The Best RTS...

[KungKras]

Kenny said:

KungKras said:

Kenny said:
This thread got derailed fast... Oh well, I'm going to throw in a name that fairly few will recognize: Total Annihilation. This RTS predated Starcraft, but was in many ways far more advanced and complex (3D graphics, Newtonian physics, economic system, etc). In fact, TA was a game that made SC, and most other contemporary strategy games look like Real Time Tactics, rather than Real Time Strategy games.

I was waiting for Total Anihilation to be mentioned. Having a best RTS discussion without mentioning TA as a contender would be a shame.

I've observed that while Starcraft's memory has endured, Total Annihilation has all but vanished from the collective memory of RTS gamers.  Even its spiritual successor, Supreme Commander, never seemed to reach the fame that Starcraft managed, despite sharing the same acronym :P  The greater irony is, Starcraft managed its lasting fame by being less complex and more accessible (read: less 'hardcore') than TA, which has left it imprinted in the collective memory of RTS gamers as _the_ 'hardcore' RTS game.  Weird, huh?

As I said earlier, Starcraft was bashed for being too simple and being 2D by critics in PC magazines and the like. Still, Starcraft proved to not only be accessible, but to also have insane depth in it's gameplay that kept players playing. Its low barrier of entry made people think it was a "Causal" RTS. But in the end, it's subtle depth and how it rewarded skill made it THE competitive RTS and thus the most "Hardcore". It is pretty ironic :)

TA's barrier of entry was probably a bit higher due to the game being complex. Same with Supreme commander. I have played it, and it's awesome. But it confused the shit out of me the first times I played it. Supreme commander definately deserves more sales. And so did Total Anihilation.