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.
Supreme Ruler Ultimate
Real-time grand strategy controlling nations from World War II onward
77% positive
1,255 reviews
Nexus - The Jupiter Incident
Real-time space tactics with customizable ships and varied missions
86% positive
1,089 reviews
Black Geyser: Couriers of Darkness
Isometric fantasy RPG with pausable combat and greed-driven choices
75% positive
1,043 reviews
Species: Artificial Life, Real Evolution
Evolution sandbox where you guide species or watch them adapt
74% positive
1,003 reviews
Creeper World: Anniversary Edition
Top-down tower defense against a floodlike enemy that spreads across maps
97% positive
987 reviews
Startopia
Space station management sim with alien residents and terraforming
90% positive
973 reviews
X-COM: Apocalypse
Sci-fi strategy mixing real-time city defense and tactical missions
89% positive
960 reviews
BattleGroupVR
First-person VR space strategy commanding fleets from a flagship
92% positive
951 reviews
Airborne Empire
Open-world city builder with a flying city and pirate battles
87% positive
940 reviews
Dark Envoy
Isometric party RPG with tactical, real-time combat you can pause
70% positive
922 reviews
Citystate
City-building sandbox where policy decisions shape a new nation
76% positive
815 reviews
MachiaVillain
Horror-themed management sim about building traps and feeding monsters
66% positive
810 reviews
Drakensang
Third-person fantasy RPG with four-person parties and pauseable combat
81% positive
797 reviews
Marauder
Tactical RPG about building a squad in a war-torn town
74% positive
780 reviews
Star Wolves 3: Civil War
Real-time space strategy with squadron tactics and free roaming
81% positive
739 reviews
World Warfare & Economics
Grand strategy simulation about ruling nations through economics and war
58% positive
688 reviews
Victory At Sea Pacific
World War II naval strategy from Pacific theater to ship
62% positive
651 reviews
Lost Technology
Fantasy strategy game with turn-based conquest and real-time battles
86% positive
629 reviews
7,62 Hard Life
Single-player tactical RPG with real-time combat and faction choices
78% positive
609 reviews
Cursed Treasure 2
Fantasy tower defense where you protect gems from invading heroes
82% positive
588 reviews
Hegemony III: Clash of the Ancients
Real-time strategy in ancient Italy built around armies and supply lines
82% positive
558 reviews
Power to the People
Power-grid management sim keeping growing cities supplied through disasters
81% positive
557 reviews
Lords of Magic: Special Edition
Fantasy strategy RPG with empire building and real-time battles
92% positive
556 reviews
Supreme Ruler 2030
Real-time grand strategy balancing national politics and worldwide warfare
65% positive
555 reviews