Strategy games, but not as a way of life

Smeagol · February 21, 2004, 14:11

I have been a huge fan of turn-based strategy games for years and years, but at this stage of my life I have a minimal amount of time to invest in them. I love the Civ games, Alpha Centauri, Master of Orion games, and countless others.

What games out there now offer a rewarding turn-based strategy gaming experience without taking up huge chunks of one's life?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Nostromo · February 21, 2004, 16:06

Good question. I have the same problem: Civ games are too time consuming. Maybe the scenarios in Civ 3: Conquests could do the trick?

child of Thor · February 21, 2004, 16:32

hmm.....why dont you limit yourself to 20 turns or a few hrs per evening/session? That way you can still play all the best tbs games?

i cant think of many(well any!) tbs games that are very short in the main game..........

vmxa1 · February 21, 2004, 18:18

Disciples II

Nostromo · February 21, 2004, 20:47

Quote:

Originally posted by child of Thor
hmm.....why dont you limit yourself to 20 turns or a few hrs per evening/session? That way you can still play all the best tbs games?

It's a good idea... if you can control yourself. I always end up saying: I'll play one more turn...

Dis · February 22, 2004, 03:43

nothing can stop the one more turn syndrome

Urban Ranger · February 22, 2004, 08:20

Quote:

Originally posted by vmxa1
Disciples II

I haven't play this one, but the original was really bad.

DrSpike · February 22, 2004, 09:11

Yeah I'd still play the better games, just play them less. Sure discipline can be a problem, but it's still the lesser of two evils.

Smeagol · February 22, 2004, 12:22

Yeah, the one more turn thing is my problem as well.

I just downloaded the Disciples II demo, so I'll see how I like that. However, I also downloaded the Civ 3 demo, and it's sorta like coming home.

Going to be tough not purchasing that, but maybe I can find some way to control my playing time (or my wife will have to help me with that.)

Thanks for the help.

Boris Godunov · February 22, 2004, 12:38

Quote:

Originally posted by Dissident
nothing can stop the one more turn syndrome

Civ 3 did.

Dis · February 22, 2004, 15:53

well I did have that for civ3 for a while.

The thing about me and civ3 is even though I'm bored of it. If I do start up a game, I will keep playing until about 2 or 3 in the morning irregardless.

But if I don't finish the game that day, I'll never finish it. I have several unfinished games. It was like that near the end of civ2 as well. It's hard to restart play after I take a break. I just can't get back into it. But while I'm playing, I rarely can stop.

Although I aslo admit I have not played civ3 like I have civ2. I have stayed up until morning light playing civ2.

That's why I kind of liked Civ3: conquests. They were short. I didn't have to worry about starting a game, and not finishing it. I really don't like civ games that take over 1 day to play anymore.

Nostromo · February 22, 2004, 16:27

Quote:

Originally posted by Dissident

But if I don't finish the game that day, I'll never finish it. I have several unfinished games. It was like that near the end of civ2 as well. It's hard to restart play after I take a break. I just can't get back into it. But while I'm playing, I rarely can stop.

The same here.

Quote:

That's why I kind of liked Civ3: conquests. They were short. I didn't have to worry about starting a game, and not finishing it. I really don't like civ games that take over 1 day to play anymore.

I didn't buy Conquests yet. I'm not even sure I will. I'm sorta bored with Civ right now. I'm not sure if it's Civ3's fault, or if I'm tired of Civ games in general. I played Civ2 and SMAC to death. Would you recommend C3C to a jaded civer? Are the scenarios different, refreshing ? Or is it the same gameplay, but with a shorter time span?

Jac de Molay · February 22, 2004, 17:54

Quote:

Originally posted by Smeagol

What games out there now offer a rewarding turn-based strategy gaming experience without taking up huge chunks of one's life?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Think old school. 16 pieces. 64 black and white squares. Object: surround and/or capture opponent's king

Smeagol · February 22, 2004, 18:46

Yeah, I considered the board game sort of route, but I was thinking something like Stratego or Axis & Allies, and did not go quite so far into the past as Chess!

As for Conquests, I've never really gotten into those preset scenario type of games (not coincidentally I tried Disciples II today and did not like it).

Dis · February 23, 2004, 00:28

I ended up just playing civ3 again

. Tiny map with accelerated production. 6 hours and 9 minutes. Now that's a good time for a game. Not too long, not too short. Although the cheating ai still pisses me off to no avail.

Grumbold · February 23, 2004, 08:01

The Paradox games have supplanted Civ and the like for me. They're effectively turn based with all the significant message settings cranked to pause the game. Playing a full game is no faster than Civ but the fun is usually making your country a success in the first hours anyway.

I can't think of a true TBS that has appeared in recent years that have been as compelling as some of the early classics.

duke o' york · February 23, 2004, 09:04

Come and join one of the Civ 2 succession games!

You're only allowed a few turns each, and you inherit the kingdom from the player before you. It's great fun, you get to play the best version of Civ to date, and you'll never tire of the variations. With varying rules to make the game more interesting, different orders so you won't alwasy end up playing after the same person, and the usual range of options that Civ throws at you then it's still great fun! You'll probably need MGE though.

Come and find out about these games in the Civ 2 General forum, and even play some turns in the free-for-all succession.

*This message was brought to you by the Friends of Civ 2 advertising agency*

DrSpike · February 23, 2004, 09:13

For those that think Civ games take too long I suggest noughts and crosses, or perhaps I spy.

Come on, it's not like you have to finish it in one sitting.

And Duke.

child of Thor · February 23, 2004, 11:05

Quote:

Originally posted by DrSpike
For those that think Civ games take too long I suggest noughts and crosses, or perhaps I spy.

Come on, it's not like you have to finish it in one sitting.

And Duke.

Or maybe get a console(like i did

) and play violent 3D games that you can finish in about 5hrs max

although it helps if you are rich so you can afford a new game every 2 weeks

Board games, especialy some of the war games can take a long time too

- although i suppose the accidental 'I slipped and knocked the pieces all over' , could help shorten those long winded games

bipolarbear · February 23, 2004, 16:34

personally, I love aoe if that fals under the topic

Dis · February 23, 2004, 18:40

I think my attention span has dropped as I got older.

Although the Civ2 succession games seen interesting.