Ruse disappeared from Steam in 2015 due to licensing issues. Now the strategy game is back thanks to the developers, and fans are thrilled.
Do you still remember Ruse (or R.U.S.E.)? The real-time strategy game was released in 2010 and let us fight World War II battles with tanks and planes. It was a tried-and-true concept, but Ruse also stood out with a few unique features.
Five years after its release, however, the game surprisingly disappeared from Steam. After some initial confusion, publisher Ubisoft clarified that licensing issues regarding the military equipment depicted in the game were to blame. Over 10 years later, Ruse is now available again on Steam thanks to an initiative by developer Eugen Systems, and fans are thrilled.
Return to the Battlefield
But what makes Ruse so special that the return of such an old strategy game is even generating interest? After all, real-time battles set in World War II are a common theme.
For one thing, there’s the seamless transition between zoom levels. In Ruse, we see the entire map on a general’s table where we plan our strategy, but we can switch directly to the battle at any time, without any fixed zoom levels or loading screens. That was pretty impressive back then.
The second unique feature is the war strategies:These are abilities that give us an advantage in battle. For example, we can spy on our opponents and learn the position or even the orders of enemy units. Or we can launch a feint to attack unexpectedly on another flank.
Developer Eugen Systems has now brought the game back in a revamped version and apparently sorted out the licensing issues. Ruse has been available on Steam since May 5, 2026, bundled with all DLCs for 30 euros. It also supports the Steam Deck. The first reviews of the re-release are 98 percent positive, and fans seem to be thrilled:
I really can’t believe [this game] is back on Steam. The effort I had to go through a few years ago to track down keys and CDs just to get this thing onto my Steam account. I never expected to see it again—it’s absolutely insane that it’s here.
Still one of the best strategy games! Easy to use, clear units, and thanks to the lists, you can really outsmart your opponent.
I spent waaaay too much time on this game. Back then, I loved it mainly because of the zoom mechanic. […] It was incredibly intuitive.
Ruse clearly has some very loyal fans who are jumping right back in upon release. A closer look at the Steam reviews confirms this: some players have spent hundreds, even thousands, of hours in the strategy game.
Are you also a fan of Ruse, or are you perhaps hearing about this strategy game for the first time today? Which games have you already put hundreds of hours into? Feel free to share in the comments!