Top strategy games on PC. The best old strategies
Strategies have always been particularly popular with many players. And so we decided to make a full-fledged TOP 10 most popular strategies on PCs around the world! I hope you appreciate our work and write your version in the comments!
TOP 10 Most popular strategies in the world
10th place: Homeworld
Perhaps one of the few strategies that would stand out so much from the general background. What makes it stand out is that this strategy takes place right in space! The game has a beautiful space landscape and very interesting gameplay, as befits a space game. But the Russian voice acting complements the picture! A worthy representative of our TOP 10 most popular strategies.
9th place: Dungeon Keeper II
In this game we have to control a horde of undead. The game has very funny jokes, as well as an addictive gameplay that makes players immerse themselves in it. This game was so popular at one time that its players even asked the authors to release a new part! And they even collected a petition to implement the new part. Such popular strategies are on our list today.
8th place: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II
The famous universe, which included many images that are still recognizable today. The whole strategy is pure action, so if you like it, then this is definitely for you! The game will not force you to waste your time on construction and other nonsense; this is a real combat strategy, which we simply could not help but include in the list of the most popular strategies.
7th place: Stronghold
A strategy in which you have to plunge into the world of the Middle Ages. Castles and kings await you in this wonderful game. It is precisely because of its unique atmosphere that this game has become so popular, and no one can argue with that now. And if you love all this medieval stuff, then this game is just made for you!
6th place: The Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom
In this game, we have to create a real kingdom. The game in some place is similar to civilization, you can also upgrade your state with the most different ways, ranging from trade to war with other kingdoms. Of course, the game has found its audience, and thus falls into our TOP of popular strategies on PC.
TOP 5 popular strategies on PC
5th place: Civilization 5
One of the most classic strategies in the history of popular strategies. Every part of this game was a true masterpiece. You start the game as ordinary settlers, and then develop an entire country! And in the end you are able to subjugate the whole world, by any means accessible ways, however, be careful! After all, this is not so easy to do... Excellent example.
4th place: Heroes of Might and Magic III
Good old Heroes of Might and Sorcery occupy third place in the list of the most popular strategy games on the computer. This game can without a doubt be called a masterpiece, because all olfags remember how wonderful it was to play on quiet nights with friends online, which at that time was not very easy to do. It had very unique graphics and excellent gameplay, which many still remember fondly...
3rd place: StarCraft 2
The game is the successor to the good old first part. One of the most popular strategies, which became not only the pioneer of its culture, but also became part of the world of e-sports. The game also had an excellent plot, which still remains in the hearts of many people; the battle of entire races for survival and control ensured StarCraft the title of almost the most popular strategy in the world.
2nd place: Forge of Empires
A cool and most importantly free strategy game that you can play with friends online! Strategy in its most direct sense with the ability to improve your troops and continue the battle on foreign lands. Perhaps this is the only game worth showing in our top. And I would gladly put it in first place, but alas, there was one better strategy... Perhaps you initially guessed what kind of game would be in first place in this TOP. This strategy has many merits, but the main thing worth noting is that it has a map editor. It was thanks to this editor that players spent many hours on the most unusual stories, and it was thanks to this editor that the famous DOTA appeared. The plot in this game is simply excellent! The story of Prince Arthas, who switched to dark side mesmerizing. It is also worth noting that it was on the basis of the engine of this game that StarCraft 2 was made, the engine of which was only slightly improved. In the end, they even made a film based on this universe... It was Warcraft - the most popular strategy game on PC.
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Strategy is a vital part of PC culture. Whether you enjoy fast-paced real-time combat or clever turn-based simulations, great strategy games immerse you in unique, large-scale scenarios that give you the opportunity to rule empires, control space-exploring races, and command cavalry charges against enemy armies.
We present to you our selection of the best strategy games for PC. Whether you like real-time battles or turn-based battles, strategy games allow you to take part in large-scale events, rule empires, control powerful races and fearlessly fight against armies of thousands. That's why we love them. But we love some more than others.
As is the case with our selection of the best first-person shooters, we tried to make the list as diverse as possible and collect the most worthy representatives of the genre, which are still capable of taking your breath away today. The article will definitely be updated as new excellent strategies are released.
Do you agree with our choice? Would you like to add to this list? Share your suggestions in the comments.
Retired from the main list
The game exploits the lack of options very cleverly, often presenting the player with difficult choices. You can only scan six points at a time, while the game regularly throws up opportunities for battle. You need to look for new recruits; engineers must build new communication centers to establish contacts with new territories; resources are needed to improve weapons and armor. You can't get everything at once. You may have to be content with one thing from this list. Back in 1989, Sid Meier described the game as "a series of interesting decisions", and XCOM 2 this moment the most accurate embodiment of these words ever to come out of the hands of Firaxis.
Red Alert may have smallest ratio to strategies from our entire list. To win absolutely any battle, it is enough to be the first to build a technical center and send 25 mammoths to the enemy base, or simply send a Chinook, filled to capacity with ordinary Tanyusha girls, right behind enemy lines. In a sense, the lack of balance was one of the reasons for the enormous popularity of this title. And even now the chaos that is happening in the battles there on land, sea and in the air remains attractive. In addition, the game was made free.
By simplifying the XCOM formula, Firaxis has taken a shorter route to the things that have always been at the heart of the series. At its core, this is a squad action game in which you take full care of your favorite and unique squad. Whether you're putting your fighters in bulky war machines or giving them the names of your friends (or both), Enemy Within excels at other strategy games by requiring you to take your decisions very seriously.
For this iteration of Sid Meier's world domination game, Firaxis built a new engine from the ground up. It was the first game in the series to use 3D effects and featured the unique voice of legend Leonard Nimoy. In the wide list of innovations and improvements, smarter, more aggressive AI stood out as a separate line. It's worth noting that this is where modding the game became easier, resulting in some excellent additions created by players. Civilization fans can argue for hours about which entry is the best in the series, but my favorite is the four.
The trick of FS is that both opposing sides make their moves at the same time. You have to not only plan the movement of your squad of cyber soldiers, but also predict the actions of the enemy. Before confirming a move, the game allows you to look at the actions being performed so that the player can avoid the very obvious ones. In one of my best games, I deliberately sent a soldier into enemy fire to distract the enemy while the rest of my soldiers flanked. Study move previews to act with impeccable precision and avoid losses.
Described as a cross between a board game and XCOM design, BattleTech is a deep and thoughtful turn-based strategy game with an impressive campaign system. You control a group of mercenaries, wisely distributing available funds and updating your collection of battle suits and robots.
In battles, it is necessary to aim at specific parts of enemy robots, taking into account the strength of their armor, the rate of fire, the angle at which the fire is fired, and the features of the environment. It's all a bit tricky to figure out at first, as the game isn't particularly beginner-friendly, but if you like strategy games that are rich in detail or are already familiar with this universe, then BattleTech will definitely appeal to you.
The real-time strategy Northgard, set in the Viking Age setting, borrows a lot from projects such as Settlers and Age of Empires, and also invites us to immerse ourselves in a unique expansion system that allows us to gradually increase the area of \u200b\u200bthe territories under our control.
Weather also plays an important role in gameplay. You need to prepare especially carefully for winter, but if you select the appropriate branch in the technology development tree, then the winter on your lands will be warmer than on enemy territories, which will give you strategic advantage. A frankly boring story is compensated by excellent design story missions and incredibly exciting battles in battle mode.
