Reviewed: May 2, 2010
Reviewed by: Jason Flick
Publisher
Electronic Arts
Developer
EA Los Angeles
Released: March 16, 2010
Genre: RTS
Players: 1-10
7
8
7
7
7.1
System Requirements:
The Command & Conquer series is one of the most prolific real-time strategy titles on the face of the planet, with hundred of thousands of players all over the world. The newest and final installment, Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight is the final chapter in the Kane saga. On a personal level, RTS titles are not my forte, but Command & Conquer has always been a title that I’ve been willing to try time and time again.
In this conclusion to the Kane saga, the player takes command of one Commander Parker, a military officer who had just received implants to restore his vision after a battle wound destroyed his eyesight. The story goes that 15 years after the events of the last Tiberian War, the separatists aren’t too thrilled with Kane’s alliance with the GDI.
The core gameplay is actually quite different this time around, which I must say is both a bold move and refreshing at the same time. Instead of using the same resource-gathering dynamic that the previous titles had the focus this time is more on controlling Tiberian Control Networks by sheer numbers. There are two playable factions and campaigns to control in Tiberian Twilight, the GDI and the Brotherhood of Nod. The campaigns may differ from perspective but ends up at the same place. I won’t spell out the details but it has a satisfying ending.
At your disposal are three different command units: Offense, Defense and Support. There are around 90 different units total between both Nod and GDI forces that you can utilize during the various campaign missions under these three areas. Wither it be the rugged Titan Mk. II for offensive maneuvers or the mobile multi-purpose Spartan for defense or the oddly named Orca support vehicle. The two sides of this alliance each have their own specialties and such as the Nod’s ability to burrow. The majority of the skills you gain are the same on both sides though.
Over the years, the Command & Conquer series has visually gotten better and better. The model designs and environments are all well done complete with aerial shadowing. The one thing that I like the most about Tiberian Twilight is its use of live action video to tell the story. No series on any platform has done this at the same level as the Command & Conquer series. The iconic Kane, portrayed by one Joseph D. Kucan, makes his last great appearance in the Tiberian Saga. I am probably not alone when I say that he will be truly missed on screen.
Like many of the C&C titles, I enjoyed the chatter from the different units when you select them. I also enjoyed the audiovisual messages from the various NPC’s that help you along the way. The music is enjoyable and puts you in the mood to play.
Besides the single player campaign, players can engage in some co-op combat by teaming up to play the main campaigns, which are really fun. For those looking for something a bit more of a challenge you can go toe-toe with other players around the world in objective based combat. For those that wish to play Command & Conquer: Tiberian Twilight however you’ll need a constant Internet connection. This is due to the more recently implemented DRM system to cut down on piracy.
For someone that doesn’t really play titles from the RTS genre, I have always liked the Command & Conquer series for various reasons. This last chapter in the Kane Saga is a fine end to one of my favorite video game personas. I also really liked the way that the developers changed up the gameplay dynamics. I’ve never really been a fan of constant resource gathering in games overall but Tiberian Twilight’s new dynamics made it much more enjoyable. I do recommend this title to any long time players of the series or at least those with an uninterrupted Internet connection.
