Command & Conquer™ Generals

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,053 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Command & Conquer™ Generals Game Cover
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"Command & Conquer Generals" is a real-time strategy game set in a modern and near-future warfare scenario. Players can command the forces of the United States, China, or the Global Liberation Army, each with their own unique units and tactics. The game features detailed 3D environments and destructive capabilities, including advanced aircraft and tanks, for intense battles.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,053 reviews
story9 positive mentions
monetization12 negative mentions
  • A timeless RTS classic that still holds up to this day, with engaging gameplay and unique factions.
  • The game features a vibrant modding community that continues to enhance the experience with new content.
  • Despite some technical issues, the nostalgia and fun factor make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
  • The game has significant compatibility issues with modern hardware, often requiring third-party patches to run properly.
  • Multiplayer functionality is severely limited, with no official servers and reliance on community solutions.
  • Many players experience crashes and bugs, leading to frustration and a lack of polish in the overall release.
  • story71 mentions

    The story in the game is generally considered thin and somewhat generic, revolving around a modern conflict between the U.S., China, and the Global Liberation Army, with missions that often lack depth and memorable narratives. While some players appreciate the unique scenarios and challenges presented in the missions, many find the overall storytelling to be mediocre compared to earlier entries in the series, with a focus on gameplay rather than narrative. Despite its shortcomings, the campaign missions provide a fun and engaging experience, especially for those who enjoy real-time strategy gameplay.

    • “Plenty of maps to play on and each campaign has a really interesting story.”
    • “Story is a product of its times but it's still good Command & Conquer fun.”
    • “In case you are new to the series, Generals takes place in a modern era war between the US and China against the GLA (Global Liberation Army). The story is mediocre at best, but the missions are a fun challenging experience with some decent in-game cutscenes.”
    • “There is a vague modern-world story tying three cartoonish versions of the USA, China, and the Middle East together into a generic brawl with all the familiar RTS tropes.”
    • “The story is somewhat thin if that's an important aspect for you, and few levels offer any significant challenges.”
    • “The campaigns are all good, even if they are lacking the live-action cutscenes and storylines that gave earlier entries in the series their signature personality and charm.”
  • gameplay58 mentions

    The gameplay in "Command & Conquer: Generals" is characterized by tight, intuitive mechanics and a unique blend of strategic depth and accessibility, making it engaging for both newcomers and seasoned players. While it features basic physics and weight mechanics that enhance the realism of vehicle interactions, the game is noted for its addictive skirmishes and varied factions, despite some clunkiness and a lack of modern polish. Overall, it offers a classic RTS experience with hours of fun, though it may feel dated in certain aspects compared to contemporary titles.

    • “The gameplay mechanics are tight, intuitive, and incredibly satisfying.”
    • “Whether you’re a seasoned strategist or a newcomer, Generals is a must-play that promises hours of engaging gameplay.”
    • “Extremely fun and addictive gameplay, especially the skirmishes.”
    • “Pretty basic mechanics.”
    • “Mechanically and visually, it's right between the transfer over from 2D to 3D, and it suffers a fair bit from clunkiness because of that.”
    • “Gameplay lacks some of that modern polish but it's still good.”
  • graphics44 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally viewed as dated, with many reviewers noting that they reflect the early 2000s aesthetic and have not aged well. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm and colorful design, others criticize the visuals as blocky and low-resolution, suggesting a need for a remaster. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some acknowledging that the graphics were impressive for their time but are now considered subpar compared to modern standards.

    • “For a game released in the early 2000s, the graphics hold up remarkably well.”
    • “Combine top-notch graphics with an overhauled gaming system, and there is a winner.”
    • “The graphics are somewhat dated by this point, but they still have their charm.”
    • “The graphics are old and they look like ass.”
    • “Terrible RTS though, baffling design and balancing, godawful graphics, just wildly unfun to actually play.”
    • “The visuals have aged fairly poorly, although it's still a very playable game.”
  • music20 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising it as "legendary" and perfectly fitting for the gameplay and factions, particularly highlighting the soundtracks for GLA and USA. However, others find the overall soundtrack to be middling, describing it as unmemorable yet not detracting from the experience. Overall, the music is seen as a significant aspect that enhances the gameplay for many players.

