Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance

About

"Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance" is a real-time strategy game serving as the expansion to the original Supreme Commander. It introduces a new playable faction, the Seraphim, along with 110 new units, weapons, and structures to utilize in battle. The storyline follows the tattered remnants of humanity's forces uniting against a new, seemingly unstoppable enemy that seeks to eradicate mankind.

Genres & Tags

Strategy

Play Modes

Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance screenshot

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 8,080 reviews

gameplay174 positive mentions

stability24 negative mentions

gameplay
441 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
59%
2%
The gameplay of "Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance" is widely praised for its depth, complexity, and scale, allowing for massive battles and intricate strategies that remain engaging even years after its release. Players appreciate the intuitive mechanics, diverse factions, and the balance between micro and macro management, although some note a steep learning curve for newcomers. The active community and mod support, particularly through the "Forged Alliance Forever" platform, further enhance the gameplay experience, making it a standout title in the real-time strategy genre.
- “The gameplay is very satisfying and you will never get bored too quickly.”
- “This is probably one of the most underrated yet top-tier RTS games I've had the pleasure of coming across; the gameplay is in-depth, there's a ton of mechanics and counterplay, the skill cap is extremely high, and it's enjoyable across the board for all types of players.”
- “Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance is a stand-alone real-time strategy video game expansion that adds a 4th faction, new gameplay features, several new units for the three existing factions, and is further optimized for increased performance.”
- “The gameplay is slow-paced and repetitive.”
- “The mechanics are impeccable, gameplay is tight, and the single-player doesn't disappoint too much.”
- “Forged Alliance has no progression of tech unlike the original; you start with everything unlocked and more often than not a base already built, which removes half of the gameplay from the equation and often just leaves you with spamming units at the enemy.”
story
403 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
72%
4%
The story in "Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance" continues from the original game, offering a mix of engaging narrative elements and generic sci-fi tropes. While some players appreciate the campaign's scale and the integration of different factions, many find the overall execution of the story to be mediocre, with repetitive missions and a lack of depth in character development. Despite its shortcomings, the campaign provides a solid framework for gameplay, allowing for strategic experimentation and cooperative play through community mods.
- “The campaign is extensive and allows you to fully realize your plans for each mission, with a full mission taking from 1-4 hours depending on your chosen pace.”
- “The story is fun and the large maps create epic battles.”
- “This game offers a really good story/campaign arc.”
- “The story is almost non-sensical.”
- “The campaign is complete garbage, relying on a reverse difficulty curve where the first part of any mission is just to deal with the preset high tier bases and the rest is stomping on the objectives when you get your high tier units because there's no thought required in this game.”
- “The story is pretty boring...nothing much to say...”
graphics
361 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
50%
5%
The graphics of "Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance" are often praised for their impressive detail and aesthetic appeal, especially considering the game's age, with many players noting that they still hold up well today. While some reviews mention that the graphics can appear dated and less impressive compared to modern titles, the overall consensus is that the visuals effectively complement the gameplay, providing a grand sense of scale during massive battles. Additionally, the game benefits from community mods that enhance graphics and add new content, further extending its visual appeal.
- “Best RTS game I have seen, amazing graphics and details.”
- “The graphics still hold up incredibly well, and the gameplay and mechanics are completely unmatched.”
- “Amazing graphics that still stand the test of time, coupled together with realistic and balanced physics-based gameplay.”
- “The unit graphics look all the same to me.”
- “Graphics are dated, but the gameplay never gets old.”
- “Graphics are lacking, but what do you expect.. however amazing gameplay.”
optimization
93 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
68%
15%
The optimization of "Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues, especially during large-scale battles. While modern advancements and community mods like "Forged Alliance Forever" have improved performance and reduced lag, the game still struggles with multi-core CPU support, leading to slowdowns on less powerful systems. Overall, while some players enjoy smooth gameplay on modern hardware, others find it unplayable without specific optimizations or third-party tools.
- “Thanks to advancements in modern gaming technology, Forged Alliance runs smoothly on today's hardware.”
- “Additionally, the remarkable CPU optimization has completely eliminated any lag or stuttering, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the game without any technical hindrances.”
- “If you want a more updated experience of SupCom FA, I recommend looking into FAF (Forged Alliance Forever); they have done an amazing job at keeping the game up to date and adding things that improve the quality along with optimizations to help improve late game performance.”
- “But the performance is too laggy to make it playable.”
- “Game has serious performance issues in the late game.”
- “All of this compounds with the fact that the game is terribly optimized, chugging even on modern machines, with units often taking several seconds to register their orders.”
music
65 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
46%
5%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its catchy and immersive soundtrack, often composed by notable artists like Jeremy Soule, which enhances the gameplay experience. However, players also report issues with sound bugs, including music cutting out and sound effects failing to play, detracting from the overall enjoyment. While some find the soundtrack memorable and fitting for the game's epic battles, others feel it can become repetitive and less impactful over time.
- “Awesome soundtrack, awesome graphics for the time that still hold up, and just so much fun with friends to play.”
- “The music is really catchy, 8/8 from me.”
- “Epic battle music plays as I churn out tons of robots.”
- “Check the forums (not just here), this game has been around since 2011 and is still loaded with issues, bugs, especially crashes, or the sound randomly going out - like sometimes the music goes out, or random sound effects go out (while others are fine).”
- “After awhile there's no music, and some effects don't play.”
- “It feels like they have about 5 tracks of music for the whole game.”
replayability
