Good, quality MP Turn-based strategy games?

Thinman

Hi all,

I've reached a sort of crossroads in my gaming life.. After 22 years of gaming, which has culminated in playing MMOGs and only MMOGs, I've reached the point where MMOGs, as they stand today, just don't "do it" for me anymore.

But I have an idea of what type of game would.

I'm looking for a MP TBS game. I tried Civ4, but the MP in Civ4 is not the type that I enjoy. Don't get me wrong, I love slower-paced, in depth TBS games which require thought and strategy to win.. but Civ4 is not slower-paced in MP, and the games last way too long for my limited amount of available gaming time.

So I'm trying to find a MP TBS game with the following qualities:

Games can be completed in under 1.5 hours.
Gameplay which is in depth, and which requires strategy to excel at.
MP. SP games don't do it for me anymore. I need that MP human edge.
A robust or semi-robust gaming community. Doesn't matter if the game is popular or not. Just a robust community.

Some of the games that have caught my eye in a quick scan of the 'net have been:

Lux, Tactica Online

So, I ask the knowledgeable gamers among us, would anyone have any suggestions, in light of the type of game that I'm looking for?

Price is not an issue, unless it's a game where the money that you put in makes you stronger. In that case, it wouldn't be an option.

There's a lot of games out there.. can anyone give me a good idea of what to try?

Thank you for any help!

Kiamde

Laser Squad nemesis

A turn based science fiction game that has a large online community. A game could "last" 3 minutes, but each turn takes up ten seconds of the total game. At the end of the game, you can share your game with others by sending other players your .lsn file of your game and they can watch it, pointing out your good points and bad points. It is quite fun, really. I played it for a little over 6 months before I took a break.

MadAce

Well a great and a free game is Battle For Wesnoth.

Here Is the site. It's an open source game but it's great.
Has even les balancing bugs than paying games.

theanimedude

Heroes of Might and Magic. Best turn-based strategy ever, and a new one is coming out some time this year. Play the old ones if youre bored... I do that a lot

Xexima

Rome: Total War is a good TBS, i dont think it is online, or meets any of your standards, but it is just a suggestion.

Kiamde

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Originally posted by Gunblade
Civilization IVand if you are into WWII, check out the combat mission series. Esepcially @ battlefront.com

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Civ 4 games take many, many, many hours and sometimes days. He wants a game that he can finish in a few hours.