More than 10 years after Ubisoft took it down, one of our favorite games of 2010 is back on Steam

Eugen Systems’ acclaimed 2010 World War 2 real-time strategy game R.U.S.E. has returned to Steam more than a decade after its removal. The game was delisted in December 2015 when original publisher Ubisoft took it down due to expiring licensing rights for military items depicted in the game.

Following Eugen Systems’ acquisition of the rights from Ubisoft, the game is now available as R.U.S.E. Definitive Edition, with the developer handling publishing duties. The re-release includes all previously published DLC, technical updates, and newly added Steam Deck support. Players who previously owned the title will receive these additions as a free 2.4GB update.

R.U.S.E. earned an 84% critical score at launch, with reviewers praising Eugen Systems for introducing novel mechanics to the strategy genre. The game distinguishes itself through emphasis on deception and tactical cunning via special “ruse” cards rather than conventional military strength. The title has maintained strong appeal among strategy enthusiasts during its decade-long absence from digital storefronts.

The return exemplifies game preservation through developer action. For over eleven years, players faced permanent loss of access due to licensing constraints. This re-release restores the classic RTS to longtime veterans while introducing it to new players discovering the title for the first time.

Sources

• More than 10 years after Ubisoft took it down, one of our favorite games of 2010 is back on Steam
• Ubisoft RTS RUSE is back on Steam, thanks to the original dev
• 11 years after vanishing from Steam, sneaky WW2 strategy gem R.U.S.E. gets a surprise Definitive Edition with Deck support and all the DLC
• Ubisoft’s 2010 strategy game R.U.S.E. has returned from the dead