Games similar to FE?

from Elemental Forums

I'm relatively new to turn-based strategy games, having played only Civilization V and Total War Shogun 2. At the risk of sounding like a complete hipster, these games bore me, though Total War to a lesser extent. My problem with Civ is its claim how it's based on real history yet the map is randomly generated and the AI for the leaders don't necessarily fall in line with what any of them might do in a similar situation. Perhaps I have no room to be so choosy as a newbie to the genre, but either way I've got a few requests in searching for similar but better games. I'm gonna list this roughly in order of importance.

1. Above all I would like to see a nice, clean, intuitive UI. All useful info, but no clutter.
2. NO SCI-FI. Perhaps once I get more into the genre I'll try out some of those, but for now I'd prefer to stick to fantasy or historical.
3. I want something complex, but not to a daunting degree such as Crusaders King II. I'm kinda looking for a playable board game. That's how I view the TBS genre, anyhow.
4. I want something recent. This part is OPTIONAL, because obviously a good game is a good game. I'm just into pretty graphics where possible. :) 
5. I want some really good AI. Not something that will kill me because it's so smart and not something that needs to rely on crippling me/enhancing AI. All I want is a fair challenge.
6. This one is a little more petty and optional, but it's the kinda thing that can separate a good game from a great one: I want a game with a nice presentation. Clean and readable font style that is nevertheless different from something as boring as Arial or Times New Roman.

Sorry for being so specific but hopefully that can help anyone who's willing to answer. Thanks if you do take the time to help. :D

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Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top


Warlock Master of Arcane is quite new very similar. It doesn't have tactical combat but the combat on the strategy map is very deep. Armageddon DLC is exceptionally well done (but very difficult) and I'd recommend it along with the main game.

If you don't mind older stuff Age of Wonder series, HOMM 3 & 5 (don't get the new one 6, it is HORRIBLE,) and of course, Master of Magic, the grandfather that started the whole genre, and is still IMO the undefeated champion.

 

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting ed98027, reply 1


Warlock Master of Arcane is quite new very similar. It doesn't have tactical combat but the combat on the strategy map is very deep. Armageddon DLC is exceptionally well done (but very difficult) and I'd recommend it along with the main game.

If you don't mind older stuff Age of Wonder series, HOMM 3 & 5 (don't get the new one 6, it is HORRIBLE,) and of course, Master of Magic, the grandfather that started the whole genre, and is still IMO the undefeated champion.

 

I've played HOMM 1 & 2. 1 was decent, but 2 is so much better. I don't plan on playing HOMM 3 because of the more realistic graphic style. I prefer the charm of the second game, really. I do need to play Master of MAgic and Age of Wonder, though.

As for Warlock... tried the demo and I wasn't 100% sold on the concept, but that's not to say I'd never buy it. Maybe someday.

I think my issue is I want some games where combat isn't a huge concern and it's more about the exploring end. Ideally, I want 4 or 5 highly replayable games where each one is different enough from the other that I could keep playing each of them and not feel they're the same game.

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Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

ed got the closest ones. Warlock: MoA is probably your best bet that fits your criteria. The UI is great, the 4 races are fun, combat mechanics are easily understood (a lot like Fantasy Wars or the Elven Legacy series) and plays like a board game. The AI isn't exactly a supreme genius though. It was really horrible when it was first released, but they actually attempt to attack you now. The Armageddon DLC makes the game challenging and quite fun.

 

The Age of Wonders and Heroes of Might & Magic series are probably my favorite games of all time. Age of Wonders (1,2 and Shadow Magic) are probably closer to FE than HoMM is.

In HoMM you don't get to found cities and in the tactical battles you have stacks of units instead of individual ones. HoMM 3 is generally considered to be the "best" of the series, although the rest of them each have their merits. I wouldn't recommend 6 because of the ubiDRM and because the AI is so poor, they had to give the AI an exponential army growth bonus that you can't turn off so if you wait more than a few months on any map (70 or so in-game turns), you're basically screwed. It makes the game impossible for "completionist" gamers like me who like to grab every resource and claim every mine and do every quest.

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

Warlock: Master of the Arcane - GREAT UI, very good game

CIV IV - the king of turn based gaming

In beta and based on the great game (Eador: Genesis) http://www.snowbirdgames.com/eador/?lang=en

If you didnt rule out sci-fi then I would say XCOM

When you are ready for the most complex tbs and no longer care about graphics (just depth) then go for Dominions 3. 

Kings Bounty series - I love this. Its not tbs, but it is in the spirit of Heroes of Might and Magic (actually HoMM is based on an OLD version of Kings Bounty)

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

Don't forget WARLORDS III and IV ;) Really great beer and pretzels type game but still right there with Master of Magic as the great grandpappy of fantasy strategy games. ;)

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

Fall from Heaven 2 (its a mod for Civ 4, but its better than Civ 4 and from the designer Derek/Kael, who did FE; as a caveat the AI is not optimal and it has stacks of doom, but bringing Hell to entire world is fun)

Reply #7 from Elemental Forums Top

@Willie Sanderson - Warlords III = YES Warlords IV = FAIL. You will hardly find a more cheating AI than in Warlords IV.

Reply #8 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting joasoze, reply 7
@Willie Sanderson - Warlords III = YES Warlords IV = FAIL. You will hardly find a more cheating AI than in Warlords IV.

I love the AI in Warlords IV especially after patch 1.05a. You really have to play a mean game os strategy and tactics to win. I see nothing wrong with that. ;)