This has been one of my favorites that is fun and easy to play--immersing yourself in the world of strategy. Along with Dune 2 (1990), also by Westwood Studios, this game heavily popularized the real-time strategy genre. It was developed by Westwood Studios and published by Virgin Interactive. The original newspapers ads featured a pictures of various infamous dictators labelled under the word "Previous High Scores", sparking a considerable amount of controversy. But I think we fans are all past that scandal now, and we are ready to start commanding and conquering anytime soon.
Unlike most strategy games at the time, you play on a 2D map seen from a top-down perspective. Missions are introduced by FMV cutscenes with computer-generated graphics and filmed with real actors, creating a sort of interactive movie where the characters refer to the player, who reprises the role of an unnamed field commander. This is something that I really like about these games. It ultimately became a staple in the franchise. Another staple in the franchise is that two expansions were released, Covert Operations and Sole Survivor. The former adds 15 new missions (7 for the GDI and 8 for the Nod), while the latter adds new features for the online multiplayer (more on that in a bit).
Because this is also the first chapter in its own sub-franchise, Tiberium, it is centered around the gathering of Tiberium and the construction of structures such as barracks, factories, and lots more. You can also choose between two factions, the Global Defense Initiative (shortened in GDI) and the Brotherhood of Nod, both of which have different units which balance each other. Additionally, the story, ending, and parts of the gameplay change from one faction to the other, giving the game a good replay value.
The story takes place in an alternate history beginning in the late 1990s when the game was first released, when a meteor containing a substance known as Tiberium impacts near the Tiber river in Italy, with Tiberium being so-called because of that geographic location. At the beginning, Tiberium has infected Earth, and the GDI and Brotherhood are engaged in world conflict over this mysterious substance.
Online multiplayer is included, and it's quite fun to play, due to the fact that you can use different strategies and tactics. In fact this was one of the most popular games to introduce the ability to play with your friends over the internet. However, it lacks multiplayer for console ports and doesn't support the mouse controller.
What's even better: did you know that it is completely available at no cost for free? It was re-released as freeware by Electronic Arts to celebrate the series' 10th anniversary back in 2006. I've been finding it online at many websites, and I'm enjoying every single minute of it! The version on Steam, however, is unnecessarily priced.
So there you have it, and that's my review of Command and Conquer. This has to be an all-time favorite for old Windows fans and DOS fans and even fans of both the Saturn and original PlayStation. Join me online, and together we'll all start commanding and conquering Tiberium.