Good day!
For some reason, many users believe that if they have an old laptop / computer, then you will not play anything normal. This is not true! 😉
In my opinion, they simply underestimate the hits of past years - and many of them will give odds to modern novelties. After all, before the games were made with "soul", working out every detail and plot (not like a modern conveyor belt, where only moving characters and their colors are different) .
And I think that many players who caught that time will agree with me (at least partially)! Therefore, if you are ready to "close" your eyes a little to some flaws in the graphics - then, believe me, you will find a real fascinating World (which is simply not available in modern games)!
That, in fact, is why I want to cite in this article some of those wonderful toys that many remember with trepidation and warmth ... ✌
Important! This article series consists of:
- Part 1: Best Strategies of the Past (this article)
- Part 2: racing, rally;
- Part 3: sports games;
- Part 4: shooters and adventures.
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👉 Remark!
For those who have very slow games, I recommend that you familiarize yourself with this small guide (it will help to optimize some settings).
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What strategies can you play on an old laptop
Well, in general, the concept of weak (old, etc.) is very relative (and vague). In the article I will cite a dozen different games that differ not only in their essence, but also in those. requirements. Basically, if your laptop (computer) is no more than 5-8 years old, most of the above should work for you.
👉 To help!
How to find out your laptop specifications
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In general, in my humble opinion, games of this genre (strategy) were one of the most popular. Many experienced users, I think, will confirm this ...
But recently, unfortunately, for some reason, modern game lovers prefer various shooters and action movies ...
👉 By the wayMany of these games can still be played online with real players. For example, using the application GameRanger (by the way, you can find out about him and other programs for playing on the Internet here)*
Worms (game series)
Remark: dozens of different versions of "Worms" were released, both on PCs and for consoles. One of the most famous versions: Worms World Party (another curious toy - "Hogs of War" - pigs run around instead of worms, very funny ...).
Worms
Just a great game about battle worms! This game is a real "bomb" that made a splash in its time.
The essence of the game: you control a team of worms armed to the teeth. The arsenal contains pistols, machine guns, grenades, bazookas, etc. Objective: to kill other teams of worms, which can be controlled by both real people (when playing on the network) and a PC.
The toy is very exciting, it came out on many consoles, there are whole series of games: Worms 2 (1997), Worms Armageddon (1999), Worms World Party (2001), Worms 3, etc.
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Master of orion
(originates in ~ 1993)
Screen from the game MOO
An interesting turn-based strategy game created by the Argentinean studio NGD Studios. In it, you become the head of one of the races and begin the battle for cosmic domination. You can defeat your opponent with the help of modern progressive technologies or the skills of a diplomat ...
Despite the simple graphics (by today's standards), the very idea of this game was so new and unique that the game just flew into all the charts ...
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Heroes of might and magic
Heroes of Might and Magic
(the most requested and popular version of Heroes of Might and Magic III)
Heroes of Might and Magic III - card
This is a real classic of turn-based strategies (especially the third part, be sure to get acquainted with the three!).
All the action of the game takes place in a fantasy world: there you take control of the heroes.You have to explore the World, capture various buildings, show tactics and ingenuity. Hundreds of different creatures, each with its own characteristics, different terrain, excellent soundtrack - all this awaits you in the heroes ...
Note: by the way, in combat mode, the map of the area is enlarged, and you control each unit in the squad separately. It is very important to choose the right battle tactics.
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Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic
Remark: there were several parts of the game in total. But in my opinion, this one deserves attention!
Age of Wonders Shadow Magic - a screen from the main window of the game
A somewhat similar game to Heroes, but with some differences ...
You have to play as one of the wizards (and there are several dozen of them: each has its own unique skills and spells) and one of the races (there are also quite a few of them here: gnomes, dwarves, people, nomads, orcs, etc.) ... The game can be broken down into 2 components:
- on the global map, you build and develop cities, move armies, capture various buildings, deal with the economy, etc.;
- in battle mode, the scale of the map increases, and you start to control each unit separately - i.e. control your army: here the success of the battle depends on your tactics! Some pros are capable of crushing dozens of other rivals' armies with one army!
By the way, I note that each race has its own unique units with their own unique capabilities. And if we add magical creatures to this variety (of which there are also a lot and all have different abilities), then the game becomes so diverse and multifaceted that it is difficult to foresee everything in advance ...
If the toy "hooks" you, then until you learn all the races, abilities of units, wizards, schools of magic, etc. - you can hardly leave her ... 👌
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Age of Empires (I, II, III, IV)
Age of Empires: city, mill, road - that's all my nature ...
An excellent series of games about the development of your empire! In it you have to take one of the civilizations and go with it from stone to iron: along the way to build and develop cities, hire troops, fight, etc. There is both economics and tactics in strategy ...
Age of Empires was (is?) A huge success, selling over 20 million copies. 4 parts of the game came out, and a bunch of different additions (I don't even know which one can be called the best, so that the fans don't "peck").
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Stronghold crusader
Stronghold Crusader - building a medieval city
Another mega-popular toy ...
