Command & Conquer: Another One?

Though StarCraft remains infinitely more popular than the Command & Conquer series, I've always had a love-affair with the Command & Conquer series. We probably would not have StarCraft or Warcraft were it not for Command & Conquer. Though I love Blizzard - easily the most successful PC gaming company the world has seen - I've not really been attracted to its comic-book approach to gaming, complete with its exotic stories and hyper-unrealistic characters. Though Command & Conquer isn't all that much better, complete with its cheesy full-motion videos and failed B-list actors and Battlestar Galactica babe-age, I'm fond of it because its first game completely revolutionized the PC gaming industry.

The first game's storyline (developed by the now defunct Westwood Studios) could have probably competed with most motion-pictures in existence for its time - even if the acting probably scared all gaming developers away from using live actors in games. The Kosovo conflict, which occured during the game's release, made the game experience ever so palpable because Kane's temple was located in Sarajevo. And all of this was expressed through state-of-the-art, full-motion video with graphics and sound that made most people's jaws drop. Throw that in with the sci-fi twist of the mysterious element named "Tiberium," which piques everyone's curiosity and interest, and you have a blockbuster, hall of fame game.

But lets face it. Since the first game, Command & Conquer has become a watered-down series. I believe EA has shot itself in the foot by repeatedly releasing Command & Conquer titles, over-saturating the market with RTS games that have not really evolved much since Command & Conquer's original release, aside from some gameplay additions and improved graphics. Westwood's Tiberian Sun, which was not all that bad of a game, failed to meet fans' high expectations and introduced strange science-fiction elements. Still, with each release of a Command & Conquer game, I am instantly reconnected with the experience of the very original, which is why I am somehow able to put up with the game's deficiencies and buy a release time and time again. Unfortunately, this might be the last game in the Command & Conquer series that I am able to say this, as this is the final foray into Kane's universe (though the rumor is that EA probably will introduce Tiberium into future strategy games).

Command & Conquer 4 is exclusive to the PC only. Sadly it will not be making it to consoles, and if I had to wager a guess, probably will not show up on the Mac. This is probably due to lackluster sales for those platforms.

The website is at http://www.commandandconquer.com/cnc4/index.html.