Command and conquer games8/3/2023 ![]() Red Alert 2 is, without a doubt, the height of Command and Conquer. Each was a tough fight, and after beating all eight generals on your run, you fought a final boss who used tech from all three factions at once. ![]() Players would pick one of nine newly introduced generals who emphasized various powers-US Air Force, Chinese Infantry, GLA Toxins, and so on-and then fight against the other eight leaders one-by-one on their respective home turfs, each a unique map that played to their specific strengths. ![]() Yet more was added in Zero Hour, Generals’ expansion pack that provided new units, campaign missions, and an in-depth challenge mode. Generals’ campaign was much more forgettable than any previous C&C entries, but its multiplayer and skirmish were second to none-whether battling the AI or other players, it felt infinitely replayable, an RTS where you were limited only by your personal skill and how intricately you knew your units. New additions like a faction-based talent tree, unit upgrades, and some secondary abilities all added to the game’s depth without becoming overwhelming. Each had its own interesting application to the battlefield, each was well-themed (and well voice-acted), and each was satisfying to command. I spent thousands of hours playing Generals, and I used every unit and faction in the game extensively. This is a game where 'F-22 harass' and 'Toxin tractor rush' are equally viable, where if you play your cards right, you can use whatever units you want. Heliborne infantry drops to secure key map points? Fancy, and effective. Combined arms siege crawl supported by artillery and point defense? Slow, but hits like hell. Basic tank rush? Works like it always did. The intricacies that made later Westwood C&Cs so good are all here-infantry, vehicles and static defenses all interact in a satisfying way that makes for a balanced environment where every option is viable, and more importantly, enjoyable. While Generals deviated from everything previous, it stands on its own as a fantastic RTS experience. This is a game where 'F-22 harass' and 'Toxin tractor rush' are equally viable. I said it then and I will say it to my grave-they were wrong. They pointed to the removal of resource fields for a new supply dump based economy, to the abandonment of the Tiberium and Red Alert worlds for a more realistic one, to the lack of FMV cutscenes and the new 3D engine, all as to signs it wouldn’t be a good C&C game. When Generals first appeared, fans naysayed its many changes. It also rivals RA2 for being the best C&C game ever. But the most memorable Red Alert campaign for me has to be the one Westwood added in it’s expansion, Counterstrike. Other missions required you to sabotage bridges, make amphibious landings, or save Einstein. ![]() I love the Soviet mission where you have to hunt a spy down with attack dogs and troops, leaving a path of destruction through villages as you left him nowhere to hide. Whether you’re being intimidated in Stalin’s boardroom or brought up to speed by the Allies' no-nonsense generals, the briefings invested you in Red Alert’s world, and in a campaign where your commanding officers become more and more dependent on you as you gradually become their Top Man. Red Alert featured a campaign for each faction with a full complement of FMV cutscenes, just like its predecessor, and again they do a wonderful job of setting the tone. Hitler has been handshaken from existence. It also included a map editor for players to create their own multiplayer battlefields. However, it'll set you back $6.99.Red Alert didn’t just provide more toys to play with-it iterated on existing gameplay systems and brought in new ones, such as introducing a second, rarer resource that provided higher cashflow, unique hero units like Tanya, and naval combat that supported the main land forces. In case you're interested, there's also an iPhone version of Red Alert, which arguably looks better than the PC version. In the meantime, check out GameSpot's preview of, believe it or not, Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight. If you have enough tech savvy to get the games up and running, I think you'll enjoy them considerably. It's much quicker and much easier, plus it's all but mandatory for Netbook users, for whom I think these power-thrifty games are ideal.) Use the free MagicISO utility mentioned in the guide. (Bit of advice: Don't bother burning CDs. I was able to get Red Alert running on a Windows Vista-equipped laptop, but only by following the installation instructions to the letter. However, installing them can be a major pain. ![]() There are no strings attached EA has simply allowed the three games to become freeware. Red Alert was even better, and GameSpot agreed, awarding it a 9.5. The very first time I played Tiberian Dawn, which was originally known simply as Command & Conquer, I became a lifelong fan of the genre. On the other hand, you're in for hours, days, maybe even weeks of solid RTS entertainment. ![]()
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