Looking to buy an RTS for the first time.

[ribonuge]

I am very new to the whole RTS scene having only previously played Black and White. I was considering Total War [http://store.steampowered.com/sub/1348/] but I just wanted to see if anybody knows of any that would be good as an introduction to the genre. I tried Sins for a Solar Empire but I thought I was a bit out of my depth, having no real experience with any of the RTS mechanics. I just want one that has a good tutorial along with a rewarding gameplay experience. If that isn't too much to ask.

Any help would be appreciated.

EDIT: A quick edit to say my system is able to play modern titles very well, so I have no limitations on that front.

 

[Jark212]

Command and Conquer Generals is good fun. Simple and fun...

 

[Newtilator]

Red Alert 3 and any command and conquer are good for begginers. Firing armoured bears out of a cannon to battle transforming robots was never so Easy!
If you like Lord ofthe rings, try battle for middle earth.

 

[Sieni]

Command and Conquer: The First Decade, 13 RTS games in one box.
And it's cheap too.

 

[Croaker42]

I guess Star Craft had an outstanding tutorial and the dificulty ramps up well. However depending oh what settings you like. Age of Empires would not be too bad for you. Both game have tutorials and a deacent single player mode.

 

[almostgold]

I was about to recomend the Total War Franchise before I clicked the link.
It is very, very well done, but its best not to get it hoping for the definitive RTS experience. The RTS portions are combat only, with resource gathering, diplomacy, and building handled in a turn based style. Personally, I enjoy it MUCH more than a 'traditional' RTS, such as Command&Conquer or Age of Empires. My suggestion is get the pack but also buy a cheap version of Age of Empires # off ebay, decide which you like more.

 

[duckfi8]

Command and Conquer: The First Decade, 13 RTS games in one box.
And it's cheap too.

I was gonna say that, or get C&C Red Alert 3

 

[sidereal_day]

Uh, Starcraft. Why has no one mentioned this?

 

[BloatedGuppy]

Total War is a Real Time/Turn Based Strategy hybrid. They're strong games (if a bit labored with AI issues), but they're not exactly textbook examples of "the RTS scene", which is still just a refined version of the concept pioneered by Dune II and popularized by Command and Conquer, Warcraft and Starcraft.

Note that with Total War games, a single long campaign can take weeks to complete. They're really second only to MMO's for time devouring. Plan accordingly.

 

[Stryc9]

Command and Conquer: The First Decade, 13 RTS games in one box.
And it's cheap too.

/Thread. You can't go wrong buying this pack of games. Hell it even includes one FPS...not a great one but it's not horrible either.

 

[Void(null)]

Dawn of War [http://store.steampowered.com/sub/447/]

Dawn of War is one of the best RTS series, it has all the classic elements, great races with lots of difference between them while keeping balanced, its easy to get into and grasp the basics but the game has enough detail to keep veterans coming back.

It also has an amazing Modding community, and one of the single largest and successful modding endeavors with Firestorm Over Kronus.


FoK also does a massive texture/animation/FX overhaul, so the game looks almost as pretty as Dawn of War II, while having infinitely more content and better Multiplayer.

If you are looking for a more single player focused RTS, Company of Heroes [http://store.steampowered.com/sub/1529/] and Dawn of War II are good contenders with decent gameplay and a good single player campaign.

World in Conflict [http://store.steampowered.com/app/21760/] was also a nice take on modern RTS games, great story, very desperate atmosphere. Not something to play Multiplayer or competativly but for a single player Campaign is was great.

However, in my experience RTS games are best shared with friends.

 

[AlphaOmega]

Age of Mythology, not old. but GOLD.

 

[Kirosilence]

I'd recommend for a first timer, Starcraft, Warcraft (2 or 3 if you can find them), Age of Empires 1, 2 or 3, or Command and Conquer. All pretty simple, all excellent introductions into the RTS genre.

 

[ZaCloud]

Thirding Star Craft here, as well as Age of Empires. AoE II was great too, I remember playing it more than part I.

 

[JeanLuc761]

I'm still a massive fan of Command & Conquer: Generals. Simple to learn, good looking, and surprisingly addictive.

 

[Crash 9000]

I am very new to the whole RTS scene having only previously played Black and White. I was considering this [http://store.steampowered.com/sub/1348/] but I just wanted to see if anybody knows of any that would be good as an introduction to the genre. I tried Sins for a Solar Empire but I thought I was a bit out of my depth, having no real experience with any of the RTS mechanics. I just want one that has a good tutorial along with a rewarding gameplay experience. If that isn't too much to ask.

Any help would be appreciated.

Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne.

Very easy to get into, the campaign in the original (Minus the expansion) does a brilliant job of introducing you to the gameplay, and there are a LOT of custom games that are very quickly downloaded, played in multiplayer and are very fun.

Plus it's cheap and runs on any system.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

All these votes for Starcraft.

I think it's a sad condemnation of the lack of innovation in a genre when its defining title was released twelve years ago.

 

[Void(null)]

Starcraft is a great game, but its amazingly dated. I think its better to ease into RTS games with something a little more modern, get them hooked into the genre and then expose them to the more deep titles.

 

[Mad Gab]

I would have said any of these, but it seems i've been beaten to the punch.
Actualy just thought of another: Homeworld, a little complex but very good.

 

[BOBdotEXE]

If you want just a simple RTS, to learn the basics;
there are some free PC games that are good!
http://www.boswars.org/
http://wz2100.net/