes 2
A World War 2 Strategic Game That Feels All Too Real
- Realistic World War 2 setting
- Each player has different responsibilities and must work efficiently with others
Set in the dark times of World War 2, this real-time strategy game is heavily focused on military tactical warfare, including cover-based mechanics and realistic scenarios that will transport players to the battlefield. Company of Heroes 2 features an outstanding co-op campaign that allows players to work together to face Nazi forces while coordinating attacks, using specialized units and securing points of interest.
Like other real-time strategy games, Company of Heroes 2 will require players to communicate efficiently to combine their efforts and maximize their possibilities of success against the enemy amid war. Each player will have to take on different roles and responsibilities, ensuring proper management of their units and artillery.
2 Halo Wars 2
A Sequel That Strongly Builds On Its Predecessor
- The game keeps the good parts of its predecessor and implements a few great elements of its own
- Players can use vehicles like the Scorpion tank and Warthogs
Over the years, the Halo franchise has been known for offering players action-packed titles in the FPS genre, which has made almost every game a massive hit. When Microsoft decided to deviate from this successful formula by releasing the original Halo Wars, they were taking a massive risk—one that, luckily, paid off massively. Halo Wars not only opted for real-time strategy game mechanics and required tactical planning, but also opened up a new door for the Halo franchise worldwide.
Halo Wars 2 follows its predecessor’s path by keeping the elements that made it great while adding others of its own to create an all-around enjoyable experience. The co-op campaign in this game allows players to partner up with a friend to strategize together and plan base defensive maneuvers, as well as large-scale assaults on the enemy. Halo Wars 2 features iconic vehicles from the franchise, such as Scorpion tanks and Warthogs—driven, of course, by Spartans and a few UNSC marines.
1 Total War: Warhammer 3
An Excellent Addition To The Total War Universe
- Players can develop tactical plans and diplomatic approaches together
- There’s tons of lore to uncover
Blending grand strategy game mechanics with real-time combat elements, Total War: Warhammer 3 offers great armies, incredible spells, and a large variety of magical creatures. The game’s wonderful co-op mode allows players to form different alliances in an effort to tackle the various opposing factions available and overcome the obstacles this title presents them with.
Players can plan warfare tactics with friends or other online players to manage armies, develop tactical approaches, and even conduct diplomacy missions that can change the outcome of the campaign as it progresses. All while learning more about the universe’s lore and the interesting elements behind it. Overall, it’s safe to say that Total War: Warhammer 3 is one of the greatest real-time strategy games ever released, and its co-op campaign leaves little to be desired.
