I would highly suggest trying company of heroes online out. Its in open beta and plays very similar to regular company of heroes (one of the top rated rts of all time). Its free to download and if you don't like it then you got it for free so you didn't waste money.
RTS-tard
- Thread starter Dr.Poisonfreak
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I disagree. Dawn of War 2 is an improvement over the original game in nearly every way. The original was just a flashy rts with stereotypical gameplay and little lasting value beyond cool units and factions. Dawn of War 2 however tries and succeeds at being something unique unto itself as opposed to just a Warhammer starcraft with less faction balance but flashier kill animations. Not that DOW1 was bad by any means, but it got old quick once the novelty wore off.Scobie said:
I like that Relic is willing to change things up and I think the lack of base-building, despite pissing off the hardcore rts types, worked extremely well in this case. Wouldn't want to see it used in every game, but in DOW2 is works well. Plus the Chaos Rising campaign for DOW2 was fantastic.
But then I guess it's up to the individual to decide which they prefer or if, gasp, maybe they can enjoy both DOW1 and 2 on their own merits?
And to the OP, good introduction rts? Starcraft 2. It's new, it's shiny, it looks good and plays fantastic plus it's extremely newbie friendly. From there if you enjoy it you can then branch out to other older or more diverse rts and eventually join the rest of us in bitching about every new rts to be released.
I'm gonna have to say the old Command & Conquers, the Dawn of War series (I rather like the old DoW games as well as DoW2, they're quite different from each other really so I cannot compare them), Homeworld 2, and obviously the Starcraft series. They're a very good introduction into the RTS genre and they're time-proven and essentially solid.
Out of that list, Homeworld 2 is perhaps the most complicated and even then it's pretty much as simple as the others apart from the fact that you fight in a literally 3D combat zone (i.e. space) instead of on a battlefield consisting of only one plane of movement, so to speak.
Out of that list, Homeworld 2 is perhaps the most complicated and even then it's pretty much as simple as the others apart from the fact that you fight in a literally 3D combat zone (i.e. space) instead of on a battlefield consisting of only one plane of movement, so to speak.
That's mostly spam APM.omega 616 said:
They just press buttons that doesn't do anything in the context to get a bigger APM/e-peen.
In reality, an APM of 100 is more than enough to compete with the pros.
But yeah, SC2.
It's about as simple as an RTS gets.
But it's complexity in simplicity.
Since it's so mechanically simple, what you do and how you do it matters much more.
Easy to learn, impossible to master.
If you don't mind old games then I suggest Starcraft, Warcraft 3, Total Annihilation and Red Alert 2 for starters. They're my favourites because they are well rounded, have a lot of interesting units and they actually have strategy to them.
Your gonna find playing online requires a fair bit of skill since their are so many players now that can control units perfectly while building and upgrading.
Your gonna find playing online requires a fair bit of skill since their are so many players now that can control units perfectly while building and upgrading.
Not sure exactly who you played StarCraft against, but massing a single unit is NOT what you do to win. It just isn't plausible.Keava said:
As far as plot goes, I guess you could say it comes to down personal opinion, but I felt it was brilliantly written.
Company of Heroes.
Best damn RTS I've ever played (but then again, I don't play a lot of RTS-games, and I have a fascination with World War 2 games). xD
Starcraft 2 is also good, Single-player wise. Haven't tried multiplayer yet (and I dunno if I ever will).
Best damn RTS I've ever played (but then again, I don't play a lot of RTS-games, and I have a fascination with World War 2 games). xD
Starcraft 2 is also good, Single-player wise. Haven't tried multiplayer yet (and I dunno if I ever will).
Depends on what you want in an RTS, so much variety in how they play.
Another option then whats been suggested above is the Blitzkrieg and sudden strike series, WW2 games with a bit more focus on realism such as maintaining a supply line and how you position your tanks.
Another option then whats been suggested above is the Blitzkrieg and sudden strike series, WW2 games with a bit more focus on realism such as maintaining a supply line and how you position your tanks.
Starcraft 1 & 2 - Play the first if you want to experience the classic, I still play it but the graphics aren't that good anymore. The second is very similar, core RTS gameplay, and - I've heard - an absolutely kick-ass single player campaign.
Warcraft 3 - Another classic, plus it has the whole hero system. You really can't go wrong with this game, it's so fun and there's such a huge community built around it.
Dawn of War 1 - This is one hell of an RTS. Blew my mind the first time I played it and remains one of my favourite games to this day (including its expansions). Pick this if you like science fiction and lots of variety in gameplay. DoW 2 is also good, but not much of an RTS in the traditional sense.
Company of Heroes - A lot like Dawn of War set in World War 2. Absolutely effing fantastic game, featuring a cover system that I had never seen before and... it's just awesome. You won't regret having this one.
Supreme Commander 1 or 2 - Pick this if you want scale. This is an awesome game, you build hundreds - even thousands - of individual units, and have colossal battles with them.
Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends - this is a weirdly awesome game, different from your standard RTS in many little ways. Pick it if you like the combination of steampunk and magic.
Command & Conquer - Which one? Take your pick. This series is famous, and for good reason. The newest ones are Red Alert 3 and Tiberium Wars, but if you're up for a bit of old school graphics, the older games are eternal classics. Generals was different, but also kicked ass.
Age of Empires - The, classic, RTS series. My favourite is and always will be Age of Kings (more specifically, it's expansion, The Conquerors). But Age of Empires 3 is the newest, and it has 2 expansions.
