Recommended Titles for Strategy Noob?

[JDubya]

I have been leaning towards trying some strategy games for the first time. I have been a RPG fella for quite a while, so I do not mind a fantasy setting. Remember, I have never played a strategy title at all I need some titles to try/demo to get a feel for how strategy gaming works. They can be newer games or classics. Please let me know if the title has a very high learning curve.

Thanks for the suggestions in advance, and wish me luck

JD3

 

[m0ti]

by strategy I assume you mean RTS (real-time strategy). In my mind in terms of classics, that would be Dune 2 (the first RTS), WarCraft 2, and Command & Conquer (original or Red Alert). For the more modern classics: StarCraft and Red Alert 2.

Those are just my recommendations.

 

[StevenYoo]

<< by strategy I assume you mean RTS (real-time strategy). In my mind in terms of classics, that would be Dune 2 (the first RTS), WarCraft 2, and Command & Conquer (original or Red Alert). For the more modern classics: StarCraft and Red Alert 2.

Those are just my recommendations. >>



for RTS, follow m0ti's recommendations. Dune 2 ROCKS! and you really can't go wrong with WC2. Both games have easy-fair learning curves. Same with the original Command & Conquer and Red Alert.

perhaps you may want to try the turn-based strategy games. the Master Of Orion series has always done well. Master of Orion 1 is for DOS, so good luck with that one. MOO2 is for windows and it's awesome. There's a bit of a learning curve to it, but once you pick it up, you won't stop playing. MOO3 is due out soon i think.

People have always loved the Heroes of Might & Magic series too. NEver really played it much, but it;s there for you to try.

There's Star Wars: Rebellion, which i hear was a decent star wars take on Master Of Orion 2.

 

[dukdukgoos]

Star Craft, Age of Empires, Age of Kings

 

[Mucman]

Since you are a fan of RPG's I would suggest Fantasy General... You may be able to find it in bargain bins for a couple bucks. Awesome tactical strategy game using the Panzer General engine.

 

[datalink7]

Fantasy General is fun.

Civ III is good as well.

Total Anihilation is the best multiplayer RTS.

Starcraft is probably the best single player RTS.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Heroes of M & M II and III are hall-of-fame quality and cheap now. There is/was a HOMM millennium edition with 1,2,3 together at a good price. #1 was actually quite fun as well.

Jagged Alliance 2 is squad-level tactical combat game where you control individual soldiers, actually a lot like an RPG since they have inventory and skills that improve over time. $10-20 now, and very highly recommended (much better than Fallout Tactics, having played both)

Master Of Orion is indeed a classic and also cheap, it's been in at least one "shovelware" bundle and I think it was on a CGW CD-Rom a few months ago.

 

[Staver]

Since you are starting out and come from the fantasy rpg background. I'd say try out the Disciples 2 Demo and see if you like it. It's a mix of rpg and turn based strategy and about average in learning. I'd also try the Heroes of Might & Magic 3 Demo. It is another fantasy, turn-based, strategy game that is real easy to learn and shamefully addicting. Heroes of Might & Magic 4 will be out in 2 weeks so I wouldn't buy version 3 unless it was in the bargain bin. Fantasy General is a good game, but it would be harder to find than the other two. It's also abit more challenging as well. I actually have those three with expansions as well as Master of Magic in my regular playing regiment

 

[JDubya]

As always, you guys come through for me. I appreciate all of the suggestions, and I am ready to dive right into some of the demos mentioned. Well, I am off to lose hours and hours of my adult life

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

Disciples 2 is so damn tight. Go get it

 

[stockjock]

I have to agree with Datalink...go and get Total Annihilation. I think I've seen it for around $10-$15 now. I have never had soooooooooo much playability in one game as that one!!! Heck...If your interested I'd sell you mine. I'd let it go for $10 and that includes the expansion pack.

 

[43st]

Don't forget Homeworld (the first one).

 

[sandorski]

Just to add to the list, Cossaks European Wars. You can have up to 8000 units! I've tried to get that many before, but it took me a couple hours just to get 4000. Awesome battles are to be had.

 

[exp]

Master of Orion <---I probably spent more hours on this than the next 3-5 games combined...I still fire it up every once in a while.

Master of Magic was good, too.

