Command & Conquer: Generals

The Good
This game takes RTS games to another whole demintion. It uses a 3D engine, which gives it some of the best computer graphics to date. The interface is extremely useful and easy to master. Also, unlike many other RTS games the different sides have different units. There is only 1 unit that stays the same on each side. There are 3 sides,China, GLobal Liberation Army (GLA), and the U.S. The sides are perfectly balanced, but each are uniquely different. Another new addition to the Command & Conquer series is that you can earn generals promotions, and points. (hence the name Generals) When you gain promotions and points you can select from a bunch of different things like EMP pulses, A-10 airstrikes, and even suprise rebel ambushes. The superweapons have been redifined, so that none of them are all too powerful.

The Bad
The only problems with this game are it's bugs. It has more of them than a Motel 6. Sometimes it will freeze randomly, shut down, or the screen might turn black. I don't have time to go into the details about all of them but be warned, you will have to download nearly every patch created. Fortunately it does have a great help service.

The Bottom Line
If you can deal with the ocasional mishap this game is well worth the money that you'll pay for it. I wouldn't recomend it to a novice player. It can be hard, although most of the time it's easy.

The Good
I am a great fan of the C&C series. Tiberian Sun was my favourite. The graphics in C&C generals were very good. The intros were great. The gameplay (while it lasted) was also excellent.

The Bad
I completed it in a day. There was only one mission that my 7 year old brother couldn't win (played on brutal as USA). I got more gameplay out of the older titles. I was a bit uneasy with the American/Arab/Chinese stereotypes. It was far too short.

The Bottom Line
great game - enjoyed it thoroughly - but finished it in a day.

The Good
This game is fast paced and skirmishes against humans never last as long as those in C&C Red Alert and Total Annihilation. Battles against computers can be short aswell and the AI always keeps you on your toes. The simplicity of setting up a online game is great and their are always plenty of people waiting to get their whipped or completly destroy you. The fine models complement the variety from team to team, each team has different weapons and attributes. These units fit perfectly into the graphically fantastic enviroment. On a not a enthusiastic note the idle worker button is a great addition.

The Bad
A fundemental aspect of a strategy game is how much strategy is involved in playing the game. I feel that Generals hasn't eradicated the tank rush of Red Alert like Total Annihilation (TA) did, no game can completely eradicate it but TA came closest. Also not much strategy is involved in actually winning the game, tanks can win the game without air support, naval support (there are no naval units) or basic infantry support. Flanking can be used but will only waste time since a head on attack will win the game. Air support is limited in the Chinese army to MIGs, the GLA doesn't have one, the USA does, but what doesn't the USA have. This brings me onto the lack of units and therefore methods of attacking and defending, stationary defence is limited to one structure per team and tanks are just not varied enough.

The Bottom Line
A nice addition to anyones RTS game selection, but it won't keep you occupied for long, I reverted to completely back to Total Annihilation after a week or two. Best for internet gaming, if I were deciding whether to buy it or not then I would, but when the price has gone down.