    • “Oh, and did I mention the godly soundtrack?”
    • “Superb gameplay, fantastic music, and massively quotable unit voiceover.”
    • “Absolute bangers, especially the GLA and USA soundtracks are both amazing.”
    • “Music volume = 16”
    • “Soundtrack is really fitting to the game and to the factions as well.”
    • “Command and Conquer, one of the few games I actually enjoy, the combat, the base building, the music.”
  • humor14 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its diverse factions, witty quips, and amusing voice acting, which adds a lighthearted touch to the gameplay. Players find the commentary and character interactions particularly entertaining, often reflecting on the nostalgia of the game's dated graphics in a humorous way. Overall, the game is recommended for those who appreciate a blend of classic RTS elements and comedic elements.

    • “With great diverse factions and funny quips.”
    • “The detail on the boards and the funny commentary.”
    • “It's so funny to go back to now and remember that none of this registered as weird to me as a kid.”
  • optimization13 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received significant criticism, with many users reporting poor performance even on modern hardware. Despite some players managing to achieve smooth performance by adjusting settings, the overall consensus is that the game lacks adequate optimization for contemporary systems, making it a disappointing experience for fans of the classic.

    • “Smooth performance and nothing changed in the solo campaign.”
    • “Choose high performance for the game in Windows graphics settings within Windows 11.”
    • “Got it to run, but performance is terrible even on a modern rig.”
    • “As awesome as I remember, it is a shame EA didn't bother to do some optimization for this classic to perform better on modern machines.”
    • “I feel like I could get better performance by running a VM and just playing the old game.”
  • monetization12 mentions

    The monetization of this game has been widely criticized as a "lazy cash grab" by EA, with users expressing frustration over the lack of updates, bug fixes, and essential features like multiplayer and widescreen support. Many feel that the game was released without sufficient effort to enhance or modernize it, leading to a strong sentiment of disappointment and intentions to seek refunds.

    • “This game is great but I hate the way they treat this franchise for a quick cash grab.”
    • “However, this port on Steam is just another absolute cash grab from EA, no multiplayer, no remastered, no bug fixes, no launch error fixes, no widescreen support, can't use my own CD key from Origin.”
    • “An absolute cash grab from EA, no multiplayer, no remastered, no bug fixes, no launch error fixes, no widescreen support, can't use my own CD key from Origin.”
  • stability10 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with some players experiencing frequent freezes and difficulties achieving a playable state despite troubleshooting efforts. While more tech-savvy users may find workarounds, others struggle significantly, indicating that stability issues persist for a portion of the player base.

    • “Runs great too!”
    • “People who are more savvy with a PC have figured this out, but I spent a couple of hours trying my best with troubleshooting tips and mods and could never get the game in a playable state.”
    • “It freezes from time to time (like the original C&C Generals).”
    • “Cowardly hit and run tactics (with the Humvees and the rocket buggies especially).”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Players highlight the exceptional replayability of the game, primarily due to the abundance of available mods that enhance gameplay. Even after many years, titles like Generals and Zero Hour continue to offer significant replay value, making them enjoyable for both new and returning players.

    • “With numerous mods available, the replayability is endless.”
    • “Generals and Zero Hour still hold their replay value after all these years!”
    • “The mod makes the game way more playable.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious due to poor visibility caused by the low camera angle and fog of war, making it frustrating to build defenses and locate remaining buildings after a match. Additionally, the long, unskippable cutscenes can become monotonous during subsequent playthroughs, further contributing to the overall grind.

    • “You can't see much due to the low camera, aspect ratio, and fog of war, so it can be tedious to build defenses while your builder is getting shot by an enemy off-screen.”
    • “It's also tedious trying to track down every last building in the fog of war when you've clearly won the match, especially when buildings can randomly become invulnerable to small rockets.”
    • “The cutscenes for the campaign are very long and unskippable, not a downside for the first playthrough but gets tedious if you come back to the game at a later time.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional attachment to the game, indicating that its arrival on Steam has reignited their passion for gaming, particularly within the RTS genre. This sentiment suggests that the game holds significant nostalgic value and has a profound impact on their gaming preferences.

  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of Generals is immersive and engaging, providing players with the opportunity for countless hours of gameplay if they fully embrace its environment and mechanics.

    • “Generals can offer countless hours of playtime if you can dive into the game's atmosphere and gameplay.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
3-3hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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