Recommend me an RTS game

[Continuity]

First, forget DoW 2, they really arsed it up and you'd be much better off playing the first game or dark crusade.

I'm curious. Why do you think they "arsed up" DoW2? Sure, it had nearly nothing in common with the first DoW, but I liked that they tried something new instead of just using a new graphic engine to reproduce the first one with only a few new gameplay elements thrown in. That's why I still like to play both games. DoW when I want a really good, traditional RTS and 2 when I want something a little bit more RPG-like (singleplayer) or a fast, tactical game (multi).

They arsed it up as an RTS, it may still be a playable game but it just doesn't work well, they've tried to shoehorn CoH mechanics into it and it just doesn't work. There are things in the game which are clearly things that should not of made it past alpha testing from a design point of view, e.g. the silly break and run mechanic.

Besides, DoW was a great game, maybe one of the top 5 greatest RTS of all time... Why oh why mess with such a successful game design?
Someone at relic actually sat down and thought to themselves "HMmm, we've made a great game in DoW and now its time to make DoW 2... I know! lets completely throw away everything from the first games, ignore everything we've learned and go in a completely different direction with the IP!".

That someone needs to be beaten with sticks. A complete overhaul is what you do when a game didn't work, not when it was a massive success.

 

[Avayu]

-snip-

They arsed it up as an RTS, it may still be a playable game but it just doesn't work well, they've tried to shoehorn CoH mechanics into it and it just doesn't work. There are things in the game which are clearly things that should not of made it past alpha testing from a design point of view, e.g. the silly break and run mechanic.

Besides, DoW was a great game, maybe one of the top 5 greatest RTS of all time... Why oh why mess with such a successful game design?
Someone at relic actually sat down and thought to themselves "HMmm, we've made a great game in DoW and now its time to make DoW 2... I know! lets completely throw away everything from the first games, ignore everything we've learned and go in a completely different direction with the IP!".

That someone needs to be beaten with sticks. A complete overhaul is what you do when a game didn't work, not when it was a massive success.

Well,yeah, I see what you mean. One probably can't call it a great RTS objectively (if one can call it a RTS at all, that is). Nevertheless, I'd say it is a really good and fun game, but that's just a subjective opinion. And yes, that retreat mechanic seemed rather silly, but it made sense in the way that the game gave much more value to every single unit/squad under your command.
I respectfully disagree with the last part of your statement, though. I always like it when developers have the balls to try something new, even in already successful series. Of course the end result may not always be perfect, but it at least allows for attempts in innovation instead of pumping out sequel after sequel with little to no changes at all. Other than that, as you said, DoW already was damn good. I can't really think of a different way they could have made a second one without making it little more than just another expansion pack. And we know how well that turned out in Soulstorm. But of course, I'm no game designer, so I haven't spend much time thinking about that stuff.

 

[Boom129]

Galactic Civilisations 2 if you're into that
here are 2 extended reasons why
1) http://www.computerandvideogames.com/161570/blog/galciv-2-war-report-final-entry/?site=pcg
2) http://www.computerandvideogames.com/195920/blog/galactic-civilizations-diary-days-1-26/?site=pcg

 

[ELD3RGoD]

KKND and KKND2: Krossfire.

 

[mushy262626]

i would most defiantly recommended any blizzard rts (starcraft 1-2 warcraft 1-3)

 

[artanis_neravar]

Star Craft 1, then 2
Any of the Command and Conquer games, except Command and Conquer 4 worst mistake ever, and maybe Generals

 

[NightHawk21]

If you've played a lot or RTS games before and are pretty good go straight to Warcraft 3, that game is pretty damn challenging thanks to all the microing you have to do. If you don't want to do all that microing try any of the Age of Empires games.

If you're pretty new or have limited experience (you know what to do but you're just not that quick) try Command and Conquer: Generals. That game is relatively easy but there's three separate campaigns and they have a nice learning curve to them, or Lord of the Rings Battle for Middle Earth. Battle for Middle Earth is also pretty good with some small amount of microing, and the campaign also has a pretty decent learning curve.

However, if you are easily discouraged DO NOT PLAY Warcraft 3 if you're not that good. The single player AI cheats like a mother fukr (They will have lvl 3-4 heroes even if you beat them out of your base and kill all the enemies sometimes).

Lastly if your looking for something a little different (I wouldn't exactly call it an RTS, but the games require some strategy) try Civilization 4 or 5, or try a game called League of Legends. LoL is a game based off of a custom Warcraft 3 map/ mode called Dota, and its been remade to have nicer graphics and be more streamlined (oh and its free, so no real reason not to give it a go)
(here's the link: http://signup.leagueoflegends.com/?ref=4d8fbabff377c281792392)(PS. Its a referral link link so I would appreciate if you use it if you decide to play )

In summary:
If you have experience:
- Warcraft 3
- Age of Empires Games

If you're relatively new
- Command and Conquer: Generals
- Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth

Unconventional Strategy
- Civilization 4 or 5
- League of Legends

 

[Shock and Awe]

The Total War series, Sins of a Solar Empire, Command and Conquer series and Company of Heroes are all excellent.

 

[AGrey]

Sins of a Solar Empire is really, really slow. I like Empire: Total war (the strategic elements are turn based, the tactical elements are real-time)

I highly recommend anything by Blizzard (though really, start with WC3, SC, or SC2. The others haven't aged very well)

Civ 5 is good, though turn based as well, and more about managing the economy than waging war.