empire earth was just a larger version of the AOE series in just one game and it was too big with regards to tech trees etc. and if you limited the ages it still kinda sucks since each country/civ uses the same units just like age
the best right now is C&C generals and WC 3ft since
both games have separate tech trees and units etc for each faction
generals resouces aren't limited as in WC but WC has heros
total war series was good since you had to really know what you were doing but gameplay was a bit limited
close combat series is one of the most realistic strategy game I have seen
infantry are in squads with weapon mixes for different fire teams etc
but now it is a bit outdated
any strat that isn't stuck on resource collecting and more on battle tactics is good