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
266 games on PC, with requirements, reviews and prices.
266 games
AI filter: hide games with AI content
Customize
Hearts of Iron IV
World War II grand strategy with detailed national war planning
79% positive
355K reviews
Cities: Skylines
Single-player city builder about growth, budgets, traffic, and public services
89% positive
240K reviews
AI
Stellaris
Real-time grand strategy about building and shaping a galactic empire
83% positive
153K reviews
Frostpunk
Survival city builder where heat, resources, and laws decide lives
92% positive
120K reviews
Demo Europa Universalis IV
Historical grand strategy sandbox where any nation can reshape history
77% positive
113K reviews
Crusader Kings III
Medieval grand strategy where dynasties outlive their rulers
84% positive
109K reviews
Crusader Kings II
Medieval grand strategy about dynasties, politics, war, and succession
85% positive
Free
Company of Heroes 2
World War II RTS built around cover and combined arms
80% positive
72K reviews
FTL: Faster Than Light
Space roguelike strategy built around crew management and permadeath
94% positive
65K reviews
Victoria 3
Historical grand strategy centered on economics, politics, and social change
63% positive
49K reviews
They Are Billions
Real-time colony defense against relentless post-apocalyptic zombie swarms
84% positive
48K reviews
Dragon Age: Origins - Ultimate Edition
Party-based fantasy RPG where choices reshape a war-torn kingdom
84% positive
30K reviews
STAR WARS™ Knights of the Old Republic™
Party-based Star Wars RPG where choices shape your path
90% positive
30K reviews
Europa Universalis V
Historical grand strategy spanning centuries of nation-building and alternate history
61% positive
30K reviews
Pathfinder: Kingmaker — Enhanced Plus Edition
Party-based fantasy RPG about conquering land and ruling a kingdom
76% positive
29K 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
93% positive
24K reviews
Imperator: Rome
Ancient grand strategy about politics, populations, trade, and conquest
62% positive
21K reviews
Victoria II
Historical grand strategy built around politics, industry, and population
88% positive
19K reviews
Pillars of Eternity
Party-based fantasy RPG with consequential choices and tactical combat
87% positive
18K reviews
Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition
Party-based fantasy CRPG with character choices and pause-driven combat
92% positive
16K reviews
Mass Effect (2007)
Third-person sci-fi RPG with squad combat and story choices
93% positive
15K reviews
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
Party-based fantasy RPG about pursuing a god across an archipelago
87% positive
15K reviews
Cossacks 3
Historical real-time strategy with vast armies and economic management
82% positive
13K reviews
Door Kickers 2: Task Force North
Top-down real-time tactics built around planning close-quarters raids
95% positive
13K reviews