Command & Conquer™ and The Covert Operations™

82%
Game Brain Score Based on 146 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
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

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 146 reviews
story7 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • Command & Conquer is a classic RTS that helped popularize the genre, offering engaging gameplay and a nostalgic experience.
  • The game features a memorable soundtrack and iconic live-action cutscenes that add to its charm.
  • Despite its age, the game remains fun and challenging, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.
  • The game suffers from frequent crashes and technical issues, making it frustrating to play at times.
  • Many modern quality-of-life features are missing, leading to clunky controls and outdated mechanics that can hinder enjoyment.
  • While nostalgic, the game's design and difficulty spikes can feel unfair and unbalanced compared to contemporary RTS titles.
  • story54 mentions

    The game's story is often described as simplistic and lacking depth, with many missions feeling disconnected from a cohesive narrative. While some players appreciate the nostalgic cutscenes and the engaging premise of a conflict between the Global Defense Initiative and the Brotherhood of Nod, others criticize the missions for being poorly designed and repetitive, often requiring players to rely on exploits to progress. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a driving force, with many players opting to focus on the strategic challenges rather than the narrative itself.

    • “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.”
    • “The game tells the story of a world war between two globalized factions: the Global Defense Initiative of the United Nations and a cult-like militant organization called the Brotherhood of Nod.”
    • “The story and cutscenes are nostalgic but aren't worth playing the game for.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay27 mentions

    The gameplay is a blend of simplicity and complexity, offering an engaging experience that is easy to learn yet challenging to master. While some players find the mechanics clunky and frustrating compared to modern strategy games, the addition of new missions and tactics in expansions like "Command & Conquer: The Covert Operations" revitalizes the classic gameplay. Overall, it remains addictive and enjoyable, with a nostalgic charm that appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers.

    • “It's one of those cases when, while heavily relying on presentation, the game didn't forget about the gameplay, which was still a king.”
    • “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?”
    • “The clunky mechanics make it harder to enjoy, especially if you're used to modern strategy games.”
    • “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 and how annoying the mechanics and strategy in this old version of the game were.”
  • music25 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many praising the soundtrack as one of the greatest in video game history, featuring a blend of electronic and industrial influences. Composed by Frank Klepacki, the music not only enhances the atmosphere of tactical warfare but has also achieved cult status, with fans expressing a desire for more releases to feature similar soundtracks. Overall, the engaging and memorable compositions significantly contribute to the game's nostalgic appeal and enjoyment.

    • “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.”
    • “Better music.”
  • graphics16 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some praising the remastered visuals and nostalgic 2D art that captures the series' essence, while others criticize the outdated graphics and lack of customization options. Many players appreciate the remaster for its improved compatibility and the ability to revert to original graphics, though some find the initial visuals jarring. Overall, the game's graphics are seen as a blend of nostalgia and modern adaptation, but opinions vary on their quality and 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.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding in the game to be excessively time-consuming and repetitive, often feeling like a tedious task that detracts from the overall experience. Many express that it requires an unrealistic amount of time investment, leading to frustration.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Meaningless and repetitive grinding anytime, anywhere.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game's stability is marred by numerous glitches, such as helicopters failing to pick up players and crashing into enemy sites. 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 supports high resolutions, the pathfinding and AI performance are notably outdated, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences where units often behave erratically without micromanagement.

    • “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 will 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 is so poor that even on high-end systems, the game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.”
    • “Loading times are excessively long, and the game often stutters during critical moments, making it hard to enjoy the experience.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere is significantly enhanced by a compelling soundtrack that immerses players in the tense environment of tactical warfare, contributing to a heightened sense of engagement and realism.

    • “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 environments feel lifeless and fail to evoke any sense of danger or excitement.”
    • “The lighting is too dim, making it hard to appreciate the details and diminishing the overall immersion.”
  • 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

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game deeply resonant, as it allows them to connect with historical events and feel a tangible link to the past. This sense of touching history enhances the overall experience, evoking strong feelings and reflections on the changes over time.

    • “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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