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I love RTS games, but unfortunately my computer can only really handle 2D games. Even Empire Earth brings it to it's limits. Do people know of any really good 2D RTS games? The more obscure the better because I already know about a few of them. (Starcraft, Warcraft 2, Red Alert etc.)
Thanks in advance!
Total Annihilation, obviously. That's the only one that I know of off the top of my head.
Post edited March 14, 2012 by michaelleung
Dark Reign 1, maybe?
Dune 2? :) The first RTS I ever played... I tihnk.
Seven kingdoms always had its fans, I played the demo when it was out and thought it pretty average.

Warlords Battlecry 3 is a good game. It's not as good as number 2 for gameplay, but it should run ok on your system. I'm a fan of the WBC series because you get to take your hero and a few others with you through the game (customising the hero on the way), making you much more attached to your units.
Majesty: The fantasy kingdom sim. One of my all time favourites. Imagine a mix between Dungeon Keeper, Warcraft & Dungeons & Dragons, that is Majesty: the fantasy kingdom sim. It can be found for a pittance on Gamer's Gate.

*edit* http://se.gamersgate.com/DD-MAJESTY/majesty-gold-edition?caff=2620971
I'm a sneaky bugger, so I added my tag to the end of the link ;) (meaning that if you buy through it, I get a few blue coins)

MechCommander is another nice game. The Gold version should be very cheap. It is a TBT and not a TBS, but it deserves more attention than it usually gets.

Outpost 2 is also slightly different. Apart from combat, you have the whole colony building party, which is surprisingly complex. If you want something a bit older in a similar vein, then Utopia: The creation of a nation is interesting (though a bit clunky).

The old game Dark Omen is a 3d game, but it is not very demanding (it was released in 98). It can be a bit tricky to get to run on semi-modern computers, but there are several guides online that might help you.

Also, if you are prepared for something more complex, how about Paradox's older grand strategy titles? Europa Universalis 2 (don't get 1, it is objectively worse than 2), Victoria: An empire under the sun, Hearts of Iron and Crusader Kings are all very rewarding games to play.
Post edited March 14, 2012 by AFnord
KKND, KKND 2, Dark Colony, Dune 2, Dune 2000, Dark Reign, Total Annihilation, TA: Kingdoms, Metal Fatigue, Sudden Strike, Sudden Strike 2, Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds.

The list goes on man. Check MobyGames' game browser for real-time strategy games too. It'll give you a nice big list.
Total Annihilation and it's medieval sequel are full 3D, only the camera is static like in classic 2D RTS games.
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DodoGeo: Total Annihilation and it's medieval sequel are full 3D, only the camera is static like in classic 2D RTS games.
It's pretty low-demanding though. :P
Total Annihilation has 3D units but 2D terrain. I don't think that your computer will struggle with it seeing as it was released 15 years ago.
Rising Kingdoms... if I remember correctly, that game was amazing!
kknd series, submarine titans (starcraft underwater xd)
Homeworld *yes yes its 3D - full 3D in fact - but its pretty old and thus likely to still run on a weaker computer* On that score you might also get away with Dark Reign 2 (again 3D but older and thus less demanding than modern 3D games).


From the 2D world consider:
Age of Empires series - esp Age of Empires 2 - top rated RTS, the first is a bit dated now, whilst the second runs very similar to more modern RTS formulas and is still very popular.

Atrox - its a starcraft clone and not quite as balanced, but still a lot of fun (if darned challenging at times).

Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds - basically this is **Age of Empires 2** but in SPACE. Same engine and interface and basic resource model - but loads of fun for Star Wars fans.


edit - added ** around the (now corrected) massive mistake I made.
Post edited March 14, 2012 by overread
What about the cossacks anthology and American Conquest that just released on GOG? Try the demos, they might just be your cup of RTS tea.
Earth 2140, Total Annihilation, Total Annihilation: Kingdoms, Dark Reign, StarCraft, WarCraft I and II, the early Command & Conquer Titles, Dune and Dune 2000., Age of Empires I and II. (The bold written titles are available right here on gog)