An almost perfect tactical action game with robots and chic design from the creators of FTL. In Into the Breach you have to fight off waves of Vek monsters on maps divided into 64 sectors, where various fortresses and plot-important objects are located. Of course, the easiest way to get rid of Vek monsters is to wipe them off the face of the earth with the help of your robots and air attacks, but to do this you will have to think strategically and keep enemies away from your buildings.
Civil buildings provide you with electricity, which serves as a kind of health scale here. Every time an enemy attacks such a building, you are one step closer to defeat. Once you run out of electricity, your team will travel back in time and try to save the world again. This is a fairly complex, compact and dynamic adventure. As you discover new types of robots and upgrades for them, you will gradually learn new ways to fight a merciless enemy.
The first Total War: Warhammer showed that Games Workshop's fantasy universe was perfect for the large-scale battles and amazing battlefield detail that Creative Assembly is known for. In the second part, many improvements awaited us - in the interface, appearance and skills of the heroes, as well as the armies of various factions.
The four factions presented (Skaven, High Elves, Dark Elves and Lizardmen) are strikingly different from each other, and when creating them, the authors thoroughly studied the background of the rich Warhammer universe. If you have long wanted to get acquainted with the world of Warhammer, but did not know where to start, then this game is perfect for you. And if you already have a wonderful original, then one large-scale campaign awaits you, the action of which takes place on a single giant map.
The War of the Chosen expansion brings to the game both a number of minor details and some rather interesting elements, such as colorful, chatty enemies that appear randomly as you progress through the main campaign, each of which has strong and weak sides. You'll also find new types of enemy soldiers, thousands of cosmetic changes, zombie-like enemies inhabiting abandoned cities, the ability to create propaganda posters, and much more.
As a result, each campaign in War of the Chosen ends up being a little overcrowded, but all the changes are so well executed that no XCOM 2 fan should pass by.
At first glance, the name of the game sounds simply blasphemous. More than ten years after the release of the last Homeworld, they decided to turn the game, which was remembered for its spaceships and movement in 3D space, into another land strategy about tanks? Is this also a prequel? However, despite all the concerns that arose, Desert of Kharak turned out to be successful in all respects.
Not only is it an amazing RTS that sets itself apart from the rest of the genre's contemporaries, but it's also a great representative of Homeworld, reimagining the series and clearly capturing its magic.
The best game in the series at the moment, which has so many different details that it seems as if it was immediately released complete with a couple of additions. The region system allows you to build huge cities and motivates you to think through your actions several steps ahead. The amazing design of the game deserves special praise - yes, you don’t get used to the local cartoon style right away, but over time it becomes clear that this decision benefited the project.
It will be very interesting to see what new additions will bring to this already rich game, which is the absolute peak of the entire legendary series.
“I hope future patches and additions will fill the gaps,” one journalist wrote on the day of its release. And although Paradox's sci-fi project still has room to grow, high level updates and their regular release definitely benefit the game.
For example, with the Utopia expansion, the game's internal political system underwent significant changes (not to mention a hundred other small innovations), which gave us another hundred hours of gameplay. In addition, it is now possible to build Dyson spheres around stars in order to pump energy out of them, dooming nearby planets to icing. A cruel but fascinating sight.
Endless Legend was one of the unexpected breakthroughs last year. Following on from Amplitude's Endless Space, EL's fantasy 4X strategy game was very good, but still didn't fully realize the developer's potential. Its release went unnoticed due to the entry into the market of the high-budget Civilization:, but EL rightfully became the best game in the genre since the fourth Civilization.
It is deeper and more diverse, it has amazing asymmetrical factions, subraces, heroes, quests, etc., etc. And she looks, besides, simply gorgeous.
As much a social experiment as it is a strategy game, Neptune's Pride pits people against each other in the battle for a star system. The rules are simple: develop your systems, build ships and send them to conquer new systems. The war unfolds slowly, over a week or so, and requires attention, which can slightly spoil your real life.
Simple but elegant mechanics encourage the making and breaking of alliances, which can result in an insidious attack on your systems by yesterday's friends. Naturally, at about three in the morning, while you are watching the second dream. An accessible game that produces a ton of amazing drama.
I still love the first two Red Alerts, because there are practically no bad titles in the C&C series from Westwood, but this is the part where everything is perfect: it has the most interesting campaigns, the best units, great maps and, of course, great cutscenes.
The factions differ from each other in all respects and have much more uniqueness than they had in the original game - take, for example, the Soviet octopuses and dolphins, acting on the side of the allies. Here the authors found the perfect balance between self-irony and sincerity in cutscenes, and therefore the game was both captivating and brought a smile at the right moments.
Which, alas, cannot be said about the natural disaster represented by Red Alert 3 from EA.
If you've ever dreamed of conquering space at the head of an armada of customizable colossus starships, this strategy game is for you. It has smart, creative AI, and one full game may take weeks.
You will have to monitor the economy, technology, diplomacy, culture, build up military power, forge alliances, fight in wars and dominate other nations of the galaxy. Reminiscent of the games in the Civilization series, but only larger and, in some places, much deeper.
Mechanically, Homeworld is a phenomenal strategy game with a fully three-dimensional game space. She was among the first representatives of the zharn to tear it out from one single plane.
What's more, the game boasts gorgeous atmosphere and sound design, from the Adagio for strings in the opening missions to the heart-pounding drumming of the multiplayer battles. If you like the rebooted Battlestar Galactica, be sure to play Howmeworld.
The scale of battles in Supreme Commander is rivaled only by Total War. So you give an order to a specific engineer, then spin the mouse wheel - and you watch the battlefield from a bird's eye view. And a couple of seconds later you are already looking at the face of another soldier, several kilometers from the first. Even my head is spinning.
The clash of armies, consisting of slender columns of hundreds of robots, rewards the player with the most amazing firefight that the processor can handle. SupCom is one of the very few RTS that combines sea, land and air in one battle. And even more - with artillery, tactical nuclear weapons and experimental robots of titanic proportions.
In addition to being the successor to the best competitive strategy game of the past decade, SC2 has earned accolades for reimagining the traditional RTS campaign structure. Heart of the Swarm is a good example of this, but it was the “human” Wings of Liberty that started it: an intricate adventure that brings a mixture of working formulas to the table with each new mission.
From a scenario of defending against a zombie invasion to a planet being flooded with lava every few minutes, SC2 forces the player to relearn all of their basic elements.
Not the most obvious candidate for this list, Tooth and Tail attracted us with its simple take on an RTS (and the game was clearly created for controllers), which retained all the components of a great strategy. The game is even closer in spirit to Pikmin than Halo Wars - units here gather around your character and carry out simple orders, and the creation of units occurs automatically, based on the population limit and available resources.
Battles last no more than 10 minutes, and the action takes place against the backdrop of a well-written political conflict between factions of anthropomorphic animals.
A game remembered today as the originator of Warcraft III, Warcraft III was primarily an inventive and ambitious strategy game that introduced many players to cinematic fantasy.
Here, for the first time, RPG elements were introduced in the form of heroes and neutral units, which had not been seen in any strategy before, and the large-scale campaign told an amazing story that completely captured the player thanks to impeccable execution. As a bonus, funny phrases were included from units that responded to the call.
The series' transition to full 3D marked the crossing of a milestone beyond which the gradual accumulation of problems led to instability at Empire's release and long-lasting AI problems that plagued players in later games in the series.
The original Rome presented us with a simple but exciting look at ancient warfare, and did it masterfully. A magnificent excursion into one of the most curious eras of military history, interesting to this day.
