Good intro RTS for someone who has NEVER played an RTS

[HomerX]

I was kinda thinking that if I start with the state-of-the-art RTS, in Starcraft 2, then what are the chances I'll be able to go back to the older RTS's and enjoy them at all?

If I start with something older, I can enjoy that game as much as I might have when it was new (considering I'm pretty much a complete and total RTS noob, though not at all a gaming noob). Then I can gradually advance with the newer RTS's as they presented new ideas, new flashier graphics, new ways to make the games less cumbersome, etc. Plus, that'll be MORE total gaming for me too, if I can spend time playing/enjoying the older games.

That all depends on the time you have to spend on gaming and if you prefer SP over MP...

If you have lots of free time and you prefer SP -> go for the old games!

personally i have just enough time to keep up with ~1-2 games, especially when trying to compete in MP matches!
So i want to play the "best" game available/the game that most of my friends play... atm for me this is SC2, followed with civ5 in a few weeks. by the time when these two games are getting boring/outaded there are a lot of new good games on the way (e.g. diablo 3 and the sc2 addons).

I prefer to play MP games with my friends, playing SP mostly as a "training" for MP matches... So playing an OLD game which none of my friends plays, feels like wasted time for me.

 

[Ancalagon44]

I was kinda thinking that if I start with the state-of-the-art RTS, in Starcraft 2, then what are the chances I'll be able to go back to the older RTS's and enjoy them at all?

If I start with something older, I can enjoy that game as much as I might have when it was new (considering I'm pretty much a complete and total RTS noob, though not at all a gaming noob). Then I can gradually advance with the newer RTS's as they presented new ideas, new flashier graphics, new ways to make the games less cumbersome, etc. Plus, that'll be MORE total gaming for me too, if I can spend time playing/enjoying the older games.

Just an idea. I'm not saying Dune 2 is the best choice, but I do like the idea of something that's oldish, but still won't overwhelm me and turn me off to the whole genre.

I wouldnt start with anything older than Warcraft 3, maybe StarCraft 1 or Stronghold 1 at a push. The reason is that as a non nostalgic gamer, those classic games will mean nothing to you, and will just seem dated and boring, possibly putting you off the genre as a whole.

Depending on your budget for acquiring games, you can start with StarCraft II, or Dawn of War I which is older but still great fun. Also, google Desktop Tower Defence and try it out. Tower Defence (I'm sure you've heard of it) is basically an offshoot of RTS games in which you dont build mobile units or resource collection units, but only focus on using turrets (base defense buildings) to defeat waves of enemies. Desktop Tower Defense is a good example of the sub genre, and it may whet your appetite for RTS games. Its also free, and simple to learn.

As for base building vs non base building - you'll have to try both to find out what you enjoy. Games that are focused on economy and base expansion, like Total Annihilation/Supreme Commander, can be excellent fun if you enjoy a more "realistic" experience. And the sheer scale is great. Despite that, I wouldnt recommend TA or Supreme Commander until you've at least played a few traditional base expansion games such as Warcraft 3, StarCraft II and C&C Generals. C&C Generals is an excellent example of the genre too.

 

[Jimmah]

My vote is for Supreme Commander, both 1 + expansion and 2. Hard to deal with the micromanagement but you get used to it mighty fast, large playerbase to play with and #2 has an interesting research tree for each type of unit.

You can pick out the SC2 guys pretty easy, they're the ones getting owned the hardest.

 

[bhanson]

The most mainstream game is SC2. It has a huge player-base and tons of money being poured into it. You'll be able to safely play this game for the next 10 years and it will still be popular. The others games not so much.

 

[LucJoe]

Just get SC2.

Easy to pick up, impossible to master.

 

[Dumac]

You can pick out the SC2 guys pretty easy, they're the ones getting owned the hardest.

lol no

Anyone who really plays SC2 wouldn't play SupCom. It wouldn't be complex enough

 

[Dumac]

DoW2 also has resource collection and management and tech upgrades.

Yes, but they are really simplified and hold you hand along the way.

Same goes for combat.

 

[shortylickens]

HOMM3 does not do hamburgerliers and pink dragons.

If you get the platinum edition (all the add-ons) they have a buttload of cool dragons. And plenty of other misc units not part of a town.

 

[NoCreativity]

RTS = Rise of Nations, it's based on real stuff so it's easy to comprehend your units and upgrades. Resource gathering is straightforward and commanding your units is simple. Another great franchise cut down at the knees by the developer.

I'll second Rise of Nations. Good game play balance (resource gathering,city building,combat) and not to complicated to learn.

AoE 3 was also not really difficult to pick up either.

 

[BladeVenom]

World in Conflict or Dawn of War 2, would be good choices.

One of the Total War series would also be a good choice. With the resource management being turn based means you can concentrate on the actual fighting in real time. I prefer the series over pure RTS games.

 

[JTsyo]

I vote for Red Alert for free. Playing the older games first you won't be put off with the graphics as much if your try them after playing new stuff.
Starcraft is worth it for the story and races are pretty different that you get a different experience with each.
Company of Heroes is a very different from the other and is much more tactical, with your troops looking for cover, suppression and such. It gives a much more authentic feel of historical combat. Get this during a steam sale for sure.

 

[Elcs]

Red Alert 1 is probably the simplest of all of the games listed.

Simple base building, simple harvesting and balance of one resource and all of the units are rather self explanatory in their use.

Homeworld 1 is probably the most awe-inspiriing RTS to date.

Great graphics for it's time which still stand as 'reasonable' today. Atmosphere generated is second to none in an RTS. Solid gameplay, interesting story and space-based goodness make Homeworld a standout RTS.

