Standing out above the rest.

  Standing out above the rest.
BY: Shane W. Mitchell
One of the games that stood out among the rest for me; during 90's was a RTS (Real time Strategy) game "Dune II" by a company called WestWood Studios.
Dune was the predecessor to such games as Command and Conquer, Starcraft and Warcraft. All of these games you had to build; a base and units to defend and attack the enemies,
 with resources which you gathered. In Dune II you had to collect spice with your harvester's. Whichever house collected the most spice would win the game.
The spice would be turn into credits for spending on armies, building and units to harvest the spice. There are three major houses  Atreides, Harkonnen, and Ordos.
Each of these houses was present with a challenge from the emperor, Whom ever collected the most spice would control Arrakis. Arrakis Is where spice is found.
 The game is more than just spice you get to decided where to place your bases; a strategic location such as next to Spice Blow would mean you would not have
to travel as far to reach the spice. Which buildings would you build first; there is a tech tree to help you decide which buildings to build, without certain
buildings the game will end very quickly. You get to choose what units to build for attacking and defending, you may have the strongest army but without defenses
 the game could end very quickly a small attacking force could sneak in and destroy critical buildings vital to the game.
The game is not over until all the territories are taken over by one of the three houses. Each of the houses has unique units the Atreides has a sonic tank
 and rules the air with its aircraft. Harkonnen has a massive tank very hard to destroy and causes lots of damage to buildings and enemy units. While the Ordos
 has a rocket launcher which can fire a great distance safe from enemy fire. Playing each one of the houses gives you different strategies.
The excitement to the game is added by Giant Worms which swallow your harvesters. So part of the strategies is to keep an eye on your harvesters,
no harvesters means the game could end very quickly for you or does it. You can sell buildings for a certain reduced price enabling you to stay in the game.
The map is covered with the fog of war until your explore that area making the game all that more fun and exciting to play. For these reasons
I think That Dune II was the game that stood out far above the rest of the games in the 90's it was a first for RTS games. It got me hooked on
Command and Conquer which I still play today. Command and Conquer (C&C) was originally done by WestWood Studios, which paved the way for RTS games.
 EA games took over with newer versions of C&C. All with equal story lines making each game better then the next, but not a good as the original Dune II.
 I always find the originals the best. They are the freshest something new and exciting not known what to expect from the game but leaving a sense that you
 want more of it and you are not satisfied until you complete the game. Even after you complete the game it gives you a sense of  I like to try it again but
 I can do it better next time I play it like all the good games that keep you coming back to play again. I think I will start a game right now.
 Logging off for now SWM…….   
http://www.indieretronews.com/2012/12/dune-2-history-and-remakes.html