Command and Conquer 4 Review

Command and Conquer 4 Review
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Plotline - Command and Conquer 4 Review (3 out of 5)

Tiberian Twilight picks up 10 years after the events of Kane’s Wrath. The year is 2062, and Tiberium has spread over so much of the Earth’s surface that it is estimated that it will be uninhabitable in only a few years time. It is in this environment that Brotherhod of Nod leader Kane travels to GDI’s headquarters in an attempt to create a Tiberium Control Network to stop the spread of the substance on Earth and use it as a power source.

As the last game in the C&C series many players will be expecting a finely crafted story giving the universe, GDI, Nod, and most importantly Kane himself the send off they thoroughly deserve. EA has let these fans down, however. The campaign’s story is lackluster and the conclusion of the game is mediocre at best.

Gameplay (3 out of 5)

The game departs from the quintessential element of the Command and Conquer games – base building. This leaves players with a game more akin to World In Conflict rather than C&C. While all credit should be given to EA for stepping outside of the mould and trying something they haven’t tried before, attempting this in the game used to finish such a venerable series as the Tiberian series.

What of the most frustrating points of the gameplay is that the player must always be connected to the internet, even when playing the campaign of playing an offline skirmish with the AI. This will hurt players with an unreliable net connection or without one, but there is one huge advantage that EA has put into the package to sweeten it up for the player. All points accrued in matches, whether they be online or offline, will count towards a player’s overall experience points – meaning that they will gain levels and unlock new features even if they only play offline.

Multiplayer (5 out of 5)

Command and Conquer: Tiberian Twilight

Multiplayer is where Tiberian Twilight gains back some respect. Players, in addition to choosing their faction, also must choose a role. These roles are Offense, Defense and Support, and each offer a different selection of units and abilities.

In the game’s sole multiplayer mode, Domination, players go head to head fighting over nodes of the Tiberium Control Network. In what might be more suited a First Person Shooter, when a team has captured a node, it causes their points to rise. Controlling more nodes will cause the team’s score to rise quicker. Once the team’s score has reached a certain number, they win. Additionally, player’s cannot be eliminated by having all of their units, making the game easier for newer players. While they still have their crawler, they are still able to churn out units – and even replace it with a new one if it is destroyed.

Graphics (5 out of 5)

Command and Conquer: Tiberian Twilight

While EA may have faltered with the story and some of the game play aspects of the game, they have hit right on the mark with the graphics. The models are all crisp and detailed, with the animations being right on the money. These graphics and models, while of a hugely improved quality from previous titles, maintains the same style as those seen in previous games. The explosion effects are one of the highlights of the game – and in trademark style are bombastic and overdramatic.

Tiberian Twilight is easily one of the best looking strategy games on the market at the moment. If only EA had put the effort into the other parts of the game, it would be a winner.

Sound (4 out of 5)

Players will once again hear the familiar sound of the EVA keeping them informed of the developments on the battlefield.

The sound effects in the Command and Conquer series have always been of a highly quality, and Tiberian Twilight is no exception to this rule. The sounds of weapons, explosions, tanks and the environment well recorded, and above all, well synced to the action happening in the graphics.

The soundtrack, while of an acceptable quality, is definitely missing Frank Klepacki’s touch from previous iterations.

Verdict - Command and Conquer: Tiberian Twilight Review (3 out of 5)

Command and Conquer: Tiberian Twilight

Command and Conquer: Tiberian Twilight had the opportunity to finish C&C’s main series on a high. Electronic Arts had plenty of time to work on the title, perfecting everything about it. Unfortunately, they have failed to do so, turning out a dry, short, boring story. Kane has been one of the most popular video game villains of all time. He deserved an appropriate send off, but EA has failed to provide him one.

For strategy fans, the prospect of no further Tiberian games being released may seem like a surreal one. However, in ending the series now, EA has done it the biggest favour possible – ending while it still has some hint of credibility about it. The Tiberian series will be remembered as the masterpiece it is, with Tiberian Twilight only a footnote on the end of it.