Most of the strategy games need the gamers to use certain amount of brain and that is what makes the following games unique. They ascertains the fact that something more than muscle power is necessary.
1) THE SIMS 2
The people simulator from Maxis and EA has gone a long way from the first edition of Sims, which was the best selling game in the hstory and now this game is back with some better graphics and some innovations from the first part. You can control the daily activities of your characters and thus lead their life to success or just ruin their life.
Make them search for jobs, love and satisfy their major needs like food, fun, energy etc. This game is a lots more than a simple simulator. Maxis has done a great job in depicting real life activities in a game!
2) AGE OF WONDERS 2
Age of Wonders had taken you to a mythological land of Elves, Goblins, Orcs, Dwarves etc along with the mythological dragons, nymphs etc. You are in a fantasy world controlled by magic. Age Of Wonders 2 is no way different from the first.
With some more races to choose from and better textures, this game continues what the first version did. This game surely is a wonder just as its name. It just gives you the feeling of a long fairy tale! The choices you have in the game play makes this game even better.
3) DISCIPLES 2
Disciples 2 gets you to another fantasy land, but this one is more intense along with more evil because of those Undead creatures and those soundtracks. The game has got some actions that you take some time to learn. The fact that this game is a turn based tactical warfare doesn't affect the pace, because thinking needs to be made before every move or you may suffer huge loss.
The quests in this game have some interesting storyline behind them and it will be a joy to play for those who love horror and fantasy. The game is going to get you immersed in it once you learn to play it efficiently. It will be one of the simplest games then.
4) AGE OF EMPIRES
This was the first strategy game I ever played after Warcraft 2 and I have to say that it impressed me and kept me inside it for more than a year. While playing it for the first time, I uninstalled it in a few minutes. But as I learned the game and got closer and closer to the different ways of playing the game, this was one of my favourite games.
The fact that I was fond of History did help me finding some interest in it. Age Of Empires is the strategy game that was most talked about there is no need for wondering about that because it is a masterpiece. The great thing is that the system reqirements are very low so that any one can play - well, almost any one.
5) AGE OF MYTHOLOGY
This game is almost an innovation from Age Of Empires with the history replaced by mythology. The game play is limited to three civilizations, Greek, Egyptian and Norse. The game, without any add-ons is a small game any I completed it in less than a week.
With some better cutscenes and a well developed story line, the game does deliver some brilliant experience to the gamers. The story has got some nice twists too(not like Wild Things) and the game offers a good way of passing time just like Age Of Empires 2 on the eighth spot because both have much similiar graphics, but slightly improved in Age Of Mythology.
6) ZEUS
Zeus takes you to the ancient Greece and its cities like Athens, Sparta etc. You need to build some structures, army, good social and economic conditions for the people as well as fight monsters like Medusa, Hydra, Cyclops etc using your heroes like Jason, Achiles, Hercules etc or by worshipping different Gods. Even the Gods may attack you or help you.
There are lots of things you need to look out for in this game and that is what makes this seemingly dull game get quicker and more interesting than ever. This game is similiar to the other games like Caesar and Pharaoh, but it just seems to me that this one is better.
7) WARCRAFT 3
This game got similiar game play to its ancestor Warcraft 2, but with an amazing improvement in the graphics department. The game got some gorgeous cutscenes made with a storyline which takes a huge turn in the middle(somewhat makes me angry too).
The game offers a huge amount of graphics with the mythological characters looking marvellous. We need to use each unit we have in the way they are to be used to advance in this game. Thi game even got some special game modes in it and the day and night toggle makes it perfect for playing in a good PC.
8) AGE OF EMPIRES 2
Age Of Empires 2, the sequel to the first version comes in two - Age Of Kings and Conquerers. Both have managed to give some better graphics and game play as well as some extra features. There are more civilizations to control and there are certainly more units with some interesting special units and researching facilities.
Fighting, resource collection etc has become better, but with a higher resolution, everything looked a bit smaller and harder to spot than the first Age Of Empires. Well, may be the best part of these types of games is that we get the chance to learn the history very well, playing with the legendary Montezumo, Joan Of Arc, El Cid etc. We even have the editor to add our own missions.
9) GALACTIC BATTLEGROUNDS
This seemed to use the same engine as Age Of Empires, but this is a Starwars game and it surely got the units and storyline of another level. It even got some heavy bombing and shooting with highly technical guns, turrets, planes etc. We can see the difference even in the terrain itself.
In this game, there less races to choose from, but the good thing is that they all have entirely different units. So its your chance to take control of the galactic cvilizations. If you are a Starwars fan, you are going to love this. The galaxies wait for you!
10) SIMCITY 3000
This is another simulator from Maxis, this one simulates a city - an advanced city with lots of advantages as well as problems. You need to set up everything starting from roads and buildings to electricity and water. Even historic monuments lay at your feet. But you need to look at the cash in your pocket and as the mayor of the city, you need to have a budget and some acts and bills must be passed to control violence, pollution etc thus increasing the land value as well as the living conditions of the people.
You may also want to make some deals with your neighbouring cities to get cash by selling water, power etc or buying the same from them. It sounds like a modern version of Zeus, but this one has more disasters like alien attack tornado, fire, riots etc to spoil your plans. You need schools, colleges, hospitals, railways etc - but the city needs you!
Honourable mentions:
*RISE OF NATIONS
TZAR
CAESAR 3
PHARAOH
THE SIMS
WARCRAFT 2
SETTLERS 2
THANKS FOR READING THE REVIEW. DO COMMENT ON THE REVIEW AND RATE BEFORE YOU LEAVE*
