I've recently started playing Age of Empires 1 and 2 again...I couldn't get in to 3 as much, though. The first two games are about as good as it gets, I think .
the first strategic game I ever played was command and conquer, so after that I really loved this series and also red alert was great.
My Favorite Strategic Game... counter strike Age of Empires Stronghold Crusader Back to War Empire: Total War Rome: Total War Starcraft Homeworld 2 Chess The Perfect General 2 AOE mythology WORLD OF WARCRAFT
you are true at certain extend that counter strike requires strategy but actually strategy games are way to different, in counter strike your shooting skill works but in strategy games only strategies...