In it you have to become a lord who will have a whole medieval city under his command. You will need to rebuild it (mills, warehouses, breweries, craft workshops, etc.), impose taxes on the population (or cancel them), hire troops and protect your empire from enemies.
The game is very interesting and addicting. A mixture of tactics, logic, strategy and economic component prevails.
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Cossacks
Screenshot from Cossacks
Tactical war strategy: for you more than a dozen countries to choose from, large-scale battles with up to 8000 units, high-quality graphics (even now it looks quite tolerable), huge maps, up to 7 players in online mode.
The game was popular not only in the Russian-speaking segment, but also abroad - half of Europe played it!
In total, several series of these games were released. Now the popularity is somewhat different, but nevertheless, "Cossacks" deserve their place on the gaming shelf ...
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Hospital Tycoon / Theme Hospital
Theme Hospital - a game on the Sony PlayStation
Great idea and implementation: in this game you are given a whole hospital to manage. Your task is to develop it, increase the number of doctors (and their professionalism), improve the quality of patient care, and expand the territory of a medical institution.
The toy is very addicting and funny. By the way, pay attention to the version of Theme Hospital for Sony PlayStation - in my opinion one of the best versions in its genre (you can play it on a PC through a console emulator).
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Simcity
SimCity - building a modern city
City building simulator! Only if in the above games we found ourselves in the Middle Ages or in the worlds of fantasy, then here you have to rebuild a modern city.Believe me, it's not so easy to do this: the residents are constantly unhappy with something! 😢
Perhaps, having played this game, you will become more tolerant and understanding of bosses and various leaders (among them, not all are such bad people, there are many worthy ones).
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Civilization II, III, IV
Civilization III area map
Unusual and extremely interesting strategy! 👍
The entire map where the game takes place consists of many cells. Each cell has its own resources: hammers (production), gold, food and specials. resources (iron, horses, corn, etc.). And you need to wisely balance between these fossils so that the city has enough food and gold, and production does not fall (there is something to think about ...).
In general, in general, you have to choose one of the civilizations and go with it from the Stone Age to the era of satellites and space. It is very difficult to do this: you need to improve the army, build and grow cities, build wonders of the world, conduct scientific research, etc.
There are several types of victories available in the game: diplomatic, military, economic, cultural, etc.
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The sims
The Sims - a screen from the game
The original idea is to create a game something like "life simulator"... Here you have to control several characters "Sims". You have to take care of them, develop their skills and abilities, equip their home, promote them in their careers, etc. In general, there is no storyline as such, and you can play endlessly!
Nevertheless, the game so conquered the hearts of millions of players around the world that more than 5 games in the series have already been released, millions of copies have been sold (not only on PC, but also on many game consoles).
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Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos (2002)
Warcraft III Reign of Chaos (screenshot from game)
One of the most anticipated games by fans: it has previously sold over 4.5 million orders for it (and this is in 2002!). Subsequently recognized as the best strategy of 2002 ...
It is a real-time strategy game with RPG elements. Can be played as the Alliance, Horde, Undead and Night Elves. You observe everything that happens on the map as if from above and from the side at the same time (see the screen above). 👆
The tasks are simple: get resources, build various buildings that improve your capabilities, hire an army that must defeat the enemy.
In the game, by the way, there are various heroes with unique abilities. They are able to gain experience when killing other rival warriors.
I note that the toy is very popular to this day, various championships and tournaments (with substantial prize pools) are held on it. So ... does it make sense to get to know each other ?!
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Medieval: Total War (2002)
By the way, in addition to the first part, I would recommend getting acquainted with Medieval 2: Total War.
Medieval Total War - fortress siege
This game is a mixture of turn-based global strategy with tactical real-time strategy (thats how bent!).
Those. in global map mode, you take care of cities, recruit and move armies, view borders, etc.
In battle mode: the map increases, and you are invited to show all your military talent (many amateurs believe that this is the most interesting part of the game: when you crush the infantry with elephants, or shoot spearmen with archers ...).
In general, it is not uncommon for very experienced players in tactical terms to win and conquer huge empires, even without initially having any powerful economy.
By the way, the depth and realism of the battles amazed many at one time. All units have been worked out in detail both from a historical point of view and in relation to the capabilities of the three-dimensional graphics of that time!
The unique "capabilities" of units (and for different units - they are different) correspond to their historical reality. In the game, the player's ability to use all the strengths of his army and the weaknesses of the foreign one comes to the fore.
In general, Medieval: Total War can be safely recommended to all fans of tactical games, historical battles and that era in general.
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Minecraft
Minecraft - screen from the game
This game is very unusual, and to be honest, I did not know what genre it can be attributed to ...
The bottom line is this: you create with your hands various objects, buildings (cities, caves, castles, etc.), in general, everything that wanders into your imagination, and then you can live in them. In fact, it resembles some Lego constructor, only virtual and limitless.
The toy is very addicting and does not require powerful hardware. I think that in it many will be able to throw out a "piece" of their creativity (perhaps that is why the game has become so popular).
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Additions on the topic are welcome.
Have a good time!
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First published: 03.05.2018
Correction: 06/23/2020
