Command and Conquer: Generals by Al Giovetti
Reviews
By Al Giovetti
Price:$50
Genre:real time strategy
Release:February 11, 2003
Developer: Westwood
Lead Artist:
Programmer:
ESRB Rating:
Producer:
Publisher: Electronic Arts/EA Games
Phone:
Website: http://westwood.ea.com/
Requirements:
Windows XP/Me/2000/98, 800 MHz Intel Pentium III or AMD Athlon Processor, 128 MB RAM, 8x CD-DVD ROM, 1.8 GB free HDD space plus space for saved games, Windows swap-file and DirectX 8.1, 32MB AGP video card using the nVidia GeForce 2 or ATI Radeon 7500 or more rescent video chipset with DirectX 8.1 compatable driver, DirectX 8.1 compatable sound driver and card, keyboard and mouse Multiplayer: 256 MB RAM (3 to 8 players), One set of game disks per player Disc one and disc two cannot be used simultaneously for multiplayer games.
Recommended:
1.8 GHz or better Pentium IV or AMD Athlon processor, 256 MB or more RAM, nVidia GeForce 3 or more rescent Direct 3D compatible video card.
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Command and Conquer: Generals
Summary * History * Company Line * Game Play * Plot * Graphics * Animation * Voice Actors * Music Score * Sound Effects * Utilities * Multi-player Features * Cheats, Hints, and Walkthrough * Journalists * References * Letters
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Arguably, the first real time strategy (rts) game was invented by Westwood with the advent of Dune II in 1992. Over the years companies like Blizard brought out innovative titles based upon the rts system Westwood created. Westwood is also known for the Legends of Kyrandia (computer graphic adventure), Eye of the Beholder (computer role playing game), Lands of Lore (computer role playing game), and Command and Conquer (real time strategy) series series, th3 action role playing game NOX and the ground breaking Blade Runner title.
Many are hailing the next game in the series of real time strategy games from Westwood as the best and most compelling title yet. The setting in the middle east with terrorists versus the Chinese and the Americans who are at times reluctant allies is right from the pages of the newspapers and the television coverage of the Iraq and Talabond wars of 2002 and 2003.
Be the ultimate modern warfare general.
The game play from Westwood has always been point and click. Right click on the unit and right click on the target to attack and location to move. Westwood is the only game company who uses this right click based control instead of mixing right and left click commands. After playing Lucas Arts Galactic Battlegrounds or some of the other real time strategy models such as Microsoft's Age of Mythology, the controls are awkward but easily relearned.
You play as one of three generals (not the nine generals announced in the pre-release press release): China, Terrorist (Global Liberation Army) and the Americans (USA). Each army/general type has its own strengths and weaknesses in true Westwood real time strategy fashion.
The Terrorists/Global Liberation Army (GLA) have the advantage of not requiring power and of salvaging in the field from defeated enemy vehicles which provide both equipment upgrades and cash. The Chinese have the most powerful weapons, but are limited to the resources that they can find in the field. Americans and the GLA can salvage supplies from supply dumps and from structures that produce money. The GLA uses its black market to print money while the Americans have an air drop pad to make money to pay for buildings, vehicles, soldiers and upgrades.
The setting is modern day, where terrorists and the free world are fighting a constant battle. The terrorists are fighting against imperialism. The Chinese and the USA (and United Nations) are defending themselves against the terrorist attacks. The warfare even involves Iraq and Afganastan where fighting has been in the news lately.
The setting provides a reflection of the events currently going on in the modern world. Westwood seems to be saying to the world that USA, UN and China are not enemies, but that they must unite in the war against terrorism. Terrorists are portrayed as insensitive and unthinking fanatics to their cause which must be won at all costs without any consideration for human rights or compassion.
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