Computer Strategy games | PC Xbox WII PS3 Strategy games
Ranked #1,823 in Games, #71,808 overall
Computer based Strategy Games
Strategy games for Xbox 360, Playstation, WII and the PC are reviewed and examined here. We also explore the elements of strategy gaming . In this lens you will find brief review of some of my favourite Strategy games , reviews of other strategy games and links to placies where you can acquire the strategy game you want .
PC Strategy games
PC Strategy games have been this writers favourite form of computer based entertainment for a long time.Any one who enjoys games involving deep thought and speed can easily spend hours building civilisations and armies to invade of defend virtual territories.
The PC Strategy games genre encompasses several sub genres and this lens will attempt to explore and rate games in all the genres as long as the writer, myself, has played the game before.
The sub genres include
real time strategy :
Games like Total Annihilation, Command & Conquer, Starcraft.
Turn based
Games like Civilisation, Master of orion,
First person real time strategy hybrids
Games like Homeworld,
I am often tempted to declare that Total Annihilation is the best ever PC Strategy game, but this would neither be true or fair, I found that I liked Warzone 2100 just as much, especially online.
Online Gaming
Playing against the computer oponent is fine for me in the begining with any game, but once one has mastered all the levels, a new challenge beckons. Human opponents are something else althogether. Playing against newbies does lead to some easy and quick victories , but as you engage with a more experienced class of opponent, things change.
The PC Strategy games genre encompasses several sub genres and this lens will attempt to explore and rate games in all the genres as long as the writer, myself, has played the game before.
The sub genres include
real time strategy :
Games like Total Annihilation, Command & Conquer, Starcraft.
Turn based
Games like Civilisation, Master of orion,
First person real time strategy hybrids
Games like Homeworld,
I am often tempted to declare that Total Annihilation is the best ever PC Strategy game, but this would neither be true or fair, I found that I liked Warzone 2100 just as much, especially online.
Online Gaming
Playing against the computer oponent is fine for me in the begining with any game, but once one has mastered all the levels, a new challenge beckons. Human opponents are something else althogether. Playing against newbies does lead to some easy and quick victories , but as you engage with a more experienced class of opponent, things change.
Red Alert 2: Allied Base
Things are still peaceful here
Real time strategy
Real time strategy games have as a dominant feature the continous progression of game time at a predetermined pace once the game commences
Gameplay: This usually involves the players commencing with one unit and a small amount of resources. The initial objective for each player is to convert their initial resources and units into a self sustaining economy or supply chain.
While you're getting your economy going , its always best to have some guard units available as soon as you can. Both computer and human opponents like to try and catch opponents off guard at the begining, without any defensive units, you might find its game over at the hands of elementary first level units for that game.
\the players then proceed to engage in war over the game territory, scout the territory to reveal enemy units,reviewing the topology of the map to plan battles, and developing a strategem to win the game.
The tech level of each game does depend a lot on the developers story line, thus a Strategy game Called "Ancient Rome" would probable have swordsmen, archers and some calvary, whereas a game called "WW2 Pacific Ocean Carrier battles" would probably include Aircraft carriers and Aircraft of 1940's vintage.
There are many elements to a real time strategy games and you really would have to get and play the games to have a more complete grasp of what they have to offer the casual or keen gamer.
Gameplay: This usually involves the players commencing with one unit and a small amount of resources. The initial objective for each player is to convert their initial resources and units into a self sustaining economy or supply chain.
While you're getting your economy going , its always best to have some guard units available as soon as you can. Both computer and human opponents like to try and catch opponents off guard at the begining, without any defensive units, you might find its game over at the hands of elementary first level units for that game.
\the players then proceed to engage in war over the game territory, scout the territory to reveal enemy units,reviewing the topology of the map to plan battles, and developing a strategem to win the game.
The tech level of each game does depend a lot on the developers story line, thus a Strategy game Called "Ancient Rome" would probable have swordsmen, archers and some calvary, whereas a game called "WW2 Pacific Ocean Carrier battles" would probably include Aircraft carriers and Aircraft of 1940's vintage.
There are many elements to a real time strategy games and you really would have to get and play the games to have a more complete grasp of what they have to offer the casual or keen gamer.
Red Alert 2: Allied forces ready for war
This is just at the start of a campaign. More Pictures will follow as I get the hang of this process.
