Command and Conquer a long running and beloved RTS series originally developed by Westwood Studios before they were bought by EA hasn’t had a game in years since the widely reviled Command And Conquer 4.
So when a new game was announced to be coming out people got excited… then those hopes and dreams were dashed away when it was announced as a mobile game.
For the sake of clarity this is a screenshot from Command And Conquer 3:
And this is what Command And Conquer Rivals looks like:
As you can see there’s a massive difference between the two games. For die-hard fans of the series you’re better off skipping this article and this game altogether; this game was not made for you. It caters to a mobile crowd looking for a RTS-like experience on mobile. If you are interested to know if it succeeds in this regard then read on.
In the classic C&C games you deploy armies, explore the map and expand your base as you outwit your opponent(s) and destroy them. In Rivals however there is a missile base that is conveniently located in the middle of the map and you basically have to take it over and protect it as it attacks the enemy base destroying it within a few minutes. However while it sounds simple there is a bit of strategy involved.
Just like in classic C&C you have to manage your resources. You can only deploy units or build buildings to make more units if you have enough resources and you have to consider what to build first in order to seize victory. Do you build a barracks and get infantrymen to capture the missile base as quickly as possible or save your resources for a war factory to build powerful tanks? You must also consider the different unit types and what they are weak against. For example the regular rifle infantryman are strong against other humans but they are weak against tanks whereas their rocket-launcher equipped cousins are strong against tanks but not as effective against other humans, You also have a Commander who can use a particular perk. One Commander for instance has the ability to allow you to deploy turrets that you can use to defend the missile control points.
As you win fights you will gain EXP which will increase your rank and give you access to other modes as well as access to the Brotherhood of NOD. Of course since this is EA there are lootboxes in this game, hence the in-app purchases part. These lootboxes will unlock new units or powerup existing ones but of course whether you get what you want or not is dependent solely on luck. Thankfully winning in this game is not tied to how much money you throw at the game but by your strategies and outplaying your opponent.
This is game is multiplayer only and thus like many mobile games requires a constant internet connection. There are also no live-action cutscenes, a staple in many C&C games and there is no real story, just quick matches against another player in battle for supremacy
E-Sports was the main focus of this game and so battles are quick and tide can quickly turn against you if you are not careful. Those looking for a simple RTS game to play on the go will pleasantly surprised but die-hard fans of the series wanting a true C&C experience on mobile will be left wanting as it simplifies the entire game and it only resembles the C&C of old in name only.
Command & Conquer Rivals is available now for free for both Android and iOS platforms.
References:
Metacritic
Youtube
PlayStore and AppStore
HamD Reviews 