Old school strategy game? [Archive]

Serapth

03-10-2010, 02:30 PM

So, Im looking for something a bit more cerebral than most modern RTS games and that isn't called "Civilizations", as I am going to get my fill when Civ5 comes around.

Remember back in the 80s, the great old days of 2D, turn based strategy games, games like OGRE, Balance of Power or Panzer General, I am looking for something like that in the modern era. Something turn based ( absolutely NO realtime, so no Total War, otherwise that game would be perfect ) strategy game that I can play a bit at a time over a course of days/months.

I am thinking about maybe one of the Heart of Iron games, I've never actually played any and they look pretty intense... maybe too intense? I don't want a 90 year learning curve! Stardock has a couple games I am considering too, like Capitalism II or The Political Machine.

Anyone have any suggestions? Good ole school turn based gaming?

Panthera

03-10-2010, 02:35 PM

Depends. Do you want 4x games or war games?

If it's the latter, here you'll find no end of wonders: http://matrixgames.com/

Serapth

03-10-2010, 02:45 PM

Depends. Do you want 4x games or war games?

If it's the latter, here you'll find no end of wonders: http://matrixgames.com/

Yeah, this looks like exactly what I am looking for! I think preferably I want an accessable "higher level" ( as in production and battalions, not pistols and soldiers, if that makes sense ) war game, although Im not adverse to a turn based 4X game.

This does look like exactly what I am looking for, something like http://matrixgames.com/products/296/details/World.In.Flames this ( grabbing a link at random ), could be exactly what I want.

So, any specific suggestions?

EDIT: Actually after looking a bit more closely, I want something like that game I linked, but a bit more accessible/user friendly in scope. Also, by no means does it have to be a war game, it could be about business, diplomacy, whatever... just detailed, accessible and strategic.

Panthera

03-10-2010, 02:58 PM

On that page, here's a bunch that I would recommend:

For your more accessible but still awesome WW2 grand strategy needs: http://matrixgames.com/products/344/details/Commander.-.Europe.at.War.Gold
For your guys marching in lines and shooting at other guys marching in lines needs: http://matrixgames.com/products/369/details/Horse.and.Musket:.Volume.I
This one I enjoyed a lot: http://www.matrixgames.com/products/304/details/Tin.Soldiers:.Julius.Caesar

Panthera

03-10-2010, 03:00 PM

Serapth

03-10-2010, 03:06 PM

For something more strategy game-like and less wargame-like, I'd recommend Dominions 3. It's a pretty fantastic turn-based fantasy game with random worlds and crazy numbers of units to build. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/Illwinter/DOM3/DOM3_page.html

Hmmm, that could be interesting. Had a serious love affair for Masters of Magic back in the day... this almost looks like a sibling.

Panthera

03-10-2010, 03:10 PM

Absolutely. It's very much like MoM, in that you play as a customized deity-ruler and build a fantasy empire.

Serapth

03-10-2010, 03:15 PM

I would just "DO IT", but 55$ for a digital download.... ugh.

Demo time I guess.

For the record, I HATE when game companies charge the same for Digital copies as they do for Physical ones! Especially ones that talk up their 300 page printed manual... not printing that manual, nor shipping, stock, etc... should save them a mint. That they pass non of it on kinda turns me off.

Now, up to 18 players turn based on the internet... that could be epic fun if we talked enough CoGers into trying it.

Panthera

03-10-2010, 03:23 PM

Welcome to the world of indie strategy gaming. Prices are generally quite high and don't ever go down because they have a dedicated fanbase and don't sell many copies.

mightbe

03-10-2010, 04:04 PM

XCOM is on steam and works great with a few tweaks!

BigJonno

03-10-2010, 04:14 PM

This. (http://www.crypticcomet.com/games/SI/Solium_Infernum.html) It's not your usual turn-based strategy, but it's awesome.

