Poll: Which RTS/RTT game should I get?

[Uber Evil]

Right now I am looking for a good RTS/RTT (got it wrong on my first try apparently) game, but I can't figure out which of these I should get. One of the things I am looking for is the ability to use early(ish) gunpowder weapons, like muskets, but I don't care if I have to play through the game to get to that part. Also, Empire: Total War looks cool even without the building part.

 

[Orcus The Ultimate]

Preferably Rome Total War with latest SPQR mod...

 

[DeadlyYellow]

Pfft. If you'll settle for bows 'n' arrows then just save your money and download Dwarf Fortress. Takes a while to learn though.

 

[Zhandarr]

Total War Empire, great game, I've played it for hours. Definately the best of the list.

 

[Methos12]

Civilization building?

What you've listed is RTS (and some TBS with Total War). Civilization building games refer to: Civilization, 4X games (such as Galactic Civilizations), grand strategies (Europa Universalis and Hearts of Iron, for example), city building games (Zeus: Master of Olympus, for example), Settlers and other similar titles.

 

[Uber Evil]

Pfft. If you'll settle for bows 'n' arrows then just save your money and download Dwarf Fortress. Takes a while to learn though.

Er, I really want to play with muskets and such, but if bows and arrows are necessary on the way to muskets, I can deal.

Civilization building?

What you've listed is RTS (and some TBS with Total War). Civilization building games refer to: Civilization, 4X games (such as Galactic Civilizations), grand strategies (Europa Universalis and Hearts of Iron, for example), city building games (Zeus: Master of Olympus, for example), Settlers and other similar titles.

But in (some of) those games you have to create towns and build and upgrade them as time goes on. Something I would look at as an example is Anno 1701, except not on islands, and with battles on a grander scale.

 

[Void(null)]

Civilization IV + Beyond the Sword.

Amazing game, with an amazing modding community.

Plus its actually a 4X Civilization Builder, unlike the RTS/RTT games listed above.

 

[Quad08]

Civilization IV + Beyond the Sword.

Amazing game, with an amazing modding community.

Plus its actually a 4X Civilization Builder, unlike the RTS/RTT games listed above.

Agreed

 

[Uber Evil]

Civilization IV + Beyond the Sword.

Amazing game, with an amazing modding community.

Plus its actually a 4X Civilization Builder, unlike the RTS/RTT games listed above.

Agreed

Civilization IV + Beyond the Sword.

Amazing game, with an amazing modding community.

Plus its actually a 4X Civilization Builder, unlike the RTS/RTT games listed above.

Actually looking for a game where you watch the battles as they play out in real time, ala Total War series. Can you do that in Civilization games. EDIT: From what I've seen of those games it looks as if the battles aren't grand enough. They condense several units into one avatar unit. I want a game where you can see each battle play out. Stronghold 2 is what I looking for in general, except with muskets and a less in depth city building part.

 

[Eggsnham]

Age of Empires 3 is pretty fun.

 

[Quad08]

Actually looking for a game where you watch the battles as they play out in real time, ala Total War series. Can you do that in Civilization games.

Sadly no, its all turn based.

I'd still recommend you giving Civilization a try as it is one of the greatest games I've played.

 

[Uber Evil]

Civilization IV + Beyond the Sword.

Amazing game, with an amazing modding community.

Plus its actually a 4X Civilization Builder, unlike the RTS/RTT games listed above.

Agreed

Civilization IV + Beyond the Sword.

Amazing game, with an amazing modding community.

Plus its actually a 4X Civilization Builder, unlike the RTS/RTT games listed above.

Actually looking for a game where you watch the battles as they play out in real time, ala Total War series. Can you do that in Civilization games. EDIT: From what I've seen of those games it looks as if the battles aren't grand enough. They condense several units into one avatar unit. I want a game where you can see each battle play out. Stronghold 2 is what I am looking for in general, except with muskets and a less in depth city building part.

 

[JWW]

Sins of a Solar Empire. You rule an empire in space. What more could an RTS player want? Just make sure your computer is intesively powerful.

http://www.sinsofasolarempire.com/

Check it out. Now.

 

[Void(null)]

Actually looking for a game where you watch the battles as they play out in real time, ala Total War series. Can you do that in Civilization games.

Sadly no, its all turn based.

I'd still recommend you giving Civilization a try as it is one of the greatest games I've played.

The original title was "Civilization builder" so I figured the actual building and development of the Civilization/Empire would be important.

If you looking for RTT with a focus on war then Medieval 2: Total War is the best your going to get. Empire was trash and they cut most of the personality from the series, Rome was amazing but is very dated.

If you want the focus to be on building and developing your Empire/Civilization then Civilization is King... if you just want to watch lots of little dudes kill other little dudes then Total War is what your looking for.

 

[Jim Grim]

I've played one Total War game, although not Empire. However, from my experience it seems like exactly what you're looking for.

 

[TheDoctor455]

Starcraft and Brood War.

 

[Uber Evil]

Sins of a Solar Empire. You rule an empire in space. What more could an RTS player want? Just make sure your computer is intesively powerful.

http://www.sinsofasolarempire.com/

Check it out. Now.

My dad played that. Didn't suit my fancy.

Actually looking for a game where you watch the battles as they play out in real time, ala Total War series. Can you do that in Civilization games.

Sadly no, its all turn based.

I'd still recommend you giving Civilization a try as it is one of the greatest games I've played.

If you looking for RTT then Medieval 2: Total War is the best your going to get. Empire was trash and they cut most of the personality from the series, Rome was amazing but is very dated.

If you want the focus to be on building and developing your Empire/Civilization then Civilization is King... if you just want to watch lots of little dudes kill other little dudes then Total War is what your looking for.

The one thing I would think that Medieval 2 doesn't have that I am looking for is muskets.

 

[Void(null)]

The one thing I would think that Medieval 2 doesn't have that I am looking for is muskets.

Can't help you out then.

Empire: Total War has muskets and its probably one of the worst games I have ever played. Its buggy, Incomplete, the AI is atrocious.

Anyone know if they ever fixed shooting your own units in the back of the head with line fire?

Napoleon: Total War comes out Feb 23rd, Its basically Empire as it was supposed to be, rather than what they actually released, so who knows, it may actually be playable.

 

[Azure-Supernova]

Are you a RTS fan? If you want to ease yourself into somthing simple, I'd suggest Empire Earth. If you're a long standing fanatic, then go for a Total War game for a proper challenge.

 

[Uber Evil]

The one thing I would think that Medieval 2 doesn't have that I am looking for is muskets.

Can't help you out then.

Empire: Total War has muskets and its probably one of the worst games I have ever played. Its buggy, Incomplete, the AI is atrocious.

Anyone know if they ever fixed shooting your own units in the back of the head with line fire?

Napoleon: Total War comes out Feb 23rd, Its basically Empire as it was supposed to be, rather than what they actually released, so who knows, it may actually be playable.

So I should stick with WiC till Napoleon:TW comes out.