Pick any one of these games, and you will experience a damn fine RTS.
Warcraft 3 - Another classic, plus it has the whole hero system. You really can't go wrong with this game, it's so fun and there's such a huge community built around it.
Dawn of War 1 - This is one hell of an RTS. Blew my mind the first time I played it and remains one of my favourite games to this day (including its expansions). Pick this if you like science fiction and lots of variety in gameplay. DoW 2 is also good, but not much of an RTS in the traditional sense.
Company of Heroes - A lot like Dawn of War set in World War 2. Absolutely effing fantastic game, featuring a cover system that I had never seen before and... it's just awesome. You won't regret having this one.
Supreme Commander 1 or 2 - Pick this if you want scale. This is an awesome game, you build hundreds - even thousands - of individual units, and have colossal battles with them.
Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends - this is a weirdly awesome game, different from your standard RTS in many little ways. Pick it if you like the combination of steampunk and magic.
Command & Conquer - Which one? Take your pick. This series is famous, and for good reason. The newest ones are Red Alert 3 and Tiberium Wars, but if you're up for a bit of old school graphics, the older games are eternal classics. Generals was different, but also kicked ass.
Age of Empires - The, classic, RTS series. My favourite is and always will be Age of Kings (more specifically, it's expansion, The Conquerors). But Age of Empires 3 is the newest, and it has 2 expansions.
Pick any one of these games, and you will experience a damn fine RTS.
Or, y'know, stop playing the game like a complete newbie and learn what units are useful at what times and against which enemies. Massing a single unit type (or two) won't get you very far, since a proficient player will a) scout you, b) build counter-units and c) school your ass. Starcraft is as advanced as you want it to be, but if you never evolve your play style, no wonder it grows stale on you. I'd say that's your fault, rather than the games, though.Keava said:
OT:
I'd recomend Starcraft 2 for RTS newbies, since it can be played on many levels, and the AI can ramp up from complete pushover to raging deathbot. Warcraft 3 (+ Expansion) is another of my favorites, since it has great replayability, although it requires a bit more micro than other standard RTS's, at least in my experience. Older games, like Age of Empires 2 or KKND2 (Krush Kill 'N' Destroy) are also good for the lack of too much stuff to wrap your head around. Once you get accostumed to some of these games, try Earth 2150. That shit takes a while. D:
I'm backing up the original Starcraft. You can get it for cheap, you don't need a good computer to run it decently and it's easily a classic and a great game.
Whatever you do, pick one RTS and stick with it, don't bob between a bunch of them, RTS is about developing strategy and learning how to become better at the game.
Be wary of many RTS, especially console RTS, which require one type of strategy: macro up, send all units, demolish enemy. These are a type of RTS where you will get stuck at beginner level forever as there isn't really much more to learn. (EDIT: Keava if you think Starcraft is this kind of game go watch a commentary or two.. Seriously, Starcraft is the most played RTS in Korea for a reason.)
A few common tips for RTS:
Scouting - Send out one low cost unit to see where your enemy is, what they are building, etc. Some games, like Starcraft, have units specifically designed to do this.
Micro vs Macro - Microing is defined as using few units but controlling them very specifically so that they take the least damage possible while still dealing good damage. Macroing is building up as large of a force as possible and overrunning your enemy. Finding the balance between these is important.
Walling - In most RTS the buildings are impossible to pass through with land units. This can often be used to your advantage. Some games, such as Age of Empires and Command and Conquer, have walls and gates specifically used for this purpose. Similarily, units can be placed in such a defensive way that it is hard to pass through a narrow gap.
Positioning Advantage - How your units are positioned in a battle is very important. Melee units should obviously be at the front to soak up damage so the ranged can do their work. Also bringing your enemy into a small gap into a larger outside piece of land allows you to get more ranged units to attack a small force trying to make it through the gap (in other words, they will have less people shooting you than you do at them, because they cannot fit them all at once)
Learning this all takes patience and practice, I wish you luck.
Whatever you do, pick one RTS and stick with it, don't bob between a bunch of them, RTS is about developing strategy and learning how to become better at the game.
Be wary of many RTS, especially console RTS, which require one type of strategy: macro up, send all units, demolish enemy. These are a type of RTS where you will get stuck at beginner level forever as there isn't really much more to learn. (EDIT: Keava if you think Starcraft is this kind of game go watch a commentary or two.. Seriously, Starcraft is the most played RTS in Korea for a reason.)
A few common tips for RTS:
Scouting - Send out one low cost unit to see where your enemy is, what they are building, etc. Some games, like Starcraft, have units specifically designed to do this.
Micro vs Macro - Microing is defined as using few units but controlling them very specifically so that they take the least damage possible while still dealing good damage. Macroing is building up as large of a force as possible and overrunning your enemy. Finding the balance between these is important.
Walling - In most RTS the buildings are impossible to pass through with land units. This can often be used to your advantage. Some games, such as Age of Empires and Command and Conquer, have walls and gates specifically used for this purpose. Similarily, units can be placed in such a defensive way that it is hard to pass through a narrow gap.
Positioning Advantage - How your units are positioned in a battle is very important. Melee units should obviously be at the front to soak up damage so the ranged can do their work. Also bringing your enemy into a small gap into a larger outside piece of land allows you to get more ranged units to attack a small force trying to make it through the gap (in other words, they will have less people shooting you than you do at them, because they cannot fit them all at once)
Learning this all takes patience and practice, I wish you luck.
