Update and Games for the Strategist

Just a quick update and some suggestions for fans of the strategy genre.

The next series of posts I'll be working on are going to be in the "Suggested Reading (Comics Edition)" vein. For each, I'll take the top five runs for the following titles:

Spider-Man (this may have a few iterations, but I'll do a general post at first)
Scarlet Spider
Venom
Carnage
Batman
X-Men (this may turn into a Wolverine run, but we'll see)
And more, I'll go through some of my boxes and see what series/characters I've grown fond of.

I'll also do a Sci-Fi and Fantasy novel version, but those will be after I finish of the comic run.


Now, for the strategy game suggestions. I'll do one per console until I get to PC.

X-Box 360: Civilization Revolution (also on PS3 and PC): Revolution is a more streamlines and slightly watered down version of a Civilization title. I own Revolution, 4, and 5 and I love all of them equally. For a console strategy game, this is an amazing title; it is quick to pick up, easy to learn, and still challenging. It also makes a great introduction to the Civilization universe -- it's easy enough to learn and promotes the "one more turn" mentality that will absorb you. I still play all of them and love having Revolution on my 360 for easy access and control.
PS3: Record of Agarest War(also on X-Box 360): I've heard you don't need to play the first one if you get Zero, but I've yet to test that out. This game is a SRPG with a Japanese dating sim twist; as you progress in the story, you choose a bride that determines your heir through the several generations the story covers). I found it slightly simpler in gameplay than other SRPGs, but the story held up and I really enjoyed the character collection aspect.
Wii: Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance/Radiant Dawn (the first is actually a GameCube title): If you have no played Fire Emblem before, you are missing out. It has large tactical battles, sweeping storylines, and in depth character recruitment. It also features permanent deaths -- this can be scary, but it makes you have to play that much more carefully. If you have played Fire Emblem, these two are great titles in the series and I really can't suggest the enough.
3DS/DS: Devil Survivor: Overclocked (The non-overclocked verision and sequel are for the DS): I find that the 3DS/DS have a lot of goot strategy titles. One of my absolute favorites is this title. It has a Shin Megami Tensei story, grid based battles, mild character recruitment, and amazing demon collection. It plays like a regular SRPG on the battle map, but battles actually take place in a traditional RPG turn based format with up to 3 on 3 character battles. It also has a high amount of replay value, something that other titles lack.
Vita/PSP: Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together: I still don't own a PSV title, so I'm adding a PSP title I own digitally for this list. And by PSP title, I mean an updated version of an older title (PlayStation/Sega Saturn). All that aside, it is an amazing SRPG and one of my absolute favorites. This one is all about the story, but it doesn't let you down in the post-game either. Branching storylines, interesting characters, and massive tiered levels for those that want the marathon sprint. This is a must own for any strategy fan.

For the PC, I have enjoyed a lot of strategy titles, and the genre is really diverse. I'll list the one I'm playing most recently and possibly do a PC game list down the road.

PC: Crusader Kings 2: This is a slightly different take on taking over the old world. If you've played either of the Total War: Medieval titles, you're familiar with having to take over/survive a massive map through, you guessed it, total war. In Crusader Kings 2, war is only one way to expand your kingdom, and can be one of the most difficult. In CK2, you take the role of a specific character instead of a country. You have relationships with your family, your vassals, your courtiers, and everyone else in the world. When that character dies, you become your heir. If there is no heir or county left under your control, you lose. You expand your kingdom through intrigue, marriage, or war. You can't, however, declare war whenever you want. You have to have a claim (fabricated or otherwise) on the territory you want to control. And then you have to deal with the fallout of having to raise an army and pay for it, and how others view you for going to war (good, bad, or ugly). The game has layers upon layers of strategy and yet isn't that hard to pick up and play. I won't say it's my favorite strategy game on PC, but it is one I have really been enjoying. The one thing it lacks in comparison to the Total War games, however, is that combat is very basic and takes place on the overworld; you don't control the individual units. Even so, a phenomenal game.

