Retro Commander

Retro Commander

Released Nov 2023

Retro Commander is a post-apocalyptic real-time strategy wargame (RTS).

77% positive · 375 reviews
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
High confidence
Active Development
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
High confidence
Active Development

Where to get it

Free on Steam

Evaluation

Retro Commander launched on November 25, 2023 after more than six years of development. Since release, the developer has maintained a highly active update cadence, delivering new units, factions, campaign chapters, game modes, and gameplay systems on a near-monthly basis. Major content milestones post-launch include: the Alien Faction and Campaign Chapter 08 (December 6, 2024), Cruise Missiles and Radar Jamming systems (December 12, 2025), new units including AWACS, EMP Droid, and Uranium Hover Miner (November 9, 2025), the Tele-Defense Tower and Metal Island ground tile (May 2, 2026), the Jammer Tank with further polish (May 29, 2026), and most recently the AI vs. AI watching mode and Missile Ship balancing patch (June 22, 2026). The developer has communicated no intention to conclude development. The most recent update was on June 22, 2026, and the overall pattern — spanning nearly three years of consistent post-launch work — shows no signs of slowing. The game continues to grow in units, factions, and campaign content.
Evidence
Feature patch 2.34.170 adds AI vs. AI watching mode, Missile Ship balancing, new map scenario, and various fixes — the most recent developer communication.
news post · Jun 22, 2026 source development ongoing
high
Feature patch 2.33.168 adds the Jammer Tank, Complete Tech game option, tournament improvements, and numerous fixes.
news post · May 29, 2026 source development ongoing
high

Content

1 of 1 released · no outstanding content

Media

Details

Publisher
Noble Master LLC
Achievements
15
Platform
Windows, macOS, Linux
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player · Multiplayer · Co-op · PvP

About this game

Retro Commander is a post-apocalyptic real-time strategy wargame (RTS). Take command and fight it out in a world where a cataclysmic timeline has transpired on Mother Earth. Wage wars solo, against the AI, or take on your gaming comrades and friends in cross-platform multiplayer matches. Form teams and clans and fight co-op style with the AI and other players for ultimate victory.

As opposed to other real-time strategy game, Retro Commander tries to focus on both, a fun single player and a thrilling multiplayer experience. The game strives to be easy to learn with a modern user interface. Single player comes with skirmish matches against the AI as well as a comic-based story campaign. Multiplayer can be played cross-platform and includes a ranking and rating system.

  • Post-Apocalyptic: Real-time strategy (RTS) played in a post-apocalyptic timeline on Mother Earth. The environment includes day-night cycles, rain, snow, wind and solar flare activity.

  • Story Campaign: Deep campaign and story line of humanity after a cataclysmic event. Factions come with their own specialized technologies such as stealth, robots, drones or shields.

  • Single & Multiplayer: A challenging AI for both single and multiplayer matches with co-op play. Cross-platform multiplayer including LAN/internet. ONLINE play comes with an award and rating system.

  • Play Modes: In addition to regular skirmish matches, the game supports missions such as elimination, survival, capture the flag, defense and battle royale. Available in both single and multiplayer also are escort and rescue missions.

  • Structures & Troops: Common troops for land, sea and air warfare is available to all factions. Specialized elements such as stealth, shields, EMP weapons, nukes, portals, orbital weapons, assimilator and other troops and structures provide for additional variety.

  • Research: A tech tree and research options enable to build specialized structures and troops. A Tech Snatcher can be used to steal enemy technology.

  • Modding: A map editor is included allowing for player-modded maps including player-modded campaigns. All elements including troops, structures, as well as graphics and sound effects, can be modded if desired.

Although some troops are shared, the game is trying not to be a generic RTS-games. There are faction-specific technologies each with their strengths and weaknesses.

  • GRA Technology: gives access to stealth and cloaking. Included are cloaked agents and spies as well as bombers with EMP and nuclear weapons. Available also are snipers and heavy airlifts. Can build uranium fabricators.

  • ELC Technology: provides robots, airships and robo dogs. Available also are a mechanic and heavy airlift. Can build stationary EMP-field generators.

  • IDB Technology: provides hovertanks, drones including EMP-field drones and drones equipped with napalm weapons. Can build fusion generators for power.

  • Mayan Technology: consists of decoy capabilities. Included are hologram tanks, transformers, dogs and dolphins. Can build portals.

  • Ancient Technology: provides shields, EMP soldiers, assimilators and napalm tanks. Can build matter fabricators.

  • Alien Technology: provides alien crafts, specialized in PSY and EMP. Builds mobile factories.

Free vs Paid (DLC or in-game): The free version includes unlimited access to over 12+ multiplayer scenarios and Chapter 01 of the single player campaign. Purchasing the DLC "All Maps & Modding" grants full access to the game. It includes everything for single player including the story campaign, skirmishing against the AI, ONLINE multiplayer or LAN-play with friends and family.

No DRM: There is no DRM in the game. You don't need to connected to the internet to play single player games or the campaign. You don't need to be logged in to play LAN games either. You don't need to login either for WAN games (locally hosted games over the internet), but you will have to work out your router settings and do the appropriate port-forwarding so your friends can connect from remote.

Last evaluated Aug 27, 2026
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