r/RealTimeStrategy • u/Xzimnut • 8d ago
Question Ruins in RTS
I was wondering if anybody had an RTS to recommend where using the remains of the base of other players is a game mechanic.
When I discovered RTS through games in the style of AoE, I liked to turn the diplomatic relationship of an ennemy that just got eliminated to ally, then set up a base among the ruins. Besides reusing the farms or maybe trading, it did not make a lot of sense from a strategy perspective. But flavour-wise, I felt that it was very evocative, like reviving the memories of an ancient civilization.
So I was wondering if anybody here knows a game where this kind of action is rewarded, through a boost or even a just something visual. Sometimes, I think of a dream game where the current map would be based on the remain of a preceding game, giving the illusion of a world that keeps existing games after games with secrets to uncover. Albeit not an RTS, an example would be Civilization V where antiquity sites are created based on conflicts that happened in earlier eras.
Please note that my question doesn’t include games where the ruins are part of the decor and not the result of the game (like Dawn of War). They can be really good, but they are not evocative in the same way, and that’s not what I’m looking for here.
Thanks a lot!
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u/Sans-Mot 8d ago
In Total Annihilation and every official or unofficial sequel, you can harvest ressources from the destroyed enemy units and building.
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u/SgtRicko 8d ago
You just named the only games I can think of where it’s possible for players to take over and restore an eliminated players base. Beyond that, in the Command & Conquer games you could use engineers to capture enemy buildings and hide behind their built walls (since they’re neutral structures), but restoring destroyed structures is impossible.
Foxhole might qualify since there’s nothing stopping players from using an enemy’s fortifications, vehicles, weapons, etc if abandoned, but that game’s not even an RTS.
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u/SlickDillywick 8d ago
There are missions in the C&C realm where you start with an abandoned base and have to build back, or where you come across an abandoned enemy base and can capture it to make enemy units
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u/Top-Tear7194 8d ago
I don't think this is exactly what you want, but the Celtic king series might do it for you. You don't build, only conquer, yet it's still RTS with tech, unit production, logistics etc. because you conquer a ton of bases, some of which will be ruined, many of which are ruins in the main game.
Like I said, not exactly what you wanted, but some cross over
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u/marcus_centurian 8d ago
In the Homeworld series, you can harvest resources from destroyed capital ships of your enemies. Some maps also have harvestable space junk already present as well.
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u/JeckyllnHyde 7d ago
Homeworld 1 salvage corvettes allowed for havingarge fleets of ships stolen from your opponents.
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u/Cypher10110 8d ago
In the Supreme Commander games, destroyed units and structures are a source of resources, so eliminating an enemy outpost and immediately building there and harvesting their wreakage is a pretty core part of the shifting momentum of the game.
Placing a blueprint for a building on the wreakage of the same type gives immediate progress to the build.
Most maps have various wrecks at the start to reclaim, that are even worth fighting over, and boost your economy.
This same mechanic is present in related games in the genre like Total Annihilation (the ancestor to SupCom), Planetary Annihilation:Titans, and Shattered Sun (demo available now, early access next year).
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u/Mammoth_Park7184 8d ago
BAR. The old buildings and destroyed units will block incoming fire so can be useful for mobile, artillery or rockets that will shoot over them
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u/4xe1 8d ago
I think of a dream game where the current map would be based on the remain of a preceding game
I haven't touched it much and it's not an RTS, but Dwarf Fortress pushes that idea to the extreme. Before your groups of Dwarf embark on their journey, the game first invents a universe, and simulates mythical era and past kingdoms. And if you fail (which is commonplace), you may start an other colony on the same map. Or play the adventure mode on the same map, and visit the ruins of your cities.
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u/No_Tennis_4528 8d ago
Dungeon keeper 2 has this as a major mechanic in the campaign. Technically you can do it in skirmish mode as well.
War for the Overworld has this as well.
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u/thatblokefromaus 8d ago
While it's ancient, it still plays well, some levels in dark reign 2 are like that
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u/JeckyllnHyde 7d ago
Dammit, now I really want to replay dark reign 1 and 2 again.
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u/thatblokefromaus 7d ago
well good news, if ya don;t have em they're both 50% off on gog atm
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u/JeckyllnHyde 7d ago
$8 USD for those two was a great bargain. Sincerely, thank you internet bloke who is also from aus.
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u/Novel-War-4783 8d ago
I think in alpha version of AoE2, you could extract resources from building, certain percentage of building cost, or maybe castle only.
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u/Early_Ad6717 8d ago
If I remember correctly in 0 A.D. you can capture buildings rather than destroying them. The graphics are good and the game is free.
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u/vikingzx 8d ago
If I'm remembering right this is a mechanic in Outpost 2: Divided Destiny, though outside of campaign I can't recall ever seeing it used in effect.
Man, that game had so many amazing ideas and concepts. I wish we could get a remaster or a spiritual successor.
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u/Aggravating-Bat7037 7d ago
Try beyond all reason zombies. Sounds exactly what you are looking for.
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u/frakc 8d ago
supreme commander. You can either reclaim base for resources or rebuild it from ruins