That's all for now, keep an eye out for more suggested reading. Also, if you have any desire to see a "suggested reading" on a given topic/series, just let me know!

My Favorite Games

Howdy Folks,

Decided to do a write up of my favorite video games of all time, in the order that I remember them.

Note: some of these are ripe with nostalgia.

General Chaos: This was an awesome game to play with a friend. You control a group of units and try to keep them in the best positions on the map to attack the enemy teams. Goofy dialogue and art, but I loved every minute of it. If you every play it, go with the Two Man squad, it's much easier to maneuver than the Four Man squads, and maneuverability is clutch in the game.

The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time: This game needs no introduction, but for me it is one of the few titles (and series) I will come back to Nintendo to play. I purchased my first Wii just to play this game. Sold it when I finished, too. Currently have the 3DS version and am very happy with it. This game goes above and beyond nostalgia even now.

If you haven't played it, I suggest picking it up and finding a nice guide -- it's not difficult, but if you're not starting with nostalgia lenses, it can be hard to get to the parts of the game that really make it awesome.

Star Wars: Rogue Squadron: One of my absolute favorite Star Wars games. The first two were awesome, I disliked Naboo and never got around to playing the 3rd. I'd love a new version to come out, though I know flying/spaceship games aren't for everyone. I spent a lot of hours playing this game growing up, though I imagine it wouldn't hold up too well today.

Star Wars: Battlefront: These titles are easily my favorite Star Wars games in all of creation. Both 1 and 2 (never cared for the handheld versions) were amazing in their own ways. I consistently tweet at Lucas Arts to make a 3rd one. A Battelfront done with an updated engine (say, the Battlefield 3 Engine) would be the epitome of a dream come true for me. This will be the only shooter on my list, and I feel that it is appropriate.

Final Fantasy Tactics: This game is, to me, the Strategy Role Playing Game, which is above and beyond my favorite genre. It's like mixing Chess with an RPG, or making a Board Game with a story, and I love it. Most SRPGs done in this vein could be put up on this list, but for now I'm comfortable with FFT standing as the representative. I enjoy Final Fantasy games enough, but Tactics, Tactics Advance, and X are the only ones I've played to completion. I enjoyed all of them along the way.

Fallout: Fallout 3 and New Vegas are two of my favorite games of all times. I own 1, 2 and Tactics, but I haven't had the patience to go back and enjoy them as I rightly should. I love Open World games, games where you make your own characters, and games where you choose the path the story will take. Add a post apocalyptic theme, and you've got my name all over it. I really hope the do not choose to make Fallout into the next MMO title, I would mourn the loss of the series.

There are more titles that I've really enjoyed, but I'll save them for a later post -- I've played a lot of games. For now, I'll post a list of honorable mentions that don't have any representation above and may, at a later date, go into more detail about them.

Honorable Mentions:
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (Love these games and they deserve their own post)
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows (Open world Spidey with a decent selection of enemies/costumes [Wii Version Only, Current Gen have no costumes])
Pokemon (Favorite is Red version, but I've played every generation)
Civilization (Love Revolution, IV, and V)
Batman: Arkham City/Asylum (Super hero game done right)
inFamous (An awesome super hero game with its own world and characters. That should be done more)
Resident Evil (I stop at 4, personally, but to each their own)
Dragon Age (Great new fantasy world, KotOR gameplay, awesome!)
Mass Effect (Great new Sci-Fi world, eclectic gameplay, but that ending, arg!)
Golden Sun (One of my favorite Hand-Held series, great story)
Shin Megami Tensei (Slowly building my library of these, they are interesting, fun, and difficult)

Need to Play/Finish:
Metal Gear Solid (Own HD Collection and 4, still haven't found the time to get used to the gameplay)
Chrono Trigger (Enjoyable story, so far)
Final Fantasy 7 (Waiting for Vita to get PS1 compatibility)
Witcher (Looks interesting)

Coming Up:
Pokemon Conquest (Mixing Pokemon and STRPGs!? I can imagine few things better!)


That's all for now!