Question for gaming nerds (you know who you are)...

Command & Conquer 3.

Of the new, graphics intensive, real-time strategy games, I would have to say Supreme Commander would be the cream of the crop. Designed by the former Total Annihilation crew, it really addresses the logistical and tactical realms of realtime combat. If your computer isn't up to snuff, Total Annihilation itself is a great one as well, even if you don't want to use multiplayer, which is where this game shines, there is an absolute ton of user-created content on the web you can use to enhance and modify your game.

The best strategy game I've ever played, however, is Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri. It's turn based, so it isn't as frenetic as the RTS' can be, but the quality of presentation, completely realized multiple levels of strategy, very unique art, deep background, and tremendous storytelling make this a true work of art from the player's or the designer's perspective.

starcraft

I've heard Sid Meier is good, that's why I looked at Civilization...I like the idea of using different "ages" and such which is why I mentioned the others...might have to look into some of these others mentioned.

I also looked at Empire at War since I like Star Wars, but I've got a few XBox games for that so I thought I'd try something with a different theme. I did look at Battle for Middle Earth though.

rome total war

OK, I've looked into some of the others, and they seem like something to check out...anyone have an opinion on Age of Empires, Civilization, Rise of Nations, or Battle for Middle Earth? This would be my first strategy game too, so something with not too much of a learning curve would be helpful...

Rome Total War is bar none the best strategy game ever

Yeah i've played(aoe to aoe3 the War chiefs) it for years-and its fun-the rts is great! and you have alot of options without having to have a crazy maxed out cpu. The start play and graphics are excelent.

raiderxc99 wrote:

OK, I've looked into some of the others, and they seem like something to check out...anyone have an opinion on Age of Empires, Civilization, Rise of Nations, or Battle for Middle Earth? This would be my first strategy game too, so something with not too much of a learning curve would be helpful...

[quote]PorT_madDog wrote:

and you have alot of options without having to have a crazy maxed out cpu.[quote]

Yeah, not needing a $1500 computer would be nice...

i've been playing "age of empires 2: conquerers expansion" for several years now. it is definitely one of my favorite games. the game is fun - even against the computer. i especially like how the game uses real civilizations and provides history along with each. i tend to play this game in waves. for example, i play it nonstop for like 2 weeks, quit it for a month or two, then play it again. it has an amazing replay value. i've tried age of empires, age of empires 3, empire earth 1 and 2, age of mythology, the red dawns, the star wars one, etc. aoe 2 conquerers expansion is by far the best.

What things are YOU most interested in?

Are you interested in something closer to historical accuracy?

Are you interested in something that has more empire building, city building, resource management or just more kick ass fighting?

Do you want a turn based game where you have to really THINK? A real time game that may end up being more of a click fest than real strategy? Do you want a combination?

Do you want killer graphics?

Rome Total War has a decent blend of all the above, not perfectly historically accurate but better than most games..you certainly get a "feel" for the period. It's turn based when you are playing the empire level. But, when you get to battles it becomes essentially real time. The battles are awesome. Tons of cool units/formations. Lots of control over what individual units do ( a few lingering bugs but not much). Lots of buildings to put in your cities too. If you play as the roman faction there's intrigue with the senate. The overall empire strategy part and the diplomacy is only OK. Multi-player is limited (but you don't seem concerned with that).

Civilization IV is decent. Turn based. Very broad in scope. Takes you from the stone age to the space age. Obviously it can't be too detailed in any one period. Can play as many different civilizations from earth. You can build lots of cool stuff in your cities. You can research technology. You can customize the game (called modding) pretty easily. Get a decent computer because the late stages of the game can drag. I'd say it's medium level on the thinking part. It's not so exciting after you've played it a bunch. It's too easy for me now.

Age of Empires-- is cool but there's lots of clicking. It's gathering resources, raise units, kill other guys units basically. Even though the units and buildings look historical, there is almost NO historical feel or accuracy. Not that much thinking going on really. A good game but my least favorite.

Here's a sleeper: Europa Universalis II ( version 3 is out but it will take a while for them to work out the bugs--however, unlike many developers Paradox keeps putting out new patches for YEARS!!).

