Space, the final frontier. It has the ability to spark our imagination with an infinity of creative possibilities. It first made its presence in video games in one of gaming's earliest titles, Space Invaders. To this day, it remains a popular setting for games of every genre. Here are ten of the best strategy games that the setting has to offer.
Homeworld
Few real time strategy games contain the uniqueness offered by Homeworld. Even with gameplay that plays out in three dimensions and being the first RTS of its kind, it is the singularly well written narrative and accompanying gameplay mechanics that make it a memorable experience.
As you start the game, you can choose to play as either the Kushan or Taiidan fleets, both of whom seek out the planet of Hiigara, the ancient homeworld of both species. The planet from which you emerge is soon destroyed and your only choice is to venture far across the galaxy to find sanctuary at your destination. Along the way, you meet enigmatic alien races that either seek to help, or hinder your journey and uncover the mysteries of your species' past.
Fans of Battlestar Galactica will feel right at home with Homeworld in both its setting and frantic space combat.
Alpha Centauri
Released in 1999, Alpha Centauri is a thinking person's strategy game. Melding Civilization with the depth of subjects like philosophy, geopolitics and the customization of Master of Orion 2, Alpha Centauri is aeons better than its earthbound predecessor.
Alpha Centauri takes place in the Civilization universe after the advent of the Space Race victory in Civilization II, in which a shuttle travels to the distant solar system of Alpha Centauri to colonize the planet Chiron. Precursor aliens conducted experiments on the planet, leaving behind remnants of their civilization in the form of monoliths much akin to those in Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. During transit to the planet, the colonists split up into seven different ideological factions that serve as the game's civilizations. The player must choose one of the factions to lead it to dominance of Chiron and uncover the planet's secrets.
Starcraft
Starcraft is easily one of the most well known games ever made. With its popularity as a video game unsurpassed, it has become one of the biggest athletic phenomenons in Korea, which regularly broadcasts live matches across three separate TV channels for millions of viewers.
Though its single player campaign is memorable for its events, the heart of Starcraft lies within its multiplayer mode, which has been played by millions of players worldwide. Players choose between three unique races to play as: the bug-like Zerg; the alien Protoss; and the human Terrans, and engage in online skirmishes.
No other RTS, not even Blizzard's own Warcraft III has managed to surpass the competitive balance of Starcraft.
Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty
Sequel to the best known RTS of all time, Starcraft II is a strong contender for being one of the best real time strategy games ever made. With a lengthy single player campaign and an equally strong multiplayer mode, Starcraft II plans to take the competitive edge of Starcraft to the next level with its revamped Battle.net matchmaking service and forthcoming expansion packs.
Taking off after the events of the original Starcraft, players take on the role of Terran hero Jim Raynor as he seeks to liberate his fellow humans from the iron grip of the autocratic Terran Dominion. He meets up with old friends like the protoss Zeratul and makes new ones to aid him in the rebellion. He also learns that his love interest Kerrigan has plans of her own as the queen of the Zerg.
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X3: Reunion
Regarded as one of the most complicated games ever made, X3: The Reunion is part of the ongoing X Universe. Although designed as an open ended space trading game, X3 features lots of strategy , players are dropped right into the cockpit of a ship and are tasked to building a corporate empire that extends towards the far ends of the galaxy.
Although players can opt out of the game's strategic aspects to engage in its plot, the heart of X3 remains in its open ended setting and market driven economy.
Master of Orion 2
Designed as a 4X turn-based strategy game (explore, expand, exploit and exterminate), Master of Orion 2 is one of the genre's finest titles. Noted for its complex gameplay, Master of Orion 2 places its emphasis on the development of an alien civilization, through economic, technological and social development.
Players can choose between various predetermined races or design their very own race with a set of strengths and weaknesses. Players could even choose to design their own warships based on the technology they researched. All of these choices allowed for an extremely complicated game. Although complex, it always remained accessible through its well designed systems.
Sins of a Solar Empire
Sins of a Solar Empire is a real time strategy game that incorporates some aspects of the 4X genre. Featuring a scale larger than any other strategy game, Sins plays out in a 3D web of planets and other celestial objects where various space civilizations compete over dominance of a multitude of solar systems spanning several galaxies, linked together by wormholes.
Most of the game's social and technological aspects are simplified in contrast to Master of Orion 2 as the game places a heavier emphasis on its real time combat. The game is best played with a group of friends over many hours, and sessions can be saved to be resumed at a later date.
Galactic Civilizations 2
Sequel to the first Galactic Civilizations, GC2 is its superior in every way. As with other 4X games, your job is to dominate the galaxy planet by planet, through force, diplomacy, culture or technology. GC2 is highly notable for its AI, which plays according to the game's rules and poses a challenge to the player without cheating. It may surprise you to know that even the best strategy games out there give the AI a competitive edge.
It may also surprise you to know that Galactic Civilizations 2's backstory is based on a series of short stories written by its creator, Brad Wardell. While it's not exactly the most original setting, it provides an interesting backdrop for a great strategy game.
Star Wolves
Unlike the other games on this list, Star Wolves is smaller in scale, placing the player in control of a single squad of space ships piloted by different individuals. The combat takes the 3D spatial elements of Homeworld and mixes it in with Dragon Age's skill system--it's a tactical game with strong roleplaying elements.
Much like Dragon Age and numerous other RPGs, Star Wolves puts the player in charge of a small rag-tag band of mercenaries, taking on missions throughout the galaxy, while eluding (and staging raids on) the mega-corporations that seek to dominate known space.
EVE Online
EVE Online may be an MMO, but it's also the very definition of grand strategy. Every ship (excluding the AI) belongs to a player, and almost every event in the game is the result of player-made decisions rather than a predetermined storyline. While most players will not be able to decide upon the fate of the galaxy, the role they play within the grand strategies devised by the alliances and corporations is absolutely pivotal. And even if you don't want to play the game, you can always follow the events that take place through sites like reddit.com ( http://www.reddit.com/r/Eve/ ), which can be as entertaining as playing the game itself.