So i just got a new gaming rig and it came with a download code for Shogun 2: total war. My first thought was to sell it off since the genre doesn't seem very interesting. But then i saw some vids on youtube and it looks kinda cool. I've never actually played a real time or turn based game before. The learning curve seems pretty steep.

Basically an idiots guide to playing rts games

start with starcraft 2 or command and conquer

mine crap, build army, fight

Most RTS games are idiot-proof in that the single player campaigns start you off with one unit and, over a series of missions, introduce all the concepts and units you'll use. But the basic concept of most RTS games is the same: you start with some sort of worker unit who can gather one or more resources. You spend those resources on 1) buildings, which are used to build 2) combat units, and/or 3) research technologies, which typically enable you to buy better combat units. Then you send your combat units to destroy the other player(s)' buildings and combat units.

The Total War series is a combination of real time and turn based. The actual campaign is played in a turn based fashion and is quite similar to the Civilization series but not as deep. The battles are fought in a real time fashion and do require more strategy than the typical RTS.

If you have never played an RTS before I recommend starting with either Warcraft or Starcraft. Blizzard isn't the biggest name in PC gaming for nothing. Age of Empires is also really good.

The Total War series are actually pretty good. Give it a try.

shogon 2 looks like have RTS/Half empire builder.

Like someone else suggested..start with just some games where its pretty much just RTS.

Sins of a Solar Empire which is a space based RTS is $9.97 this weekend(?) including both expansions. Definitely worth it.

http://www.impulsedriven.com/