Other turn based strategy games
- Thread starter rlw33
- Start date
Sherlock
Just one more turn...
Endless Legend.
And it's not turn based but Anno 1404 is a BIG favorite. It's available cheap and drm free at GOG.
And it's not turn based but Anno 1404 is a BIG favorite. It's available cheap and drm free at GOG.
Lanthar
SPQR
I like Galactic Civilizations III. Civilization in Space!
Otherwise, I'm partial to wargames with turn based (or pausable/slider based realtime) mechanisms.
Otherwise, I'm partial to wargames with turn based (or pausable/slider based realtime) mechanisms.
As you ruled out BE . . . SMAC? 
I have a relentless love of science fiction (and fantasy). Most of my strategy games are realtime, even if I'm not very good at many / any of them. Dawn of War, Age of Empires, Battle for Middle Earth, etc.
Feel like I should mention Sword of the Stars, too. Sank a lot of time into that, historically. Give me games with huge tech trees you can't complete, any day of the week.
I have a relentless love of science fiction (and fantasy). Most of my strategy games are realtime, even if I'm not very good at many / any of them. Dawn of War, Age of Empires, Battle for Middle Earth, etc.
Feel like I should mention Sword of the Stars, too. Sank a lot of time into that, historically. Give me games with huge tech trees you can't complete, any day of the week.
Midgardsormr
Warlord
I really enjoy the X-Com franchise. I really need to find something in between the abstract strategy of Civ and the small squad tactics of X-Com. Is there a turn-based equivalent to Total War's army-scale battles?
ezysquire
Warlord
The Age of Wonders series is a good one.
As Sherlock mentioned: Endless Legend.
Interestingly, I didn't like it much when I first bought it right after it came out. I was quite involved in Civilization at this time and EL has quite a ... weird setting in contrast. Also the restriction of one city per region didn't came easy to me in comparison to Civ's freedom of city placement.
But now, I really love the game!
After such a long time, many patches streamlined the experience quite a bit, there is more control over combat now (a big downside in the beginning) and multiple now very cheap (on sales) DLCs have added lots of content to the game.
Each faction plays very unique (and I really mean unique!) and the AI knows how to use them - at least if you install the highly recommended "Endless Legend Community Patch".
The AI is actually shockingly good on higher difficulties with the ELCP, at least in comparison with Civilization 6. Personally, I get spanked on 'hard' constantly and haven't won a single game so far. This might be also related to the fact that the AI still gets the vanilla bonuses, but knows to play the game better, though.
Interestingly, I didn't like it much when I first bought it right after it came out. I was quite involved in Civilization at this time and EL has quite a ... weird setting in contrast. Also the restriction of one city per region didn't came easy to me in comparison to Civ's freedom of city placement.
But now, I really love the game!
After such a long time, many patches streamlined the experience quite a bit, there is more control over combat now (a big downside in the beginning) and multiple now very cheap (on sales) DLCs have added lots of content to the game.
Each faction plays very unique (and I really mean unique!) and the AI knows how to use them - at least if you install the highly recommended "Endless Legend Community Patch".
The AI is actually shockingly good on higher difficulties with the ELCP, at least in comparison with Civilization 6. Personally, I get spanked on 'hard' constantly and haven't won a single game so far. This might be also related to the fact that the AI still gets the vanilla bonuses, but knows to play the game better, though.
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comatosedragon
Emperor
Yeah, another vote for Endless Legend here. Like many others, I did not like it at first, but it has slowly grown on me; and I have been loving it lately. I have only ever played Wild Walkers or Vaulters (Merazi) though. Each other 'race' has WILDLY different play styles.
japanesesamurai
Prince
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2019
- Messages
- 337
Xcom is pleasant. Total war Shogun 2 is good too.
While not turn based, Crusader Kings II is excellent. As is Stellaris
While not turn based, Crusader Kings II is excellent. As is Stellaris
Socrates99
Bottoms up!
Endless Legend seems to be the standard answer. Makes sense, it's a fantastic game. Some of the systems are pretty different but once you get used to it it's a lot of fun. The instanced battles seem to be a solid compromise between 1UPT and stacks.
I liked Age of Wonders 3 but it felt repetitive after a while. It does present good challenges but sometimes I felt like Sisyphus until I got a few OP armies and snowballed.
Warlock 2 is kind of like Civ V ported to the HoMM fantasy universe. Good for a lark but pretty easy.
I liked Age of Wonders 3 but it felt repetitive after a while. It does present good challenges but sometimes I felt like Sisyphus until I got a few OP armies and snowballed.
