Command & Conquer Generals: Zero Hour

Normally, I don’t spend huge amounts of time with the online aspect of any real-time strategy (RTS) – or any game for that matter – mostly because of the different variables involved: disconnects, lag, and cheaters.  With the current technology I really have no excuse for not dedicating hours to the online component of a game and Command & Conquer Generals: Zero Hour really drives this point home.

As a single-player expansion, Zero Hour delivers.  With five new campaigns each for China, USA and the GLA, new units and even a bit of full-motion video (FMV), the action is more intense than it ever has been (provided you’ve got the hardware to run it properly).  Of course, you still have some truly bad AI pathfinding (both on and offline) but where Zero Hour really shines is the online play and Generals Challenge.

The Generals Challenge puts you in the boots of a specialized General for the three sides (for a total of 9 different Generals).  Each General essentially receives specific “bonus” attributes.  For example, selecting GLA’s Dr. Thrax as your character your tanks start with toxin shells but you can’t “cloak” units.  Or, my favorite, the USA’s General “Pinpoint” Townes that gives you access to the laser tank and reduced-price Avengers.  For each General that you choose and battle there is a pros and cons list to consider, which heightens the tactical aspect (in a rock-paper- scissors way) as you take on each General – exploiting weaknesses and playing to your strengths.  But where the wheat is separated from the chaff is online.

The seemingly simple modifications to the basic structure of the three sides will either have you crying or smiling.

If you don’t know your stuff (hotkeys, etc.) stay away from the online games!  Even after plugging through the Challenge mode and having an understanding of the various tech trees, I still suffered mightily at the hands of very skilled opponents.  I would just have my fifth building constructed, one or two combat units ready and 

Zero Hour plays lip service to Command & Conquer’s glorious FMV cutscenes of yore with between-mission newscasts.  I say, “lip service” because the FMV is so limp it could have been dropped and not missed.  (If EA ever revisits the Red Alert universe, let's hope they splurge on the budget and give the gamers what they want -- entertaining, if somewhat hokey, skits.)

In short, Zero Hour will keep fans of Generals going with its subtle, if far-reaching changes.  It puts at least a cherry on the "vanillafication" that was Generals. (Read the Generals review for an explanation.)

And if you see me online… please, go easy on me.

- Omni

(November 23, 2003)