I like factorio as well, but honestly it started to feel like work after I got the hang of it (needing to refactor etc).
I got infuriated by some of Age of Empire 2s limitations (e.g. limited selection size, awful pathfinding, games tending to stalemate). The extra ~decade SupCom had seems to have helped.
The Steam version often goes on sale for a few dollars once a month or so[2].
[0] https://store.steampowered.com/app/9420/Supreme_Commander_Fo... [1] https://www.faforever.com/ [2] https://steamdb.info/app/9420/
Never heard of Factorio, so I'll have to check it out.
HLL players are generally supportive and helpful to me when I ask for help or advice; it is the first multiplayer game in which I’ve felt at ease using the proximity-voicechat and mic in general to talk with strangers. I recommend using a mic, especially if winning matches is important.
Highlights: coordinating with two other armor units to prevent breakthrough; protecting infantry squad during advance; asking for and getting repairs in the field; getting useful orders from commander; and blowing up with a Stewart (light tank) a Tiger from behind, much to the relief of those pinned down by the Tiger.
Quick question: Do you recommend trying out the game with a few friends or should I just jump in alone?
And Nobunaga's ambition -- which I didn't start because the setup screen (in English) looked so complicated I figured it would be easier to just play the game in Japanese (or for that matter, play Assassin's Creed with Slovenian voices and Cantonese subtitles... Doesn't make it any harder to make the fall off that tower...)
Out of Advance Wars, Joan of Arc, Hyperdevotion Noire, Fire Emblem and potentially Nobunaga lol, which would you recommend to a beginner in the strategy genre?
Advance Wars and Fire Emblem are based on the same game engine -- but Advance Wars units have fixed strength while Fire Emblem units gain experience as an RPG. Thus you can grind your way out of situations you might need to think your way out of.
I like Fire Emblem Fates on the New Nintendo 3DS, the parallax graphics makes it a unique visual experience.
Joan of Arc deserves more fame.
As for HDN it depends on how you feel about the "Neptunia" series. I think it's a solidly good SRPG with extreme replay value (both the Japanese and English voices are worthy of a playthrough.) If you think the jokes in "Neptunia" are funny then you should run not walk to play it; if you don't like that sense of humor, try something else.
>A sci-fi colony sim driven by an intelligent AI storyteller. Generates stories by simulating psychology, ecology, gunplay, melee combat, climate, biomes, diplomacy, interpersonal relationships, art, medicine, trade, and more.
I sorta like Rimworld too, but more of a resource management with a bit of strategy.
If you liked Diablo 2 you should research "rogue-like" games.
Hearthstone is indeed great, and I fell too hard; while it got me of World of Warcraft and replaced nostalgia for Magic: the Gathering, the daily-quest nature of the game had me by the brainstem for years. I’ve since sworn off Blizzard games, but I understand others may be better-able to find balance.
To scratch the cardgame itch I like Pinochle, Canasta, Euchre, and others.
Three Houses (the newest) is probably the most strategically complex one if you're into the gameplay, but I've been a long-time fan of the series for the characters and surprisingly deep story turns before the gameplay. For an incredibly rich story/cast, I'd try Path of Radiance & Radiant Dawn as a duology - my favorite.
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/majesty-retrospective
The appeal of Majesty is simulation, and the passivity of the player character. You're ruling a fantasy kingdom but rather than directing every small affair yourself, you set broad instructions and watch as they're carried out.
Stellaris for grand strategy.
Sins of a Solar Empire for a 4x game a bit smaller and less complicated than Stellaris.
1. Side Meier's Alpha Centauri
2. Heroes of Might and Magic 3
3. Age of Empires 2
4. X-Com
5. Jagged Alliance 2
6. Crusader Kings II
7. Civilization IV
8. Master of Orion II
9. Dwarf Fortress
10. Rimworld
11. Homeworld
