[Scuddie]

I've played my fair share of turn based strategy games, but I'm finding most a bit lax in one area or another.  I've just recently played Civ IV, but it seemed a bit odd.  I thought that there were too many contradictions to how things work.  I dont think buddism and hinduism came from the same empire, nor were the pyramids and stonehedge.  It seemed like everything was all lumped together and cultural diversity was just thrown out the window.

I also played Masters of Orion 3, which was fun in certain ways, but it seemed quite boring after a while, and there was too much micro and macro management.  I found it difficult to decide which technology to research, and I had too many decisions for what would be sacrificed in favor of something else.

TBS games are really fun sometimes, but I need a few more suggestions for what options can be.  I care not how good the graphics are, so long as it's not text based .  And no, I don't mean Risk 2.0 either.  Being native to windows is obviously a must.  Ideas?

[phatosealpha]

Master of Orion 2.

[Rictor]

I played Disciples 2 for a while, and it was a good solid game. The art is great, though I'm not exactly sure that its what you're reffering to when you say turn based strategy. It's a turn based game in the same vein as Heros of Might and Magic.

[Kamikaze]

If you like 4x space TBS games, you should try Space Empires IV. The graphics aren't as good as MOO3, but it's a far better game.

You might also want to try Etherlords. It's a turn-based strategy game which also uses a card battle system. It's a unique game.

[Tieowbeijas]

Well, someone's gonna shoot me for it, but anyway...
The Heroes of Might and Magic games, turn based strategy with some RPG-elements as you level up your heroes. Most consider the third game the best.
Celestial Heavens has some good info on the series.
The thrid and fourth game are native windows games, both should be pretty cheap if buy them, both are available in bundles with expansions for 99sek here.

[phreak]

Panzer General
Alpha Centauri

I've not been much into TBS, but those are the two games I have that stick out.

[Fury]

Master of Orion 2.

Classic! I love MoO2.
MoO3 was certainly a bit of disappointment.

[Mefustae]

Try 'Rise of Nations' and the expansion 'Thrones & Patiots', it's essentially a Real-time strategy, but the main campaign mode is effectively 'Risk', moving your armies around in turns, and then going in to real-time mode when you actually do the fighting.

[Ace]

If you like 4x space TBS games, you should try Space Empires IV. The graphics aren't as good as MOO3, but it's a far better game.

You might also want to try Etherlords. It's a turn-based strategy game which also uses a card battle system. It's a unique game.

MOO3 and graphics in the same sentence?

MOO1 has better graphics than MOO3....

[redsniper]

X-COM: UFO Defense
Probably just about the oldest of the old school but still awesome nonetheless.

[Flipside]

I like turn-based stuff because it allows more time for management and strategy, even if it does lose out in 'realism' (It also buys a lot more processing space for the AI, which always amazes me that a lot of AI in turn-based games is no better than their real-time counterparts).

[Ford Prefect]

My favorite turn-based strategy game of all time was Imperialism, but alas, it is too old to run on Windows 2000.