Command & Conquer Generals
This is probably the most famous strategy game known among gamers (and non-gamers!). Ever since Command & Conquer (“The Original”), the game has come a long way with Red Alert, Red Alert 2 and Generals – which is relatively old compared to other current hits since it’s already 2 years old. Well, you never forget some old games (some of which are even classified as abandon ware). The story is that I’ve started playing Generals a couple of days ago. The game was sitting on my desk for almost a year now and time was not a luxury during that period so all it did is eat dust.
I’ve already finished the campaigns missions which I must admit, although boring a bit, extensively explore all the units, buildings and other issues the game can offer. So if you’re still new to Generals, you should start with playing the campaigns missions, they’ve been a great help for me in order to know what are the strong points and weaknesses of each nation. Talking about the nations let me talk about what the game is about. Well first of all it’s a strategy game (you should at least know that, the game was voted the best 2003 strategy game). Another famous game you could compare it too is Warcraft III.
Three nations (countries, territories, clans… call them whatever you want) face each other in the game:
- U.S.A.: this nation exists in the Command and Conquer series ever since it was created. Let’s face it, the U.S. army has the strongest weaponry in the world, no doubt they should play a big part in the game.
Units: The U.S.A. has a very strong air force (some of the planes available: Raptor, Stealth Fighter) and a powerful ground and tank army.
Special Weapon: Practical Uplink Cannon.
- China: the second greatest nation, in my opinion, today. Ten years ago, the cold war was opposing the western world (headed by the U.S.A.) and the eastern world (headed by the U.S.S.R.). Today, the most notable division we could talk about is between China and the U.S.A. (economically rather than military-related).
Units: China has powerful but slow and expensive tanks; its ground force is acceptable. As for its air force, it’s less sophisticated than the U.S.A.’s one.
Special Weapon: Nuclear Missile.
- GLA (Global Liberation Army): the nearest similar country that could be considered to be represented by the GLA is Iraq and more generally Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Iran…).
Units: The ground troops of the GLA are the most powerful, their tanks are very cheap and the least powerful but very strong if used efficiently. As for the air force, well GLA doesn’t have any.
Special Weapon: Scud Storm.
The game graphics are great, could be better of course (well today, graphics are more real than reality). The music in the game is also superb. Briefly, the game play is just great, assuming you have the right hardware equipment (1.5 Ghz, 256 Mb Ram and 32 Mb Graphic card should be more than enough).
Download Command & Conquers Generals Demo
Command & Conquers Generals Official Web Site