Dawn of War 2... Taking Dawn of War 1, stripping out certain parts to streamline multiplayer and enhanced singleplayer to be more in accordance with 'fluff'

Tied to Steam and GFWL can put some people off but GFWL is also one of DoW2's strengths. There are better systems and hopefully Dawn of War 3 will use one of those but matchmaking on DoW2 is of a generally good standard. expect to have closely fought battles, fighting against and alongside people with equivilent skills as yourself. No base building and the area-controlled resource gathering system simplifies certain aspects of the RTS genre and allows the players to get right into the nitty gritty earlier and without some of the fuss. Singleplayer is a great, storydriven affair which lends itself equally as accomplished to the RPG genre, a fine example of how a singleplayer RTS can be made with an engaging storyline without it feeling tacked on, like an afterthought.

Company of Heroes... In the argueably overdone World War 2 genre, Company of Heroes heralded an evolution of the RTS genre by introducing several real world concepts which were not effectively capitalised upon earlier.

Area-controlled resources... supply lines... directional armour (tanks having heavier front armour, therefore more vulnerable at the back)... cover systems... They sound so simple but CoH added these concepts and made them integral to their model. In the familiar WW2 genre, using real weapons and taking on realistic campaigns, you can feel right at home. Crank up the speakers and the subwoofer... you will feel like ducking under your desk the first time the 24-pounders fire.

Hopefully you find the experience that you are searching for.

 

[paperfist]

I'll second Rise of Nations. Good game play balance (resource gathering,city building,combat) and not to complicated to learn.

AoE 3 was also not really difficult to pick up either.

That was actually the first RTS I really played, before that I tried out many and really couldn't get into them as they were too complicated and too much to learn since I came from a background of TBS games.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

i cant really see any good reason not to start with SC2

 

[tj_jokestar]

I would also have to say Company of Heroes and especially since is free to play online

 

[Jules]

Company of Heroes?

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

A lot of people are saying SC2, maybe you should be specific as there are 2 RTS games with that acronym (Supreme Commander 2 and StarCraft 2, both of which are not that good by the way).

 

[frozentundra123456]

Age of empires 3...pretty simple really.

Gather Materials, build your town, gather more materials, build an army, kick the living hell out of your enemy's ass

Too bad MS killed it at its prime...they are coming out with some F2P version, but i just don't think that model will ever work fairly as far as RTS. Anyways, you can download the demo off their community site(just google age of empires) then if you like it, you can purchase the whole game+2 expansions for 20 bucks. If you got a nice vid card, you should be able to run it @ 1080p no probs.

I agree with this comment. One of the more fun and easier RTS games. I have played a lot of RTS games, but still must not be that good(Starcraft 2 vs AI is brutal, btw), because most of then seem fairly difficult.
This one on the other hand, if you play the campaign on "easy" it is in fact easy. I thought AOE 3 was the best game, and the 2 expansions were less interesting.

 

[frozentundra123456]

That all depends on the time you have to spend on gaming and if you prefer SP over MP...

If you have lots of free time and you prefer SP -> go for the old games!

personally i have just enough time to keep up with ~1-2 games, especially when trying to compete in MP matches!
So i want to play the "best" game available/the game that most of my friends play... atm for me this is SC2, followed with civ5 in a few weeks. by the time when these two games are getting boring/outaded there are a lot of new good games on the way (e.g. diablo 3 and the sc2 addons).

I prefer to play MP games with my friends, playing SP mostly as a "training" for MP matches... So playing an OLD game which none of my friends plays, feels like wasted time for me.

I prefer single player myself, mainly because I get my butt kicked online. I thought the campaign in Starcraft 2 was reasonably easy, but the skirmish AI is brutal. They seem to know exactly what you are doing and have the perfect counter for whatever strategy you use.

 

[zinfamous]

I'll second Rise of Nations. Good game play balance (resource gathering,city building,combat) and not to complicated to learn.

AoE 3 was also not really difficult to pick up either.

i was going to suggest Rise of Nations or Warcraft 2. old C&C games are great, too.

 

[OCNewbie]

Also, google Desktop Tower Defence and try it out.

Been trying this for a little while now. I'm doing DTD Pro and struggling with the "Spawns" Scenario #9. Fun stuff though!

 

[tj_jokestar]

Company of Heroes?

http://www.companyofheroes.com/
Its pretty fun with a little changes from the original and the tutorials are really helpful for noobs

 

[sao123]

While RA1 and C&C95 were probably the titles which really got the genre going, those might be too basic for the OP to get started on. although, they are some of the best ever and should be played at some time by all RTS fans.

i suggest starting at:
Red Alert 2/Yuri, Tiberian Sun, AOE 2, WC 2.
Tiberian sun has been released for free (as had C&C95/Red alert 1) and I suspect Red Alert 2/Yuri will soon follow.

These provide an intro to the genre without being overwelmingly complex and still provides a deep fun play.

 

[Pia]

Command & Conquer: Tiberian Dawn makes a good intro. Very clear presentation due to sprite graphics, you never have to wonder WTF is going on, there are only group hotkeys to learn, and furious clicking or awesome reaction time is not necessary.

After that I'd point the OP towards Starcraft and the addon Brood War. Much more complicated, needs fast thinking and requires you to learn the interface at least a little, but is still very clear and the internet is full of info about it. This is the most noteworthy RTS game in existence by almost any measure. I wouldn't recommend getting into multiplayer at this point though.

Then it comes down to whether the OP prefers slow games or fast, competetive games, single player or multiplayer, deeper strategy or simple tactics, small or large scale.

Some modern possibilities are Starcraft 2, Company of Heroes, and the Total Annihilation lineage (TA, SupCom, etc.).

 

[OCNewbie]

I just started playing Plants vs Zombies today... it's quite fun =P I guess it's sort of RTS like, no?