Best Real-Time with Pause Games on Steam
Steam currently has 418 Real-Time with Pause games available to download and play. 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 2/5/2025.
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1. Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance
The last days of man are at hand.. Two years after the Infinite War the once great warring nations now lie in ruins, and humanity’s hope for a brighter future is nothing but a bitter memory. A new, seemingly unstoppable enemy, supported by the zealots of The Order, now seeks to eradicate mankind: UEF, Aeon Loyalist, and Cybran alike.
Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance holds the #1 spot for "best Real-Time with Pause game on Steam" with a Player Score of 94. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 13,217 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 12,804 positive reviews and 413 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $12.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance on the Steam Deck.
| Steam Price | $12.99 |
| Release Date | 9/28/2011 |
| Developer | Gas Powered Games |
| Publisher | Square Enix |
| Steam App Id | 9420 |
2. 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 has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 73,745 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 70,398 positive reviews and 3,347 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 |
3. 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 #3 spot for the best Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 49,098 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 46,877 positive reviews and 2,221 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 |
4. 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 #4 spot for the best Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,826 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,639 positive reviews and 187 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 |
5. Against the Storm
A dark fantasy city builder where you must rebuild civilization in the face of apocalyptic rains. As the Queen’s Viceroy, lead humans, beavers, lizards, foxes, and harpies to reclaim the wilderness and secure a future for civilization's last survivors.
Against the Storm has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 29,959 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 28,466 positive reviews and 1,493 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $29.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $29.99 |
| Release Date | 12/8/2023 |
| Franchise | Hooded Horse |
| Developer | Eremite Games |
| Publisher | Hooded Horse |
| Steam App Id | 1336490 |
6. 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 #6 spot for the best Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,600 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,441 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 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 |
7. 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 #7 spot for the best Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,996 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,585 positive reviews and 411 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $22.49 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 | $22.49 |
| Release Date | 2/10/2025 |
| Franchise | KillHouse Games |
| Developer | KillHouse Games |
| Publisher | KillHouse Games |
| Steam App Id | 1239080 |
8. Cosmoteer: Starship Architect & Commander
Design and simulate the starships of your dreams! Command your ship or fleet in epic battles and manage your crew while exploring a dangerous galaxy. Play alone or with friends, test your ships in online PvP, and let your imagination reach for the stars!
Cosmoteer: Starship Architect & Commander has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 10,697 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 10,178 positive reviews and 519 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Cosmoteer: Starship Architect & Commander on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 10/24/2022 |
| Developer | Walternate Realities |
| Publisher | Walternate Realities |
| Steam App Id | 799600 |
9. 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 #9 spot for the best Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 268,687 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 250,667 positive reviews and 18,020 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 |
10. 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 #10 spot for the best Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 14,393 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 13,603 positive reviews and 790 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 Empires of the Undergrowth on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $29.99 |
| Release Date | 6/7/2024 |
| Franchise | Hooded Horse |
| Developer | Slug Disco |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 463530 |
More Real-Time with Pause Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Real-Time with Pause games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,344 | 9/28/2011 | 94 | $12.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1,342 | 9/14/2012 | 94 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 497 | 2/18/2020 | 94 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 215 | 7/14/2017 | 93 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 2,344 | 12/8/2023 | 93 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 253 | 3/27/2014 | 93 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 5,106 | 2/10/2025 | 93 | $22.49 | Steam Charts | |
| 849 | 10/24/2022 | 92 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 7,962 | 3/10/2015 | 92 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 467 | 6/7/2024 | 92 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 24 | ??? | 92 | ??? | Steam Charts | |
 | 51 | 10/20/2014 | 92 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 26 | 9/21/2017 | 92 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 461 | 8/23/2012 | 92 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 389 | 5/21/2014 | 91 | $2.09 | Steam Charts | |
 | 20 | 10/30/2012 | 91 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 58 | 12/19/2008 | 91 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 87 | 4/11/2017 | 91 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,816 | 4/24/2018 | 91 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 57 | 1/27/2014 | 90 | $9.99 | 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, February 5). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 5). Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 6). FTL: Faster Than Light on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 14). Besiege on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 14). Rusted Warfare - RTS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 14). Against the Storm on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 28). Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 15). Door Kickers 2: Task Force North on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 14). Cosmoteer: Starship Architect & Commander on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 11). Cities: Skylines on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 14). Empires of the Undergrowth on Steam. Steam Store.