Okay, first, there are two games that I would add to the list.
Heroes of Might and Magic 3 (seems to be pretty popular here, too) and
Lord of the Realms 2. The first because it was a fun game and I had many memorable moments with that game. The latter, well, it too was a fun game. It had the best mix of turn base and real time strategy. What I hate about most RTS games is that there is too much micromanagement which opened the computer to cheating. I got so frustrated playing
Warcraft 2 when I would barely be getting started and before I have my first archer when suddenly the computer comes through with Ogres and the like. Playing against humans varied depending on how much they played the game. I often got whooped because these dorks would be just as bad as the computer. I was never able to improve. And working as a team (to lessen the micromanagement) only works if you get along with your teamates. For me, it often came down to arguing about what was needed, meanwhile getting smashed by the oponent.
Anyway, in
LotR 2, that was not a problem. The management was handled in turn based, so when it was time for battle, that was all you had to concentrate on. Another addition to the list that I just thought about... Dark Legions. A great mix of
Chess and
Stratego with a fantasy element. The only problem with it is that it is hard to find, and harder to get to work. If only Silicon Knights would remake the game. It would be a perfect fit for the DS.
Anyway, I think it is cool that the top two (more or less) came from the same company... sort of. The
Civ series was originally done by Microprose who, though it was not a Sid Meier game, also published
X-Com. I have long awaited a true remake of that game, and not the third rate crap that claims to be the next X-Com either, but a true
REMAKE.
If I were given the chance to remake it, here is what I would do. Update the graphics and the interface, and nothing else. The only change to the story would be to change the year that it took place from 1999 to say 2050. I doubt I would even change the ending too much. Interface wise, I would make it so that you could pre-set what equipment is on what soldier. One of my only gripes was that it took too long to rearrange the equipment on each soldier before each battle. For some reason, the computer seemed to give the heaviest equipment to the weakest person in my games. Other than that, I might add a few more species of aliens and some more technologies, but other than that, I wouldn't change a thing. Here's hoping that Firaxis can somehow get ahold of the lisence. It would be a surefire hit! And if anybody has any doubts, they can just get a hold of me to lead the design team.
In a time relative list, Alpha Centuri is IMHO the best of the civ games, and still plays well. Behind that is Call to Power II (still has the best combat system). Civ 4 is probably the best of them in absolute terms.
