From Civilization to Age of Empires, a short history of the
best Strategy Games
By Jacob Malewitz
Computer strategy games like Civilization, Age of Empires,
and Warcraft are known to those familiar with the the computer strategy genre.
However, there are plenty of unknowns in the field of computer strategy that
should get more exposure.
I have a deep joy for strategy games and, in a sense, a
bitter hatred for them taking so much from my early childhood. I would spend
far to many hours trying to conquer the world than sit in front of the TV and
be absorbed by stupidity.
RPGs like Everquest and FPS like Halo dominate the consoles,
but strategy games have no success in those fields; you need a computer to
enjoy them most. Everyone has Final Fantasy, much like everyone had Zelda when
Nintendo was out. PC gamers came in around the same time. You started with some
code games, but Civilization and simple chess board games made their mark and
began to win strategy game fans.
While Civilization was far from the first strategy game to
have worldwide success, it did play an integral part in the development of a
loyal fan base. It was created by the gaming genius Sid Meier.
Games like Risk and Chess were the precursors to the
strategy games of today and, even in the early years of gaming, could be played
on your computer.
What was lacking in these time honored games was the fact
they didn’t utilize what a computer could do. Civilization has always had one
of the better Computer AIs. There were some stark comparisons: the best
strategy games, like the best board games, are infinitely replayable. Every
game could be a different world with different opponents.
Civilization was a game with two options, either conquer the
world or reach Alpha Centauri first. Those were the goals, but governing an
entire civilization was what made it work. War. Politics. Trade. Science.
Exploration. Wonders. You could pick from over a dozen civilizations, from the
Romans to the Greeks, the Mongols to the Chinese. All these things were involved
in the game. All these things made it highly addictive.
And it wasn’t just about graphics – those would be improved
in later versions – but different types of games like Warcraft. showed what
could be done with graphics. Strategy was paramount; guide your civilization
from the stone age to the modern age.
Civilization 2 could be the finest strategy game, not to
mention sequel, ever made. It incorporated far superior graphics with new takes
on the first Civilization. I played Civilization 2 more than any other game in
my entire life. I would rise early, sometimes even 6 A.M on Sunday or Monday,
just to play the game more.
Soon, other games came into the background.
Colonization was another Sid Meier game that focused on the
years of colonizing the Americas. You had less options for civilizations, but
it was like taking a small portion of a book and making it into a short story
where you could focus on one single point in time. The graphics on this game,
and the first Civilization, are very outdated, but I would recommend it.
Master of Orion 2 was perhaps the best of the old galactic
games. From what I’ve read, the third game in the series was far inferior to
the second. Master of Orion was like Civilization in space, where decisions
were made, war a constant, and spreading your civilization important. A recent
game has come close to defeating Master of Orion. Galactic Civilizations
succeeded in making an excellent turn based strategy game, as well as a good
sequel. Both games are similar, and could be recommended, but there is one old
game that merits a look.
Ascendancy, another “Civilization in space,” came out over a
decade ago. I bought it for a reasonable price, still hot from my addiction to
Master of Orion. Ascendancy really surprised me and, though it wasn’t perfect,
came close to defeating Master of Orion. The amount of micro-management grew
the more your civilization went; yet things like creating a civilizations
characteristics make it an excellent older game.
I still wanted to live in the real world. I bought
Civilization 3 and was very disappointed; the graphics were better, but it just
didn’t look good next to Civilization 2.
Warcraft and Age of Empires are the two best real time
strategy games around.
I had played Warcraft 2 some years before. While many are
addicted to the new story of World of Warcraft – which I never play – there are
just as many fans of the strategy game. What really made Warcraft work was the
story behind it. Straight out of a world similar to Middle Earth (Tolkien’s
Lord of the Rings), came a new take on Humans and Orcs. The setting was
medieval, yet magic was also incorporated. I was exasperated with Warcraft 2
for a long time, and though it wasn’t as addictive as Civilization, the
graphics and videos were superb.
Warcraft 3 I wouldn’t have played nearly as much had I not
become addicted to the Blizzard online gaming. This was incredible;
replayability for Warcraft was doubled. You could get points, you could learn
strategy, and you can get friends. You could practice with one civilization,
but you could play as any four civilizations, including the night elves, the
humans, the orc, and the undead.
The first game I ever played online was Age of Empires. The
first two games of the series weren’t necessarily superor to Warcraft, but, I
liked to play in the real world more than with magic. I have yet to play Age of
Empires 3 due to poor reviews, but the first two games in the series kept me at
the computer for days.
The first time I played Age of Empires I was reminded of its
RTS competitor Warcraft. Warcraft is very similar to Empires. Set in ancient
times with soldiers like Centurions and Horse Archers, the game differs from
Civilization in that, like Warcraft, you have missions instead of playing a
single game vying for power of the world.
Still, the game wouldn’t have been half as good had I not
connected to the internet and started playing others. Like Warcraft, when
playing online scores can be improved by winning and this makes it a very
competitive environment.
The sequel to Age of Empires, Age of Kings, improved on the
game in many aspects: it was set during the medieval era, was easier to
micromanage, and had very good graphics. Unlike Civilization, each different
civilization had unique characteristics: The Franks have strong cavalry while
the Mayans have no cavalry at all.
I’m sure I’ve missed some major gaming moments in this
discussion. It’s odd that the game I like the least, Warcraft 3, was really
better than Civilization 3 and Age of Empires 3. Command and Conquer was also a
very good game, but, in terms of the top three strategy games, it doesn’t fit
in with what I want in terms of interesting replayabilility.
There are other strategy games I would like to look at if I
ever get the chance. I have recently
found good reviews of the game Homeworld.
In another article, I will document the rise of the First
Person Shooter. Gamers should find that article enlightening, though I won’t
lie that strategy games are it for me.
