Best Real-Time with Pause Games on Steam (for Mac OS)

Steam currently has 405 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 12/12/2024.

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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 banner

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 73,135 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 69,847 positive reviews and 3,288 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!

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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 48,565 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 46,390 positive reviews and 2,175 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $3.74 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 $3.74
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 banner

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 5,529 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,348 positive reviews and 181 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. 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 banner

Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal 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 4,538 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,386 positive reviews and 152 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

5. 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 banner

Cities: Skylines has achieved a Player Score of 92, 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 265,358 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 247,564 positive reviews and 17,794 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

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 banner

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 13,882 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 13,105 positive reviews and 777 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. 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™ banner

STAR WARS™ Knights of the Old Republic™ II - The Sith Lords™ 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 23,629 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 22,122 positive reviews and 1,507 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

8. 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) banner

Defender's Quest: Valley of the Forgotten (DX edition) 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 3,424 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,265 positive reviews and 159 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

9. Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition

Uncover secrets of past lives in this story-rich, tactical roleplaying game set in Sigil, a dark fantasy city at the heart of the Dungeons & Dragons multiverse. Explore the planes, survive combat alongside a party of bizarre companions, and solve puzzles unlike any ever seen in the genre.

Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition banner

Planescape: Torment: Enhanced 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 4,703 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,458 positive reviews and 245 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $19.99
Release Date 4/11/2017
Franchise Beamdog
Developer Beamdog
Publisher Beamdog
Steam App Id 466300

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 banner

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 116,443 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 107,614 positive reviews and 8,829 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $4.49 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 $4.49
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.

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. (2024, December 12). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 12). FTL: Faster Than Light on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 11). Besiege on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 18). Rusted Warfare - RTS on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 5). Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 10). Cities: Skylines on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 13). Empires of the Undergrowth on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 5). STAR WARS™ Knights of the Old Republic™ II - The Sith Lords™ on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 19). Defender's Quest: Valley of the Forgotten (DX edition) on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 7). Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 9). Frostpunk on Steam. Steam Store.

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