Fantastic game write-up here. (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/01/13/gameboys-from-hell-solium-infernum-part-1/)

Cit Phil Cit

03-10-2010, 04:18 PM

Sword of the Stars is turn-based I believe. Or mostly turned base.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/25860/

And I found this list:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Turn-based_strategy_video_games

Serapth

03-10-2010, 04:23 PM

XCOM is on steam and works great with a few tweaks!

I was tempted to get XCom, it was on sale in a bundle a while back.
But after looking at the screenshots, I thought it would rape my childhood memories.

nabokovfan87

03-10-2010, 04:43 PM

I am thinking about maybe one of the Heart of Iron games, I've never actually played any and they look pretty intense... maybe too intense? I don't want a 90 year learning curve! Stardock has a couple games I am considering too, like Capitalism II or The Political Machine.

Anyone have any suggestions? Good ole school turn based gaming?

Just a question, but I assume you want a Turn based game?

I would recommend hitting up either HoI II (HoI 3 as well, but it is by a different studio), or the Empire/Napoleon:total war games. They are very similar to civ or something like risk.

HoI is extremely intimidating. Basically, it is the same as civ, except a lot more realistic. You have individual troops instead of armies/giant troops, and you have to deal with things like economy a heck of a lot more.

Nice thing about HoI series is that you can choose pre-ww2, post ww2, or any of the 5 or some time situations inbetween (Ex: Germany at its peak). My friend had it, showed me some things, but basically I never played it. I ended up picking up 2/3 on the steam sale but yet to play (they will both work on windows 7 x64).

NOTE: Empire:Total war and Hearts of Iron II both have demos on steam.

Serapth

03-10-2010, 04:45 PM

Just a question, but I assume you want a Turn based game?

I would recommend hitting up either HoI II (HoI 3 as well, but it is by a different studio), or the Empire/Napoleon:total war games. They are very similar to civ or something like risk.

HoI is extremely intimidating. Basically, it is the same as civ, except a lot more realistic. You have individual troops instead of armies/giant troops, and you have to deal with things like economy a heck of a lot more.

Nice thing about HoI series is that you can choose pre-ww2, post ww2, or any of the 5 or some time situations inbetween (Ex: Germany at its peak). My friend had it, showed me some things, but basically I never played it. I ended up picking up 2/3 on the steam sale but yet to play (they will both work on windows 7 x64).

Yeah, Heart of Iron is definitely one I have been considering. There are three iterations right now though, HOI2/3/Democracy? Was hoping to hear from someone in this thread that has played one of them.

Play it and let me know what you think! :)

Knightsaber

03-10-2010, 04:51 PM

Hearts of Iron 3 is pretty much 2+expansion+a whole bunch of additions.

It takes a heck of a lot of hours to 'get the hang of it' and it starts off realllllly slow. Unless you like scenarios. And it takes...forever to actually finish a game, I think I've done it once.

kyrieee

03-10-2010, 06:27 PM

Sins of a Solar Empire maybe?

Panthera

03-10-2010, 08:00 PM

I love how he said 'absolutely NO real-time' and yet people are suggesting real-time games. ;)

I'd recommend Hearts of Iron 2 or 3 equally. They are realtime-ish but you're expected to pause and slow down time to a crawl often.

mightbe

03-10-2010, 08:01 PM

I was tempted to get XCom, it was on sale in a bundle a while back.
But after looking at the screenshots, I thought it would rape my childhood memories.

It has held up really well. There's even a fan patch that fixes a bunch of problems.

MagGnome

03-10-2010, 08:40 PM

Hearts of Iron has always looked interesting to me.

If you want fantasy, I highly recommend Battle for Wesnoth (http://www.wesnoth.org/), which is free and offers hours upon hours of gameplay. It's also updated on a regular basis with new content, new scenarios, etc. There's a huge community around it.

