Help with game recommendation

[rickcr]

I just purchased my first Civ game (Civ III) and am enjoying it so far.

I'm looking for some other game recommendations that some of you might think I'd enjoy based on my picky standards below...

I was addicted to AOK (conquerors expansion) for a long time. I got bored with it after a while when the online mutliplayer game seemed to become a matter of how quickly one could click the mouse and rush his opponent. The micro-management in real time became very frustrating also (I don't mind a lot of micro-management in turn based games). This prompted me to look at some turn based strategy games (ended up purchasing CivIII).

I actually happen to prefer games that are very militaristic (more so then what civIII seems to focus on (but haven't played civIII enough yet to fairly make that statement). I also just recently purchased Medevial Total War and it would probably be a perfect game for me except for one problem - I'm a wuss-- by that I mean the 3D engine actually makes me nauseous when I'm in battle and trying to reposition my view point. Sad, because I think I'd really like that game. (Can you say wuss.

I also don't mind economy and nation building, but I admit I'm definitely more partial to games where the main point of my economy is simply so I can get out there and fight (the Europa Universalis II game looks likes it might rely to much on diplomacy etc - probably the same complaint I might end up with civIII unless I get really hooked - hopefully I will.

Stonghold Crusader and American Conquest look like two games I might really enjoy provided the RTS elements don't become too much of a "click here really fast" type of game. Have any of you played either of these?

Also does anyone know if in Age of Mythology it also has become a game of how quickly you can rush your opponent early? (That got really old in AOK - one incorrectly assigned villager in the first two minutes could doom you in an online game).

I think what I'm looking for is a military strategy game where you have to think about how you are going to attack your opponent and with what types of troops, etc. I'd prefer the game to be turn based vs real time. Cool graphics are a plus but way on the bottom of my list of necessities.

I'm open to all recommendations.

Thanks for your time.

Rick

 

[naervod]

I would try Hearts of Iron. It is real-time, but can be paused to make decisions and order troops and stuff. It is set in World War II and consists of a lot of warfare, but also a cool economics engine, so the game isn't entirely focused on military, but also on keeping your people happy, keeping your economy running, and keeping your troops supplied. There are many different types of units and a huge technology tree that makes the gamevery replayable. However, the most fun part of the game is that you can play as ANY country that existed during the time period, from Luxembourg or Panama to Germany or the United States.

Hope this helps,
Naervod

PS- If you do get HoI and enjoy it, I would like to play a multi-player game with you.

I almost forgot, Warcraft III is a game that meets all the criteria above except it is RTS. however, there are tools to prevent multiplayer rushing, on excellent storyline, and excellent on line gameplay.

Again, hope this helps.

 

[rickcr]

Thanks naervod. I've been looking at the reviews of Hearts of Iron now. Looks like it might be pretty cool. Some reviews mention that you are sort of locked into playing a similar time line is history unfolded during WWII. I hope that isn't the case.

Interesting that you also mentioned Warcraft III ... I've been debating about getting that one for a while now. I've never played Warcraft of Starcraft. After checking out the reviews of Rise of Nations and Age Of Mythology, I'm debating getting one of those also. Does Warcraft move at the same type of pace that the Age Of series does?

Also, anyone aware of a 'good' sea battle game - preferably the old 1800 ships. Age of Sail didn't get too many good reviews but maybe it's worht a try. Ship battle games don't seem to be that popular.

Thanks again

 

[rickcr]

actually I should take my Age of Sail comment back since I now see there is an Age Of Sail II: Privateer's Bounty which seems to have good reviews.

 

[Silverflame]

The best military turn-based strategy game is Advance Wars 2. A very simple pick-up and play type game, but the strategy can get as deep as Civ3. Based on modern era, so there's infantry with automatic rifles, tanks, rocket launchers, battleships, bombers and whatnot. No tech tree or economy, just gold to buy units.

It's not a PC game though, it's for the Gameboy Advance.

 

[Hommer]

Rise Of Nations is good game for Real-Time battles - deep and fast at the same time.

My favorite game is E-Civ that is PBEM civ-like game. It have strong economy and good military mechanism. All games are multiplayer games, no AI is implemented. And it is good.

 

[rickcr]

My favorite game is E-Civ that is PBEM civ-like game.

Looks a bit like the open source game freeCiv

 

[naervod]

Hearts of Iron unfoldsl historically only if you want it too. There are some great mods such as New Order, which is events for a German conquest of the world. Also, you can alter history almost any way you wish. Also, another civ-like game, but RTS is Empire Earth. You have a multitude of units and you must progress from the Prehistoric Age to the Nano Age. It is quite open ended and there are some historical and some ahistorical campaigns, all of which are very entertaining.

 

[Hommer]

rickcr - no, it is not open-source. The number of new fresh ideas in E-Civ is great!

 

[rickcr]

How about Stronghold Crusader.... it doesn't look like the game is that popular yet it looks pretty good.

Although, I must say, the more I look around at these other games, I think Civ III and Hearts of Iron seem to be the ones I'd enjoy most. I enjoy playing games online against human opponents, so I hope there are some that play Hearts of Iron online.

Side note, that Chariots of War game by paradox looks like it'll be really cool when it comes out.

 

[naervod]

I know me and definitely one other who play HoI online, and I think there are some more around here. Also, look for Victoria when it comes out. I will be getting that.