C&C 3 Review

I recently purchased and installed C&C and don't see much traffic here about it (other than problems) so I figured I'd put my two cents in on the game.

One of the very first games I played on computer was the original Command and Conquer and eventually the expansion (both of which I played until I could do nothing else). Since that first obsession I've kept more or less up to date on C&C games so I feel I have some experience with the series. C&C and Red Alert blew my mind when they came out and I even got into the various Red Alert mods (who doesn't like exploding dog cannons?) and the ant missions in C&C. More recently I've played Generals and Zero Hour only putting them down to play Warhammer: Dark Crusade and Company of Heroes.

Warhammer and Company heroes figure heavily into my perception of Command and Conquer 3 which has it's pros and cons. Playing Warhammer and CoH spoiled me, quite frankly, they are wonderfully crafted RTS's with some new angles and innovative considerations for the genre. Most notably you interact with the map which manifests itself in Warhammer as hiding in trees or impact craters and in CoH as hiding behind anything that stands up.

On to C&C:

It's gorgeous compared to Generals. Generals felt close to Warcraftesque cartoonishness when I played it but C&C 3 feels solid and much more like the C&C I remember. The weapons, the explosions, the scenery and misc buildings (which are necessary for any C&C title) look good and your base buildings don't look like poorly textured geometric shapes anymore (I didn't like the Generals buildings at all).

Gameplay feels a bit slower. You don't rush around the map at breakneck speed which gives you the ability to actually think about what you're doing in a game which I love. After playing games like Warhammer and CoH I had become a bit tired of the instant/constant action style of gameplay they highlight and I was put to sleep by Supreme Commander's horribly slowness at everything.

The controls are basic compared to Warhammer and CoH (I warned you I'll be comparing). After worrying about where my units are, which way they are facing, what they are hiding behind and using special abilities constantly playing C&C feels very simple. This isn't a button mashing ability-fest where you have to dedicate complete concentration to each battle to win.

I love the story even though I'm finding it difficult to make the time to finally finish the damn game. Company of Heroes had a built in story which was fairly well executed but C&C has it's own story with the live action videos I loved in the original and even some actors and actresses I recognize. They took their time and put together a decent storyline and used one of my favorite methods of conveying it in a video game.

Overall I think it's a good game, maybe a 7/10. It loses points in originality of gameplay, loses points in the control options and depth of control, and somewhat in the units though it gains some back by finally instituting squad based soldiers even if it's not quite as well implemented as other RTS's. Also, it doesn't invade your life which I love. I can actually pick it up for 45 minutes to an hour and advance the storyline unlike any of THQ's games which take at least an hour if not two especially Company of Heroes which can drag on forever.

I have yet to determine if super weapons will destroy it for me as they did in Generals but every other level of technology has been integrated and balanced with such finesse I doubt it will.

Keep in mind this is just one RTS addict's opinion but I think it's a solid, if not groundbreaking, game and I may have things to add as I progress ever further and maybe even get involved in online play (though with my job that's unlikely).

 

I actually prefer a balance of patient but not overly complicated game play, a la advance wars series from the GBA

I'd love to buy this game, but this is the guy who's had Oblivion sitting wrapped on his desk for 3 weeks...

 

When we play Generals: ZH, we always limit superweapons. It's the only way for it to be an interesting game, otherwise it's who can mine resources while keeping out the riff-raff just enough, while building straight down the tech tree to get to the superweapon, and then building a ton of them.

C&C3, I have only played the demo, but I like it so far. The simplicity of the controls is actually nice when you're a semi-casual player, because it lets you get into the game and have pretty much full control without having to spend days of play time learning all the intricacies of control, and then have to learn strategies. I still don't play C&C:Generals that well, and I play it at least a couple times a month with my buddies.

Edit: Sorry, I was kinda off-topic Thanks for the review! I'm thinking about getting that game, haven't decided for sure though.

 

awesome i love command and conquer

 

I've been playing it the last few days and I like the game, but wish it was more of a challenge. Haven't had time to play online with friends, but the campaign is pretty easy so far. I love the way the story is presented through the videos. More games should do this. I've bought every single C&C game so far, and the only one I really did not like was Renegade. The rest ranged from very good (Red Alert) to decent (Generals).

 

lol, Z List actors in cheesy cut scenes looking embarrassed to be there (I take this from videos on the interweb)

Yes, they should definitely have it in every game

 

I beat the GDI campaign the other day and from what I gathered from the ending there will probably be an expansion. In one mission you have to defend your base with limited resources and rescue your MCV that's being attacked by NOD forces, I found that mission to be hard. I like the new Commando and Zone troopers with the jet packs.

