Hi All,
Just signed myself up to GOG.com.
I'm looking for recommendations on a good strategy game.
I'm not a big gamer, never bought a new game for many years. Just looking for something along the lines of my all time favourites which are:

* Transport Tycoon
* Caesar 3
* Command & conquer, red alert, generals etc
* Constructor
* theme hospital
* Civilisation series
* Syndicate

As you can probably see from that list I enjoy games where I've to build things, buildings, transport networks, armies etc.

Thanks in advance,
Shaun

I recommend The Guild. It's an economic simulator when you plays as a head of medieval dynasty. You need to take care of business (chaptel, pub or something else) and watching out for your successors because when your character die someone needs to take over. You can also aspire to be active in local politics, trade on local market, expand your business and so on.
I have been addicted to it for years.

Welcome to GOG. I hope you'll like it here :).

Do we have the Patrician series here?
Aside from that Tropico I-IV is always fun. I liked the 3rd and 4th installment of the series.

Yes. :D

I recommend Galactic Civilization 2
For me its the best 4x game for a couple of reasons:

- AI never cheats unless you want them to, so when you make a specific AI harder, that one acts mor eintelligent
- AI SEEMS to have long term plans, i dont know if thats actually so or if it just seems that way, but all in all the AI acts very humanlike
- diplomacy has a true meaning in this game, in other games its just a mean to ends, but here its really more than just a tool, its a way of playing so to speak, you can pretty much offer anything for everything, you can bribe enemies to go to war, you can buy weapons for peace

You seem to have a rather wide taste i games. Here are my recommendations:
On GOG
Alpha Centauri (Civ-like, but better!)
Age of Wonders series (not exactly like anything that you listed, but a good turnbased series)
Heroes of Might & Magic series (can probably skip the first one)
Dungeon Keeper (Again, quite different. Humor has similarities to that of Theme Hospital, at least i style)
Master of Magic (Civ-like)
Zeus (people say that it is like Caesar 3, but better, not played though)
Sacrifice (one of the most original strategy games I've played. Not a pure strategy game though)
Master of Orion 2 (somewhat similar to Civ)
KKND-series (quite similar to Command & Conquer)

Not on GOG:
Paradox's strategy games (Europa universalis, Victoria, Hearts of Iron, Crusader Kings and a few others, play the latest game in any given series (with the possible exception of HoI, where the second one is easier to get into. Quite complex and not super easy to get into, but very rewarding)
Outpost 2 (like a mix between Sim City & Command & Conquer. Ignore the first game in the series, it is bad)
Warzone 2100 (free, and somewhat similar to C&C, but with an interesting unit building mechanic. Also, persistent units)

Here:


-Dungeon Keeper 1 and 2
-Zeus
-Sacrifice (It's actually a hybrid Action/RTS game, but it's amazing)
-King of Dragon Pass (Not quite like anything you posted, but a fantastic TB-Management game, that's also text-driven)
-Colonization
-Master of Orion 1+2
-Eador: Genesis

Since you mentioned C&C I'll throw out the Settlers. There are a lot of them here, they are all quite different, and they are all relatively affordable. More strategy and planning than C&C but a lot less than everything else on your list.

Jagged Alliance 2 (with the 1.13 mod). Simply awesome

Another vote for Master of Magic over here. Nothing like summoning some hydras to steamroll through enemy cities while nuking the crap out of their major economic centers.

Master of Magic.

Heroes of Might and Magic series

Stronghold series

Colonization

More tactical : Jagged Alliance series, Freedom Force

Less serious gameplay : Evil Genius

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Outside GOG : Total War series, Homeworld series, Civilization series, Star Wars Rebellion

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Am currently having quite some fun with Reus but it's too early to say if it will last.

Eador: Genesis.

King of Dragon Pass for something more story oriented.

Simutrans is very much like Transport Tycoon, but different in a few vital areas.
It's also free
www.simutrans.com

Civilization is one of the best planet based 4X there is, Alpha Centauri I think is the best and since you like Civ I echo the others that recommend Alpha Centauri.
If you want to try a completely brilliant 4X in space play Space Empires IV Deluxe. I have found no better and believe me I have tried. :) It's very complicated but the reward you get when you have learned it is great.