It was tempting to put the first part of Dawn of War on this list, but it was decided to stick with its experimental sequel, which replaced large squads with a handful of the coolest space scumbags with sets of killer abilities.
To deal with the Orc hordes, you have to control these genetically modified special forces, coordinating their actions with Stormtrooper raids, targeted fire from Scouts and covering squads heavy weapons. And the Last Stand co-op mode was great too.
SSE uses some 4X strategy techniques, but makes them work in an RTS wrapper. This is a game about star empires that grow, prosper and fade away in the distant space of the distant future. Well, and about how the huge starships of these empires emerge from hyperspace towards the burning worlds.
Diplomacy is also available, but these are huge starships! Play the Rebellion expansion and see how these same ships grow to truly incredible sizes.
CKII is a political strategy. It's not only about the player leading his troops into battle, but also about the wedding of his imbecile niece. Each character matters, each has their own goals and desires. Yes, it is difficult (blame the feudal system for this), but you can get your own personal drama, right here and now.
The situation often drives the player into a corner, into hopeless situations, forcing him to do terrible things for the sake of power. Once I had to execute a newborn baby so that his older and smarter sister could rule. The Middle Ages were still a time.
DEFCON's ominous blue world map was the perfect setting for creepy story about the beginning nuclear war. First you prepare for Armageddon by stocking warehouses with supplies, placing launch silos, nuclear submarines and setting up missile defense. This organizational stage of the game itself is interesting for its strategic component, but the real cool thing about DEFCON is when the missiles are sent into the sky.
Blurring blurs of explosions, counting victims as city after city turns into radioactive ashes. When the dust settles, few will care about the formal victory. The multiplayer, where a complete nightmare is happening, is simply amazing.
Some games try to distance themselves from the emotional side of a war that just ended. But not Company of Heroes. It's intense, complex and brutal.
Of course, the game uses pure Hollywood techniques (the mud plumes of artillery fire are carried straight from Saving Private Ryan), but the result is the most intense strategy game in the world, perfectly capturing the tactical imbalance of World War II.
The deep strategic component and transparent turn-based combat system made Xenonauts a model among reboot games. If you're an old fan of the X-COM series, forget about your ancient discs and fossilized graphics from twenty years ago. The best way to remember the glory days is to turn on Xenonauts. If you are not familiar with X-COM, this game will give you the chance to enjoy the origins of the series with improved mechanics and details.
After Rome, the series quickly went to a dead end, carrying a heap of problems. But Shogun 2 still managed to be the game that Total War fans wanted to see again. A chic setting, polished mechanics and the honor of your leader, balancing between Buddhism and Christianity. Real difference between the clans (Chosokabe archers are the best!), and some particularly fun special units, like the Kisho ninja bombers.
Shogun 2 also offered the cool thing of a two-player co-op campaign, a great (if slow) way to conquer a continent. The follow-up to TWS2, Rome 2, was extremely ambitious, but never achieved the balance and mechanical polish that Creative Assembly achieved in Shogun 2. The second expansion, Fall of the Samurai, offered players a fantastic campaign set in the era of gunpowder, the very mid-19th century. Guns, swords, ninjas - everything your heart desires is there.
In 2012, strategy expert Tim Stone described the game as a "fresh and friendly" wargame, praising the game's impressive AI. To defeat computer generals, you will have to take full advantage of the advantages of the battlefield and diversify your tactics.
A simple and accessible interface reduces the barrier to entry, which is usually high in wargames. And after studying the intricacies of the system, you will discover incredible depths of mechanics.
Age of Empires gave us the opportunity to experience centuries of progress in half-hour play sessions, but RoN went further, cleverly incorporating elements of turn-based strategy games like Civilization. Instead of directly leading your troops into battle, you expand the state by building new cities.
When the borders of countries collide, a technological race begins between nations, a war for influence, alternating missile strikes and throwing spears. Can you ever get tired of crushing archers and knights with tanks and stealth bombers?
The list could not do without this game, even taking into account the fact that Rise of Nations developed all the ideas contained here to the maximum. Age of Empires II still looks quite decent on PC today thanks to the HD re-release, for which add-ons are still being released. The latest was Rise of the Rajas, released at the end of 2016. Not bad for a game that's almost 20 years old.
Create huge armies, upgrade them, collect resources and enjoy exciting campaigns in this RTS. And if you get tired of the proposed campaigns, then you can always download amateur add-ons or even create your own scenarios. We are looking forward to the release of the fourth part of the game.
Games are countless virtual worlds that allow us to become what we want, but cannot in real life. However, among these worlds there are those that have earned the title of the best, both from gamers and from impartial critics.
To select the best games on PC, we studied popular Russian-language resources, such as Iwantgames, Stopgame And Kanobu, and also read reviews about popular games ah na Metacritic. This is how a list of 20 best PC games of all time which we present to your attention. Game ratings are based on data StopGame.
Rating: 8.6.
Genre: MMORPG.
Release date: 2004-present.
Platform: Mac, PC.
One of best online games for PC offers not only an epic confrontation between two opposing alliances - the Alliance and the Horde, but also a beautiful, very Big world, interesting quests, carefully crafted history and raids.
In them you will be able to fully demonstrate your talent as a healer, melee or ranged fighter, or a powerful defender. Or just kiss squirrels in the nearest forest, if your soul lies only in peaceful pursuits.
The game is quite old by today's standards, but additions are regularly released to it. Next – Battle for Azeroth will be released on August 14th.
19. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege
Rating: 8.8.
Genre: Shooter, addon.
Release date: 2015
Platform: PC, PS4, XONE.
According to many players, this is the most realistic and intense tactical first-person shooter. The game does not have a solo campaign, but there is exciting team play. The task of the attacking side is to take the opponents by storm, and the team playing on defense must strengthen its positions as much as possible and set cunning traps for the enemy.
The plot is based on real events that took place during counter-terrorism operations.
Rating: 8.8.
Genre: Shooter.
Release date: 2011
Platform: PC, PS3, X360
As bullets whiz overhead and explosions hurl you to the ground, the battlefield feels more realistic than ever before. In Battlefield 3, players will temporarily transform into elite US Marines. Dangerous missions await them, both solo and cooperative.
Excellent graphics, a wide variety of vehicles, a well-designed environment and pleasant rewards for good team game- this is what even very picky gaming publications praise Battlefield 3 for.
Rating: 8.8.
Genre: Arcade.
Release date: 2015
Platform: PC, X360, XONE
This is perhaps the most beautiful platform arcade game in our game rating. From the very first minutes, its unusual graphics attract attention and do not let go until the game is completed. An atmospheric world, a pleasant and unobtrusive soundtrack, RPG elements, a cute hero who will appeal to both young and adult gamers - what else is needed to while away a couple of evenings in front of the computer?
Rating: 8.9.
Genre: Strategy.
Release date: 2017
Platform: Mac, PC.
For many people, the sci-fi strategy game StarCraft represents one of the greatest computer games of all times. And StarCraft: Remastered lives up to the high bar set by its predecessor. With stunning new Ultra HD visuals, re-recorded audio and updated online support, this game comes highly recommended.
15. Assassin's Creed 2
Rating: 8.9.
Genre: Action
Release date: 2009.
Platform: PC, PS3, X360.
The product of more than two years of intensive work and part of the popular Assassin's Creed franchise. In a vast open world environment, the game invites you to play as Ezio, a young nobleman living during the Renaissance. An interesting story of revenge and retribution is successfully complemented by a variety of missions, unusual gameplay elements, a wide selection of weapons and character development, which fans of the original Assassin’s Creed love so much.