Warlock 2 is kind of like Civ V ported to the HoMM fantasy universe. Good for a lark but pretty easy.
valerislysander
Chieftain
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2017
- Messages
- 54
I like GalCiv3 for that space itch. Other than that the Total War:Warhammer games and Hearts of Iron 4 are pretty great.
Unconquered Sun
Emperor
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2006
- Messages
- 1,462
Age of Wonders 3
Dominions 5
Sword of the Stars 1 (not 2!)
Eador: Broken World
vanilla Stellaris
Looking forward to Planetfall.
Dominions 5
Sword of the Stars 1 (not 2!)
Eador: Broken World
vanilla Stellaris
Looking forward to Planetfall.
BarbarianHunter
SPAMBO
I'm having a good time presently with Imperator Rome. It does seem a bit confusing and is at times frustrating due to a strange war/settlement/treaty mechanic. As Paradox is a European company, perhaps it's a nod to the madness of WWI.
Sostratus
Deity
I happen to really enjoy Stellaris, as does one of my friends I introduced it too (who's also big into civ.)
I would describe it as quasi turn based.
I think if you like working on the city/district/terrain building side of civ6, then you might like the economic/building side of that game. Its definitely a steeper leaning curve but I find it scratches a very similar itch to Civ.
I would describe it as quasi turn based.
I think if you like working on the city/district/terrain building side of civ6, then you might like the economic/building side of that game. Its definitely a steeper leaning curve but I find it scratches a very similar itch to Civ.
Socrates99
Bottoms up!
I've got to pick up Stellaris. I keep seeing it mentioned in several different threads. Sounds cool. Got it on my wishlist. Just waiting for a sale now.
Bought Endless Legend and AoW3 for the same reason, EU4 too for that matter. Any time a game keeps coming up I have to check it out.
Bought Endless Legend and AoW3 for the same reason, EU4 too for that matter. Any time a game keeps coming up I have to check it out.
CPWimmer
King
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2016
- Messages
- 852
Turn-based, but not Strategic:
X-Com 2
BattleTech
Battlestar Galactica Deadlock
I put in a about 120 hours into Age of Wonders 3. It was fun for a bit, but it really couldn't fully hook me. I haven't touched it in over 3 years. Honestly I don't remember why I dropped it, but I do recall never getting the full "just one more turn" vibe from it.
I haven't tried Endless Legend, but it sounds like I should look into it when it's on sale at some point.
X-Com 2
BattleTech
Battlestar Galactica Deadlock
I put in a about 120 hours into Age of Wonders 3. It was fun for a bit, but it really couldn't fully hook me. I haven't touched it in over 3 years. Honestly I don't remember why I dropped it, but I do recall never getting the full "just one more turn" vibe from it.
I haven't tried Endless Legend, but it sounds like I should look into it when it's on sale at some point.
Aristos
Lightseeker
As you ruled out BE . . . SMAC?
I have a relentless love of science fiction (and fantasy).
Feel like I should mention Sword of the Stars, too. Sank a lot of time into that, historically. Give me games with huge tech trees you can't complete, any day of the week.
How about that? We finally agree on something fundamental. Nice!
I tend to play my games as strategy, but I am in a whole different world outside of CiV...
Flight Simulation - Prepar3d or Xplane11. Get a copy of one of the Boeing 737 high end addons. It’s fascinating and a fun mental challenge I find similar to strategy. I lived with a pilot who flew the PMDG 737 for Prepar3d and was blown away by how realistic it was and used it for procedure training. Cool if you want to learn something unique but it feels like gaming. Just expensive compared to cheap DLC and a $49 game.
Fifa19 - Am I the only one who loves sports? I love the strategy of building up a program and the one type of game where I like the real time action. Soccer goals are so pretty!
Cities: Skyline - I build a city about once a year from scratch. Lots of strategy and lots of design.
So yeah, no 4X like the original OP looked for but I love strategy games bc it’s more thinking, a little more grand in terms of what you accomplish and I think these 3 titles satisfy my brain in many of the same ways.
Flight Simulation - Prepar3d or Xplane11. Get a copy of one of the Boeing 737 high end addons. It’s fascinating and a fun mental challenge I find similar to strategy. I lived with a pilot who flew the PMDG 737 for Prepar3d and was blown away by how realistic it was and used it for procedure training. Cool if you want to learn something unique but it feels like gaming. Just expensive compared to cheap DLC and a $49 game.
Fifa19 - Am I the only one who loves sports? I love the strategy of building up a program and the one type of game where I like the real time action. Soccer goals are so pretty!
Cities: Skyline - I build a city about once a year from scratch. Lots of strategy and lots of design.
So yeah, no 4X like the original OP looked for but I love strategy games bc it’s more thinking, a little more grand in terms of what you accomplish and I think these 3 titles satisfy my brain in many of the same ways.
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