The Age of Wonders series is also fantastic. All three are great, but I recommend starting with Age of Wonders 2, as it is significantly improved from 1. Shadow Magic is the pinnacle of the series, but it's a little more hardcore than 2. Still, it's awesome and probably super cheap these days. It's a shame this series isn't on GOG or Steam. They were developed by Triumph Studios, the same group that developed the Overlord games.

Edit - OMG! I just checked on Amazon and Age of Wonders II is selling for $150 new. I'm glad I still have my discs. :eek:

That's insane, but I would still recommend looking around and seeing if you can buy it cheaper elsewhere. They are really fun games. Also, please don't pirate them. That would make me very sad. :(

nabokovfan87

03-10-2010, 10:05 PM

Yeah, Heart of Iron is definitely one I have been considering. There are three iterations right now though, HOI2/3/Democracy? Was hoping to hear from someone in this thread that has played one of them.

Play it and let me know what you think! :)

Like I said, steam has the HoI II demo available. HoI 3 does not have a demo, but I would imagine the gameplay is very very similar. I would love to play them and let you know, I just don't have the time.

CappinCanuck

03-10-2010, 10:27 PM

The Age of Wonders series is also fantastic. All three are great, but I recommend starting with Age of Wonders 2, as it is significantly improved from 1. Shadow Magic is the pinnacle of the series, but it's a little more hardcore than 2. Still, it's awesome and probably super cheap these days. It's a shame this series isn't on GOG or Steam. They were developed by Triumph Studios, the same group that developed the Overlord games.

Edit - OMG! I just checked on Amazon and Age of Wonders II is selling for $150 new. I'm glad I still have my discs. :eek:

That's insane, but I would still recommend looking around and seeing if you can buy it cheaper elsewhere. They are really fun games. Also, please don't pirate them. That would make me very sad. :(

That's just someone hoping some nostalgic rich guy is stupid enough to buy it. If you're going to play AoW though, you gotta start with Master of Magic :). That's the pinnacle right there.

I vote for Sword of the Stars though. It's deep, fun and very cerebral.

MagGnome

03-10-2010, 11:22 PM

That's just someone hoping some nostalgic rich guy is stupid enough to buy it. If you're going to play AoW though, you gotta start with Master of Magic :). That's the pinnacle right there.

I vote for Sword of the Stars though. It's deep, fun and very cerebral.

Age of Wonders is amazing, seriously. It's a shame the series didn't get more recognition and now Triumph Studios has more or less faded into obscurity. Few people even know that they are the team behind the Overlord games. :(

I keep seeing Sword of the Stars on sale, and each time I think about biting. One of these days I will.

Panthera

03-11-2010, 12:10 AM

Age of Wonders is fantastic. Seriously, a wonderful game in every way. I still listen to the soundtrack from time to time.

the Jack

03-11-2010, 01:51 AM

ruthless.com

That's not a URL. Recent design challenges at school brought that oldie up from the depths, if you can find it it's worth playing once.

MagGnome

03-11-2010, 07:18 AM

Age of Wonders is fantastic. Seriously, a wonderful game in every way. I still listen to the soundtrack from time to time.

I knew I liked you for a reason! :D

Panthera

03-11-2010, 10:29 AM

ruthless.com

That's not a URL. Recent design challenges at school brought that oldie up from the depths, if you can find it it's worth playing once.

Wow. I hadn't heard of that, but it reminded me of another tom clancy classic: http://www.mobygames.com/game/shadow-watch

J Arcane

03-11-2010, 11:00 AM

Welcome to the world of indie strategy gaming. Prices are generally quite high and don't ever go down because they have a dedicated fanbase and don't sell many copies.
On the plus side, however, you can avoid such gouging completely because there's a dizzying variety of games out there that are completely free.

People's Tactics (http://advancedtactics.org/) is a personal favorite, classic simple hex map strategy, accessible, moddable, and free.

MagGnome mentioned Wesnoth already of course, which is absolutely the best damn OSS game ever.