Rating: 9.0.
Genre: Shooter.
Release date: 2007
Platform: Mac, PC, PS3, WII, X360.
This game was amazing for its time due to the atmosphere real war, a clear plot, an exciting multiplayer mode, hundreds of beautiful scenes and a carefully designed game environment. Even now, the military blockbuster Modern Warfare can provide several hours of exciting gameplay.
Rating: 9.0.
Genre: Action
Release date: 2012
Platform: PC, PS3, PS4, X360, XONE
The main character of the game is Jason Brody, a man stuck on a mysterious tropical island. In this wild paradise, where lawlessness and violence reign supreme, Brody will determine the outcome of the war between rebels and pirates for control of the island.
Rating: 9.1.
Genre: RPG.
Release date: 2017
Platform: PC, PS4, XONE
Twenty hours into this RPG, you'll still be discovering new mechanics you never knew about. In this regard, Original Sin 2 is not very friendly to beginners, and requires some persistence and patience from them.
At the same time, the huge number of quests and secrets, the non-linearity of the game, and its world, which is almost unparalleled in terms of scale and detail, are an experience that should not be missed.
Rating: 9.2.
Genre: Action, RPG.
Release date: 2010
Platform: PC, PS3, X360.
This exciting space saga takes players to unknown alien civilizations and battles with aliens, mercenaries and sentient robots. Additionally, it offers one of the most interesting and well-designed characters in RPG games.
Rating: 9.2.
Genre: RPG.
Release date: 2011.
Platform: PC, PS3, X360.
Bethesda Game Studios' open-world adventure doesn't boast the best combat or magic systems, or even better graphics, than the competition. Instead, it offers something much more - one of the biggest, richest and most immersive worlds you've ever seen.
Traveling through locations in Skyrim will take so much time that you can lose sleep, take time off from work, and test the patience of family and friends while playing.
Rating: 9.2.
Genre: Action, racing
Release date: 2013
Platform: PC, PS3, PS4, X360, XONE
The best games of all time would not be complete without this superbly optimized, atmospheric game. Its action takes place in the sunny city of Los Santos, in which a criminal trio operates:
- Franklin, young thief, opportunity seeker get your hands on some serious money.
- Michael, a former bank robber whose retirement wasn't as rosy as he thought it would be.
- Trevor, a violent guy suffering from a mental disorder.
Players can switch between characters at any time, and it's definitely worth doing. After all, each character has his own set of quests, as well as primary and secondary skills that help him survive and get the most out of the world of GTA5.
Rating: 9.3.
Genre: Strategy.
Release date: 1999
Platform: PC.
This legendary game has become the most popular title in the Heroes of Might and Magic series. Compared to previous parts, it offered new types of cities, seven small story campaigns for each faction, and at the same time ran even on low-power computers. Thanks to good localization, The Restoration of Erathia was a huge success in Russia.
Rating: 9.3.
Genre: RPG.
Release date: 2009
Platform: Mac, PC, PS3, X360.
As the spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate, one of the most successful role-playing games in the industry, Dragon Age: Origins is a symbiosis of the best elements of fantasy with stunning visual effects. It cannot be called a revolution in the RPG genre, but rather an evolution.
The story of Dragon Age: Origins is exciting and action-packed, the characters are unforgettable, and the journey through the game world inhabited by people, dwarves and elves is something that will captivate you and will not let you go until the very end.
Rating: 9.3.
Genre: Puzzle.
Release date: 2011
Platform: Mac, PC, PS3, X360.
Valve has created a fun puzzle game with excellent gameplay mechanics. It offers players not only a single-player game for the main character Chelsea, who has to escape from the Aperture laboratory, but also a co-op mode for two players. The main characters in it will be the robots Atlas and P-Body. The storyline of the co-op mode does not intersect with the plot of the single-player mode, which leads to unexpected endings.
Rating: 9.3.
Genre: Action, racing.
Release date: 2002
Platform: PC
One of the best games in history still evokes warm and nostalgic feelings among those who played it. And those who did not pass can do so for three main reasons:
- The huge map of Lost Haven is filled with diverse and magnificent places. Each area has a unique appearance, has its own unique atmosphere and even musical accompaniment.
- The core gameplay can be summarized by simply saying that it consists of shooting and driving from a third-person perspective. However, in reality it offers much more: from a variety of missions to dialogues and interactions with many NPCs that inhabit the streets of The City of Lost Heaven.
- An unusual and very beautiful main musical theme, created under the direction of the Czech composer Vladimir Simunek, and with the participation of the Bohemian Symphony Orchestra.
The only weak thing in the game is the imperfect AI of the heroes' enemies and companions. On the other hand, the fact that Los Have Haven's police officers are not geniuses further enhances the realism.
Rating: 9.3.
Genre: Shooter.
Release date: 2004
Platform: PC.
This game was very loved, and fans of the series are still waiting for the release of the third part. Half-Life 2's graphics engine was so realistic that players felt like they were in the movie. Excellent character animation, an original way of presenting the plot, a variety of environments and ways to interact with them, and most importantly, a charismatic protagonist made the first-person shooter Half-Life 2 what it is to this day. Namely, one of the most popular games in history.
Rating: 9.4.
Genre: RPG.
Release date: 1998
Platform: PC.
An amazing atmosphere, great music, and an exciting story make Fallout 2 a diamond of the RPG genre. This is a real non-linear game that allows you to do whatever you want in a world full of mutants, radiation, and hundreds of other dangers.
Rating: 9.5.
Genre: RPG.
Release date: 2015
Platform: Mac, PC, PS4, XONE.
The game about the adventures of Geralt of Rivia set a new standard for quality in open-world RPG games. Diverse and exciting locations, full of important decisions, interesting characters, and cruel enemies, excellent graphics and music, a thoughtful plot, funny and dramatic moments - all this gave players more than 100 exciting hours of gameplay.
For anyone who doesn't know the magical universe created by Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher 3 explains the story of everyone important characters and what connects them with Geralt. This way, even beginners quickly get up to speed.
Rating: 9.6.
Genre: Addon, RPG.
Release date: 2016
Platform: PC, PS4, XONE.
The Witcher 3 is one of the highest rated games on PC. And its Blood and Wine addon is better made than most games released in 2016. Even players who have spent hundreds of hours in The Witcher greeted the new addition with surprise and delight with the most interesting storyline. It is an excellent ending to the story about the White Wolf.
The quantity and quality of content in this addon is simply stunning, making it a full-fledged game. Many quests, dialogues and, of course, monsters await you in the new Toussaint location.
Warhammer 40,000 series
Release date: 1992-2011
Genre: Real-time strategy
The Warhammer 40,000 series is the most popular and one of the best-selling games. Fans are constantly waiting for the release of a new game. The most famous is Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War. The player selects a race (Imperial Guard, Space Marines, Tau, Necrons, Orcs, Chaos, Eldar; new races appear with each game) for which he wants to play, after which he selects a place on the planet or planets that he wants to capture and fights with the race that owns it earth.
The battle takes place in real time on the terrain where the battle takes place. Players capture special points that give influence and build generators that provide energy; these resources are used to build structures, troops and make improvements. Each race has its own troops, super units and heroes and abilities. The goal of the game in the campaign is to capture all the lands and become the patron of all lands.
