RTS game for a gamer totally new to RTSs.

I have a friend of mine who's only RTS he's ever played is AOE2 (maybe), he didn't like it and complained it was to complicated.

He asked me to find a RTS for him to get into because he'd like to give them another chance. So was wondering if some of you guys could recomend a RTS. It has to be:

Very noobie friendly. Very.

Decent SP w/ good story. He's into mostly RPGs.

At least some kind of MP.

I suggested CoH, but I've only played the demo and not sure how noobie friendly it is online. He also just found out his computer can only barely run it.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

Command and Conquer Red Alert 2 would get my vote here, maybe the new one but what you say suggests that it wont run if it can not play Company of Hero's. C&C Generals is a bit like Age of Empire so it may not be the best for this person.

Have you considered non war rts games such as Transport Tycoon (very old but very fun), Theme Hospital (again, its quite old but a laugh a minute and quite in depth), and Rollercoaster Tycoon (a great game, very addictive if you get into it).

CoH isn't very newbie friendly. Dawn of War has the same style of gameplay, but isn't nearly as complicated, so I'd say at least let him try that first. Other than that, World in Conflict and WarCraft III are both easy to get into, and have excellent multiplayer.ProudLarry

Not newbie friendly eh. Dang. He didn't seem to like the style of DoW, WiC would destroy him computer, and WC3 I have and will probably let him play but he wants a newer game.

[QUOTE="ProudLarry"]CoH isn't very newbie friendly. Dawn of War has the same style of gameplay, but isn't nearly as complicated, so I'd say at least let him try that first. Other than that, World in Conflict and WarCraft III are both easy to get into, and have excellent multiplayer.Gimli524

Not newbie friendly eh. Dang. He didn't seem to like the style of DoW, WiC would destroy him computer, and WC3 I have and will probably let him play but he wants a newer game.

Any of the Command and Conquer games would be perfect for a beginner. My personal favourite is Red Alert 2, but Command and Conquer 3 is the most current.

Command and Conquer was one of the games that defined the RTS genre and C&C has never really deviated from its original formula. If you want RTS basics, C&C is a perfect place to look.

It's easy as hell and it's one of the few RTS series that's packing a genuinely good campaign.

From there, I'd suggest he move onto something like Dawn of War or Company of Heroes, with a little Total War or Sins of a Solar Empire thrown in.

I can understand Starcraft being complicated, because I've seen non-PC gamers trying to play it and I never want to do so again. Warcraft 3 is not so bad, but the hero system usually gets to the real newbies. In contrast, AoE 2 was not that complicated.... it's probably one of the more simpler RTSs i've played and the noobs i've met quickly grasp the mechanics. perhaps by complicated you meant something else (like difficulty). the overall concepts are straightforward. the resources are easy to gather, the buildings' names are pretty self-explanatory, and the only "complicated" part i would imagine is the Tech tree and special units of different civilizations. to win a standard game, that's a different story and may take a while, because you need experience in order to learn to manage your economy, build an army, and research/upgrade all in real time.

anyway, i would recommend Red Alert or Red Alert 2 (one resource, streamlined building/training menu) , but seeing how you want a newer game, go for Tiberium Wars. to me it seems to be the most recent newbie friendly war-themed RTS.

I'll talk to him about C&C.

He's really into heavy fantasy games, besides the mentioned games any suggestions with that in mind?

I'll talk to him about C&C.

He's really into heavy fantasy games, besides the mentioned games any suggestions with that in mind?

Gimli524

Age of Mythology is a pretty great fantasy RTS.

[QUOTE="Gimli524"]

I'll talk to him about C&C.

He's really into heavy fantasy games, besides the mentioned games any suggestions with that in mind?

mfsa

Age of Mythology is a pretty great fantasy RTS.

if he didnt like AOE 2 than he probably wont like this either.

Speaking from experience, I've recently been introduced to C&C Generals and picking it up fairly quickly. Just inform him on how to build things and he's fine.

EDIT: Particularly Zero Hour, as the superweapons are kinda noobish (ie. Nuke Generals)

I would like to add that as a RTS-retard the only RTS game I have ever liked is Warhammer: Mark of Chaos. No resource units, not a lot of micromanaging and the campaign is pretty fun. I'm not sure how the online is since I have been way to embarassed of my lack of ability to try it.

Company of Heroes is a great game but I had a tough time following it, and multiplayer CoH is TERRIBLE for a RTS noob. It's brutal. Dawn of War is a little bit better. Though I still got my ass kicked, I had a bit better grasp of what was going on than in CoH.

I would actually not recommend any of the recent RTS games. Many of those incorporate extra features and such that can make the game a bit more complicated for an RTS noob. If you want to give him a good foundation, go old school and get him one of the following: a) Warcraft II battle.net edition (Warcraft III would be too advanced with the hero usage). b) Command and Conquer Red Alert 2 (you might have to settle for Command and Conquer the first decade or go on ebay) c) Starcraft battle chest All of these are advanced enough that he doesn't feel like you left him in RTS stone age. Also, they all contain very good story campaigns. In the case of Warcraft II and Starcraft, they do a good job of limiting unit usage through the campaign so you can get seriously familiar with each unit and how to operate the game.-ArchAngeL-777-

I have to agree with this guy. :)

i don't think anyone has mentioned LotR: BfME (battle for middle-earth) 1 & 2. i've only played the first one a bit, but it seems pretty basic compared to most RTSs i've played. it seems like there is less resource gathering involved and there aren't dozens of different units to choose from. it might be a good choice and BfME 1 shouldn't be too taxing on your friend's computer.

z

Any C&C except Generals.

Any Dawn of War.

Avoid anything by Blizzard or your friend will never want to play on-line again.

The guys on this string are spot on.

Warcraft III and the Dawn of War series would be the best option for a starting point into RTS as they display the finest of the genre within their gameplay. However a further option to consider would be either The Total War series and Warhammer Mark of Chaos just to keep in the back of one's head.