Top Real time strategy games
Total Annihilation
Prepare yourself for the next generation of real-t more...1 point
Age Of Empires Collector's Edition (Limited Edition)
Control 10,000 years of human history and rewrite more...1 point
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3
Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 from EA brings back more...1 point
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2
This software is BRAND NEW. Packaging may differ s more...1 point
Command & Conquer: Red Alert
This software is BRAND NEW. Packaging may differ s more...1 point
Command & Conquer Red Alert 2 Expansion: Yuri's Revenge
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2, Yuri's Revenge more...1 point
Supreme Commander
In the 37th Century, you are the Supreme Commander more...0 points
Command and Conquer the First Decade
Command And Conquer: The First Decade is an incred more...0 points
Command and Conquer Generals: Deluxe Edition
Command & Conquer: Generals Deluxe brings you more...0 points
Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars
Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars takes you f more...0 points
Homeworld Cataclysm
This software is BRAND NEW. Packaging may differ s more...0 points
Wii Hardware Bundle - Black
Includes Black Wii Console, Black Wii Remote Plus, more...0 points
Turn based Strategy games
Each player takes turns
Games in this sub genre are held to be more cerebral than the real time strategy sub genre games , by the fans of these games. As an occasional player of these games, I am less certain of this. Mind you , I did spend several months playing the UFO , turn based game "X-COM Terror from the deep", on the Playstation 1.
Yes, the video consoles too have strategy games and having played on computers from the Sinclair spectrum , through to Atari ST, Psx, PC , I can say the strategy games on consoles aren't bad.
Yes, the video consoles too have strategy games and having played on computers from the Sinclair spectrum , through to Atari ST, Psx, PC , I can say the strategy games on consoles aren't bad.
Some great Turn based strategy Games for PC
Master of Orion 2: Battle At Antares (Jewel Case)
This software is BRAND NEW. Packaging may differ s more...1 point
Master of Orion 3
You assume the biggest role ever! No longer will y more...1 point
Master of Orion
The original 1993 release from SimTex that spawned more...1 point
Civilisation: The Complete Series
The eminent art historian Sir Kenneth Clark was co more...1 point
Sid Meier's Civilization IV
With over 6 million units sold and unprecedented c more...1 point
First Person Strategy Games
Simulators that require strategy to win
Strategic simulators are a lot rarer than tactical simulators. How ever, the few that I've come accross have been superb. There are some more on the market but I haven't gotten round to playing the newer ones.
These games involve the player Playing the game in the first person like a Tank simulator or like a Squaddie in Doom , but commanding reasources to create other reasources and probabley a contained battle field arena.
These games can get remarkably complex, some players focus on enjoying the first person simulation , ignore the strategic demands , and are vanquished as their computer or human opposition overwhelms them with superior numbers and technology
These games involve the player Playing the game in the first person like a Tank simulator or like a Squaddie in Doom , but commanding reasources to create other reasources and probabley a contained battle field arena.
These games can get remarkably complex, some players focus on enjoying the first person simulation , ignore the strategic demands , and are vanquished as their computer or human opposition overwhelms them with superior numbers and technology
Some top first person strategy games for sale
A lot of these games are properly First person tactical games, however, they're really good
Half-Life 2: Episode Pack
The Half-Life 2: Episode Pack offers both of the n more...1 point
Ground Control 2
Ground Control 2 is an incredible real-time combat more...1 point
Battlezone
Battlezone places you in the midst of the cold war--as more...1 point
Battlezone Gold
The Battlezone is the full moon base established w more...1 point
Battlezone 2 (Jewel Case)
This software is BRAND NEW. Packaging may differ s more...1 point
Xbox 360 strategy games
The Xbox 360 is fortunate in terms of strategy games because most of the studio's who write strategy games do so for the PC. Therefore, they are a lot closer to the xbox . Here are a few strategy games for the xbox.
PS3 Strategy games
I know for a fact that Playstation 1 had a multitude of games in the strategy genre. I had Command & Conquer , UFO, Krazy Ivan and these games kept entertained for many months. The PS3 is not so well endowed, however, here are a few for starters.
WII Strategy games
There are quite a few games rated as strategy by the nintendo website listing. However, the 3 games listed below are the only ones that appear to fit with the general theme of this page.
Resource management in strategy games
This is a top level element of strategy gamnes. You have to be able to successfully multiply you opening resources, usually by exploiting the natural resources in your theatre of operation. Resources could be represented by cash reserves or raw material depending on the games coders. Think of your resources as the ability to pay for new units to effect you strategy. No money, no new soldiers, engineers or tanks.
Typically, at the begininng of the game, you start with a few units including at least one reasource harvester. You need to increase you harvesting of resources sharpish. You also need to protect the resource harvesting units which are usually expensive to replace.
The economics of PC strategy games can get very complicated, and some developers put in a lot of work to simulate real life. Thus, I've seen games where failing to provide leasure facilities for workers leads to loss of morale and production falling sharply.
Typically, at the begininng of the game, you start with a few units including at least one reasource harvester. You need to increase you harvesting of resources sharpish. You also need to protect the resource harvesting units which are usually expensive to replace.
The economics of PC strategy games can get very complicated, and some developers put in a lot of work to simulate real life. Thus, I've seen games where failing to provide leasure facilities for workers leads to loss of morale and production falling sharply.
