Strategy war games?

Prophet · 18 Jul 2016 at 16:48

I'm looking to get into strategy war games. Not to the depth of Total War, for now, but something similar.

Don't mind what era or if it's troop or fleet based. Just something to get me interested and at this stage, cheap

Gee · 18 Jul 2016 at 16:51

Company of Heroes 1/2?

Should be able to pick them up relatively cheap now on Steam. I believe 2 is more active than 1 however, although the campaign for 1 (including the expansions) is VERY good.

Teaf · 18 Jul 2016 at 17:30

Paradox game maybe? Like Crusader Kings 2, should be able to pick one up pretty cheap (CK2 is around £6 - £7).

Clav · 18 Jul 2016 at 17:47

Hearts of Iron 4 is just released so probably doesn't fit the cheap criteria. But HOI3 should be cheap and it is a mature game with tons of mods that should be pretty cheap now.

bJN · 18 Jul 2016 at 17:57

If Total War is "too deep" then that would rule out most Paradox games I would have thought; you might get away with Stellaris.

When you say strategy, do you mean turn-based like Total War, or base building like the Command & Conquer series, or just straight out warfare.

One of the best games I've ever played for a base-building style strategy game is Warrior Kings. Granted it is old now, but the depth of the game, and its storyline, was for the time fantastic - and still holds up well today in my opinion!

For all-out combat, look to the Wargame series - Red Dragon being the latest - or perhaps Men of War: Assault Squad.

For turn-based, Total War is the go to really, but there's nothing to stop you trying the older games! Shogun 2 is probably the game I spend most time with in the series.

Brocky36 · 18 Jul 2016 at 18:13

Company of Heroes & Wargame are both worth a look.

muttclugg · 18 Jul 2016 at 19:50

Any of the wargame series e.g. Wargame European Escalation (might be good practice for years to come

).

Jae-So · 18 Jul 2016 at 20:00

Starcraft 2 - future war

zola25 · 18 Jul 2016 at 20:47

World in Conflict is worth a look.

Xordium · 19 Jul 2016 at 06:40

Wargame: Red Dragon

Divinious · 19 Jul 2016 at 07:08

I really enjoy Ultimate General Gettysburg it's not deep by any stretch but is great fun.

strumpusplunket · 19 Jul 2016 at 08:22

The Galactic Civilizations series is a good one for inter-stellar strategy/warfare.

Wucked · 19 Jul 2016 at 14:57

Homeworld Remastered Collection and Homeworld Deserts of Kharak. Brilliant RTS series, I recommend playing the campaigns starting with Deserts of Kharak. There's a great story arc through the series along with some superb game play.

Prophet · 19 Jul 2016 at 15:11

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'll look into the recommendations

bJN said:
When you say strategy, do you mean turn-based like Total War, or base building like the Command & Conquer series, or just straight out warfare.

I'd like to get into turn-based games but really want a happy medium between those and real-time. I loved the old AoE games and C&C but want the next step up from those until I'm ready for Total War!

Smokey Deza · 19 Jul 2016 at 15:48

I would just dive straight in with TW. I think you're overestimating its complexity as it's really not that hard to grasp.

Curlyriff · 19 Jul 2016 at 15:53

Yeah jump in with Total War:Medieval or Total War:Rome. Both amazing and I am sure you will grasp onto them fine tbh.

bulletv1 · 19 Jul 2016 at 16:25

If i remember correctly the first total war Rome you could set the settlements to auto manage taxes and buildings so all you do is pick what technologies you want and build the units you want.

Curlyriff · 19 Jul 2016 at 16:46

bulletv1 said:
If i remember correctly the first total war Rome you could set the settlements to auto manage taxes and buildings so all you do is pick what technologies you want and build the units you want.

Yep, exactly. It can be simplified a lot and allow you to wage war and then if you want to dive into the economics and families/diploma you can at your own pace really.

I still play Rome now

Also if you want fun you can change the .ini file to give you a load of dosh or units and there are cheats that can be fun to mess about with at times too.

hardkore · 19 Jul 2016 at 17:34

Supreme commander 2

Prophet · 19 Jul 2016 at 19:59

Smokey Deza said:
I would just dive straight in with TW. I think you're overestimating its complexity as it's really not that hard to grasp.

Curlyriff said:
Yeah jump in with Total War:Medieval or Total War:Rome. Both amazing and I am sure you will grasp onto them fine tbh.

bulletv1 said:
If i remember correctly the first total war Rome you could set the settlements to auto manage taxes and buildings so all you do is pick what technologies you want and build the units you want.

Curlyriff said:
Yep, exactly. It can be simplified a lot and allow you to wage war and then if you want to dive into the economics and families/diploma you can at your own pace really.

I still play Rome now

Also if you want fun you can change the .ini file to give you a load of dosh or units and there are cheats that can be fun to mess about with at times too.

OK guys I'll grab a copy and dive in