Best Real-Time with Pause games on PC
Games play out continuously in real time but let players pause the action to issue commands, adjust plans, or manage systems before continuing.
- Continuous action between pauses
- Commands issued while paused
- Tactical or management decisions
Related: Strategy, Simulation, Grand Strategy, RPG
152 games on PC, with requirements, reviews and prices.
Hearts of Iron IV
World War II grand strategy with detailed national war planning
90% positive
377K reviews
Cities: Skylines
Single-player city builder about growth, budgets, traffic, and public services
93% positive
292K reviews
Stellaris
Real-time grand strategy about building and shaping a galactic empire
86% positive
197K reviews
Crusader Kings III
Medieval grand strategy where dynasties outlive their rulers
90% positive
144K reviews
Frostpunk
Survival city builder where heat, resources, and laws decide lives
93% positive
138K reviews
Europa Universalis IV
Historical grand strategy sandbox where any nation can reshape history
88% positive
137K reviews
Company of Heroes 2
World War II RTS built around cover and combined arms
79% positive
113K reviews
FTL: Faster Than Light
Space roguelike strategy built around crew management and permadeath
95% positive
79K reviews
Crusader Kings II
Medieval grand strategy about dynasties, politics, war, and succession
91% positive
Free
Victoria 3
Historical grand strategy centered on economics, politics, and social change
70% positive
61K reviews
They Are Billions
Real-time colony defense against relentless post-apocalyptic zombie swarms
85% positive
51K reviews
Pathfinder: Kingmaker — Enhanced Plus Edition
Party-based fantasy RPG about conquering land and ruling a kingdom
78% positive
35K reviews
STAR WARS™ Knights of the Old Republic™
Party-based Star Wars RPG where choices shape your path
91% positive
34K reviews
Dragon Age: Origins - Ultimate Edition
Party-based fantasy RPG where choices reshape a war-torn kingdom
86% positive
31K reviews
Imperator: Rome
Ancient grand strategy about politics, populations, trade, and conquest
66% positive
27K reviews
Pillars of Eternity
Party-based fantasy RPG with consequential choices and tactical combat
88% positive
26K reviews
STAR WARS™ Knights of the Old Republic™ II - The Sith Lords™
Party-based sci-fi RPG where choices shape your path through the Force
94% positive
26K reviews
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
Party-based fantasy RPG about pursuing a god across an archipelago
88% positive
20K reviews
Victoria II
Historical grand strategy built around politics, industry, and population
92% positive
20K reviews
Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition
Party-based fantasy CRPG with character choices and pause-driven combat
92% positive
18K reviews
Mass Effect (2007)
Third-person sci-fi RPG with squad combat and story choices
94% positive
17K reviews
Cossacks 3
Historical real-time strategy with vast armies and economic management
82% positive
16K reviews
Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance
Large-scale sci-fi RTS with base building and massive armies
97% positive
14K reviews
Door Kickers 2: Task Force North
Top-down real-time tactics built around planning close-quarters raids
96% positive
14K reviews