Power Management
This means electricity usually
The management of electricity supply is very common in real time and turn based strategy games . In a strategy game , you will need to buy or build factories, schools, barracks, banks etc. Just like a real world environment, but really simplified. All these facilities require infrastructure to function. In most PC strategy games, this infrastructure requirement is restricted to Provision of electricity.
Hence as you buy more facilities, you have to make sure you're also buying enough power stations to power them, In fact, you ought to build supplus power facilities. if your opponent destroys some of your power stations and you have no slack, all your production facilities grind to a halt. Then you have to switch some of them off till power facilities are replaced or repaired.
Hence as you buy more facilities, you have to make sure you're also buying enough power stations to power them, In fact, you ought to build supplus power facilities. if your opponent destroys some of your power stations and you have no slack, all your production facilities grind to a halt. Then you have to switch some of them off till power facilities are replaced or repaired.
Technology and Research in strategy games
The technology available to the gamer in any strategy game is dependent on the theme and storyline of the game. In some games though, its actually possible for a better player to end the game Sending Jet fighters angainst an opponent equiped with Hot air ballooons or airships.
Resources have to be expended to acquire the facilities capable of manufactring the highest levels of tech available. It pays to read the instruction manual as you might get a nasty surprise otherwise. In some games resources have to be expended on research facilities which then take some time to complete required research.
Only when such research is complete would the manufacturing facilities to build the next level of weapon become available. However, it is important to note that many games are much simpler and do not require resources allocated to research. Furthermore, research does not require any actual "work" from the game player .
Resources have to be expended to acquire the facilities capable of manufactring the highest levels of tech available. It pays to read the instruction manual as you might get a nasty surprise otherwise. In some games resources have to be expended on research facilities which then take some time to complete required research.
Only when such research is complete would the manufacturing facilities to build the next level of weapon become available. However, it is important to note that many games are much simpler and do not require resources allocated to research. Furthermore, research does not require any actual "work" from the game player .
The win conditions for Real time strategy Games
With real time strategy games, the win conditions are rarely just destroying all the opponents units. If your're playing a structured campaign , you will often find that you have time restrictions, that you must capture certain territory within a time limit perhaps. I could be that you have to build a certain unit before your computer opponent does.
How you achieve the objective is often flexible. This really depends on the excellence of the programming and the foresight of the game designers. What they aim to create is a virtual world where you can do the things a real commander would think of doing in real life. Ergo, if you decide to destroy the computer opponents resource harvesters for a particular resource, does the game reflect the effect of this action properly.
Perhaps you spot the enemy constantly using a narrow part of the computer generated terrain, does the game allow you to block that path using mines or walls. Conversely if it allows you to do that, does it also allow your computer opponent to deploy a minesweeper to clear the mines.
How you achieve the objective is often flexible. This really depends on the excellence of the programming and the foresight of the game designers. What they aim to create is a virtual world where you can do the things a real commander would think of doing in real life. Ergo, if you decide to destroy the computer opponents resource harvesters for a particular resource, does the game reflect the effect of this action properly.
Perhaps you spot the enemy constantly using a narrow part of the computer generated terrain, does the game allow you to block that path using mines or walls. Conversely if it allows you to do that, does it also allow your computer opponent to deploy a minesweeper to clear the mines.
Comments about this lens and the strategy games genre
Kindly leave your thoughts about the contents of this lens and feel free to comment about the wider strategy gaming world
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nickmcblain Jul 17, 2011 @ 10:33 am | delete
- I love strategy games and you have just reinforced my love for them
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TIRMassageStone
Jun 28, 2011 @ 11:12 am | delete
- Lots of good choices!
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DigitalBuilder
Apr 22, 2011 @ 5:05 am | delete
- Nice lens with some very nice games,
Thank you
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Tipi
Feb 26, 2010 @ 6:10 pm | delete
- Wow, I don't play games, but this was interesting to read.
Hey, best wishes...
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d4nt0
Feb 20, 2010 @ 6:15 pm | delete
- Yes, startcraft is a great one! :)
Fix Xbox 360 Red Lights
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gamesvalley
Jan 22, 2010 @ 6:48 pm | delete
- Yeah.. starcraft still the best! I just don't understand what kept Blizzard soooo long to let the sequel out...
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Dec 18, 2009 @ 1:17 pm | delete
- Thanks Daniel, tis a work in progress. Yes Starcraft is a great one
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danielca0720
Dec 16, 2009 @ 11:50 am | delete
- This is a good lens, but it doesn't seem to be the best it could be. With a little revision this would be a lot better, though it's still a great lens. Especially, since I too am a lover of strategy-based PC games...Starcraft FTW!
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RickyRobi Nov 21, 2009 @ 8:10 pm | delete
- I love a good strategy game and you have some good ones listed here.
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JohnsInk
Oct 9, 2009 @ 9:02 am | delete
- I'm a long time fan of age of empires!
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