If you want some seriously hardcore stuff, the Steel Panthers series is free, and huge, and full of crunchiness. Here's World at War (http://www.steelpanthersonline.com/main.asp), their WW2 entry, and here's Main Battle Tank (http://www.shrapnelgames.com/Camo_Workshop/MBT/MBT_page.html), the modern warfare entry.

There's also some more OSS games you can google up like Advanced Strategic Command, LGeneral, and Crimson Fields.

There's another one I'm forgetting that I played a beta demo of recently that was kind of like Advance Wars WWII, but damned if I can remember what it's called. Hope I still have it on my hard drive at home or I'll never find the damn thing.

For paid stuff though, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the Combat Mission series, which rather than hex based resemble more a miniatures game like Flames of War, if the turns could be played out in simultaneous 3d. I could never quite get the hang of them, but they are quite well spoken of.

MagGnome

03-11-2010, 07:53 PM

Serapth

03-11-2010, 09:19 PM

Serapth, you should return to this thread and give us impressions of whatever games you end up playing.

I've bookmarked this for future perusal. I'll come back and try some of these when I catch up on my back catalog. Hopefully they are still available in 2042.

Will do.

Was actually thinking, given the interest this thread has gotten, like the Diplomacy thread, could we get a CoG game going? Many of these games have online or play by email and Dominius 3 supports up to 18 players or something, that could be kinda cool.

Panthera

03-11-2010, 10:48 PM

I don't think we'll get 18 people buying Dominions 3. It's pretty obscure and a bit expensive. I might be up for it at some point though.

Serapth

03-11-2010, 11:03 PM

I don't think we'll get 18 people buying Dominions 3. It's pretty obscure and a bit expensive. I might be up for it at some point though.

Yeah, I was thinking more one of the free suggestions... ;)

MagGnome

03-11-2010, 11:15 PM

I'd be up for playing one of these games with you guys, provided it was free or very, very cheap. Wesnoth works great for multiplayer, IMHO, but I'd be up for most of the other ones as well.

Clark

03-12-2010, 06:24 AM

Age of Wonders is one of my favorite games ever!

I remember having a giant frog mount that could scale city walls. So bad ass.

J Arcane

03-12-2010, 06:34 AM

There's another one I'm forgetting that I played a beta demo of recently that was kind of like Advance Wars WWII, but damned if I can remember what it's called. Hope I still have it on my hard drive at home or I'll never find the damn thing.

And here it is: Brass & Steel. (http://www.thespiritengine.com/Brass&Steel/index.html)

Actually just an alpha test, proof of concept thingy at this point, but pretty cool. Sorta Advance Wars + Combat Mission. Worth trying once and keeping an eye on at least.

J Arcane

03-12-2010, 06:46 AM

MagGnome

03-12-2010, 07:02 AM

Age of Wonders is one of my favorite games ever!

I remember having a giant frog mount that could scale city walls. So bad ass.

You are a gentleman and a scholar. :D

The frog mounts were awesome.

OH, and you should also at least check out the demo for Flotilla. (http://www.blendogames.com/flotilla/)

It's sorta like Homeworld + Combat Mission + Freelancer, explore randomly generated space, get new badass ships and loot, have turn-based full 3d ship battles.

I downloaded the demo a few days ago, but I haven't tried it yet. It looks like an interesting game.

Hotcod

03-12-2010, 08:44 AM

OH, and you should also at least check out the demo for Flotilla. (http://www.blendogames.com/flotilla/)

It's sorta like Homeworld + Combat Mission + Freelancer, explore randomly generated space, get new badass ships and loot, have turn-based full 3d ship battles.

the camera controls need sorting out... ZOOM TO MOUSE!... i mean really... but other than that it seems rather fun... i'm sorely tempted to put $10 down for it, but I want to see what todays steam deal is and if it;s wroth picking up this week given i've got choas rising and the DA expansion... hmmmm