Civilization Series
Release date: 1991-2013
Genre: Global step-by-step strategy
In Civilization, a complete model of human development has been created from the most ancient times to the present. The player must create and develop his mighty empire, among other competitors, the victory condition may be military victory over everyone, victory on points, Game ends in 2050, either culture or build spaceship and fly off to Alpha Centauri. The strength and development of civilization consists of the development and creation of new cities, the creation of production of troops in cities, scientific and military research. You can also create wonders of the world in the game.
For a civilization to flourish, the player must be able to focus and balance between scientific progress, building up military power, replenishing the treasury, developing infrastructure and culture, diplomatic contacts and trade with other civilizations. The player can take part in historical events that took place, control leaders such as Stalin, Napaleon, Ramses II, Catherine II and so on. It's hard to say which of the series is the best. Some say that part is the best, others say the fourth. Adherents of graphics claim that the fifth is the best of this series.
Warcraft III
Genre: real-time strategy with RPG elements
Popularly known as "Varik" was one of the most anticipated games, with over 4.5 million pre-orders and over one million copies of the game sold in less than a month, making it the fastest selling computer game. a large number of positive reviews, many publications awarded the game with the titles “Best Game of the Year” and “Best Strategy of the Year.” The game also received high marks from players.
There are 4 races in the game: Alliance (humans), Undead, Horde (Orcs) and Night Elves. Each race has its own unique heroes, who gain experience and a new level in battles. With each level, new hero abilities are unlocked. Heroes can also buy or pick up items from killed mobs that improve combat characteristics heroes and the troops surrounding him. On different maps, players capture gold mines and extract timber, use these resources to build a base and units and improve their characteristics.
Heroes of Might and Magic III
Genre: Turn-based strategy with RPG elements
Heroes of Might and Magic III is a turn-based fantasy game, the third part of the series has become a cult favorite and has gained many fans around the world. Despite the now outdated graphics, it is still played by thousands of players around the world. The fourth and fifth parts of the game came out with better graphics and improved gameplay, so if you are not a fan of old games and love graphics, then it is best to play the latest parts.
The player travels across a global map with heroes who control mythical creatures, exploring new lands, capturing cities and fighting enemies. On the map, the player moves only one hero and can only walk a certain distance or do one or more actions, after which he misses a turn and the computer-controlled enemies make their move. By attacking enemies, you move into combat mode, the army of enemies and your army of creatures stand opposite each other, moving combat units in turn to destroy the enemies. As cities develop, new opportunities and spells can be discovered. Hire troops.
StarCraft II
Genre: real time strategy
StarCraft II is the second part of the cult first part, released back in 1998. The second part of the game became the most anticipated game of the year due to the great popularity of the first part and fully met its expectations among players. Many Russian and foreign gaming portals gave the game scores of over 9 points out of 10. In the player rating it received 9.3 points.
The plot of the game and all the actions take place in the distant future, or more precisely the 26th century in a remote part of the Milky Way galaxy. The three races of Terran, Zerg, and Protoss are opposed to each other. Players extract two types of resources: minerals and vespene gas, which they then use to build buildings and hire combat units. The main task is to destroy the enemy base. Each type of unit has its own strengths and weaknesses, so to destroy certain types of enemy troops you need to hire troops that are good at destroying them.
Series Total War is the best Rome: Total War
Genre: turn-based grand strategy, real-time strategy
Total War rus. “Total War” is a series of games that already has seven games and various additions. Different games cover different historical time periods and states. The most popular and iconic is Rome: Total War, released in 2004. The action takes place in Ancient Rome during the Republic period from 270 BC. e. up to 14 AD e. For example, Shogun: Total War takes place in Japan Shogun: Total War in the 16th century, where reigning dynasties oppose each other. Empire: Total War - during the European colonial wars and so on.
The gameplay of the game is very similar to Civilization. The player controls troops, cities and settlements on a global point. After completing all actions, the player misses a turn, after which the AI-controlled competitors make their move. If you or your enemy attack each other, then you move to the tactical map, where you control all your troops in real mode, attacking them and placing them in convenient positions on the map.
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 1,2,3
Release date: 1996 and 2000
Genre: Real-time strategy
Red Alert is a game that was released in the last century and captured the minds and souls of gamers around the world; thousands of people still play it, more than 30 million copies sold. The game takes place in an alternate history, where Allied troops defend Europe from an aggressive Soviet Union. The player can choose one of two warring parties: Alliance or USSR. Accordingly, the goal of the game for the Allies is to stop Stalin before he takes over the whole world, for the USSR - to achieve the complete capture of Europe. Depending on the side chosen, the player's victory results in one of two alternative endings.
Battles in the game take place both on land, on water and in the air. Each side can have its own base and can train ground forces, air forces and navies. Each side also has unique features. The game mechanic is that now even a simple infantryman can destroy a tank. A tank can easily destroy a machine-gun pillbox; a small group of grenade launchers can just as easily deal with a tank if it is not covered by anti-personnel equipment or its own infantry, which forced the use of different types of troops in battle.
Europa Universalis series of games
Release date: 2000-2013
Genre: turn-based global strategy,
Continues the series of global strategies Europa Universalis. Like previous games in the series, the third part invites you to lead one of the states of the world . The essence of the game: to develop national ideas that give the game power certain advantages; As new government technologies are discovered, it becomes possible to choose one of the national ideas. The game takes place in real time, but the player’s reaction speed is not required, since the game can be paused at any time. The game takes place on a schematically depicted world map, divided into more than 1,500 sea and land provinces.
The player can take control of any country that existed in this historical period(about 200 states in total). Under his control are the country's economy, the formation and management of armies and navies, diplomacy, the introduction of new technologies, the internal politics of the state, changing the state religion and the colonization of new lands.
A special feature of the game is its connection to real story(I note that in the third part of the series it is no longer tied to history and the gameplay is more free); there are historical rulers predetermined for each country, each of whom has certain abilities that influence the game, real-life commanders (such as Suvorov or Napoleon I Bonaparte), pioneers, explorers and sailors (such as Columbus, Ermac and Ferdinand Magellan ), as well as historical events that usually occur in the same country and at the same time as in real history (for example, in 1517 an event occurs that makes it possible to convert to Protestantism)
Company of Heroes 1.2
Release date: 2006
Genre: Real-time strategy
The gameplay of Company of Heroes is very similar to Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War. The player commands entire squads of fighters, but there are some unique units. Each unit has a life scale (not an individual fighter), and if the unit’s lives are damaged when the unit is damaged, the entire unit dies. The player can equip infantry units with various weapons, choosing which weapon is more promising in battle. After the death of a squad, weapons remain that can be picked up and equipped with them for another squad. This even applies to stationary type weapons such as anti-tank guns, heavy machine guns and mortars.
Each side in the game is divided into three unique directions - infantry, airborne and tank for the Americans and defensive, offensive and propaganda for the Germans, advancement in which gives access to new combat units and attacks (for example, attack aircraft). Another important difference is that squads and units in the game have three levels of experience. After destroying an enemy, a new level is obtained that increases the damage, speed, health, armor or viewing range of the combat unit, depending on its type.
There are three types of resources in the Game: weapons, fuel and personnel. Personnel used for the construction of buildings, hiring new combat units, both infantry and armored vehicles, fuel, in turn, for the construction of buildings and armored vehicles, and weapons - to provide units additional weapons, for example, a grenade launcher, for artillery and air strikes, or to give your equipment new capabilities. Replenishment of resources is carried out using checkpoints.
