Game recommendations for a fanatic

[Matjillam]

I've LOVED civ since Civ I was out. I can remember so many epic moments playing this awesome series.

But as many others in here, CiV just didn't do it for me. There are so, so many flaws, bugs, and things where you just want to say: "what the hell were they thinking!?"

But anyways, I still have my hopes that this game can be awesome when various patches, expansions and mods come along in time

But what should I play in the mean time? What games would be suitable for a guy like me?

To give you a profile of me, I also loved games such as: Rise of Nations, Total War series (But NOT E:TW and N:TW. They were bigger disappointments that CiV), Diablo (I+II), Starcraft, Warcraft.

Hope you have some recommendations for me. I'm really at a dry spot atm...

 

[El Caballerion]

MOUNT & BLADE: WARBAND, is a pretty cool game that simulates a fictional feudal world. It was made by a first time publisher and the graphics are pretty damn terrible, but I found it to be one of the most exploratory games you could play. It's kinda like TW mixed with Elder Scrolls.

 

[Tee Kay]

Check out some of the games from Paradox Interactive: in particular the Crusader Kings, Europa Universalis, Victoria, Hearts of Iron series + their expansions.

(Note: they are known for being buggy, though very enjoyable nonetheless, and the newer games are very mod-friendly)

 

[Zydor]

I'm very much with the OP on this. The only game I really played as such for 15+ years has been Civ, for me the Franchise has hit all the magic buttons with all Versions up to V5. Now I find myself searching for something else whilst they fix this, because its going to take more than a patch or two or the odd expansion pack. Thats months without any other hitches.

Problem is the Civ Franchise appeared to be the only one who kept along the road of some kind of "realism" (for want of a better word) in its core depiction of events. I'm not into flying fire breathing dragons and discovering the key to the golden gate yaddie yadda - or playing around with some freakish Giant Robot from planet Zork. I know, that kinda limits my choice a little rofl, although paradoxically I do like the Galactic Civilisation series and count myself amongst those who hope a GalCiv3 comes along in a couple of years time..

There may well be some civ like games - turn based, I hate RTS - that have passed me by over the years because I was so immersed in Sid & Civ. You could say there's only one Civ, well thats for sure, or was, so maybe I'm scr&*&^d

I'm all ears

Regards
Zy

 

[cman2010]

to the op you mentioned starcraft, starcraft 2 is out and it is awsome I am a hardcore fan of the first starcraft have played that more than anyother game and starcraft2 lives up to the hype I love it and will be going back to it soon.

 

[PawelS]

It's bad that there is no competition to the Civ series, there should be more games like this. But unfortunately the market is dominated by FPS, RTS, and "action RPG" games.

 

[Zyxpsilon]

StarDock's GC2 along with both Dark Avatar & Twilight of the Arnor expansions.
Unless you aren't impressed by Sci-Fi stuff.

 

[Deep_Blue]

There are not many games close to civ, total war games maybe the only alternatives now but I didnt like Empire total war so I skipped Napoleon total war.

I am too searching for a good TBS game like civ. anyone?

 

[Zydor]

It's bad that there is no competition to the Civ series, there should be more games like this. But unfortunately the market is dominated by FPS, RTS, and "action RPG" games.

Had a horrible feeling those with a wider view of the Games market than I have were going to say that .... Maybe one day someone will get off the *vaporise all in sight* game bandwagon and get a decent (true) Strategy game out

*sigh* - get out of their cupboard Sid, Your Gamers Need You

Regards
Zy

 

[Beechwell]

I'd like to reiterate taillesskangaru's advice: Try out the Paradox games!
Europa Universalis III with all expansions in particular really shines now imo (and there is a new one coming out in december).

The Paradox games are technically real time, but play very much like turn based games. And they stay even closer to "reality" (or at least real history) than the Civ games.