 

I agree, the simplistic controls are great for casual play and I needed the rest, I swear CoH was giving me carpal tunnel. I don't think it's really a detriment to the game but not really a plus either. In retrospect I'd probably bump my rating up to an 8/10 because it really balances itself out.

I think the videos are absolutely hysterical plus they have added some hot females which makes them must easier to watch .

 

The new GDI commando is a total badass, I wish they had some cut scenes for him and some more indoor infiltration missions (remember Tanya from Red Alert ).

The single player is superb, after struggling through the Supreme Commander campaign this one was twice as entertaining. As I said I wanted more indoor missions but most of the ones they had were pretty entertaining; i.e. Croatia. FMV cut scenes are pretty decent actually , if you guys want bad acting go watch the original c&cs. I liked the Hollywood influence , Tricia Helfer anyone? The intro music was totally bad ass and they fused the Scrin into the storyline very well. If you read the intel briefings the story actually got pretty in depth. Single player is 9.5/10.

Multiplayer is equally fun, although it has gotten off to a rough start. The autoupdater hasn't worked and originally it was the only way to get the patch before EA started posting patches on the FTP server. This resulted in limited online play for most people. The ones that got in experienced crashes and 'ghosting boxes' when they logged in. They also changed the lobbys from an organized state 'Casual, Automatch, Hardcore, Modded Maps, Clan, etc' to 'Lobby 1, Lobby 2, Lobby 3, etc...' which I think is a horrible decision but they will be changing it back I heard. Also the game isn't quite balanced yet, the main point being shadow teams. After simplying building a power plant , barracks and secret shrine with nod you can call in 2 ranked shadow teams. Basically these are flying, permenant stealth, infantry dominating, c4 bombing badasses you can get 40 seconds into the game. Also they can kill a power plant or a crane or a surveyor with 2 c4s (and you get 2 of them , get it?). Personally ive been dominating the ladder with them and they need fixing. The multiplayer also has a bright side, there is a 1v1, 2v2, clan 1v1, clan 2v2 ladder that are very competitive due to the HUGE online population [i.e. most of those 20 lobby channels are already almost full]. You have the ability to create clans, view the ladder, participate in the forums, download patches, read news, watch battlecasts, listen to commentaries, and download multimedia for C&C3 all at commandandconquer.com . The battlecasting and commentary systems are AMAZING, you have the ability to choose whether you want to allow commentators or have your game casted while you are creating the game. This gives the ability for people who dont want to play multiplayer but like to participate the ability to get involved. Players have the ability to rank commentators, even fellow players at the end of each game. Also along with displaying your record and standing you are also given a rank (like stars on a generals collar), each time you gain a level you don't just simply gain in terms of a number you get a new symbol beside your name. You have the ability to add friends to your friend list , invite them to games, and leave messages for them even when they are not online. Finally, there are indicators before the game even begins of your connection status, if your opponent has a bad connection you won't even need to wait to see the in-game lag and you know exactly where your opponent is from because that is displayed as well (by Country). If the modding community jumps on and the game continues to be patched (3 already!) the multiplayer will be good for years. 8.75/10.

The sidebar is back which was lacking in generals and made the game feel very un-command and conquer like. Included in the game box are a list of hotkeys. In warcraft I personallized all my hotkeys but I liked these pre-configured ones that I didn't need to change any , this was important to me. The textures (especially the water and building explosions) look stunning and it doesn't take a powerhouse machine to run. The game is capped at 30 Frames Per Second but its not exactly 'easy' to get to that point. On medium I can play at 30FPS on an x1400, not bad at all , very optimized engine was important for me after playing CoH and Sup Com. Every unit has something to say and explosions are explosions, actors can act (it is Hollywood TV B-List stuff lol), and in general sound quality is good without problems. The presentation and gameplay are exactly like you would have seen in the orginal command and conquer games. This game really sticks to its roots even Joe Kucan is still Kane! Everything else minus single/multiplayer is basically 8.5/10.

Overall, considering the gameplay, presentation, graphics, sound, and lasting appeal I would give it 8.75/10 overall.

 

Anyone comment on this review? Seems a little more cynical and tiresome (may be wrong choice of words) than others I've read, yet at the same time I get why he still likes it and just perhaps it hasn't put me off the game

 

I agree with it to a degree. It really is ridiculously easy compared to the originals. C&C, Red Alert and their expansions were fantastically difficult. I still have never fully completed both expansions. I'm playing the campaign on normal and it's just really truly easy. Luckily I'm not thinking about it because I wanted something easy since Supreme Commander is such an endurance test but I'm sure I'll be pissed off later when I've won without breaking a sweat.