This is a tough question...
I'm much into realistic war games and simulators.
- The first three
Combat Mission titles were great, with
CMBB and
CMAK still being state of the art, IMO. (The newer CMSF is a leap backwards, again IMO.)
- For more reaction based action the
Steel Beasts series is great. Modern armoured combat in a nutshell. I still would like to try a massive SB fight on a LAN party. The software is light enough to allow a player to host a five player game via 56k phone modem, just think how many players could be supported on Gbit Ethernet. The game allow scenarios with up to 180 tanks per side, with two players crewing each tank (commander and gunner) that spells up to 720 players in one battle!
I wouldn't think of doing that with the new SB Pro, 'cause that's too hardware demanding (and expensive in the required full version, and only sold to governments).
Another little gem is
Tropico, which is more of a political simulator where you rule a small caribbean island. I've had lots of success running it as a
true communist: Lots of democracy and freedom for the population, low wage spread and plenty of education and social services. No army! As such I'm loved by everybody (including USA and USSR) but the hardcore militarists on the island, and the tourist based economy flourish.
How many of these abovementioned games have you ever played...?
Cheers
Olle