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Welcome to Game Collector, where GameSpot hunts for great deals on games so you don't have to. This week's edition features a list of ultimate real-time strategy games from the past several years at the best prices available anywhere. If you've been looking for an elusive RTS game and haven't had any luck, then Game Collector is the perfect place to start. Here, you'll find a treasure list of real-time strategy games that we believe should be in everyone's game collection.
Starcraft (1998)
Street Price: $19.95
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While Starcraft is reminiscent of conventional real-time strategy games, it's undoubtedly among the best games in its class. In the single-player mode, you play as one of three races--Terran, Zerg, and Protoss--in an epic story set in a distinctive sci-fi universe. The multiplayer game is deep and very well balanced. Starcraft was our Readers' Choice Best Multiplayer Game of all time. Also make sure to get the Brood War expansion, which is included in the Starcraft Battle Chest bundle.
Warcraft II: Battle.net Edition (1999)
Street Price: $9.95
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Warcraft II: Battle.net Edition is a rerelease of the RTS classic. It fully integrates the Battle.net player matching service into the game, so that Warcraft II might live on even longer. This edition includes the original Warcraft II as well as the Beyond the Dark Portal expansion, which collectively contain over 50 single-player missions. It's a perfect homage to Blizzard's classic.
Total Annihilation (1997)
Street Price: $19.95
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What at first appeared to be conventional real-time strategy game went on to redefine the genre. As you play deeper into the game, the complexities of Total Annihilation begin to become apparent. Total Annihilation is all about balance, from the tightly interwoven resource management scheme to the very diverse units. It was GameSpot's Game of the Year and Best Strategy Game of 1997, as well as the Readers' Choice winner of Best Strategy Game and Game of the Year 1997. Its soundtrack is also exceptional.
Homeworld (1999)
Street Price: $19.95
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Between its stunning 3D engine, uniquely challenging single-player and multiplayer gameplay, great audio, and terrific science-fiction story, Homeworld helped reshape the entire real-time strategy genre. You must command a fleet through a series of 16 missions by building more vessels, researching new technologies, and harvesting resources from asteroids and dust clouds. It's a landmark real-time strategy game, and it still looks great.
Myth: The Fallen Lords (1997)
Street Price: $9.95
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Bucking the trend, Myth: The Fallen Lords featured neither resource management nor any type of base construction. The result was a fast-paced tactical game that, despite its lack of traditional strategy elements, requires substantial knowledge of individual unit abilities and effective battle formations. Myth also featured an excellent graphics engine and physics model that provided for some truly spectacular and entertaining battles.
Myth II: Soulblighter (1998)
Street Price: $12.95
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Myth II: Soulblighter featured a number of improvements over its predecessor. The graphics were more refined, lending the game a much sleeker and more realistic look. The artificial intelligence was significantly improved as both old and new units had better pathfinding abilities, and Myth II's new multiplayer options were also a welcome addition. Myth II also added editing utilities for creating custom-made missions and maps.
Command & Conquer Gold Edition (1997)
Street Price: $9.95
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Command & Conquer helped ignite the real-time strategy craze as it gave players the ability to play as two different factions with a wide assortment of different units. The gold edition of Command & Conquer featured SVGA graphics--which actually let you see more of the map--and the ability to find and play against multiplayer opponents through Westwood Chat. It's the ultimate version of Westwood's classic real-time strategy game.
Warlords Battlecry (2000)
Street Price: $19.95
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Though it lacked the visual flare of 3D real-time strategy games, Warlords Battlecry more than compensated with its distinctive gameplay features. It let you create your own hero unit, which gave bonuses to other units in the area and could convert neutral structures over to your side. This hero was pivotal to the gameplay. Warlords Battlecry also featured a branching single-player campaign, great multiplayer, and a flexible skirmish mode.
Shogun: Total War (2000)
Street Price: $19.95
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Released last year, Shogun: Total War makes a great addition to a strategy gamer's library. The goal is to unite Japan under one warlord. While negotiations and empire building are a major part of the game, it's the highly realistic, epic battles that makes Shogun worthwhile. The game allows for massive conflicts with up to 5000 units per side. Shogun earned GameSpot's Strategy Game of the Year award.
Battlezone (1998)
Street Price: $9.95
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Battlezone was unique in its combination of action and real-time strategy. It earned unanimous acclaim from critics, but didn't do well commercially, perhaps in part because of its unusual style. The game features 27 campaign missions as well as a multiplayer mode, and its unique setting puts you in command of either American or Soviet forces during the Cold War, in a secret battle on the moon.
Be sure to visit GameBuyer to find more great deals on both classic and recently released computer games.
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