Command & Conquer Renegade™
- March 7, 2024
- EA Los Angeles
- 2h median play time
"Command & Conquer Renegade™" is a first-person shooter set in the iconic Command & Conquer universe. Play as Havoc, the GDI Commando, and utilize brute force, stealth, and strategy to defeat the Brotherhood of Nod. Explore full-scale structures, commandeer lethal vehicles, and choose from a variety of weapons to bring down your enemies in this immersive and action-packed game.
Reviews
- The game offers a nostalgic experience for fans of the Command & Conquer series, with many players enjoying the return to its unique FPS gameplay.
- Despite its age, the multiplayer mode is still active thanks to community patches, allowing players to engage in team-based strategies reminiscent of the original game.
- The gameplay features a mix of fun mechanics, including vehicle control and a variety of weapons, which many players find enjoyable and engaging.
- The game suffers from numerous bugs and crashes, particularly in the single-player campaign, making it frustrating for players trying to complete missions.
- Graphics and AI are outdated, leading to a clunky gameplay experience that feels unpolished compared to modern standards.
- The single-player campaign is often criticized for its repetitive mission design and poor level navigation, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- story48 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 83 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The story is generally viewed as simple yet engaging, with some nostalgic ties to the original narrative of the franchise, particularly for fans familiar with the lore. However, many players found the execution lacking due to frequent bugs, mission design issues, and pacing problems that detracted from the overall experience. While the cutscenes and character callbacks were appreciated, the repetitive mission structure and technical difficulties significantly hindered enjoyment.
“The story basically takes place during those events as GDI fights against Nod.”
“There are some events that are directly linked to the original story which I won't spoil, so if you're familiar with the story, it's awesome seeing some of these events in a first-person view.”
“The storytelling and the added features like buildings in solo and multiplayer make it special.”
“When this was out, I never finished single player; the story was too boring and many things could one-shot you.”
“Honestly, I struggled to stay engaged, and the missions felt repetitive quickly.”
“The story is standard action with one campaign only, and it is so unimportant in the C&C universe that it probably isn't canon or just filler.”
- gameplay29 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews highlight a mix of opinions, with some praising the fun and innovative mechanics, particularly in titles like "Command & Conquer: Renegade," which successfully blends real-time strategy with first-person shooter elements. However, criticisms arise regarding clunky controls, stiff gunplay, and dated mechanics that may not appeal to modern audiences. Overall, while the gameplay can be enjoyable and nostalgic, it often feels rough around the edges and lacks the polish seen in contemporary games.
“The gameplay in Renegade is where it truly shines.”
“The ability to commandeer various vehicles and structures adds layers to the gameplay.”
“Command & Conquer: Renegade is a nostalgic gem that brilliantly combines real-time strategy with first-person shooter gameplay.”
“The gunplay mechanics feel stiff, and the AI is... let’s just say not the brightest bunch.”
“The gameplay is clunky, with awkward transitions between action and strategy elements.”
“But for a normal casual audience of the present day, this game is going to feel very dated in how it feels to play, and the general gameplay design as well.”
- graphics23 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered dated, reflecting the early 2000s aesthetic, but some players appreciate the nostalgic charm. While many reviews highlight the need for community patches to enhance visuals, others note that the graphics can still provide an enjoyable experience, especially in multiplayer modes with fan-made updates. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some finding the visuals unbearable and others recognizing their historical significance.
“While the graphics may feel a bit dated by today's standards, there's a certain charm to their style that perfectly captures the essence of early 2000s gaming.”
“Graphically still a great looking game considering its age.”
“As for the graphics, it was great to see the old pixels from 2002; it really brings out the Command and Conquer in you.”
“If you can overlook the dated graphics, I think that Renegade is still a well-made game, which is a bit surprising because this was the first and only FPS that Westwood Studios developed.”
“Horribly, horribly aged visuals (I played this when it was originally released and I distinctly remember disliking the visuals even back then).”
“Unbearable graphics.”
- music12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game, primarily composed by Frank Klepacki, receives high praise for its energetic and engaging soundtrack, which enhances the gameplay experience. While some users find the music to be forgettable or generic, many highlight its quality and nostalgic callbacks to the original series, making it a standout feature that adds to the overall enjoyment of the game.
“With a soundtrack made by the great Frank Klepacki, the music gets you ready to rock and roll and do some shooting… left-handed.”
“Soundtrack is absolute killer full of great remixes and original tunes.”
“The music is utterly forgettable.”
“Dreadful, generic soundtrack.”
“Music was always a big part of the C&C series and this game delivers.”
- humor7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is consistently praised for its cleverness and charm, with many reviewers noting that it holds up well over time without feeling outdated or cringe-worthy. The combination of funny cut scenes, witty writing, and engaging gameplay mechanics contributes to a lighthearted experience that enhances the overall enjoyment. Additionally, the game's dark humor and personality set it apart, making it memorable and entertaining for players.
“The story so far is simple but interesting for its time, and the jokes are quite funny. The gameplay is just really fun and has really good mechanics.”
“Additionally, the writing and humor from something in the early 2000s era actually holds up and doesn't come off as cringe.”
“Renegade may look, feel, sound, and play like Quake or Unreal, but it's so chock-full of personality and wry, dark humor.”
- stability7 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is significantly hampered by numerous bugs, including crashes, freezes, and glitches that can prevent players from progressing, such as characters becoming unresponsive. While some users report that controls and graphics function well, the overall experience is marred by frequent performance issues and audio problems, leading to frustration among players.
“Also, the bugs don’t help the experience—crashes, freezes, and occasional performance issues plague this release.”
“Also very buggy, I quit due to my character just randomly being locked in place for no reason when there was nothing around me to stop me from walking.”
“Great to play a classic again, but damn the game is buggy as hell and poorly made.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is severely lacking, with frequent stuttering, crashes, and freezes reported by users. It fails to support modern display resolutions and is incompatible with current hardware and software, leading to a frustrating experience for players. Overall, the lack of updates and improvements has left the game feeling outdated and poorly optimized.
“Finally, there were some levels where I experienced loads of stuttering.”
“Also, the bugs don’t help the experience—crashes, freezes, and occasional performance issues plague this release.”
“Same poor optimization for mainstream OS and devices; the same dead online service, plus the same dead Westwood. EA improved nothing but sold old stuff that is incompatible with modern software/hardware structures on a platform that has already stopped support for outdated architectures.”
- monetization5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -40 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers noting its reliance on nostalgia rather than quality. There are no ads, but the overall impression is that the game was hastily released to profit from its retro appeal, often feeling like a rushed attempt to capitalize on abandonware.
“No ads, no fancy movements.”
“The monetization model is fair and doesn't disrupt gameplay.”
“I appreciate that I can enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend money.”
“This seems to have been put on Steam as a nostalgia gouge, or just a cash grab to try to profit from abandonware.”
“Reeks of a rushed cash grab.”
“This is a clear cash grab, from the early 2000s though.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of effort akin to having a second life to fully engage with it.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
“I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”