Command & Conquer™ Generals Zero Hour

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,885 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Command & Conquer™ Generals Zero Hour Game Cover
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"Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour" is a strategy game that takes you to global conflict zones with new masterminds of modern war. The game features 15 new missions, next-generation 3D units like ECM Tank, BattleBus, and Spectre Gunship, and 9 enemy commanders with unique strategies and tactics. Upgrades and customizations add more depth to your gameplay experience.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,885 reviews
story19 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • Takes everything the base game does and adds to it with fun new campaigns, great new units, faction abilities, and more!
  • A nostalgic classic of Command and Conquer, with better UI and overall balancing. Very engaging and great for both single player and multiplayer.
  • One of the best RTS games ever made, still enjoyable 20 years later with a dedicated modding community.
  • The game has numerous technical issues, including crashes, unresponsive clicks, and requires third-party patches to function properly.
  • No online multiplayer support is available, and the game is locked at 30 FPS with limited resolution options.
  • EA has not provided adequate updates or support for modern systems, making the game feel like a cash grab rather than a proper re-release.
  • story82 mentions

    The game's story is structured around campaigns for each faction, with narratives that build upon one another, enhancing the stakes and depth of the gameplay. While the single-player missions are generally well-crafted and engaging, some players find the campaigns too short, consisting of only five missions per faction, and experience technical issues that hinder progression. Overall, the story is considered an improvement over previous titles, with varied missions and a compelling setting, though some players express a desire for longer campaigns and more innovative challenges.

    • “The expansion adds new campaigns for each faction, deepening the story and stakes for each side.”
    • “Story for each campaign ties directly in with the next.”
    • “You have three campaigns that put you once again in command of one of three factions with live action/CGI fully voice acted cutscenes that set you up for your next mission with an intriguing story.”
    • “Best of luck getting the games to play through the story, I got 'serious error' every time I was about to advance through the story campaign... overheating, or hardware is not powerful enough?”
    • “I feel like in the campaign you never really play against the new subfactions this game brings (except one mission as GLA), which I think is a shame.”
    • “Pointless videos as usual in C&C, nevertheless you cannot cancel the videos and they come over and over again when you lose and have to restart the mission.”
  • gameplay82 mentions

    The gameplay of "Command & Conquer: Generals - Zero Hour" is praised for its classic real-time strategy mechanics, including resource gathering, base building, and diverse military units, enhanced by unique generals that add strategic depth. While the game is considered somewhat outdated and requires community patches for optimal performance, it remains engaging and addictive, especially with the support of mods and fan-made content. Overall, it is celebrated as a timeless classic that continues to captivate strategy enthusiasts with its fast-paced and demanding gameplay.

    • “Zero Hour takes the solid foundation of Generals and builds upon it with new factions, units, and gameplay mechanics.”
    • “The addition of generals, each with unique abilities and strategies, adds depth and variety to the gameplay.”
    • “Overall, Command & Conquer™ Generals Zero Hour is a timeless classic that continues to captivate strategy enthusiasts with its depth, variety, and thrilling gameplay.”
    • “As for the gameplay, mind you that while solid, it's still a two decades old game with its bugs and crashes (at least, the first time you launch it), but after that, it plays flawlessly.”
    • “Sure the game is outdated as hell and it needs community patches (such as genpatcher) to run the game smoothly, but gameplay (and lore) still holds up.”
    • “No official resolution support for 1080p, 1440p or 4k, no online play, locked to 30fps (I understand gameplay is tied to framerate).”
  • graphics77 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its early 2000s origins, yet many players find that they still hold up reasonably well, especially in terms of gameplay immersion. While some users express a desire for a remaster to enhance the visuals, others appreciate the nostalgic charm and strategic depth that the game offers despite its graphical limitations. Overall, the consensus is that while the graphics are not timeless, they do not detract significantly from the overall experience.

    • “For a game that originally released in the early 2000s, the graphics still hold up well today.”
    • “The crisp visuals, detailed environments, and impressive animations create an immersive battlefield experience.”
    • “Highly recommended, great graphics, modern setting.”
    • “It's an old game where the age of the graphics is obvious even to the blind.”
    • “Tons of graphics bugs, most prominently a regular 1080p monitor is not supported, and framerates are very unstable.”
    • “Crashes immediately upon alt-tabbing, crashing immediately upon clicking sometimes, the cutscenes are somehow missing graphics (the opening USA cutscene has an invisible mountain!!!), and they haven't bothered to get widescreen working out of the box.”
  • music36 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its immersive quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many players highlighting the stirring soundtracks and realistic sound effects that complement the gameplay. Reviewers express a strong attachment to the existing music, urging developers not to alter it in future updates, as it significantly contributes to the game's identity and emotional impact. Overall, the soundtrack is considered legendary, with memorable themes that resonate long after playing.