Age of Empires III
Genre: Real-time strategy
Age of Empires III is a strategy game that has earned worldwide recognition thanks to its innovative and exciting gameplay. Age of Empires received high ratings on gaming portals and magazines. A special feature of this game is its well-developed artificial intelligence (the opponent is controlled by a computer). The player controls one of the powers (Great Britain, Prussia, Holland, Spain, Portugal, the Russian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, France), which set off to conquer the new world (America).
The main action takes place in the colonies, on a map familiar to such games, but now each power has hometown in the Old World. He serves the sole purpose of helping his colony. There are three resources in the game: food, wood and money. Which produce various buildings. Transitions between eras, five eras: exploration, colonization, fortresses, industrial and empire. He trains military academies, bandages soldiers and sends them to colonies. The infantry depends on the nationality of the city, for the Spaniards it will be rodellers, and for the Russians it will be archers and Cossacks. The academy is also improving the parameters of the troops.
Battles take place in real time. The maximum size of a detachment and group of soldiers highlighted by a “frame” is 50 units. The shooting infantry has four formations: a regular line, which is convenient for firing in salvos, a sparse formation, which reduces losses from artillery fire, hand-to-hand combat and square. Melee infantry has three formations, two of the same, melee and square, and a circular formation to cover the riflemen. The cavalry learned three formations - the same close combat and square, as well as an offensive mode with reduced speed, but with damage inflicted over an area.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Genre: Strategy, Turn-Based Tactics, Tactical RPG
The game is a remake (remake) of the popular and old game X-COM: UFO Defense, released back in 1993. Aliens attack planet Earth and begin an alien invasion. The game is played on behalf of the commander of the secret international organization XCOM (unit for combating aliens), which has the most advanced technologies, weapons and scientific developments of mankind. It employs the best specialists in the world - military men and scientists. The organization must lead fighting against aliens threatening the existence of human civilization.
The player is provided with the central XCOM base, from which the strategic management of the organization is carried out: monitoring the actions of aliens on the global world map using a satellite network, distributing funding for the development of scientific and technical potential, arming and deploying interceptors to destroy flying saucers, as well as conducting combat operations against aliens using existing fighters in ground skirmishes. The base is presented to the player in the form of an “ant farm” - a section of soil that allows you to look at the premises from the side.
IN Tactical combat fighters perform up to two actions in turn - running, shooting, throwing a grenade, using a first aid kit. Each fighter has only three characteristics: accuracy, willpower and health points.
After the first promotion in rank, a soldier receives a specialization. This could be an attack aircraft, a sniper, a heavy infantryman or a support soldier.
Homeworld
Genre: real time strategy
Well-developed graphics and three-dimensional gaming space - the implementation of six degrees of freedom (you can view the battlefield, the battle fleet from different angles) of the movement of game objects and the presence of thoughtful fleet management in three dimensions. A rich and complex plot that gradually reveals itself during the game. In the next game mission the player receives the fleet with which he completed the previous one.
At the beginning of the game, the player can choose a fleet of two races, Kushan or Taidan: this does not affect the further plot in any way, only the combat units change. Key Feature The fleet of both the Kushan and Taidan is the presence of a main mothership, serving as the main base of operations. The mothership has its own weapons and a hyperdrive, which allows it to overcome significant space.
The entire space fleet is divided into a combat fleet and a support fleet. The support fleet includes special ships, such as a resource collector and controller, a research ship, a probe, a stealth ship detector ship, and a gravity well generator. The combat fleet is divided into classes: Small ships - fighters, corvettes, Heavy ships - frigates, Super-heavy ships, Flagships.
Stronghold game series
Release date: 2001-2014
Genre: real time strategy
The game system of all games in the series is based on an economic simulator medieval city or castle. The games have a number of unique parameters that are typical only for games in the Stronghold series. Thus, in the first Stronghold, the “popularity” parameter was introduced for the first time, affecting the performance and population size. The combat system is standard for strategies - direct control of groups of units. The economic component is one of the main ones in the games of the series. There are quite complex and long production chains. As a rule, in the games of the series, more attention is paid to the economic rather than the military component of medieval castles.
All games in the series, except Stronghold Kingdoms, have campaigns (a series of story-related missions) and a map editor mode. Stronghold has a single campaign, while other games have multiple campaigns.
All games except Stronghold and Stronghold Kingdoms allow you to play against computer opponents on a selected map. Stronghold and Stronghold 2 have a siege mode (siege or defend a castle without running an economy). In the first games in the series (up to and including Stronghold 2) there is a free construction mode (running an economy without war).
Spore
Genre: Real-time strategy, god simulator
Spore game is a simulator of the evolution of life on the planet, as well as a strategy and space simulator. The goal of the game is to develop a creature from a microorganism to an advanced space race. While progressing through the game, it is possible to make changes to the creature, improving its characteristics. Also, as it develops, the player will independently create various equipment and buildings, or choose ready-made options from the catalog.
At the beginning of the game, the player takes control of a microorganism living in aquatic environment. On at this stage game - To survive, the microorganism needs to eat pieces of meat or algae, and also try not to be eaten by other carnivorous creatures. When food is eaten, the cell grows and turns into a microorganism. After which the creature gets out to the ground, where it also develops. Over time, under your leadership there will be a tribe, civilization and space that you will have to manage.
Ground Control 1.2
Release date: 2000, 2004
Genre: Tactical real-time strategy
This game was the forefront of its genre and won many awards. Ground Control has 3D graphics and a freely rotating camera, allowing the player to view the battle from any angle. The game completely lacks resource collection, base development and research. The player's goal is to control a limited number of combat units and perform various tasks with their help.
the main objective games - the destruction of enemy troops and buildings using the features of the terrain and the strengths of your own army. Combat units include various types of armored vehicles, aircraft and soldiers, delivered to the battlefield by orbital shuttles. After the start of the next mission, the player cannot call for reinforcements, which requires careful selection of units and their configuration before the battle.
The most important element of the game is the requirement for a tactical approach in any situation. Each squad has its own distinct strengths and weaknesses. Combat units are united into squads. The player can only give orders to units, although the units themselves will fight and take damage separately. There are four categories of units: infantry, armor, support, and aviation. The player can choose the configuration of each individual unit before the battle. For example, a Craven Corporation tank squad can exist in four configurations: reconnaissance, light, main, and heavy. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, so various configurations suitable for different tasks.
Tiberium Command & Conquer series
Release date: 1995-2010
Genre: Real time strategy
a series of successful computer games with the highest sales among strategy series. The game takes place in an alternative time reality, conditionally modern to ours, in which there is a war all over the world between two global groups - the international UN troops united in the Global Defense Initiative, and the military-religious Brotherhood of Nod, led by its charismatic leader Kane, fighting for possession of the alien substance Tiberium, slowly spreading throughout the planet.
The gameplay of the game is based on the principle of collecting resources, building a base, destroying the enemy. The only source of money (credits) in the game is Tiberium. Another important resource in the game is electricity, produced only by power plants. The various structures and units produced by the player collectively form a technological tree, in which access to technologically more advanced, and therefore more expensive, structures and units. The base can be protected by various structures, including defensive fortifications.
Release date: 1992-2011
Genre: Real-time strategy
The Warhammer 40,000 series is the most popular and one of the best-selling games. Fans are constantly waiting for the release of a new game. The most famous is Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War. The player selects a race (Imperial Guard, Space Marines, Tau, Necrons, Orcs, Chaos, Eldar; new races appear with each game) for which he wants to play, after which he selects a place on the planet or planets that he wants to capture and fights with the race that owns it earth.
