The early 2000s was somewhat of a golden age forstrategy games, specifically real-time strategy (RTS). Each year during that time period, new and improved strategy games kept innovating in the genre, further reinforcing the advantages of certain gaming platforms that favor the mouse and keyboard setup.
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RTS games and strategy as a genre, for that matter, arguably peaked in their early-2000s streak in 2002, with the advent of a certain game that placed Blizzard on a pedestal, more on that one later.Other strategy gamesrightfully followed suit and others carved their own path to greatness;their names will still be remembered 20 years on.
8Warlords Battlecry 2
Warlords Battlecry 2was one of the proponents and pioneers of theRTS/RPG hybrid gamesthat would combine the best parts of high fantasy settings. Players get to customize their favorite heroes and warriors and then promptly lead them in a strategic battle on a proportionally epic scale— at least one that’s allowed by the graphics engine.
Back then, it was one of the most underrated games of 2002 mainly because it was overshadowed by more ambitious 3D projects.Warlords Battlecry 2sadly had graphics reminiscent of the oldWarcraft 2games, making it feel more outdated in a gaming landscape that was quickly adapting to 3D.
7Disciples 2: Dark Prophecy
Similar toWarlords Battlecry 2,Disciples 2: Dark Prophecyis a hybrid strategy/RPG game though the other half of its gameplay is turn-based. Like mostother fantasy strategy gamesat the time,Disciples 2: Dark Prophecyfeatures four races or factions in a bid for dominance during a constant state of war.
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The races are humans, dwarfs, demons, and the undead, not quite unlike the mainstays of theWarhammer Fantasytabletop game. In any case, it was one of the more novel attempts to create something different— a faux adaptation of theWarhammertabletop games, and it was well-received back then.
6Heroes Of Might And Magic 4
A lot of the strategy/RPG hybrids owe a lot to theHeroes of Might and Magicseries since they practically laid the groundwork and template for the genre amalgam.Heroes of Might and Magic 4is a continuation of that tradition. It’s a game with simple graphics and a deep strategic gameplay layer.
This time around, players and their heroes aremore involved in combatand can even attack or be killed. The RPG element of the game was a lot more emphasized here with players getting a more progressive level of hero customization compared to older games.
5Age Of Wonders 2: The Wizard’s Throne
Age of Wonders 2: The Wizard’s Thronedidn’t stop at heroes when it came to the RPG part of their hybrid game. It also involved empire-building and customization, making it seem like a fantasy version of theCivilizationgames. There are many facets of gameplay here, though combat takes place in aturn-based format.
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Also, due to the nature and scope of the game, the developers had to settle for 2D or 2.5D graphics. In this game, players assume the role of a powerful wizard in their own tower as they fight other wizards for control and domination. For a game released in 2002, a lot of players consider this one ahead of its time as it takes into consideration certain strategic and tactical factors such as morale, fatigue, and physics.
4Medieval: Total War
Speaking of being ahead of its time,Medieval: Total Warwas a title that would eventually lead to one of the most successful strategy game lineups over the decades. It’s Creative Assembly’ssecondTotal Wargameand back then, this was a good flex and benchmarking tool for the best computers.
It had 3D graphics and presented field battles on a jaw-dropping and realistic scale. So at the time, it was a technological marvel. Well, mostTotal Wargames even to this day are considered technological marvels in the gaming industry. It’s just thatMedieval: Total Warraised the banner high, and it’s still waving to this day.
3Combat Mission: Barbarossa To Berlin
Here’s a World War 2 title as a counterbalance for all the fantasy outings here. Despite being generally overshadowed by a more popular RTS genre,Combat Mission: Barbarossa to Berlinwas a masterpiece for history and World War 2 buffs. It’s a turn-based simulation of World War 2 combat, which was ambitious.
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Because back then, most games involving World War 2 were staged and scripted FPS titles. This unique angle and take on World War 2 covers the Eastern Front of the war, involving Germany’s initial victories over the Soviet Union and the latter’s eventual landslide retaliation; such an angle for World War 2 isn’t exactly commonly covered.
2Age Of Mythology
Age of Mythology,commonly referred to as the fantasy version ofAge of Empireswas Ensemble Studios' answer to the growing popularity of the fantasy genre. How’d it fare? It was every bit as good and iconic as its historical counterpart. For some, it’s even better since it added more tactical and strategic layers due to magic and the involvement of mythological gods.
Age of Mythologymostly covers various myths from Troy to Atlantis and of course, the dysfunctional hosts of Olympus are involved as well. Egyptian and Norse mythology are also added to the fray. Needless to say, it was one of the unique takes on fantasy RTS.
1Warcraft 3: Reign Of Chaos
When Blizzard failed to secure the license to makeWarhammer Fantasyvideo games, they created their own similar universe, and this universe reached its peak inthe RTS genreduringWarcraft 3: Reign of Chaos. Ironically,Warcraftgrew even much bigger thanWarhammerwithReign of Chaosserving as a launching pad for more gigantic projects, such asWorld of Warcraft.
Warcraft 3was Blizzard at its most masterful in game design. It had everything back then. The most epic cinematic cutscenes in gaming? Check. 3D graphics? Check. E-Sports level gameplay? Check and check. The lore was, for the most part, a bit too reminiscent ofWarhammer Fantasy, butit held on its own and went on to fuel the most successful MMORPG ever.
