Looking for any new strategy game: advices?

[0rion79]

Hello
The question is simple: I got a bit tired of Civ IV so I'm looking for another strategy game that I may like.
Still, I have particular tastes about strategy games: eg, I don't like at all the Total War series because they are only devastation and lack too much in realism.
Instead, one of the best games that I have ever played is the old Genghis Khan II for Sega Genesis/PC because it had some unique RPG elements, it allowed a true empire management and because of its quick battle system that was a mix among Risk game and Civilization IV. Sadly Koei never bothered to propose neither GK III or IV into english language....
Now I've got Galactic Civilizations II Gold edition but I still have to get confidence with that game, that looks very complicated.
So, any advice?

 

[Maniacal]

Europa Universalis III Complete and the Heir to the Throne expansion make a wonderful strategy game where war isn't everything. Same with Victoria and the Revolutions expansion. Although both games are fairly complex, EUIII is easier than Victoria.

 

[0rion79]

Europa Universalis 3? O_o
Wow... I mean, I remember the first one but it was so static and boring that I have deleted it after a couple of hours. Has the 3rd one improved so much after its first release?

 

[Maniacal]

The 3rd one has vastly improved since release especially with all the expansions (it is sold in Complete and HttT is separate as listed above.

 

[GoodGame]

From OP's interests, I'd check out the History of the Three Kingdoms mod for Civ4. It's a bit KOEI-ish. Other than that, I'd check out Masters of Orion II. Sadly, MoO III is a turkey.

GalCiv2 is a great game, kind of similiar to Civ4 in ways; Not really RPish at all though (units can gain experience, but it only translates into unit hitpoints). Elemental is Stardock's new game which <fingers crossed> might be the kind of game you're questing for. Warcraft 3 *might* be worth checking out a little, though I'm not especially impressed with it as say an 'empires' game.

I own Victoria and have played EUIII, and I'll say they're a bit blah, but worth demoing.

For the most part, modding Civ4 is probably the way to go.

 

[ComradeDavo]

PARADOX INTERACTIVE!!!!!!!!!!!

I see EU3 as already been mentioned. I'd wait for the Heir To The Throne expansion before getting it though, that expansion should 'complete' it as such.

Victoria is good, the follow up is in development and looks awesome!

Hearts Of Iron is of course a great game if you like World War 2 games. The 3rd one out at current, probably neds 1 or 2 more patchs before they get the AI up to perfection but it's still a great playable game at current.

 

[zapp999]

@Orion79:
World Empires Live is definately a less complex empire builder game if that is what you are looking for.
Release date is set to January 5th 2010, but there is a free demo to try out while waiting!
http://www.multiplayerhub.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=3290

 

[0rion79]

Lol, much more of what I can try in a whole life, hehehe
I think I'll experiment with demos and previews for a while until I can find something that really is made for me!