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The Wargamer's 2003 Readers' Choice Awards

	Author: The Wargamer Staff Article Type: Buying Guide Publication Date: 2/23/2004 Related Categories: Best of the Year Awards

Readers' Choice: Real/Continuous Time Strategy

2003 was a very good year for strategy games. Civilization veteran Brian Reynolds and his new company, Big Huge Games, put forth a solid first effort with Rise of Nations, which took the gold by a wide margin. Nival's Blitzkrieg is the best of the World War II-themed real time tactical games to date; a sub-genre in its own right. Phil Steinmeyer's Railroad Tycoon III refreshed a popular franchise, reinventing the game in 3D and adding much-requested tunnels. Several of the "also-rans" finished just out of placing; an indication of a healthy genre pleasing a wide range of interests.

Readers' Choice: Turn-Based Strategy

2003 was the strongest year in recent memory for turn-based strategy games. The genre was so close to extinction, we hadn't bothered separating it from its real time brethren in recent years. For many, however, the schism between turn-based and real time approaches religious proportions, and we are happy that this year we were once again able to separate oil from water. 

Another good sign of strength was the distribution of voting: while Galactic Civilizations won the Gold hands-down (fabulous after-market support can do wonders), seven other titles competed for the Silver and Bronze, with three tied for third place. Chariots of War was a promising evolution of a series set to release another title in 2004. Nival's Silent Storm was probably hurt by a split release; most of the world had it in 2003, but the important US market was resigned to imports until January of this year. Massive Assault and the board game conversion, War! Age of Imperialism are both highly polished, fun to play strategy games.