What's the best strategy game you've played?

[RigglesGiggle]

Hmm, that's a good question. I have alot that I can think of, but the most recent one that I've played and I'm still actively playing is a game for android, it's called interlocked. It's a 3d, puzzle style game that requires that you pay attention and focus. One simple distraction can throw off your whole game plan.

[Jake Armitage]

Nectaris (PS1)

Yes and yes. This game rules. Super hard, though.

There is one scenario I just can't seem to win. It is this one (which is super easy if you are playing normally as the Union. If you reverse sides and play as the Xenon forces it seems undoable):



On the first move the Union takes out one of your Bisons - the only variation is how much damage the attacking Bisons suffer. After that you just don't have enough strength to do anything - might be doable if you had a factory but you don't

[prfsnl_gmr]

Its been a long time since I played it, but if I recall correctly, you have to capture the base. Sorry I can’t be of more help.

[Jake Armitage]

Its been a long time since I played it, but if I recall correctly, you have to capture the base. Sorry I can’t be of more help.

Unfortunately the enemy forces have their own plans............

[prfsnl_gmr]

Its been a long time since I played it, but if I recall correctly, you have to capture the base. Sorry I can’t be of more help.

Unfortunately the enemy forces have their own plans............

Yes...it certainly does! Here’s what I wrote about it a few years ago:

Also, be sure to keep in mind that THE COMPUTER WILL NOT MAKE A TACTICAL ERROR. From a strategy, perspective, however, the computer is a complete imbecile, and its victories are dependent on its vastly superior firepower. Predicting how the computer will react to certain situations is critical to victory (and, given the computer's vastly superior numbers, the only way to achieve it). In short, do not expect a battle of wits between two equally matched armies. Rather, the game expects you to figure out a way to win the Battle of Thermoplylae over and over again.

It remains one of the most challenging game I’ve ever beaten, and I wrote this about it too:

Also, and with regard to strategy games...

Hardcore = everyone who has completed Nectaris: Military Madness (PS1)
Casual = everyone else

Good luck!

[Jake Armitage]

It is an interesting game in that the AI can be ruthless at times yet also be dumber than a box of rocks at other times.

It is the only strategy game (assuming you have a decent size force) I can think of where line tactics generally don't work - the AI is amazingly adept at making lines into swiss cheese in most situations.

I do like setting up "honey traps" where you leave a factory uncaptured but seal off the exit(s) so (like the infamous roach motel) they check in but they don't check out. In the scenarios where you can do that you can wind up with some pretty large armies at the end.

[prfsnl_gmr]

Precisely. I found that, after a while, I was able to predict exactly what the AI was going to do in most situations. It made it very easy to lure units into traps or away from their base. The AI would never make a tactical error - and you were always outmanned - so, you had to execute your strategy perfectly. It was satisfying when you did, though. (And, you are absolutely right. Line tactics got me nowhere in that game. I relied a lot on choke points and strategic retreat.)

It’s nice to meet another Nectaris fan!

[ElkinFencer10]

Anyone played Battle Worlds: Kronos? Game seems like a lot of fun but is too balls hard for someone of my miniscule patience and shit skill level.

[Jake Armitage]

Precisely. I found that, after a while, I was able to predict exactly what the AI was going to do in most situations. It made it very easy to lure units into traps or away from their base. The AI would never make a tactical error - and you were always outmanned - so, you had to execute your strategy perfectly. It was satisfying when you did, though. (And, you are absolutely right. Line tactics got me nowhere in that game. I relied a lot on choke points and strategic retreat.)

It’s nice to meet another Nectaris fan!

It always amazes me how underappreciated it is.

I think my favorite scenarios are the ones with no air units and you have to rely on mostly rabbits (my favorite unit) using hit and run tactics on much heavier enemy units in order to win.

One feature I really like with Nectaris is the ability to go in and play any of the scenarios (and all the bonus ones once you beat the game the first time) you want. Makes it really handy to try different strategies or to replay your favorite battles.

[Marylle]

I loved the first Settler series, it satisfied me like no other strategy game, i mean a lot of other games had other aspects, but settlers was the only one with the peaceful building at first, and i loved to see them make roads/paths, eventually growing grapes (it's like every settlers game had grapes in the game lol)
It was so peaceful, and somewhat slow, but chill.