Looking for a good strategy...

[Lorenzo_H]

I am actually looking for a good multiplayer RTS at the moment. I never thought I would need to ask (thought I could find one on my own, but niet comrade) here are the criteria:

1. That it is not AoE3 because I already have/had it (getting a new copy my old one smashed).
2. That it is not too immersed in futuristic crap.
3. That it is a reasonably good game, with medium to high end requirements and pretty graphics.
4. That it is good to play multiplayer with.
5. That it is RTS (real time strategy; I have pretty much all the turn based strategy worth getting).

[econ21]

How about Dawn of War? Let's check off your criteria:

1. That it is not AoE3 because I already have/had it (getting a new copy my old one smashed).

DoW is not AoE3. Check.

2. That it is not too immersed in futuristic crap.

Well, DoW is futuristic so this one's dodgy. It is not excrement though.

3. That it is a reasonably good game, with medium to high end requirements and pretty graphics.

DoW has great graphics. Very characterful death animations - make M2TWs look bland. It is a reasonably good game - basically an RTS but focussing on the combat. A fairly good rock-paper-scissors dynamic. Strikes a good balance between avoiding rushing or turtling being game winning strategies. Good faction variety.

4. That it is good to play multiplayer with.

DoW shines in MP. I enjoy playing it coop with my son against allied AI. The AI is much better when it gangs up on you - solo with no alliances can be a snooze.

5. That it is RTS (real time strategy; I have pretty much all the turn based strategy worth getting).

DoW is an RTS, sadly.

If the futuristic thing is a sticking point for you, try Company of Heroes. Same thing, but set in WW2 not 40,000 AD.

[Lorenzo_H]

How about Dawn of War? Let's check off your criteria:



DoW is not AoE3. Check.



Well, DoW is futuristic so this one's dodgy. It is not excrement though.



DoW has great graphics. Very characterful death animations - make M2TWs look bland. It is a reasonably good game - basically an RTS but focussing on the combat. A fairly good rock-paper-scissors dynamic. Strikes a good balance between avoiding rushing or turtling being game winning strategies. Good faction variety.



DoW shines in MP. I enjoy playing it coop with my son against allied AI. The AI is much better when it gangs up on you - solo with no alliances can be a snooze.



DoW is an RTS, sadly.

If the futuristic thing is a sticking point for you, try Company of Heroes. Same thing, but set in WW2 not 40,000 AD.

Will have a look at it. Thanks.

Update: Dawn of War seems slightly on the futuristic side. There's nothing wrong with the genre, I just can't get myself to play it yet. Company of Heroes looks like it fits the bill, I actually hadn't thought of it. I might well get it; me and my bro need some new rts games to play over LAN this summer.

Kindly allow me to repeat myself.

Ok. I will look at that too.

[x-dANGEr]

C&C games? (Might not be so much strategy.. But still!)

[Lorenzo_H]

C&C games? (Might not be so much strategy.. But still!)

Yeah the new C&C faintly arouses my interest. To date I have owned all the C&C strategy games. I might give it a try some time in the future, but I'm not quite prepared to pay 30 quid for it yet.

Hey - what about Panzers phase 1 and phase 2. It's quite cheap on Amazon. So is Company of Heroes though. I shall have to make up my mind.

[Veho Nex]

Panzers phase 1 and 2 are ok but not perfect it's basically just fights and the way the units fight is kinda like axis and allies(new version) if any one has played that

[The_Mark]

The TA Spring project. A good MP RTS, and it's free. Something akin to Supreme Commander what with both being Total Annihilation remakes. Checking against Lorenzo's criteria:

1. That it is not AoE3 because I already have/had it (getting a new copy my old one smashed).

Check.

2. That it is not too immersed in futuristic crap.

Futuristic, yes, but has quite a lot elements from modern warfare. There are lasers and energy weapons and cloaking, but I mostly prefer using the traditional array of bombs, missiles, rockets and big cannons. Mostly, it feels good and immersive, even somewhat plausible. And you'll be routinely using fixed artillery pieces on the scale of the WW2 German Gustav Gun.

3. That it is a reasonably good game, with medium to high end requirements and pretty graphics.

It is at least a reasonably good game. Graphics might not be the best on the market but they work well.

4. That it is good to play multiplayer with.

Yes. The current version is MP-only, and good at it.

5. That it is RTS (real time strategy; I have pretty much all the turn based strategy worth getting).

Yes.