The battle takes place in real time on the terrain where the battle takes place. Players capture special points that give influence and build generators that provide energy; these resources are used to build structures, troops and make improvements. Each race has its own troops, super units and heroes and abilities. The goal of the game in the campaign is to capture all the lands and become the patron of all lands.
Civilization Series
Release date: 1991-2013
Genre: Global turn-based strategy
In Civilization, a complete model of human development has been created from the most ancient times to the present day. The player must create and develop his mighty empire, among other competitors, the condition for victory may be a military victory over everyone, victory on points, The game ends in 2050 either by culture or build a spaceship and fly to Alpha Centauri. The strength and development of civilization consists of the development and creation of new cities, the creation of production of troops in cities, scientific and military research. You can also create wonders of the world in the game.
For a civilization to flourish, the player must be able to focus and balance between scientific progress, building up military power, replenishing the treasury, developing infrastructure and culture, diplomatic contacts and trade with other civilizations. The player can take part in historical events that took place, control leaders such as Stalin, Napaleon, Ramses II, Catherine II and so on. It's hard to say which of the series is the best. Some say that part is the best, others say the fourth. Adherents of graphics claim that the fifth is the best of this series.
Warcraft III
Genre: real-time strategy with RPG elements
Popularly, the so-called "Varik" was one of the most anticipated games: more than 4.5 million pre-orders and more than one million copies of the game sold in less than a month, making it the fastest selling computer game. The game received a large number of positive reviews, many publications awarded the game with the titles “Best Game of the Year” and “Best Strategy of the Year.” The game also received high marks from players.
There are 4 races in the game: Alliance (humans), Undead, Horde (Orcs) and Night Elves. Each race has its own unique heroes, who gain experience and a new level in battles. With each level, new hero abilities are unlocked. Heroes can also buy or pick up items from killed mobs that improve the combat characteristics of the heroes and the troops around them. On different maps, players capture gold mines and extract timber, use these resources to build a base and units and improve their characteristics.
Heroes of Might and Magic III
Genre: Turn-based strategy with RPG elements
Heroes of Might and Magic III is a turn-based fantasy game, the third part of the series has become a cult favorite and has gained many fans around the world. Despite the now outdated graphics, it is still played by thousands of players around the world. The fourth and fifth parts of the game came out with better graphics and improved gameplay, so if you are not a fan of old games and love graphics, then it is best to play the latest parts.
The player travels across a global map with heroes who control mythical creatures, exploring new lands, capturing cities and fighting enemies. On the map, the player moves only one hero and can only walk a certain distance or do one or more actions, after which he misses a turn and the computer-controlled enemies make their move. By attacking enemies, you move into combat mode, the army of enemies and your army of creatures stand opposite each other, moving combat units in turn to destroy the enemies. As cities develop, new opportunities and spells can be discovered. Hire troops.
StarCraft II
Genre: real time strategy
StarCraft II is the second part of the cult first part, released back in 1998. The second part of the game became the most anticipated game of the year due to the great popularity of the first part and fully met its expectations among players. Many Russian and foreign gaming portals gave the game scores of over 9 points out of 10. In the player rating it received 9.3 points.
The plot of the game and all the actions take place in the distant future, or more precisely the 26th century in a remote part of the Milky Way galaxy. The three races of Terran, Zerg, and Protoss are opposed to each other. Players extract two types of resources: minerals and vespene gas, which they then use to build buildings and hire combat units. The main task is to destroy the enemy base. Each type of unit has its own strengths and weaknesses, so to destroy certain types of enemy troops you need to hire troops that are good at destroying them.
Total War series is the best Rome: Total War
Genre: turn-based grand strategy, real-time strategy
Total War rus. “Total War” is a series of games that already has seven games and various additions. Different games cover different historical time periods and states. The most popular and iconic is Rome: Total War, released in 2004. The action takes place in Ancient Rome during the Republic period from 270 BC. e. up to 14 AD e. For example, Shogun: Total War takes place in Japan Shogun: Total War in the 16th century, where reigning dynasties oppose each other. Empire: Total War - during the European colonial wars and so on.
The gameplay of the game is very similar to Civilization. The player controls troops, cities and settlements on a global point. After completing all actions, the player misses a turn, after which the AI-controlled competitors make their move. If you or your enemy attack each other, then you move to the tactical map, where you control all your troops in real mode, attacking them and placing them in convenient positions on the map.
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 1,2,3
Release date: 1996 and 2000
Genre: Real-time strategy
Red Alert is a game that was released in the last century and captured the minds and souls of gamers around the world; thousands of people still play it, more than 30 million copies sold. The game takes place in an alternate history where Allied forces defend Europe from the aggressive Soviet Union. The player can choose one of two warring parties: Alliance or USSR. Accordingly, the goal of the game for the Allies is to stop Stalin before he takes over the whole world, for the USSR - to achieve the complete capture of Europe. Depending on the side chosen, the player's victory results in one of two alternative endings.
Battles in the game take place both on land, on water and in the air. Each side can have its own base and can train ground forces, air forces and navies. Each side also has unique features. The game mechanic is that now even a simple infantryman can destroy a tank. A tank can easily destroy a machine-gun pillbox; a small group of grenade launchers can just as easily deal with a tank if it is not covered by anti-personnel equipment or its own infantry, which forced the use of different types of troops in battle.
Europa Universalis series of games
Release date: 2000-2013
Genre: turn-based global strategy,
Continues the series of global strategies Europa Universalis. Like previous games in the series, the third part invites you to lead one of the states of the world . The essence of the game: to develop national ideas that give the game power certain advantages; As new government technologies are discovered, it becomes possible to choose one of the national ideas. The game takes place in real time, but the player’s reaction speed is not required, since the game can be paused at any time. The game takes place on a schematically depicted world map, divided into more than 1,500 sea and land provinces.
The player can take control of any country that existed during this historical period (about 200 states in total). Under his control are the country's economy, the formation and management of armies and navies, diplomacy, the introduction of new technologies, the internal politics of the state, changing the state religion and the colonization of new lands.
A special feature of the game is its connection to real history (note that in the third part of the series it is no longer tied to history and the gameplay is more free); there are historical rulers predetermined for each country, each of whom has certain abilities that influence the game, real-life commanders (such as Suvorov or Napoleon I Bonaparte), pioneers, explorers and sailors (such as Columbus, Ermac and Ferdinand Magellan ), as well as historical events that usually occur in the same country and at the same time as in real history (for example, in 1517 an event occurs that makes it possible to convert to Protestantism)
Company of Heroes 1.2
Release date: 2006
Genre: Real-time strategy
The gameplay of Company of Heroes is very similar to Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War. The player commands entire squads of fighters, but there are some unique units. Each unit has a life scale (not an individual fighter), and if the unit’s lives are damaged when the unit is damaged, the entire unit dies. The player can equip infantry units with various weapons, choosing which weapon is more promising in battle. After the death of a squad, weapons remain that can be picked up and equipped with them for another squad. This even applies to stationary weapons such as anti-tank guns, heavy machine guns and mortars.
Each side in the game is divided into three unique directions - infantry, airborne and tank for the Americans and defensive, offensive and propaganda for the Germans, advancement in which gives access to new combat units and attacks (for example, attack aircraft). Another important difference is that squads and units in the game have three levels of experience. After destroying an enemy, a new level is obtained that increases the damage, speed, health, armor or viewing range of the combat unit, depending on its type.
