WARCRAFT 2: Tides of Darkness - Published by Blizzard in 1995, this game was hugely popular. Orcs and Humans was the first in the game series which leads up to today’s very popular World of Warcraft. This is a real-time strategy game is set in a fictional world. The original was an MS-DOS game but has come a long way since then. There are many battles to be fought between the orcs and the humans while you are trying to build your territory. This game could be played in single or multiplayer mode (via LAN).
STARCRAFT – This military science-fiction real-time strategy game was published by Blizzard in 1998 with newer versions and other platforms later. More than 11 million copies of the game have sold since Feb 2009, making it the best selling pc game. The story is set in the 26th century, with 3 distinct fictional races. The single player option has 30 missions, 10 for each race. The game has been praised not just for the game play model but also the story itself. This is one game that has definitely had some staying power. The game also has a multiplayer function using Blizzards Battle.net website. Currently Starcraft 2 is under development.
POPULOUS: The Beginning – Developed by Bullfrog in 1998 this was different than the previous 2 in the series. You were a Shaman to a tribe of people and leading them to conquer enemy tribes rather than playing God. The game is in true 3D format and from the 3rd person perspective which is unlike most games in the strategy format. You could play this game in single mode or multi-player across the internet. The setting of this game is science fiction in nature as it does not take place on Earth; however the people seem similar to Native American tribes. This may be considered a turn-based strategy game.
PHARAOH – This is a classic game published by Sierra Entertainment and developed by Impressions Games in 1999. The game has an expansion pack as well, Cleopatra : Queen of the Nile. The game is set in Egypt and you have scenarios to complete before moving on to the next city’s challenges. There is a map view as well as city view and you have to keep your citizens happy as well as the Pharaoh. You need to manage your money and resources wisely and set up trade with other empires. You need to set up army’s as well to fight off any imposing threat.
ROLLER COASTER TYCOON – I’m going with the original game as that game sparked a whole new genre of strategy based games known as the tycoon games. The game was developed by Chris Sawyer and published by Microprose. You have several scenarios that challenge you to build bigger and better theme parks and roller coasters. You need to manage your time and your money as well as your staff and guest happiness.
AGE OF EMPIRES 2 –This is a very popular game that was published by Microsoft in 1999. This is a history based real-time strategy game, again with scenarios to complete in order to move on to the next level. This game is set in the Middle-Ages and has 13 playable civilizations. Like most, you build armies, collect resources, like food and iron, and keep your citizens happy and healthy while building your city.
COMMAND AND CONQUER: Red Alert – Published by Virgin Interactive in 1996 this game has now been released by EA as freeware as of August 2008. The setting takes place in the 1950s in an alternate universe where allied forces fight with the Soviet Union who is trying to take over Europe. The game won praise for it’s easy to use user interface and also it was one of the first competitive online games. Single player mode worked on the user completing missions with a set list of goals to achieve in order to move on. This is basically an alternate World War II.
CAESAR III – Released in 1998 by Impression Games and Sierra Entertainment, this game is very addictive. Game play is in 2D and strives to be somewhat historically accurate as far as living arrangements and food resources go. You do have a map view and advisors and need to set up trade routes with neighboring cities. You also need to be sure to have an army to defeat enemies that may come into your newly built city. You win a scenario by accomplishing set goals in the time frame allowed. Be sure to keep your citizens and Caesar happy.
CIVILIZATION 2 – Originally published by Microprose in 1996, Atari later re-released the game in 2002 for newer Windows based systems. This is a turn-based strategy game meaning that this is mostly about creating armies and fighting enemies and you do this in turns, or rounds. To win you need to conquer every other civilization or you need to build a space ship and reach Alpha Centauri as game play ends in the year 2020. You have a limited number of turns in which to achieve this. You points are tallied at the end of the game. You earn points through victories and other tasks.
ROME: Total War – This game was published by Activision in 2004. The game is unique in that it is a turn-based strategy but also has real-time effects. The game is set during the late Roman Republic and early Roman Empire. The game is in 3D and the real-time tactics are unique in that place and direction of your army is up to you and important in winning the battle. The 3D graphics is able to handle 30,000 men on the battlefield. You are the head of your faction and you can only control the males in your family once they reach the age of 16. The game contains a campaign map.
No comments:
Post a Comment