Looking for an RTS

So with the likely launch of the first Starcraft II game this year, I've been looking at RTS's trying to find one to get into until then. I've looked at the more recent games and have a problem with pretty much all of them.

Sins of a Solar Empire - battles... are... too... long.

Empire: Total War - Not a fan of the setting. Also seems like there are too few unit types

WH40K:DOW2 - Stupid SP campaign that doesn't match the gameplay of MP. I would like a game who's SP prepares me for MP.

C&C:RA3 - Always hated the graphical style and campy cutscenes of this entire series.

World in Conflict - Actually leaning toward this game right now. I find the contemporary, real-life units and settings to be a little boring, but I love the gameplay and the graphics aren't bad either.

Anything you can suggest? Did I get some things wrong or count a game out too soon? I've never been a hardcore RTS player. I'd like something with a decent tutorial and SP campaign to help get me up to speed. SciFi/Fantasy settings preferred, but a realistic setting is ok if the gameplay is interesting.

theres no pleasing a man hooked on the blizzard entertainment lovin... this would be like asking sumone to recommend a game like lost vikings without it being a clone.

So with the likely launch of the first Starcraft II game this year, I've been looking at RTS's trying to find one to get into until then. I've looked at the more recent games and have a problem with pretty much all of them.

Sins of a Solar Empire - battles... are... too... long.

Empire: Total War - Not a fan of the setting. Also seems like there are too few unit types

WH40K:DOW2 - Stupid SP campaign that doesn't match the gameplay of MP. I would like a game who's SP prepares me for MP.

C&C:RA3 - Always hated the graphical style and campy cutscenes of this entire series.

World in Conflict - Actually leaning toward this game right now. I find the contemporary, real-life units and settings to be a little boring, but I love the gameplay and the graphics aren't bad either.

Anything you can suggest? Did I get some things wrong or count a game out too soon? I've never been a hardcore RTS player. I'd like something with a decent tutorial and SP campaign to help get me up to speed. SciFi/Fantasy settings preferred, but a realistic setting is ok if the gameplay is interesting.

zaphod_b

Your a picky son of a gun, aren't you? If you haven't tried it, Company of Heroes? That's all I can think of right now.

I already played the first DOW. I liked it a lot but never got too far with it; got distracted with other stuff. I'm downloading the COH demo now and will compare that to WIC. I'll probably end up buying one of those. I would have liked some epic sci-fi carnage, but I guess that will have to wait for SC2! ;)

You could also try Universe at War, but it's supposedly somewhat medicore.

You could also try Universe at War, but it's supposedly somewhat medicore.

Phoenix534

Rather than create a whole new topic, I have a question about World In Conflict I hope someone could answer while we're on the subject of RTS's. Is there a difference graphically between the demo and the full version? I've seen some videos of WIC that look absolutely sick, but on my rig with everything maxed, it looks good but I think some videos I've seen have looked better. I'm thinking maybe the demo ships with lower-res textures.

Rig:

Gigabyte P35-DS3L (think that's it)

E8400 @3.0Ghz

4GB 1066 RAM

1GB Sapphire HD4870

Some OEM 7200 RPM SATA HDD

If you don't mind old games, try Myth 1-2.

I agree with other posters. Try Company of Heroes. An excellent RTS. Relic really did an outstanding job.

It took me a while to get the grip of it at first, but it was well worth it.

Played the tutorials on the COH demo and I am really liking the setting as well as the cover and facing systems. I will play through the demo campaign, but I think I like it more than WIC right now. We probably have a winner, but I am going to check out Universe at War also. Thanks for the help folks.