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
33%
5%
The game is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, with players noting the diverse factions, varied gameplay styles, and extensive modding community that enhance the experience. Skirmish modes and multiplayer options contribute to nearly infinite replay value, making it a favorite among strategy enthusiasts. Despite some criticisms of the campaign, the overall consensus is that the game remains engaging and enjoyable even after many hours of play.
- “I have hundreds and hundreds of hours into this one due to how replayable and satisfying it is to play.”
- “The game has practically infinite replayability since every battle can turn out different.”
- “With the right mods, one of the greatest replay value RTS ever.”
- “The game removes the research trees that increased the replayability of the game and changed how units behave.”
- “A single story doesn't have much replayability despite having only a little difference in each faction.”
- “This is an engrossing strategy game, the campaign is mediocre but the replay value of the game.”
stability
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, freezes, and issues with the user interface and pathing. While it runs well on older hardware and has a dedicated community that addresses some problems, many players find the overall experience marred by persistent technical issues. Despite its potential and nostalgic value, the game's stability remains a significant concern for many users.
- “It's an excellent RTS game, runs great on older hardware (4-core APU with 970 GTX video), massive maps, and an excellent skirmish mode for quick play.”
- “Runs great on modern computers.”
- “A big bonus is it isn't as buggy as TA.”
- “This game freezes frequently.”
- “Bad game, FAF client is buggy and games are always laggy and someone disconnects due to poor netcode.”
- “I write this review because this week, the designers' latest installment: Planetary Annihilation was released, and as much as I want to love it, it is still buggy as hell. Honestly, you are better off playing this game for another year until that one is ready to invest your hard-earned money in.”
humor
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is often highlighted through its absurd scenarios, such as accidental nuclear mishaps and the chaotic antics of massive units, which lead to hilarious moments during gameplay. Players appreciate the comedic elements of the art style and the interactions with AI, while the multiplayer experience is filled with laughter, especially when executing over-the-top strategies. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its strategic gameplay, making for entertaining and memorable experiences.
- “Addicted since 2010, nothing beats co-op fun than loading up 6 adaptive AIs with a friend and then blaming the alcohol on the multiple accidental nuclear 'mis-clicks' while silently laughing at the crater in the middle of your buddy's base.”
- “And seeing 400+ planes swarm over your enemy base is hilarious and amazing.”
- “Nothing quite like blowing your mates up with a tactical missile whilst laughing maniacally over the microphone.”
grinding
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
71%
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be quite tedious, with some players feeling it requires an excessive time commitment, likening it to needing a "second life." While some appreciate the RTS mechanics and the expansive gameplay, others find the resource management and level grinding aspects to be a significant drawback, leading to a mixed reception regarding the overall experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “However, this game will require you to surmount one very tedious aspect.”
- “It's been all level grinding RPG ickiness since then.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
22%
22%
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its engaging and immersive qualities, reminiscent of classic RTS titles like Age of Empires and Command & Conquer, with a futuristic and alien aesthetic that enhances the intense battles. While some players find the campaign lacking, the overall atmosphere is described as dynamic and enjoyable, supported by a mix of strategic depth, appealing graphics, and a fitting soundtrack that contributes to a relaxing yet captivating experience.
- “I strongly recommend getting this game if you're into RTS and love a futuristic look to the army and commander you control for intense battles and a wonderful alien-like atmosphere.”
- “Some more modern RTS games can create a more simplified experience and cause the game to easily become stale and dull, whereas this game follows in line with classics like Age of Empires and Command and Conquer with a larger unit management and a fun, ever-changing atmosphere sure to entertain any RTS fans.”
- “Also has some nice casual songs that build up a nice but relaxing atmosphere as you start the game and begin building your base.”
- “Boring campaign and atmosphere”
- “About atmosphere.”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game emotionally impactful, praising its touching campaign and the deep investment it fosters during battles. The narrative resonates particularly with those familiar with the struggles of characters from previous titles, creating a sense of attachment and emotional weight. However, some players feel less emotionally connected, indicating a varied emotional experience across the community.
- “Great mechanics and a touching campaign, worth every penny.”
- “Please accept my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for creating such an extraordinary gaming experience.”
- “Takes a few hours to come to grips with the mechanics even if you're an avid RTS player, but each subsequent battle becomes an emotional ride you become super invested in.”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
80%
The monetization of the game has been heavily criticized, with users labeling it a scam due to aggressive in-game purchases for cosmetic items like dances and skins. Many players express frustration over the perceived pay-to-win mechanics and a lack of effective advertising, suggesting that the game prioritizes profit over player experience. Overall, the sentiment is overwhelmingly negative, with players feeling cheated and disappointed by the game's financial practices.
- “This game crashes on start, never buy it. It's a scam that takes your money through in-game purchases like dances, emotes, and skins. This game is absolutely terrible.”
- “With the original Supreme Commander being good, but not great, and the sequel being a total cash grab by Square, this game remains the best in the series.”
- “Go in with low expectations, else you may be disappointed, as their advertisements are clearly biased.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
While the campaign/story mode offers an intense experience, it lacks depth in character development, leaving players wanting more from the characters' growth and backstories.
- “The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making each decision feel impactful.”
- “The backstories and personal growth of the characters add a layer of depth that enhances the overall experience.”
- “The campaign/story mode can get intense, albeit not very deep in terms of character development.”
- “Character arcs feel rushed and lack the depth needed to make them truly engaging.”
- “The characters are one-dimensional and fail to evolve throughout the game.”