There are three types of resources in the Game: weapons, fuel and personnel. Personnel are used to construct buildings, recruit new combat units, both infantry and armored vehicles, fuel, in turn, to build buildings and armored vehicles, and weapons - to provide units with additional weapons, such as a grenade launcher, for artillery and air strikes, or for to give your equipment new capabilities. Replenishment of resources is carried out using checkpoints.
Age of Empires III
Genre: Real-time strategy
Age of Empires III is a strategy game that has earned worldwide recognition thanks to its innovative and exciting gameplay. Age of Empires received high ratings on gaming portals and magazines. A special feature of this game is its well-developed artificial intelligence (the opponent is controlled by a computer). The player controls one of the powers (Great Britain, Prussia, Holland, Spain, Portugal, the Russian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, France), which set off to conquer the new world (America).
The main action takes place in the colonies, on a map familiar to such games, but now each power has a hometown in the Old World. He serves the sole purpose of helping his colony. There are three resources in the game: food, wood and money. Which produce various buildings. Transitions between eras, five eras: exploration, colonization, fortresses, industrial and empire. He trains military academies, bandages soldiers and sends them to colonies. The infantry depends on the nationality of the city, for the Spaniards it will be rodellers, and for the Russians it will be archers and Cossacks. The academy is also improving the parameters of the troops.
Battles take place in real time. The maximum size of a detachment and group of soldiers highlighted by a “frame” is 50 units. The shooting infantry has four formations: a regular line, which is convenient for firing in salvos, a sparse formation, which reduces losses from artillery fire, hand-to-hand combat and square. Melee infantry has three formations, two of the same, melee and square, and a circular formation to cover the riflemen. The cavalry learned three formations - the same close combat and square, as well as an offensive mode with reduced speed, but with damage inflicted over an area.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Genre: Strategy, Turn-Based Tactics, Tactical RPG
The game is a remake (remake) of the popular and old game X-COM: UFO Defense, released back in 1993. Aliens attack planet Earth and begin an alien invasion. The game is played on behalf of the commander of the secret international organization XCOM (unit for combating aliens), which has the most advanced technologies, weapons and scientific developments of mankind. It employs the best specialists in the world - military men and scientists. The organization must conduct military operations against aliens that threaten the existence of human civilization.
The player is provided with the central XCOM base, from which the strategic management of the organization is carried out: monitoring the actions of aliens on the global world map using a satellite network, distributing funding for the development of scientific and technical potential, arming and deploying interceptors to destroy flying saucers, as well as conducting combat operations against aliens using existing fighters in ground skirmishes. The base is presented to the player in the form of an “ant farm” - a section of soil that allows you to look at the premises from the side.
In Tactical combat, fighters perform up to two actions in turn - running, shooting, throwing a grenade, using a first aid kit. Each fighter has only three characteristics: accuracy, willpower and health points.
After the first promotion in rank, a soldier receives a specialization. This could be an attack aircraft, a sniper, a heavy infantryman or a support soldier.
Homeworld
Genre: real time strategy
Well-developed graphics and three-dimensional gaming space - the implementation of six degrees of freedom (you can view the battlefield, the battle fleet from different angles) of the movement of game objects and the presence of thoughtful fleet management in three dimensions. A rich and complex plot that gradually reveals itself during the game. In the next game mission, the player receives the fleet with which he completed the previous one.
At the beginning of the game, the player can choose a fleet of two races, Kushan or Taidan: this does not affect the further plot in any way, only the combat units change. A key feature of both the Kushan and Taidan navies is the presence of a main mothership that serves as the main base of operations. The mothership has its own weapons and a hyperdrive, which allows it to overcome significant space.
The entire space fleet is divided into a combat fleet and a support fleet. The support fleet includes special ships, such as a resource collector and controller, a research ship, a probe, a stealth ship detector ship, and a gravity well generator. The combat fleet is divided into classes: Small ships - fighters, corvettes, Heavy ships - frigates, Super-heavy ships, Flagships.
Stronghold game series
Release date: 2001-2014
Genre: real time strategy
The game system of all games in the series is based on an economic simulator of a medieval city or castle. The games have a number of unique parameters that are typical only for games in the Stronghold series. Thus, in the first Stronghold, the “popularity” parameter was introduced for the first time, affecting the performance and population size. The combat system is standard for strategies - direct control of groups of units. The economic component is one of the main ones in the games of the series. There are quite complex and long production chains. As a rule, in the games of the series, more attention is paid to the economic rather than the military component of medieval castles.
All games in the series, except Stronghold Kingdoms, have campaigns (a series of story-related missions) and a map editor mode. Stronghold has a single campaign, while other games have multiple campaigns.
All games except Stronghold and Stronghold Kingdoms allow you to play against computer opponents on a selected map. Stronghold and Stronghold 2 have a siege mode (siege or defend a castle without running an economy). In the first games in the series (up to and including Stronghold 2) there is a free construction mode (running an economy without war).
Spore
Genre: Real-time strategy, god simulator
Spore game is a simulator of the evolution of life on the planet, as well as a strategy and space simulator. The goal of the game is to develop a creature from a microorganism to an advanced space race. While progressing through the game, it is possible to make changes to the creature, improving its characteristics. Also, as it develops, the player will independently create various equipment and buildings, or choose ready-made options from the catalog.
At the beginning of the game, the player takes control of a microorganism living in an aquatic environment. At this stage of the game - To survive, the microorganism needs to feed on pieces of meat or algae, and also try not to be eaten by other carnivorous creatures. When food is eaten, the cell grows and turns into a microorganism. After which the creature gets out to the ground, where it also develops. Over time, under your leadership there will be a tribe, civilization and space that you will have to manage.
Ground Control 1.2
Release date: 2000, 2004
Genre: Tactical real-time strategy
This game was the forefront of its genre and won many awards. Ground Control has 3D graphics and a freely rotating camera, allowing the player to view the battle from any angle. The game completely lacks resource collection, base development and research. The player's goal is to control a limited number of combat units and perform various tasks with their help.
The main goal of the game is to destroy enemy troops and buildings using the terrain features and the strengths of your own army. Combat units include various types of armored vehicles, aircraft and soldiers, delivered to the battlefield by orbital shuttles. After the start of the next mission, the player cannot call for reinforcements, which requires careful selection of units and their configuration before the battle.
The most important element of the game is the requirement for a tactical approach in any situation. Each squad has its own distinct strengths and weaknesses. Combat units are united into squads. The player can only give orders to units, although the units themselves will fight and take damage separately. There are four categories of units: infantry, armor, support, and aviation. The player can choose the configuration of each individual unit before the battle. For example, a Craven Corporation tank squad can exist in four configurations: reconnaissance, light, main, and heavy. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so different configurations are suitable for different tasks.
Tiberium Command & Conquer series
Release date: 1995-2010
Genre: Real time strategy
a series of successful computer games with the highest sales among strategy series. The game takes place in an alternative time reality, conditionally modern to ours, in which there is a war all over the world between two global groups - the international UN troops united in the Global Defense Initiative, and the military-religious Brotherhood of Nod, led by its charismatic leader Kane, fighting for possession of the alien substance Tiberium, slowly spreading throughout the planet.
The gameplay of the game is based on the principle of collecting resources, building a base, destroying the enemy. The only source of money (credits) in the game is Tiberium. Another important resource in the game is electricity, produced only by power plants. The various structures and units produced by the player collectively form a technological tree, in which access to technologically more advanced, and therefore more expensive, structures and units. The base can be protected by various structures, including defensive fortifications.