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Console RTS: Past, Present, and Future.
Woodroez
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So, you're an RTS fan, but you can't upgrade your computer to get the latest & greatest. What do you do?
I've got an answer for you.
So, the RTS genre within the console universe. Where has it been, and where is it going now? As the thread title implies, we'll be taking a glance at the notable RTS games from wayyy back in the day, as well as what's current, and a couple of RTS games that are coming up.
Spoiled Preface, move on to the meat of the thread if you wish.
Early years
Let's start at the beginning. Interestingly, the first game believed to have real RTS mechanics was, in fact, on a console. Herzog Zwei on the Genesis was, predictably, limited in it's functionality, but predates it's computer-based counterparts by 3 or more years.
From here, things get pretty thin for the next 10 or so years. Starcraft saw an N64 port (Brood Wars unlocked with Expansion Pak!), while Command & Conquer got that treatment and a PS1 port as well. They both functioned, but little else when compared to the definitive PC versions.
The last generation did indeed see a couple of examples of RTS games. Goblin Commander: Unleash the Horde was a little known game that actually saw release for every system. For the sake of playability, it seems they heavily simplified the formula. I haven't played the game myself, so anyone with experience is welcome to give me the low-down.
After this, we have Aliens vs. Predator: Extinction. Developed by Zono, Inc. and published by EA, this game is quite a departure from the typical use of the AvP license to make shooters (though it has seen a brawler game as well). In the same vein as PC RTS Ground Control, there's no resource gathering or structure building. This game's notable as tweaking the controls where it actually functioned very well. Unfortunately, the lack of multiplayer really hurt the game.
ATM
That brings us to the current generation. In 2006, Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-Earth 2 was released on the Xbox 360, and the Los Angeles EA studio made it really work. With clever use of the 360's controller, EALA brought the game to go consoles with very little compromise. Almost all of the commands are issued using the A button or the combination of it and another button. This makes it really easy to learn the controls, and learn them well enough to, dare I say, make it almost as playable as using mouse and keyboard.
They did take out a campaign mode of the single player in bringing the game to consoles, though they did threw in several multiplayer modes, giving 360s players an actually more broad multiplayer experience than the PC version provides.
The game itself is sort of a blend of Warcraft III and a Total War game. A lot of micro-management can go a long way, bringing the right troops for the right battle is a must, but there's a lot of really powerful hero units and other powers that make the game a bit over-the-top.
I DO have this game, got it recently, and I fully recommend it.
The Future
So what's on the horizon? EALA has another PC-to-360 port on the way, this time they bring us Command & Conquer 3. They're going to make some refinements to the controls, and like BFME 2, they're going to throw in extra multiplayer modes. For those interested, it appears it will support up to four players also, though this time, when you're playing on Live, EALA has implemented use of the Live Vision camera, so you'll either see your opponents face or something you wish you didn't, even as you play. C&C 3 should ship in May.
Also coming up is another 360 release, Halo Wars. Honestly, little is known about the game, aside from that it's an RTS set in the Halo universe. Microsoft Game Studios and Ensemble (makers of the Age of Empires games) are putting it together.
tl:dr - BFME on the 360 is good, C&C 3 will be better, Halo Wars will be too.
Got any fond memories of any of the mentioned games? stoked about C&C or HW? Does this genre have a real future here? DISCUSS!
I've got an answer for you.
So, the RTS genre within the console universe. Where has it been, and where is it going now? As the thread title implies, we'll be taking a glance at the notable RTS games from wayyy back in the day, as well as what's current, and a couple of RTS games that are coming up.
Spoiled Preface, move on to the meat of the thread if you wish.
For the sake of purity, this thread will mostly include only the kind of RTS games where you can use RUSH!! tactics and such. This excludes games such as Pikmin or Battalion Wars, solid games with strategic elements, from the list. Keep that in mind if you have something to add.
Early years
Let's start at the beginning. Interestingly, the first game believed to have real RTS mechanics was, in fact, on a console. Herzog Zwei on the Genesis was, predictably, limited in it's functionality, but predates it's computer-based counterparts by 3 or more years.
From here, things get pretty thin for the next 10 or so years. Starcraft saw an N64 port (Brood Wars unlocked with Expansion Pak!), while Command & Conquer got that treatment and a PS1 port as well. They both functioned, but little else when compared to the definitive PC versions.
The last generation did indeed see a couple of examples of RTS games. Goblin Commander: Unleash the Horde was a little known game that actually saw release for every system. For the sake of playability, it seems they heavily simplified the formula. I haven't played the game myself, so anyone with experience is welcome to give me the low-down.
After this, we have Aliens vs. Predator: Extinction. Developed by Zono, Inc. and published by EA, this game is quite a departure from the typical use of the AvP license to make shooters (though it has seen a brawler game as well). In the same vein as PC RTS Ground Control, there's no resource gathering or structure building. This game's notable as tweaking the controls where it actually functioned very well. Unfortunately, the lack of multiplayer really hurt the game.
