Strategy War PC Games

[NYFAN]

I wanted to get some advice on games... I'm looking for a good war strategy game, something where it's based on manipulating different troops, and strategy etc... not necessarily graphics.. I was wondering what you guys would recommend.

~Ray

[Chubby]

Rise of Nations! Then you can join our FOFC games too :)

[sachmo71]

Hearts of Iron
Eastern Front
War in Russia
Western Front
Panzer General

check

[nfg22]

The best strategy game by far is Europa Universalis 2, It is complicated at first but when you get into it you learn the way it works. Is the deepest by far

[Dazooz]

Korsun Pocket by MatrixGames...

[JPhillips]

I just picked up a game called Strategic Command. It's kind of a blend of Axis and Allies and Third Reich. It's very simple to get into, but it isn't a very indepth game. It's WWII, but only the European and Soviet theatres. I've enjoyed it so far, as kind of a uber beer and pretzels game on PC.

Also, if you want squad based, I found Combat Mission at an EB Games for 9.99. It's very similar to the Microsoft squad combat games, but it encreases the realism. It's turn based, but turns are shown in real time.

If you like Hearts of Iron or EU2 try Victoria. It's by the same company and simulates the industrial age up through WW1. That time period has always appealed to me and this gives a world wide perspective. If you get any of the Strategy First titles be sure and get the latest patch and CORE for HOI or Victoria Improvment Project for Victoria. These games can be very buggy without patches(HOI is almost unplayable).

If you want hex based, The Operational Art of War is very good. Volume one is WW2 and Korea while volume two is fifty-five to modern day. You can find a lot of scenarios for these games on-line. Beware, though, if you want concected campaigns, these don't do that.

Finally, I enjoyed the Sid Meire's Civil War games. They aren't perfect, but they were extremely fun.

Hope that helps and good luck.

[Desnudo]

Rise of Nations! Then you can join our FOFC games too :)

Do you guys play hardcore RTS, rated style, or is more just messing around and having fun? I retired from the former, but could potentially be interested in the latter. And are you playing RoN with the expansion or without?

[Chubby]

Do you guys play hardcore RTS, rated style, or is more just messing around and having fun? I retired from the former, but could potentially be interested in the latter. And are you playing RoN with the expansion or without?

It's just for fun. There's a big thread we bump when trying to get a game going. Currently it's without the expansion as not everyone has it but eventually we'll use it. It's fun, if there's less than 8 people playing we add in some comp nations and make them "easy" to fill up the map. We play with alliances, fun time. All the games I've been a part of have been "join IP", we don't even use gamespy.

[Fritz]

the misuse of the word strategy by the gaming industry is criminal.

[Critch]

The Operational Art of War is a good choice for straightforward, graphics free, strategy. The Century of Warfare edition comes with a good selection of scenarios covering the last century, and there are always a good number to download on the internet too.

[WSUCougar]

The Operational Art of War is a good choice for straightforward, graphics free, strategy.
I have the original OAW and would part with it cheap. PM me if interested.

[Icy]

http://www.steelpanthersonline.com/ it's an amazing game and it's totaly free, nothing can beat it. There are also new paid campaigns for it but just with the free default ones + the editor, you can play months. It could be too deep for you if it's your first wargame.

[Axxon]

For less experienced wargamers, you really can't go wrong with SSI Generals series.

My favorite is Fantasy General but Panzer Generals ( all of them ) are good and easy to get into.

Specifically, they really do stress the relationships of the units and their interactions, both with each other in combined arms and with the enemy. They do this in clear cut, straightforward scenarios that aren't overwhelming.

Now, I consider these games beer and pretzel games as a wargamer but they're a bit more than that at first.