An RTS that plays like chess

[SunoffaBeach]

success at it is largely based on pattern recognition and memory rather than original thought,

That's why I find chess AI to be more challenging than your typical RTS AI.
I mean it's hard enough to program AI capable of playing chess, but it's just impossible to program AI capable of original thought (at least I haven't seen it in RTS games).

In RTS games you can be creative but your AI enemy simply cannot. The single player experience just isn't very satisfying for me.

 

[WSxRyden]

You should look into Endwar if you have a 360.

 

[SunoffaBeach]

Kung Fu Chess is an RTS very similar to chess. http://www.kungfuchess.com/ But I suspect this isn't what you meant.

Just gave it a try.
This is awesome!
Now imagine something like this combined with typical RTS features like cool animations, campaigns and stuff.
Man, a new genre is born!

 

[TsunamiWombat]

What about battle chess?

 

[HSIAMetalKing]

I'm looking for an RTS with game mechanics similar to chess.
Something like this:
1) You have a limited number of units
2) You can have a defensive strategy and still win
3) Every battle is unique and requires a different strategy
4) Winning is not just a matter of time
5) The game punishes you if you screw up
6) You lose because the AI was better and not because of some cheap scripted events that only fool you once and leave you totally frustated

What can you recommend? old and/or new

The "Total War" series perhaps? From the demo alone I can't really tell.

You sound like you'd enjoy Tactics Arena Online. I used to be really into the game a few years back. It's essentially an online battle-chess game (sort of resembles Fire Emblem on a Chess board)-- there is a pretty hefty amount of strategy involved and you can find strategy guides written for it all over the internets.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Well... [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/5379-Guest-Review-X-Com-Revival-Package]

There's also Jagged Alliance 2

 

[Blu3Forever]

Advanced Wars fits that criteria

 

[runtheplacered]

Final Fantasy Tactics?

 

[Altorin]

you could always play chess.

you seem so enamored by it.

 

[GenHellspawn]

Laser Squad Nemesis, although it's a lot like X-Com.

 

[James Raynor]

Starcraft I'd say for RTS.

 

[SunoffaBeach]

Well... [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/5379-Guest-Review-X-Com-Revival-Package]

There's also Jagged Alliance 2

"...but it's wonderful for those of us that like to plan our moves ahead. Think of it as chess with guns."

Looks like I'm just a TBS fanboy. Oh well, I'm getting old.
Surprisingly, the DS seems to be the major platform for TBS games today.

Anyway, I will try Rome:Total War.
The realtime part there seems to be quite "chessy".

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

If you're getting old, you might want to try Archon 1/2/3 for the C64. It's basically Chess with mythological critters fighting real time battles.

www.lemon64.com or www.c64.com has all you need.

There's also www.the-underdogs.info/

 

[Jobz]

Why would you want an RTS similar to, of all things, Chess?

Chess is a monumentally boring game.

Chess is boring? Clearly you've never played it in the common room of a sixth form building surrounded by rowdy spectators. When people are banned from any games but chess or Scrabble, chess gets bloody exciting.

 

[SimuLord]

If you're OK with something a little more...well, Japanese, you can't go wrong with the entire SRPG genre, which is essentially chess with some twists. I recommend the Final Fantasy Tactics series, Disgaea, Fire Emblem, and Advance Wars.

If PC gaming is more your speed, you can scratch that RTS itch with the battle system in the Total War games (and Total War is really a genre unto itself at this point), or you can go with the Europa Universalis series (including Crusader Kings, Victoria, and Hearts of Iron 1 and 2) or the Civilization series (including Alpha Centauri, the greatest TBS of all-time.)

 

[vede]

Battle for Wesnoth.

It might not be exactly what you're wanting, but you should try it out and see if you like it. While you do recruit units, you don't really do battle on massive scales. The game is more about small skirmishes, with just a few units.

Of course, huge, epic battles are always an option...

 

[nikomas1]

Just go get end war, It has a rock paper scissor system and you can win by playing defense. Theres no base building and you have a limited reinforcements pool to work with, It seems just like what your looking for.

 

[escapistismal]

ok now for an answer that seem looks like what the OP is looking for
id recomend warhammer:dawn of war or company of heroes (same game almost)
any ways in this one positioning is a must and every unit counts and you dont need to zerg rush