I really like HOMM (3 more than 5) and want to play other turn-based strategy games in the same mold. What else is out there while I wait for HOMM6? Not really interested in RTS, and I don't have the patience to get into the Civ series (and I like HOMM's building-combat balance better).

The Disciples series is something you should try, Disciples 2 in particular. A very good TBS, deep dark "atmosphere", fascinating music and art. It's not better than HoMM III IMO, but it certainly is a great game nontheless. I recommend playing the original (Disciples 2 - Dark Prophecy) and then the main expansion (Rise of the Elves - it's stand-alone, provides a new faction and creatures). There are two more expansions, but they're only mission packs, in other words - money suckers. If you're interested anyway - their names are "Guardians of the Light" and "Servants of the Dark".
Age of Wonders 2 is another good fantasy TBS, it's only problem is that it kinda gets slow after 50-60 turns if you play against more than 4-5 AIs.
The Total War series - Shogun, Medieval 1, Rome and Medieval 2 are all half-TBS, half RTSs and IMO some of the most obsessive games ever made.
If you're fond of classics and don't mind bad graphics - try Panzer General too.

I haven't played but i heard that Etherlords is a good game. I recommendate Disciples II - nice game. Not like HMM V but good. Also turn-based.

Etherlords is very good and Disciples2 is "really" good! With all the add-ons it has, it will keep you busy for months.
That and H3 would be my 2 favs.

I will echo support for Disciples II and AOW II (and their expansions.) I doubt many will agree with me, but I found Lords of Magic: Special Edition to be a good TBS. Right now Heroes V is my favourite, though. It's breathed new life into the fantasy branch of the genre. I've never tried Etherlords.

Etherlords just this crazy fun combat system!

I'd like to pint out that there is a Disciples 2 gold edition featuring the whole game which comes pretty affordable. This is certainly a good buy.
Furthermore, for Age of Wonders you should go for AoW - Shadow Magic (nothing else).
I'd try Etherlords I - it's cheap and a complete game while II is not (!). I agree that Etherlords' combat system is fun. I found the game not that easy as well.
With the golden age of turn-based strategy games being long over it's not easy nowadays - but thankfully there is the Dosbox and there is abandonware!
You may want to try Fantasy General and - of COURSE - the great Master of Magic, both available as a free download, with the latter being the holy grail of all fantasy-based strategy games (and I suppose that everyone is interested in Stardock's MoM 2 which won't be called this way due to them not reaching an agreement with Sony, I think, who owns the name rights, but if anyone of the current developers will be able to pull that one off than it's peobably Stardock).

Wow, Fantasy General, there's a blast from the past! But it and Star General and Panzer General 1 and 2 are all great.

I never got into AoW much. I found it too easy to use the auto combat and too tedious to do it manually, so I got bored with it.

And yes, for D2, get the entire pack. You'll see that a turn-based strategy "can" be made with excellent graphics and still run great. It has never crashed on me.

You can also get an emulator for next to nothing and play things like "Ogre Battle". To me, that's where this whole series of Heroes/Disciples type games, started from.

Speaking of Fantasy General, this game is supposed to be an updated version of that game. I'm thinking about picking it up as I loved FG.

Fantasy Wars


Two others I am anxiously anticipating are Disciples 3 and King's Bounty: The Legend.
I really wish they would announce when they plan on releasing them already.

Fantasy Wars looks a bit more like a Warhammer style game from the pics. It's hard waiting for D3, I agree. I'm worried their getting a little too heavy on system requirements though. D2 was great and didn't need a high-end system.

quote:

Originally posted by JarkaRuus:
Fantasy Wars looks a bit more like a Warhammer style game from the pics.

In the fact that it looks real-time? I can see that, but I assure you it is a turn-based game.

It is turn-based and it's more or less a fantasy version of Panzer General. Nothing "original", so to speak.

No, I meant by the look of the units. There's big groups of them in the pics. In Fantasy General, it's stacks, like Heroes is.
Turn-based is the only way I like it! (as far as games go that is )

quote:

Originally posted by Xenofex_086:
It is turn-based and it's more or less a fantasy version of Panzer General. Nothing "original", so to speak.

Being that, and I agree with Jolly Joker on this one, the golden age of turn-based strategy games is long over, I really don't expect or care about originality. I'm just thrilled that companies still make turn-based games and as long as I have fun, it could be a remake of a remake of a remake for all I care.

Masters Of Orion 2, Ascendancy, Ultimas, Lords of the Relm, and King's Bounty.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll check them out. I wonder why the age of turn-based is long over, though? I understand that RTS keeps the pace up, but I really like being able to think through my choices rather than focus on mashing buttons faster than my opponent.

Interestingly enough Lords of Magic Special Edition arrived in my mailbox today, we'll see. I remember trying lom at the time it came out and losing interest quickly. Maybe now that I'm more grown up it will be fun.

Does it have to be fantasy? because there are plenty of space based turn based games.

Also, I'd make an argument for the rpg Wizardry 8 being similar to a strategy game, but maybe that's just because I'm playing it right now. It requires careful planning/preparation and some tactical thought. It's 95% combat and a great combat system at that.

Speaking of "space-based" strategy games and "Master of Orion".

I strongly disagree about Master of Orion 2; in my opinion very clearly the first Master of Orion is worlds better - a very strong contender for best game ever.
The reason for this is very clear and very simple: The original Master of Orion MINIMIZED the amount of micro-management necessary to play the game; everything was streamlined for smooth gaming, while all elements that make strategy games great were there. As a further note I might add that space combat would work exactly the same way than later in Heroes of Might and Magic: STACK-BASED.

Master of Orion 2 did exactly the opposite: it MAXIMIZED micro-management AND went to individual-ship-combat, clearly a step back at that time.

Master of Orion is abandonware as well, by the way!

quote:

Originally posted by PhoenixReborn06:
Also, I'd make an argument for the rpg Wizardry 8 being similar to a strategy game, but maybe that's just because I'm playing it right now. It requires careful planning/preparation and some tactical thought. It's 95% combat and a great combat system at that.

Weird - I'm playing Wizardry 8 for some time now too. And it kinda reminds me of M&M + maybe some Fallout. I wouldn't call it a strategy though - just a combat-orientated first-person RPG.

Wiz 8 is in a class of it's own. What a tragedy the company closed it's doors when it was released. We Canadians sure know how to make a game!

Really though, that game engine should be in 10 other games right now. I don't know of any other game where can set yourself up in a nice corner, put on the auto combat and go make yourself some tea and a snack; come back a little later and it's all over.
One of the most amazing bits is in the temple in Arnika. The floor is polished marble and reflects everything. (The box and strategy guide are right here in front of me )