Command & Conquer Generals

Reviewed by Daniel MacKenzie

EA Games and Aspyr did a great job with Command & Conquer Generals. This game has reasonable game graphics that work well on my iBook G4. There are four main modes: Campaign, Generals Challenge, Skirmish and Online Play.

The Campaign mode is my favorite. You choose between three armies. China, USA and the GLA (terrorists). All of them give you specific objectives in each mission of the campaign like capture specific buildings or destroy the enemy base. Some missions can last for hours and hours, which is a good thing. You will defiantly get your moneys worth from this game.

The next option is Generals Challenge which is part of the expansion pack Zero Hour. If you buy the Deluxe edition you get both Command and Conquer Generals and Zero Hour. You get to pick a specific general and must beat all of the other generals one at a time. Each general has specific advantages like the USA Air Force General has better aircraft than the China Infantry General. After you beat every general you face a super general, which has control of all three armies and can use all three super weapons against you.

The third mode is Skirmish. There is a lot of different maps for you to play in skirmish. This is the mode where you can face more than one computer and no objective except all out combat. Also, you can win medals in a skirmish battle; although they don’t affect the game play, they do make you feel good. Each map has a certain number of players that can play in each map. You don’t have to have all of them filled but I do, because I like a challenge. You can pick your general or your opponent general. If you don’t care who is in charge, it’s fun to leave it on random.

The fourth mode is Online which is basically Skirmish or Generals Challenge, but online. You can play with as many people as your map holds and face people from around the world.

Conclusion:  

This game is almost perfect. The sound effects are very realistic and the music suits the game well. I love it! Anyone who enjoys war, RPG's, strategy or just blowing stuff up will enjoy this game. The only thing is, if you start off with using the expansion pack, is that there is no tutorial. You have to jump right in without knowing what to do (I think there is a tutorial in the version without the expansion pack but I’m not sure) but I found it pretty easy to learn.

There were no installation issues - just drag the folder off of the DVD into your applications folder. This game is a lot like Legion Arena but better, in my opinion. It has the same idea of having units and attacking an opponent but this game doesn’t get boring. Great job EA and Aspyr!