I give it an A for historical accuracy (takes place from 1418 or so until 1818). It is quite complex but not too hard to learn, just takes a while to master the subtleties. It has AWESOME diplomacy. You really have ALLIANCES that matter. Unlike most strategy games if you turn into a "bad boy" EVERYONE, will hate you and gang up on you. You can play ANY nation in the world (don't play your first game with a minor power though--play the Ottoman Turks first). The battles are pretty abstract--not the same level of detailed troop control as Total War. The graphics aren't spectacular but you don't need it for this kind of game. Its fun to play single player (like you say you want) and if you ever want to multi-play it's an AWESOME experience.

I should have said if you play as one of 3 possible Roman factions in Rome Total War....You can also play many other nations or tribes. The Germans, the egyptians etc. Each has their own strengths and weaknesses.

All of them suck except for Starcraft. Starcraft 2 is finally coming out next year aswell.. and you will be hooked.

It depends. wrote:

What things are YOU most interested in?

Are you interested in something closer to historical accuracy?

Are you interested in something that has more empire building, city building, resource management or just more kick ass fighting?

Do you want a turn based game where you have to really THINK? A real time game that may end up being more of a click fest than real strategy? Do you want a combination?

Do you want killer graphics?

Thanks for the advice, that really helps...let's see...

*Are you interested in something closer to historical accuracy?

Not necessarily accurate, I just like the historical feel...but I'm not sure if I want a limited scope like say Rome: Total War or Age of Empires, or the option to be more broad like Civilization...

*Are you interested in something that has more empire building, city building, resource management or just more kick ass fighting?

Probably looking for something in the middle...that's why I looked at Rise of Nations, which claims a mix of both RTS and turn based, although the single player doesn't have much apparently.

*Do you want a turn based game where you have to really THINK? A real time game that may end up being more of a click fest than real strategy? Do you want a combination?

Kind of answered above...since it's my first one I don't know which one I would like more. That's why I thought it would help to get others opinions.

*Do you want killer graphics?

Not that big of a deal. If they are there great, but not at the expense of gameplay. One of the criticisms I've heard of AOE 3 is too much graphics development and not enough gameplay development.

AOE 2 seems to be popular, as does Civ 3, assuming they will play on Vista, because that's probably what I will get (maybe XP).

Another thing about AoE. I said it was my least favorite...I meant least favorite of all the games mentioned on this thread. Because it is a bit simpler, I think you will get bored reasonably quickly at that game doing single player. I had A LOT of fun playing that game multi-player.

That said, since you haven't really played strat games on computer you'll probably like any of them for a while. Plus, some of these games that have been mentioned are older and will be cheaper. You really will be OK no matter which you pick.

Damn, this thread is making me want to go play a game....

dream come true wrote:

i've been playing "age of empires 2: conquerers expansion" for several years now. it is definitely one of my favorite games. the game is fun - even against the computer. i especially like how the game uses real civilizations and provides history along with each. i tend to play this game in waves. for example, i play it nonstop for like 2 weeks, quit it for a month or two, then play it again. it has an amazing replay value. i've tried age of empires, age of empires 3, empire earth 1 and 2, age of mythology, the red dawns, the star wars one, etc. aoe 2 conquerers expansion is by far the best.

I have been palying AoE II expansion a lot lately. I am like you I will be addicted for a bit then quit.

I have been having a problem lately. While in the middle of playing my whole computer just shuts down, almost instantly. I have restorted to saving my game every minute. I can usually only play for 15 minutes at a time.

I am not a computer person and the only thing I can think of is that it takes too much memory to operate at the really complex sequences. This never use to happen in the past.

Suggestions? Thanks.

bump help?

huge,huge nerd wrote:

bump help?

Almost instantly, or instantly? I've seen laptops shutdown immediately because they overheat. That's my only guess. I've also had a friend that had a bad temp sensor in his laptop and it would shutdown sporadically even when his computer wasn't overheating. So that could be it too.

UsedToBeKnowItAll wrote:

huge,huge nerd wrote:

bump help?

Almost instantly, or instantly? I've seen laptops shutdown immediately because they overheat. That's my only guess. I've also had a friend that had a bad temp sensor in his laptop and it would shutdown sporadically even when his computer wasn't overheating. So that could be it too.

yeah pretty much instantly. How would I keep it cool and from overheating? that would make sense because the intervals between shut-offs get shorter the longer I play.

Thanks.