SPECIAL NOTICE
Malicious code was found on the site, which has been removed, but would have been able to access files and the database, revealing email addresses, posts, and encoded passwords (which would need to be decoded). However, there is no direct evidence that any such activity occurred. REGARDLESS, BE SURE TO CHANGE YOUR PASSWORDS. And as is good practice, remember to never use the same password on more than one site. While performing housekeeping, we also decided to upgrade the forums.
This is a site for discussing roleplaying games. Have fun doing so, but there is one major rule: do not discuss political issues that aren't directly and uniquely related to the subject of the thread and about gaming. While this site is dedicated to free speech, the following will not be tolerated: devolving a thread into unrelated political discussion, sockpuppeting (using multiple and/or bogus accounts), disrupting topics without contributing to them, and posting images that could get someone fired in the workplace (an external link is OK, but clearly mark it as Not Safe For Work, or NSFW). If you receive a warning, please take it seriously and either move on to another topic or steer the discussion back to its original RPG-related theme.

[video games] Medieval Strategy Game Suggestions

Started by winkingbishop, May 07, 2010, 06:03:38 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

winkingbishop

I have been reading A Song of Ice and Fire series and have a thirst for conquest.  What I do not have is knowledge of new video games.  I am seeking recommendations.  I have the following platforms to play:

1) Nintendo DS
2) Laptop, Windows XP, 2 GB RAM
2a) I don't know what my video card can handle.  It can't run the first Overlord.  I'll give you specs if you can tell me how to find it in XP.
3) PS2 Slim

A bit about my desires: I don't mind a single-player game but I would prefer some multiplayer capabilities.  I don't care if it is high or low fantasy, but I definitely do want a game that manages resources beyond military forts (farms, research, etc).  I loved the old SSI Stronghold D&D game.  I do not want a Star/Warcraft game.

What's hot right now that I can still run?  Even on the DS.
"I presume, my boy, you are the keeper of this oracular pig." -The Horned King

Friar Othos - [Ptolus/AD&D pbp]

Premier

The Total War series springs to mind: Shogun, Medieval, Rome, Medieval II, and some later ones depicting unapplicable time periods. Action on the strategic map is turn based (moving troops, diplomats, spies etc.; also building units and constructing buildings in towns), while combat takes place in real time. As the titles suggest, no fantasy content in these ones, and they're pretty detailed when it comes to period battle tactics.

If you want more fantasy and less history, and you don't insist on shiny graphics, there's Dominions 3, which is explicitly designed for multiplayer (though single player free-for-all can be played against the AI). Management is rather abstract yet complex, with spell research (hundreds of strategical and combat spells divided into a dozen schools and requiring different skill sets to cast), personnel management (cost/value ratio is very important, and your spellcaster units can become major combat factors if you properly manage their development and equipment) and the terrain dictating the production and placement of your troops. Dozens of factions vaguely based on historical cultures and various fantasy/literary tropes.
In combat, you don't get to control your armies. Instead, you give them standing orders about formations and basic battle plans (incl. what spells your casters should be casting), and they'll carry them out to the best of their abilities.
Obvious troll is obvious. RIP, Bill.

JongWK

Have you tried the Europa Universalis series?
"I give the gift of endless imagination."
~~Gary Gygax (1938 - 2008)


arminius

A game called "Mount & Blade" caught my eye recently at Half Price Books. Now ordinarily that wouldn't be a good sign, but what I've read about it is interesting. It's been updated a couple times, not sure exactly which version is current, but some of them are multi-player.

This is the publisher's site: http://www.taleworlds.com/main.aspx
Here's the Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount&Blade

crkrueger

Mount and Blade isn't exactly a strategy game.  There's strategy in it, questing, some town-building, but also a lot of third-person combat.  It's hella fun though, and there are tons of mods.
Even the the "cutting edge" storygamers for all their talk of narrative, plot, and drama are fucking obsessed with the god damned rules they use. - Estar

Yes, Sean Connery\'s thumb does indeed do megadamage. - Spinachcat

Isuldur is a badass because he stopped Sauron with a broken sword, but Iluvatar is the badass because he stopped Sauron with a hobbit. -Malleus Arianorum

"Tangency Edition" D&D would have no classes or races, but 17 genders to choose from. -TristramEvans

estar

The best I seen so far is either Medieval Total War and Crusader King. The former focuses on battles and the later focuses on building your dynasty.

J Arcane

Master of Magic is on GOG.com for like $6.  

It's Civ, but medieval fantasy.  One of the best games ever made.
Bedroom Wall Press - Games that make you feel like a kid again.

Arcana Rising - An Urban Fantasy Roleplaying Game, powered by Hulks and Horrors.
Hulks and Horrors - A Sci-Fi Roleplaying game of Exploration and Dungeon Adventure
Heaven\'s Shadow - A Roleplaying Game of Faith and Assassination

Narf the Mouse

Quote from: J Arcane;381127Master of Magic is on GOG.com for like $6.  

It's Civ, but medieval fantasy.  One of the best games ever made.
Seconded.

Master of Orion 2. Awesome.
The main problem with government is the difficulty of pressing charges against its directors.

Given a choice of two out of three M&Ms, the human brain subconsciously tries to justify the two M&Ms chosen as being superior to the M&M not chosen.

noisms

I also recommend Crusader Kings. It's pure strategy in that there is essentially no tactical battle element to it - you raise an army, it meets another army, the result is calculated automatically.

But the dynasty building element is great. Get the expansion, Deus Vult, and get the latest patches, though.
Read my blog, Monsters and Manuals, for campaign ideas, opinionated ranting, and collected game-related miscellania.

Buy Yoon-Suin, a campaign toolbox for fantasy games, giving you the equipment necessary to run a sandbox campaign in your own Yoon-Suin - a region of high adventure shrouded in ancient mysteries, opium smoke, great luxury and opulent cruelty.