RTS on Console? How does it work?

[Elheru Aran]

Just wondering.

I'm aware that several RTS games have been ported over to console (I don't know of any that were made for console in the first place), but a few questions do remain...

How does this work given the lack of mouse/keyboard control? How do they tend to measure up graphically? Can they possibly remain as large-scale as they are on their PC incarnation like the Total War series?

This is just the beginning basically. I'm honestly curious here. I don't particularly want any console-bashing or PC fanboyism in this thread, though it's obvious RTS games would tend to work far better with PC's given the greater control flexibility available unless they were specifically designed to accommodate consoles. Though if there are arguments that RTS can work upon console, by all means come out with them.

More questions as the thread progresses!

[atg]

The only RTS I've played on a console was Age of Empires II for the PS2.

It was a long time ago that I played, but from what I remember basically the cursor was controlled by the analog stick, with two buttons replacing the left and right mouse buttons. The resolution of TV screens also meant that the map where things actually happen only took up about 1/3 to 1/2 of the screen, the rest being taken up by the unit information, building queus, etc, of the interface.

It also sucked.
Hard.

[VF5SS]

Herzog Zwei is the best example of a good console RTS. You can read a description here. It's a fun game and a wonderful break from dumb clicky RTS game play.

[Stark]

Isn't Battle for Middle Earth on 360? I've always wondered how it would be to play, since obviously the 360 can handle the game hardware-wise. I guess they'd use the standard stick-button interface unless you plugged your keyboard in.

[NRS Guardian]

The reviews I've seen for Battle For Middle Earth II on the 360 have generally been favorable, and most consider it the best controlled RTS on a console.

[Praxis]

Battallion Wars II looks good. But it's on the Wii.

[Bounty]

Battallion Wars II looks good. But it's on the Wii.

And Battalion Wars is half-action game, too.

The only console RTS is played extensively (though badly) was Command & Conquer on the N64. That one actually looked better than the PC version (3D units vs 2D, albeit on with a lot more AA) but the controls were...well, not useless, but definitely slow. You moved the cursor with the analogue stick, A to select, B to cancel, the right shoulder was a modifier button of some sort, I don't remember what the trigger did (build menu?) and the C buttons could be assigned to groups of units. Plus a whole lot of key combos for unit movement and attacks.

It worked. The game even got decent reviews (mid-70's, I think).

[Ritterin Sophia]

Only one I've played was C&C: RA: Retaliation for PS1, it sucked hard.

[Dorsk 81]

The reviews I've seen for Battle For Middle Earth II on the 360 have generally been favorable, and most consider it the best controlled RTS on a console.

I've only played the demo, but yea, the controls are pretty damn good, a lot controls crammed into one little controller, most of it's accessed by holding the right trigger and then the d-pad to select what structures/units/upgrades you want, and simple two button combos, nothing complicated. I've got BFMEII on PC, and there's no where near the amount of micro management, but apart from that you've pretty much got every thing you need, able to select all the units of a certain type, all Heros, etc.

My main criticism is about Heros, they aren't listed along the bottom like on the PC, so unless you're keeping an eye on them they can get into a bit of trouble.

[Dark Lord of the Bith]

Only one I've played was C&C: RA: Retaliation for PS1, it sucked hard.

Me and my brother would play that with two linked Playstations all the time. It was quite fun, if you're willing to accept the massive slowdown that comes when you have too many units. That's the biggest problem with the older console RTSes.

However, Retaliation was fun. The controls are similar to Bounty's N64 description, but it was released before the Dual Shock controller, so you had to use the D-Pad. One of the shoulder buttons could be held in to make the cursor move a lot faster. I believe Triangle would bring you to the sidebar menu, where you manage unit building, etc. It worked a lot better than Warcraft 2 on the PS1 because you didn't have to go back to your buildings to build up. There are lots of control shortcuts for units (force firing, scatter, etc) and even a convenient way to repeat the last thing you built.

Also, the PS1 version is less buggy than my C&C First Decade disk, so the only way I can actually play Red Alert is on the Playstation.

[Mobius]

i loved Kessen on PS2 back in the days

[Vendetta]

BFMEII is apparently the only decent try so far.

Though C&C3's Xbox 360 version is by the same team, and is apparently using all the same controls.

[Stark]

So the 360 games use radial-style menus?