 

[PawelS]

Speaking of Paradox, Victoria II is a good game, although after v1.2 there are still some issues that need to be patched. Also I feel that the timeline is too short, I'm waiting for the Empire mod which is going to expand it, and add some other interesting features as well.

 

[GrayingGamer]

I'll 2nd Mount and Blade: Warband (note - no reason to buy Mount and Blade. M&B: Warband is the full deal).

It's definitely less a 4X game, and more of an action-rpg, but it's one of the most fun single player games I've played in years.

 

[Deep_Blue]

I'll 2nd Mount and Blade: Warband (note - no reason to buy Mount and Blade. M&B: Warband is the full deal).

It's definitely less a 4X game, and more of an action-rpg, but it's one of the most fun single player games I've played in years.

But this is an action RPG not TBS.

 

[PawelS]

M&B Warband got me interested, I'll try the demo.

 

[PawelS]

But this is an action RPG not TBS.

The OP didn't ask only to recommend TBS games, in fact he mentioned many RTS and action RPG (Diablo) games that he liked.

 

[Deep_Blue]

oh ok then there are plenty of games to play:

- Dragon age origins (awesome game)
- King bounty series (I didnt play it but I hear good stuff about it)
- Mass Effect 2 (FPS but have some RPG elements)

 

[Aristos]

Speaking of Paradox, Victoria II is a good game, although after v1.2 there are still some issues that need to be patched. Also I feel that the timeline is too short, I'm waiting for the Empire mod which is going to expand it, and add some other interesting features as well.

It's nice to find some common ground with you. Although we still completely disagree on the quality of civ0.5, at least now we share something.

To the OP, seems that you may really like the Paradox games. Europa Universalis 3 after Heir to the Throne is especially good, very good in fact, and plays very well. It has the illusion of being real time, but is in fact millions of micro turns that you can stop whenever you like, and provides a huge immersion (seeing your "days" ticking by in the calendar). It is a deep, complex and at the same time open "pseudo-simulation" of history from the 1400's to the 1800's. Very, very good.

You may get Eu3 Complete now for a bargain, add HttT for pennies, and start trying. An even better micro-expansion is coming in a few weeks which promises to make the game even better.

EU3 is a classic. The way Civ used to be before the present fiasco. Give it a chance, you won't be dissapointed. Quite the contrary, you may end up stopping your wishful dreams about civ0.5 that may never come true, and start enjoying some seriously good gaming.

Cheers,

rjg

 

[tokala]

But this is an action RPG not TBS.

And even the designation action RPG is a bit misleading. It's a highly addictive medieval skirmish simulator, with the RPG stuff basically being fluff. And the original M&B has a plethora of mods, with the community of comparable dedication to the Civ modding community. Need a bit to get into it though, but once you grasp the combat mechanics, you will have a "just one more fight" effect

 

[Matjillam]

to the op you mentioned starcraft, starcraft 2 is out and it is awsome I am a hardcore fan of the first starcraft have played that more than anyother game and starcraft2 lives up to the hype I love it and will be going back to it soon.

I allready have it and am currently diamond league But the fast paced combat that ends within 20 secs just annoys me. That's why I love games as Rise of Nations. RTS that gives you an empire-feeling while giving you big scale battles.

Right now I'm giving Settlers 7 a chance. Heard good things about that one too.


Thanks for all the other advices so far. Definitely good games to check out

 

[Matjillam]

oh ok then there are plenty of games to play:

- Dragon age origins (awesome game)
- King bounty series (I didnt play it but I hear good stuff about it)
- Mass Effect 2 (FPS but have some RPG elements)

I have Dragon Age. Liked it, but really didn't have much replayability for me :/ After I completed it I didn't want to do it again and listen to all that talking again (which was exciting at first). But second time it's just dull listening to everything again. Besides that the game really had some weird imbalances. LIke mages being totally OP and easier to play that every other class. And most of the characters you meet on your way are warriors, only 2 mages that you practically must have in your group if you are not mage your self...