Command & Conquer™ and The Covert Operations™

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 121 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Command & Conquer™ and The Covert Operations™ Game Cover
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"Command & Conquer™ and The Covert Operations™" is a classic real-time strategy game where players choose to lead the humanistic GDI or the Brotherhood of Nod, each with their own unique faction and objectives. The game includes the expansion pack "The Covert Operations," adding new challenging missions to the original campaign. Prepare for intense battles and strategic warfare in this legendary RTS.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 121 reviews
story6 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a nostalgic experience with its classic gameplay, engaging story, and memorable soundtrack, making it a joy for long-time fans.
  • The campaign is well-designed, gradually introducing new units and mechanics, which keeps the gameplay fresh and enjoyable.
  • Despite its age, the game still runs well on modern systems and provides a straightforward RTS experience that is easy to pick up.
  • The game suffers from frequent crashes, particularly in specific missions, which can make it frustrating and unplayable at times.
  • Many players find the AI to be unbalanced, with enemy units spawning too quickly and making certain missions feel unfairly difficult.
  • The lack of modern quality-of-life features, such as unit queuing and improved pathfinding, can make the gameplay feel clunky and outdated.
  • story46 mentions

    The game's story revolves around a conflict between the Global Defense Initiative and the Brotherhood of Nod, featuring a mix of engaging yet cheesy narrative elements. While the missions are designed to introduce new gameplay mechanics and challenges, many players find the overall plot lacking coherence and the mission structure frustrating due to frequent crashes and poorly designed objectives. Despite these issues, the nostalgic cutscenes and the strategic depth of the missions keep players invested, even if they often resort to unconventional tactics to progress.

    • “Good game with an excellent and relevant story, but get the remaster for compatibility and stuff (you can put back the original graphics in the remaster as well if needed).”
    • “Released as the first expansion pack for the beloved 'Command & Conquer: Tiberian Dawn,' it introduces a stellar array of new missions, gameplay mechanics, and an enriching storyline that truly builds on what made the base game so fantastic.”
    • “The story and characters, while not too complex, are still engaging and always interesting to listen to.”
    • “Neither of the campaign’s plots make much sense or have any narrative through line you’re following other than vaguely showing battle lines moving across Europe and Africa when you select your next mission.”
    • “Then after selecting either the GDI or Nod transmission, someone wearing a cheap costume in front of a green screen immediately throws you into your first mission with almost no context.”
    • “The story and cutscenes are nostalgic but aren't worth playing the game for.”
  • music24 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere and immersion. The soundtrack is described as a standout feature, blending electronic and industrial elements reminiscent of classic titles, and is considered one of the best in video game history. While some players note that the music is a product of its time, it remains a beloved aspect that adds to the enjoyment of the gameplay experience.

    • “The soundtrack enhances the overall atmosphere, immersing you in the tense world of tactical warfare.”
    • “And then there’s the soundtrack, one of the greatest in video game history, which sounds like Ministry crossed with Pretty Hate Machine era Nine Inch Nails.”
    • “The music is just fantastic, Mechanic Man is top tier.”
    • “No music heard.”
    • “Good OST ruined by garbage AI.”
    • “Musical taste.”
  • gameplay21 mentions

    The gameplay of "Command & Conquer: The Covert Operations" is praised for its engaging and addictive nature, offering a mix of new missions and mechanics that enhance the classic experience. While some players find the mechanics frustrating compared to newer titles, the game remains accessible with a simple learning curve and a compelling narrative. Overall, it successfully combines strategy and warfare, making it enjoyable for both veterans and newcomers.

