I have a question for Pike and the rest of you strategy game fans.

I'm a big fan of Tactical RPGs, some of which I mentioned in this thread (FFT, TO, FE, etc.). In fact, this genre may even by my favorite game genre. Some of the things I like about it are the integration of RPG elements (story, characters, class/equipment systems) with the tactical gameplay. My question is, would I still enjoy the more 'traditional' strategy games that may be lacking the RPG elements?

My main concern is the single player campaign in these games. Of the items on Pike's list I've only played AOE2. It's a really fun game, but only when you have someone to play with. Is that generally how strategy games are, or do some have involving single-player campaigns with characterization, story, etc.? I really have no interest in just doing random battle after battle if there are no characters or world to anchor myself to.

FYI, the game I'm considering buying is XCOM Enemy Unknown, but you guys talk a big storm about SMAC all the time that I might try that one too.