In the ever-changing world of gaming, with advanced graphics and captivating gameplay mechanics taking center stage, it can be all too easy for classic strategy games to slip under the radar. Yet, these seemingly forgotten relics continue to carry a significant emotional weight among gamers, myself included, offering rich, immersive experiences that modern titles sometimes fail to deliver. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer longing for a dose of nostalgia or a novice eager to delve into the foundations of strategic gameplay, there lies an untapped collection of older strategy games yearning to be rediscovered. In this article, I will shed light on some of these timeless gems from yesteryears, demonstrating that exceptional strategy endures regardless of age.
Absolutely, this collection showcases what I personally enjoy most. Feel free to suggest any additional items, and I’ll gladly incorporate them into the piece for a more comprehensive read!
10 – Cossacks: Back to War
The Cossacks series of real-time strategy games holds a special place in my heart, as well as many others’, being that it emerged during the golden age of RTS. It was essentially a replica of Age of Empires, but with numerous additional features and set in an unexplored period: The Age of Discovery. I believe this is what made it so captivating. You had a variety of nations to choose from, ranging from Portugal to France, Prussia, and Turkey, each with their distinct building and unit art styles. Moreover, the emphasis on musket combat instead of melee battles significantly altered gameplay compared to its predecessors in the genre. This allowed for the creation of more efficient unit formations during firefights, and the addition of cannons to the battlefield was particularly destructive.
9 – Imperial Glory
Empire is more like an imitation or cheaper alternative to the original Imperial Glory, a real-time strategy game with both grand-strategy and tactical elements, released way back in 2005. Joking aside, Imperial Glory was quite remarkable for its era, combining the grand-strategy aspects of popular games like Total War and Paradox at the time, while also incorporating a skillfully designed real-time strategy layer. It boasted impressive graphics, each nation had distinct units, and each section of the European map, once captured, had a unique mini-map for strategic planning before battles. There’s still an active player community today, as Imperial Glory has earned a place in video game history as a cult classic.
8 – Impossible Creatures
I didn’t play Impossible Creatures when it first released, but the thought of leaving it out would surely cause a stir! I vividly recall seeing this game on sale at every physical store around that time. Given that it was from the same team behind Homeworld, it’s no surprise people were eagerly awaiting their next project. What I can attest to is the concept of this game and the affection we all have for it: you can combine animal parts to create unique, powerful creatures for combat – like a flying bear or a camouflaged cheetah! If you fancy a lemming-rat hybrid, go ahead!
8 – World War 2: Frontline Command
One standout game from the list that rarely gets mentioned is World War II: Frontline Command from 2003. I even delved into the depths of Reddit in search of discussion about it, but came up empty-handed. This real-time strategy game shares similarities with Company of Heroes, if the latter was developed in 2003. It boasted explosive scenes, a comprehensive campaign, advanced cover mechanics with suppression, diverse unit options, and multiple strategies for each mission. I played it from start to finish and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. It’s a shame that it’s become so hard to find, so you’ll likely need to scour online marketplaces or seek out abandonware versions of the game.
7 – Mech Commander 2
If you’d like to hear about my encounter with Mech Commander 2, let me take you back to Christmas Eve of 2001. As a youngster, I found myself indulging in some well-deserved computer time on my father’s machine, which happened to have a demo of Mech Commander 2 installed. How it ended up there remains a mystery, but there it was. Fast forward two decades, and the quest to relive that Christmas Eve led me down a path of forgotten memories. Fortunately, the image of the Bushwacker mech remained vivid in my mind, and upon spotting it online, I realized I had found the game from that long-ago evening. Now, let’s shift focus for a moment. Mech Commander 2 was a remarkably unique Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game compared to others of the early 2000s. Instead of commanding basic units, you piloted modular mechs, each with distinct strengths and weaknesses, which could be customized using salvaged parts from other mechs found in battlefields. The game was similar to its contemporaries in terms of a massive single-player component, boasting three large campaigns. Regrettably, the game is no longer available for purchase today, but you can find it on several abandonware sites.
6 – Praetorians
Unlike many Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games of the early 2000s that followed the formula set by Age of Empires and Starcraft, Praetorians took a unique approach. Instead of emphasizing base building, resource gathering, and individual unit control, it focused heavily on the tactical aspects of RTS battles. In essence, you don’t control individual units but rather formations, similar to Rome: Total War. You can alter these formations, employ special tactics like using the testudo formation to defend against archers or setting up a spear wall to counter a cavalry charge. What makes Praetorians stand out from games of its time is its Roman theme, which was not as prevalent back then, and Rome: Total War didn’t release until 2024, well after Praetorians. An HD remaster from 2020 received positive reviews, making it a worthwhile choice to revisit this classic without any modifications.
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2025-01-17 19:42