    • “Released as the first expansion pack for the beloved 'Command & Conquer: Tiberian Dawn,' it introduces a stellar array of new missions, gameplay mechanics, and an enriching storyline that truly builds on what made the base game so fantastic.”
    • “The added depth through stealth operations and espionage tactics keeps things fresh and engaging, adding layers of complexity to the already rich gameplay.”
    • “Engaging gameplay, interesting story, a damn good soundtrack... what's not to love?”
    • “So hard that you have to start abusing in-game mechanics and flaws in the AI in order to proceed.”
    • “I don't like the mechanics of this game; maybe I should not have played Command and Conquer: Generals and Red Alert first, because it's frustrating. The mechanics and strategy in this old version of the game are annoying, and I always compare it to the graphics, playstyle, and battle strategy of the much better versions of Command and Conquer games (Generals, Tiberium, Red Alert).”
    • “The gameplay is a bit claustrophobic as your units are surrounded by the fog of war and have next to no visibility, and buildings have to be built against each other.”
  • graphics14 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some praising the remastered visuals and modern adaptations that enhance the experience, while others criticize the dated aesthetic and lack of graphical options. Many users appreciate the nostalgic 2D visuals that capture the essence of the original, though some find the initial graphics jarring and reminiscent of a less colorful era in gaming. Overall, the remaster is seen as a significant improvement, but opinions vary on its execution and visual appeal.

    • “Remastered with good graphics, brand new original soundtrack, and fully mod support, which will give you a remastered experience and bring back your old memories.”
    • “Graphically, the game holds up nicely, with iconic 2D visuals that capture the essence of the series.”
    • “Their careful adaptation to modern computers and the remastered graphics are far superior.”
    • “For the first five minutes, my eyes bled so bad from the graphics, I wasn't sure I could continue.”
    • “The game really lacks options for graphical settings; it kinda just jumps you straight into the game.”
    • “From my point of view, 25 years later, it's still a primitive boyish strategy that relies mostly on quick reflexes and is full of sad grey/brown colors in the graphics.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players criticize the grinding aspect of the game as being meaningless and overly repetitive, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “Meaningless and repetitive grinding anytime, anywhere.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and lacks any real purpose.”
    • “I find the grinding to be tedious and unfulfilling.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game's stability is marred by numerous glitches, such as helicopters failing to pick up players and flying into danger zones. Additionally, players can exploit the economy by repeatedly targeting harvesters with vehicles, indicating potential balance issues.

    • “The game has a lot of glitches, like the helicopter not picking me up and flying off into a SAM site.”
    • “Above all, you can strangle the computer's economy if you keep hitting those harvesters with a bike or buggy.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on Windows 10 and higher, the pathfinding and AI performance are notably outdated, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences. Players may need to micromanage their units to avoid poor decision-making, while enemy AI often behaves passively. For those seeking enhanced performance and high-resolution support, community patches are available.

    • “All in all, it's a very convenient way of enjoying tower defense because it runs smoothly and instantly on Windows 10 and up. If you're into high resolution and multiplayer, just like all other Command & Conquer games, CNC Net and Nyers Patch on Mod DB are great places to go.”
    • “Pathing and AI performance have aged like milk; either your units willfully take themselves up the garden path if you don't micromanage them, or the enemy AI will sit in a corner to think about their actions, both to the player's chagrin.”
    • “The optimization issues make the game feel sluggish and unresponsive, detracting from the overall experience.”
    • “Frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay make it hard to enjoy the action, leaving players frustrated.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere is significantly enhanced by the soundtrack, which immerses players in a tense and engaging tactical warfare environment.

    • “The haunting visuals and ambient sounds create an incredibly immersive experience that keeps you on edge.”
    • “Every detail, from the lighting to the sound design, contributes to a chilling atmosphere that draws you into the game's world.”
    • “The soundtrack enhances the overall atmosphere, immersing you in the tense world of tactical warfare.”
    • “The game feels lifeless and lacks any real sense of immersion, making it hard to get invested in the environment.”
    • “Despite the potential for a rich atmosphere, the bland visuals and repetitive sound design leave much to be desired.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Users highlight that the game's replayability is exceptional, indicating a strong incentive to revisit the experience multiple times.

    • “Moreover, the replay value is outstanding.”
    • “The game offers countless choices that make each playthrough feel unique.”
    • “With multiple endings and character paths, I find myself coming back for more.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Users highlight that the emotional aspect of the game is deeply rooted in its historical context, allowing players to connect with and feel the weight of history through their experiences.

    • “From a historical perspective, experiencing the changes makes you feel as though you are touching history.”
    • “The emotional depth of the characters truly resonates, making their struggles and triumphs feel personal.”
    • “The game's narrative evokes a profound sense of empathy, allowing players to connect deeply with the story.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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