I honestly can't believe people like it, I mean, I really can't.
The campaigns are good, epic battles because of a Co-commander?
From start to finish I basically witnessed no attacks on my base past a couple tanks at a time. 90% of the levels they really only defended. The maps are TINY, theres very little contesting for ORE mid map or anything, no strategic points worth fighting over. They sit in their base, don't build up an army and do nothing. Its incredibly basic, easy, way to fast, and the story is awful. I love the FMV's in the early games but these had a crap story behind them, which made them crap.
it chops and changes in an instant with no build up, it would be hard to explain without massive spoilers. The first few games, the entire game from first mission to last is building up a war piece by piece to a finale. Winning that first almost end of war battle, struggling to take back piece of land by piece of land, securing some kind of technology to help you, gaining support for this that or the other, rescuing bases on the brink of being destroyed, stopping research being stolen, stopping nukes from being taken.
THeres was just nothing like that in this game, not even really one mission with a small part of the story like that.
I'd enjoy a run through the first game again than this pile of tripe. ITs probably got better/more fun units that CNC3, but then everything since Generals has been pretty awful.
I think the co-commander was maybe a nice idea for one or two missions, but it was a case of "we've had an idea, lets put it in where ever we can since its our only new(ish) idea". it just made it too easy, it largely stopped you having to defend your base as you can simply have them attack and draw all the fire. Its far to simple and not a single mission was remotely difficult. Even the solo commando using missions were so so basic and easy. I remember the old ones, which were far far harder and more complex, working out patrol patterns on some, working out exactly who to kill and in what order sometimes. These, just felt like console dumbed down turdity, big boxes over every target telling you exactly what to do and having non player controlled people that do most of it themselves, frankly all those missions are utterly pathetic and a poor excuse for filler missions.
THe thing thats most dissappointing is the units are FAR improved over CNC3, some are just downright fun to use though its such zerg tactics that it was more about numbers than controlling your units well. Almost back to the Prism tank level of fun but not quite. But with far more "fun" units, and I think the ability for more variety, the ridiculously easy missions and really not engaging story thats also far to short with too many led by a carrot style commando missions the good units were just wasted.
Graphically it was technically up to scratch, purdy lighting and water, but style wise. Flat flat flat, roads, terraine, buildings, tree's, everything was bright and utterly uninspired. awful design with a pretty sheen ontop, not nearly good enough.
Honestly, if you hate it that much why keep playing it?!!
My friend also bought it I wondered something;