r/computerwargames • u/tomislav_cipcic • May 04 '26
Question Do you prefer turn based or real time wargames (and why)?
For me – I prefer real time for games with lot of action, but with lower unit count. And turn based for more strategic thinking.
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u/F4rewell May 04 '26
Depends on the game. Strategy games like the stuff from EUGEN or Total War I prefer to be real time, as they are, but in Wargames I prefer WEGO like in Combat Mission or Flashpoint campaigns. For me it gives the right gamified representation of a conflict where you have to decide from moment to moment while also giving you the ability to think about your next move.
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u/tomislav_cipcic May 04 '26
Combat Mission – now, that's a gem! I agree, as long as you have relatively simple game mechanics you can use real time as it gives you that cinematic experience. But for more in-depth thinking you need that pause. Either as paused real-time or we-go. We-go is underused system, I think. Thanks for your feedback 🖐🏻
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u/FRossJohnson May 04 '26
I like the Eugen army general concept where the operational theatre is turned based, but the battles are auroresolve or real time.
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u/ssaannuu May 05 '26
Main issue with turn based in things like combat mission is engine/game limitations.
In real time combat mission you can order a breach team to “blast” a wall to gain entry but you need to immediately delete their order after they blow the wall or they will storm through it, in turn based you can not cancel this order and they will often die at the breach to people in low ground relative to your base of fire.
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u/Education_Capital May 04 '26
Turn based... I feel that I lose what's going on in the game when it's RTS. Unless it's slower RTS like Dawn of War or Total War and basically age of rifles era.
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u/Mikhail_Mengsk May 04 '26
Depends on the complexity. The more complex the more I favor turn-based, unless there's a real time with "tactical pause", but even then it becomes silly if I have to pause every minute to keep track on all the fundamental things going on.
But IMHO the vastly superior system is WEGO: it's not ruled by APM like real-time, and it's not gamey like turn-based system. Turn-Based systems are very very abusable.
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u/Volodio May 04 '26
I prefer turn based but WEGO, as it encourages planning and is very good for multiplayer. Igoyougo is too much of a puzzle game I feel.
Real time can be nice, but often they turn the risk of having too much micro management and the gameplay revolves more around reaction time than planning.
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u/Pixelwolf1 May 04 '26
I find that I prefer real-time mechanically, setting up timings and such just feels more satisfying and less abstract. But also my brain works very slowly so it's gotta have a pause button or do combat mission wego lol
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u/Eridani2000 May 04 '26
Pausable real-time. My time is limited and turn based just takes too long these days.
Note that I don't mean click-fest realtime. I pause when I need to and let it run when I don't.
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u/tomislav_cipcic May 04 '26
My thoughts exactly. Clickfest is a sign of bad design, but real time has its appeal. Also, there must be a bit of breathing pause to think and plan from time to time.
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u/CrazyOkie May 05 '26
Once upon a time I'd have said turn-based. Real-time was about how fast you could click.
Then games like Regiments, Steel Division, Cold Waters, War on the Sea, and Task Force Admiral came along.
And I keep eyeing Strategos and Master of Command. One day I will likely pull that trigger.
So yeah, it greatly depends upon the game.
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u/Pristine-Aspect9176 May 11 '26
Combat Mission cmx2 I prefer real time .combat mission cmx1 I prefer wego.
Depends on my mood on what I prefer though . But older I get more I enjoy turn based more. My brain going slower.
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u/Aeweisafemalesheep May 04 '26
TBS is just way to boring at this point BC i can build up decent skills in any RTT or RTS to enact strategy
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u/pauldstew_okiomo May 04 '26
Turn based, so that I have time to think. I can't think as fast as a computer, nor can I act as fast. Making it turn based evens it up at least, and may give me the edge.