CoH is never about realistic (maybe the graphic or sound). If you want realistic, you could play Faces of War or Close Combat, but remember too much realistic could spoil the fun.
I played CoH1 (200+ hrs I think) and CoH2 (currently just ~100 hrs), I think there's three big complaints about CoH2:
- general tree is simplified and make less impact in gameplay than in CoH1, but you get lots of options. I personally like CoH1 style.
- there's less factions (currently 2) versus CoH1
+ expansion (4). In June we'll get 2 more factions in CoH2 for about $20 (no campaign AFAIK). I think it's not fair to expect a game will always be bigger than its predecessor.
- too much of DLC. General? DLC. Skin? DLC. Co Op Mission? DLC. Friggin plate? DLC.
but on the other hand, other than stuff like new campaign or new units, you'll get:
+ Co-op Mission. It's fun, and sometimes challenging.
+ Blizzard system, snow track, thin ice cap, and true sight system is giving you new possibilities. I love to sink a Tank with just mortar.
+ More challenging AI if you like to play with them. It's a bit cheating actually but I heard much have been fixed in the last patch (It's been weeks since I last played CoH2).
In the end I have fun with both.
JC316 said:
Starcraft 2 is one of the best IMO. Mussels and I probably have 5K hours, maybe more into it. Supreme Commander is good too, if you like a large scale warfare style. Much slower, more macro focused than micro. I never could get into Company of Heroes, the learning curve is steep, as is the difficulty. Age of Empires 2 HD is on steam and Age of Mythology is coming. Both of those are outstanding.
CoH learning curve is not very easy but I think it's not hard either, you'll get the hang of it in few days. Starcraft II is simpler but I think to be competitive it took more effort than CoH and with so much micro and no time, I don't think it's a relaxing game. What I like about CoH, many of damage calculation is probability, so you may get luck/bad roll from it and it makes the game a bit slower (so you can plan something before your unit vanish unlike in SC).
AoE II is outstanding but the HD version seems to be missing original music? I hate the new music.
I also love AoE III, the graphic is quite good and feels fluid. I love those big ship.
Age of Mythology is good but lately I think the interface feels sluggish, dunno the extended version.
Rise of Nation! It's really long upgrade of civilization and city based combat. The only downside is in modern era it seems war is just about who could spam more.
Civilization V is also good. But I got bored after winning several maps, dunno why.
Act of War : High Treason! A forgotten game. It's simple like CnC but with good graphic (still good even now and you can zoom quite close like CoH), nice gameplay (prisoner, stealth, CQB garrison, medic) and naval warfare (only in some maps). The acting is terrible though.
how bout CnC series? the learning curve is easy and not too demanding, it's fun.
- Generals : my personal fav, cool and lots of Mods, but unbalanced in multiplayer. Really love the personal character of generals in general's challenge.
- Tiberian Sun : slow paced. Cool CD cover and units bro.
- Red Alert 2 : fast paced.
- CnC3 : I think it's rather fast, but I think RA3 is better.
- Red Alert 3 : fast paced too, rather multiplayer focused, funny, but maybe too cartoony for some.
other than that, maybe Heroes of Might and Magic III/IV/V/VI? or Age of Wonders? It's turn based strategy, leave you with time to think but wrong move could cost you deeply. Learning curve is steep though but it's plenty of fun when you get hooked.