Never played an RTS game before.

I have never played an RTS game.

What game is most likey to impress me and draw me into the genre? (rather than turn me away.)

At the same time though, it can't be too difficult.

Warcraft 3 is an older RTS, but is the most popular one right now. It may take a little getting used to, as when you start off first there will be a lot of pros who will make quick work of you. But you can find non-1v1 matches so you have (a) partner(s) to help you. Other ones I'd recommend are Age of Empire 3 and Warhammer 40000: Dawn of War 2. Depending on your specs, you may not be able to play the latter.

My top recommendation is Company of Heroes. The graphics and production values are top notch. That, and it eases you in. It gradually gets more difficult, though.

If you like RPGs, you should try Warcraft III. There are hero units that level up, which is a nice touch. The difficulty isn't that bad. It's from Blizzard, so the presentation is nice.

Those are the "easiest", yet most enjoyable ones I can think of.

WarCraft 3.

Well there are differences in the genre.

Warcraft3 - Classic, simple tactics some base building

Company of Heroes - Complex Tactics, minimal building

Sins of a Solar Empire - Slower paced, make the right choice is more important than fast clicking.

Supreme Commander - Massive. Massive basses, Massive Armies.

I would try company of heroes. The campaign is not very hard, but it is extremely fun. Then if you are ready for a good challenge you can play online. I dont play a lot of RTS games, but COH is great

Command & Conquer The First Decade. I got it to try and get into RTS games, and I love it. Out-dated graphics, not to complex, and insanely addicting. Also, it has an objective-based FPS in it, Command & Conquer Renegade.

Ok... I'll give Company of Heroes a go.

Warcraft 3 looks a bit too... "warcraftish" to me. :P

Thanks.

Have you tried Empire Total war or Medieval 2 Total War? Pretty epic battles, though not sure if they're RTS.

I'd say it would be better to start with a more classic RTS, Age of Empires 2, the place where I started, I still play it time to time.

Since you are new i recommend red alert 3. It might not be the best rts but is easy, has a good difficulty curve line, has extensive easy tutorial and is a good game

Although you are going for CoH I would still say Warcraft 3, in case you change your mind. Warcraft 3 has pretty simple learning cureve to be playic at a basic level and even if you don't like the gameplay, the campaign mode is pretty interesting and pretty nicely presented naval

I'll give the demo a go.

As for the other recommendations... I can't try them all! :x :P ... well... maybe I can. I'll take a look (See what's cheap.)

Thanks.

World in Conflict is a good choice. Also Dawn of War 2

Age of Empires 3 would be a good beginner.

If you cant run dow 2 like me try world in conflict (no base building) Company of heroes (more ppl playing and base building)

Warcraft 3, Dawn of War and Dawn of War 2.

I would start with one of C&C games, some of the best are red alert 1& 2, C&C3, and Generals Zero Hour. Out of all those Generals has to be my favourite game.

As some people have mentioned World in Conflict, and Age of Empires(all of them) are great too.

Company of Hero's totally isn't a noob game in my opinion its more involved then most classic rts's.

Warcraft 2~

warcraft 3 is cheap and awesome! you can get reign of chaos + frozen throne for really cheap

Go buy Starcraft. I know its old, the graphics aren't the best, but thats the definition of RTS.