Other "strategy" favorites:

X-Com:UFO Defense
Civ II
Warcraft II
Starcraft
Command & Conquer
Red Alert
Railroad Tycoon II <---don't laugh, it really is addictive
Homeworld
Shogun:Total War
Age of Empires II
Panzer General II <---if you want to get into wargaming, this is the easiest for the n00b IMHO
Sun Tzu's The Ancient Art of War <---first strategy game I ever played

 

[ViperXX]

Try a mix of Strategy and FPS:

Operation Flashpoint
Battlezone 1&2

Pure Strategy recommendations:
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2
Starcraft

 

[m0ti]

can't believe all the good ones I forgot to write about.

definitely, MOO2, TA (total annihilation), Homeworld, Age of Empires ( + II), are also awesome games.

For a beginner though, you should probably start out with Dune 2 and WC2. I wouldn't recommend something with the breadth and depth of Age of Empires, or MOO2 for someone just starting out.

Ahh, X-Com: Ufo Defense... now there was an addicting game.

 

[Gorgonzola]

Battle Realms is an awesome RTS game. it came out a few months ago, and it appears only a small number of people have actually played it. alot of the features in Warcraft 3 are already in Battle Realms, and the graphics are also very similar.

 

[randypj]

As a beginner, you might want to start with Heroes of Might and Magic I......if you can still find it. A very beer and pretzels game. Then, if you like it, quickly change to HOMM II or HOMM III. HOMM I was very easy to catch on to. Also, the HOMM's are turn-based strategy, rather than real time. At least with turn based strategy, you get time to do some thinkin'.
--Randy

 

[CubicZirconia]

I love Empire Earth, it shares many characteristics with games like Age of Empires, but it still rocks. Check it out.

 

[tboo]

I liked Ground Control & its expansion pack. I also just finished Mechcommander 2-I liked it, seemed kind of easy, though.

 

[JDubya]

Thought I would let everyone know what I ended up with. I went to a local EB, and searched through the bargain bin/shelves. I picked up Might and Magic II Gold, Warlords Battlecry, Command and Conquer Red Alert w/Aftermath expansion, and Warcraft II w/Expansion pack. Each title was $7 to $10 each, so I went for it

I loaded up MMII and Warlords Battlecry. MMII is pretty cut and dry. It will be a good game for short bursts when I do not have much gaming time. Battlecry is something special, though. I can imagine that game eliminating many precious days of my life!! It is a fantastic game. My wife thinks I am an idiot because she heard me mumbling to myself about resources this morning in the kitchen

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I have a feeling that I am hooked for a while!

JW3

 

[randypj]

sounds like you picked some good ones. You'll be very happy.

Yes, HOMM I & II are easy to pickup and just come home from work and start playing, without having to remember alot of resource, setup stuff. That's kinda what I meant by a beer and pretzels kinda game. For me, HOMM III is more indepth and takes more thinking. Lately, I've been putting all my thinking into Shogun: Total War, Warlord Edition.

And, with Warcraft II and RedAlert w/expansion, you have a couple of real classics. In fact, of all the RTS, non-turn based games I've played, from the get go, I thought RA had what it took. I never tired of it. Just moved on. I have to say, of these type of games, though, when polled, I think the majority of players probably go with Starcraft as the best ever. Does Blizzard make bad games?

Hehe....my GF is coming into town Thurs thru Sat., and suggested that we take all of Friday and do nothing but computer games. Gotta luv her.....she isn't a gamer, but at least is willing to give HOMM III a try. She even understands the concept of what I'm doing in Shogun. The girl of my dreams? You bet.
--Randy

 

[exp]

<< I picked up Might and Magic II Gold, Warlords Battlecry, Command and Conquer Red Alert w/Aftermath expansion, and Warcraft II w/Expansion pack >>

Excellent choices.

 

[CPA]

<< Just to add to the list, Cossaks European Wars. You can have up to 8000 units! I've tried to get that many before, but it took me a couple hours just to get 4000. Awesome battles are to be had. >>



I wish I could get up to the level that allows you that many units, heck I can't even get passed the first stage in that game.

Two games I would recommend are Stronghold and Sudden Strike. Both are made by Strategy First. I have found that Strategy First make some pretty enjoyable games.