ATM
That brings us to the current generation. In 2006, Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-Earth 2 was released on the Xbox 360, and the Los Angeles EA studio made it really work. With clever use of the 360's controller, EALA brought the game to go consoles with very little compromise. Almost all of the commands are issued using the A button or the combination of it and another button. This makes it really easy to learn the controls, and learn them well enough to, dare I say, make it almost as playable as using mouse and keyboard.
They did take out a campaign mode of the single player in bringing the game to consoles, though they did threw in several multiplayer modes, giving 360s players an actually more broad multiplayer experience than the PC version provides.
The game itself is sort of a blend of Warcraft III and a Total War game. A lot of micro-management can go a long way, bringing the right troops for the right battle is a must, but there's a lot of really powerful hero units and other powers that make the game a bit over-the-top.
I DO have this game, got it recently, and I fully recommend it.
The Future
So what's on the horizon? EALA has another PC-to-360 port on the way, this time they bring us Command & Conquer 3. They're going to make some refinements to the controls, and like BFME 2, they're going to throw in extra multiplayer modes. For those interested, it appears it will support up to four players also, though this time, when you're playing on Live, EALA has implemented use of the Live Vision camera, so you'll either see your opponents face or something you wish you didn't, even as you play. C&C 3 should ship in May.
Also coming up is another 360 release, Halo Wars. Honestly, little is known about the game, aside from that it's an RTS set in the Halo universe. Microsoft Game Studios and Ensemble (makers of the Age of Empires games) are putting it together.
tl:dr - BFME on the 360 is good, C&C 3 will be better, Halo Wars will be too.
and I put way too much effort in this OP.
Got any fond memories of any of the mentioned games? stoked about C&C or HW? Does this genre have a real future here? DISCUSS!
Woodroez on
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Where's My Pikmin Wii!
edit: there was also a C&C remake on the N64, it was all 3D
I have high hopes for C&C3 but I really wish they would include a button to speedup/slowdown the cursor.
I probably didn't give the controls much of a chance really.
But EA is making me reconsider sometimes with some latest offerings.
PSN/XBL: dragoniemx
Overall, learning all the hotkeys on a keyboard and using a mouse would be faster, but if you work at it for a little while, you'll be fine. It's not like you're playing with people that DO have a KB&M anyway.
As for the Wii, I do see how that could work, definitely. To be honest, I would like to see some of the older games like StarCraft or Red Alert on it. EA could almost use some of the aspects of the 360's control scheme if they were to make one; the way the menu for commands pops up at the bottom of the screen when you hold the R trigger, except instead of dicking around with the d-pad, you can just point and click.
Although AVP Extinction was just horrible, controle-wise.
Now that was an awesome RTS by far one of the best console RTS ever released and it actually controlled really well.
surprising to say the least. but C&C 64 was also pretty good.
And I've been waiting for an RTS on the DS.
You might want to add Warlocked to the list. It was, believe it or not, a fairly solid RTS for the Game Boy Color. I played it, and was surprised at how well crafted it was.
I believe that the DS has a few RTS games coming up. I'm not positive, though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgghjMdOGms
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOhLtj3y2Kw
Edit - Heroes of Mana looks terrific. When's it out?
Blizzard had a poll about a year ago asking if people would be interested in Starcraft on the DS. Of course, everyone said yes. So it's probably not completely outside the realm of possibility.
other than that though i cant say i'm terribly interested in much out or on the horizon for console rts's.
Red Alert on the PS1 features Link Cable support, and I've played it as such, and it's awesome.
StarCraft 64 had the worst multiplayer of any RTS in the history of mankind, and I base that solely on the fact that it was split-screen. If you try and find a copy, good luck, since they're pretty rare and fetch a ridiculous price.
Steam / Bus Blog / Goozex Referral
Warlocked was excellent. Great multiplayer mode as well, and surprisingly deep for a GBC game. There was a lot of customization you could do with your army which carried over to multiplayer games.
I'm also extremely looking forward to Heroes of Mana, and really any RTS on the DS. It seems like such a good fit, in fact, I'd say it's probably the best suited system (aside from PC) for the genre. Touch screen would make everything so quick and simple if done correctly. Plus on the go playing could mean continuing an hour long skirmish in 5 minute bursts here and there, which would be awesome.
SteamID: FronWewq
Battle.net: Orange#1845
3DS Friend Code: 1289-9498-5797
Also, Mission Six of Crusades has one of the best angst speeches of all time.
http://steamcommunity.com/id/Cykstfc
O==((==RedKnight=---
The Settlers 2 is soon to be released on the Nintendo DS. For those who don't now, The Settlers is one of the most popular game franchises in Germany. The Settlers 2 is widley considered as the best in the series and was originally released in 1996. Read more about it here.
The hotseat mode was just such a blast back then, hopefully they'll implent online multiplayer in the DS version.
mouses won't work.
Sometimes, Microsoft only fucks itself. And not even on slow days.