Best Real-Time with Pause Games on Steam (for Mac OS)
Steam currently has 450 Real-Time with Pause games, but not all of them are able to be played on Mac. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Real-Time with Pause game rankings were last updated on 5/17/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best real-time with pause games on Steam
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- Free real-time with pause games on Steam
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- Best rated Steam games
1. FTL: Faster Than Light
This "spaceship simulation roguelike-like" allows you to take your ship and crew on an adventure through a randomly generated galaxy filled with glory and bitter defeat.
FTL: Faster Than Light holds the #1 spot for "best Mac OS Real-Time with Pause game on Steam" with a Player Score of 94. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 74,825 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 71,358 positive reviews and 3,467 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play FTL: Faster Than Light on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 9/14/2012 |
| Developer | Subset Games |
| Publisher | Subset Games |
| Steam App Id | 212680 |
2. Besiege
Besiege is a physics building game about constructing mechanical machines to annihilate armies, obliterate castles and overcome challenging obstacles. Conquer the campaign or skirmish with friends in Multiplayer!
Besiege has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Mac OS Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 49,665 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 47,406 positive reviews and 2,259 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Besiege on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 2/18/2020 |
| Franchise | Spiderling Studios |
| Developer | Spiderling Studios |
| Publisher | Spiderling Studios |
| Steam App Id | 346010 |
3. Rusted Warfare - RTS
{{An RTS inspired by the classics of the past!}} Making up for it's subpar retro graphics with fun gameplay and modern multi-threaded tech enabling huge battles to run smooth... Featuring singleplayer challenges, skirmish, sandbox, 10-player multiplayer & workshop modding.
Rusted Warfare - RTS has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Mac OS Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,178 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,976 positive reviews and 202 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Rusted Warfare - RTS on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $4.99 |
| Release Date | 7/14/2017 |
| Developer | Corroding Games |
| Publisher | Corroding Games |
| Steam App Id | 647960 |
4. Door Kickers 2: Task Force North
Command military Special Ops Teams in gripping tactical combat against a Middle East-based terrorist network. Sequel to RockPaperShotgun's "Best Tactics Game of 2014".
Door Kickers 2: Task Force North has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Mac OS Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 10,779 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 10,321 positive reviews and 458 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $24.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $24.99 |
| Release Date | 2/10/2025 |
| Franchise | KillHouse Games |
| Developer | KillHouse Games |
| Publisher | KillHouse Games |
| Steam App Id | 1239080 |
5. Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal
Creeper World 3 is what happens when cellular automata takes over a strategy simulation. Instead of discrete units that attack your base, a fluid-like substance spreads over the terraformable terrain. Your base, your weapons, your strategy... you must adapt them all.
Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Mac OS Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,638 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,478 positive reviews and 160 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 3/27/2014 |
| Developer | Knuckle Cracker |
| Publisher | Knuckle Cracker |
| Steam App Id | 280220 |
6. Empires of the Undergrowth
Command swarms of warriors at an unprecedented scale of warfare in this blend of RTS and base-building. Lead ant colonies against the many fearsome threats of the insect world, while building intricate nests, developing pheromone-based tactics, and evolving to meet growing dangers.
Empires of the Undergrowth has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Mac OS Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 15,174 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 14,341 positive reviews and 833 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Empires of the Undergrowth on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 6/7/2024 |
| Franchise | Hooded Horse |
| Developer | Slug Disco |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 463530 |
7. Cities: Skylines
Cities: Skylines is a modern take on the classic city simulation. The game introduces new game play elements to realize the thrill and hardships of creating and maintaining a real city whilst expanding on some well-established tropes of the city building experience.
Cities: Skylines has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Mac OS Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 275,255 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 255,875 positive reviews and 19,380 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $29.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Cities: Skylines on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $29.99 |
| Release Date | 3/10/2015 |
| Developer | Colossal Order Ltd. |
| Publisher | Paradox Interactive |
| Steam App Id | 255710 |
8. STAR WARS™ Knights of the Old Republic™ II - The Sith Lords™
5 years after the events of the award winning original, the Sith are on the verge of crushing the Old Republic. As a lone Jedi, will you follow the light side or succumb to the dark?
STAR WARS™ Knights of the Old Republic™ II - The Sith Lords™ has achieved a Player Score of 91, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Mac OS Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 24,229 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 22,674 positive reviews and 1,555 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play STAR WARS™ Knights of the Old Republic™ II - The Sith Lords™ on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 8/23/2012 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 208580 |
9. Defender's Quest: Valley of the Forgotten (DX edition)
Defender's Quest is a Tower-Defense/RPG Hybrid tightly focuses on three things: tactical depth, customization, and story
Defender's Quest: Valley of the Forgotten (DX edition) has achieved a Player Score of 91, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Mac OS Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,458 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,295 positive reviews and 163 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Defender's Quest: Valley of the Forgotten (DX edition) on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 10/30/2012 |
| Developer | Level Up Labs, LLC |
| Publisher | Level Up Labs |
| Steam App Id | 218410 |
10. Frostpunk
Frostpunk is the first society survival game. As the ruler of the last city on Earth, it is your duty to manage both its citizens and infrastructure. What decisions will you make to ensure your society's survival? What will you do when pushed to breaking point? Who will you become in the process?
Frostpunk has achieved a Player Score of 91, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Mac OS Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 123,123 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 113,910 positive reviews and 9,213 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $29.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Frostpunk on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $29.99 |
| Release Date | 4/24/2018 |
| Franchise | 11 bit studios |
| Developer | 11 bit studios |
| Publisher | 11 bit studios |
| Steam App Id | 323190 |
More Real-Time with Pause Mac Games on Steam
Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Real-Time with Pause games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,192 | 9/14/2012 | 94 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 157 | 2/18/2020 | 94 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 132 | 7/14/2017 | 93 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 771 | 2/10/2025 | 93 | $24.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 180 | 3/27/2014 | 93 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 629 | 6/7/2024 | 92 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 9,757 | 3/10/2015 | 92 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 416 | 8/23/2012 | 91 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 5 | 10/30/2012 | 91 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 3,406 | 4/24/2018 | 91 | $29.99 | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 17). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 17). FTL: Faster Than Light on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 17). Besiege on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 14). Rusted Warfare - RTS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 14). Door Kickers 2: Task Force North on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 14). Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 16). Empires of the Undergrowth on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 15). Cities: Skylines on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 21). STAR WARS™ Knights of the Old Republic™ II - The Sith Lords™ on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 14). Defender's Quest: Valley of the Forgotten (DX edition) on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 22). Frostpunk on Steam. Steam Store.