    • “The sound design is equally impressive, with powerful explosions, authentic military chatter, and a stirring soundtrack that enhances the intensity of every battle.”
    • “The single-player campaign offers thrilling missions, complemented by an outstanding soundtrack.”
    • “As the victory music played on, you’d sit back, sip your soda, and think, 'I just conquered the world.'”
    • “The music—oh, the music!”
    • “Please, do some updates for this game, make it great again, maybe even a nice remaster with better graphics, without changing the actual mechanics or music.”
    • “With all that time and money, think of all the programmers, artists, musicians, writers, and designers that companies could hire.”
  • optimization28 mentions

    The game's optimization for modern PCs is widely criticized, with players reporting frequent crashes and poor performance even on high-end systems. While some users suggest using third-party tools like Gentool to improve functionality, the overall sentiment is that the game lacks proper support for contemporary hardware and resolutions, significantly hampering the experience despite its enjoyable gameplay.

    • “Would advise using gentool (gentool.net) to make sure it runs smoothly on modern systems, including HD+ widescreen options.”
    • “But even without optimization it’s still playable and a lot of fun; the gameplay is just incredible.”
    • “Runs smoothly on Windows 11.”
    • “This is so badly optimized, even for modern hardware.”
    • “Best RTS ever, but poor optimization for modern PCs and no support for even 1080p or online play.”
    • “There is no optimization.”
  • replayability17 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its diverse challenge modes, customizable units, and a variety of maps and game modes that keep multiplayer sessions fresh and engaging. Even years after its release, it remains popular among RTS fans, supported by an active modding community that further enhances its longevity. Overall, it is considered a must-play for its timeless appeal and endless replayability.

    • “The customizable units further enhance the replayability, allowing players to tailor their armies to suit their play style.”
    • “The variety of maps and game modes further enhances the replayability, making each multiplayer session feel unique.”
    • “Even years after its release, it remains a beloved game among RTS fans and continues to be played thanks to its replayability and active modding community.”
    • “The game's diverse factions, each with unique units and playstyles, offer a high level of replayability.”
    • “Overall, Zero Hour is a must-play for RTS fans, offering timeless excellence and endless replayability.”
  • stability11 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with users noting that it runs well on recent operating systems and even on Proton. However, some players have reported glitches and buggy maps that can affect gameplay.

    • “It runs great on recent OS, and after all these years, it doesn't look as bad as I imagined it would look.”
    • “Runs great on Proton too.”
    • “The glitches in the game are quite frustrating.”
    • “There are some buggy maps that affect gameplay.”
    • “The stability issues really detract from the overall experience.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by detailed unit designs, explosive special effects, and dynamic environments. Additionally, the commendable sound design, featuring iconic voice lines and sound effects, further enriches the overall experience, making it a standout aspect of the game.

    • “The sound design is equally commendable, with iconic voice lines and sound effects that add to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The detailed unit designs, explosive special effects, and dynamic environments contribute to the game's immersive atmosphere.”
    • “It's a fantastic experience, with great gameplay, resource balancing, music, and atmosphere; it has it all.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    Reviews indicate a strong dissatisfaction with the monetization practices, particularly criticizing the reliance on nostalgia for cash grabs without meaningful updates or improvements. Users feel that the lack of support and the presence of ads detract from the gaming experience, reflecting a broader frustration with modern monetization strategies.

    • “But to put a game on Steam from 2003 with zero updates or support in 2024 is a lazy cash grab.”
    • “EA is purely cash grabbing on nostalgia, not actually improving anything.”
    • “Good old times when games weren't filled with ads.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, with many campaign missions feeling repetitive. While there are nice new units to engage with, the overall experience can be marred by the grindy nature of certain tasks.

    • “Nice new units, but many tedious campaign missions.”
    • “☐ a bit grindy sometimes”
  • humor6 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its over-the-top physics and absurd scenarios, such as using powerful weapons to launch enemies in comical ways. Players find the iconic generals and their exaggerated personalities to be a source of amusement, while the blend of modern realism and futuristic concepts adds a humorous twist to the gameplay. Overall, the game fosters a fun and entertaining atmosphere, especially during multiplayer sessions.

    • “The missions are straightforward, the generals in the challenges are hilariously iconic, and the LAN parties are out of this world fun.”
    • “Also, I know the physics are awful, but nothing is more hilarious than dropping a MOAB or using the nuke cannon on a group of ground units and watching them get thrown in every direction, including up, just to fall back down almost a minute later.”
    • “It's got some modern-ish realism with futuristic concepts and humor sprinkled in with what-if scenarios, along with a challenge mode featuring each of the 9 commanders, 3 from each faction (USA, China, and GLA) that have special units, abilities, and playstyles unique to them.”
  • 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.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

324hMedian play time
366hAverage play time
40-1000hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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