Sup Com, C&C and other RTS

[M3CHA-MONK3Y]

I know there are other random threads about, which cover Sup Com etc, but I thought it might be an idea to streamline the RTS theme into one thread. Only because a lot of the RTS related threads usually have about 4 comments and then they die.

I've recently bought Supreme Commander 2 (Hereby refered to as Sup Com 2) after much 'umm-ing' and 'arrr-ing'.
I am actually quite impressed with it. I'd played the first one and gave up after about 3 hours because I just couldn't get my head round it.
I've played Command & Conquer since day one and moved through Firestorm, Red Alert/Red Alert 2 and C&C3. Sup Com was a proper head fk though, so alas, I abandoned it.

I've been reading the reviews for the new one and finally bit the bullet, forking over my hard-earned £30 (I love PC's).
Fired it up, jumped straight into a skirmish and sat, absorbed, for 6 hours!

I know some people have made negative comments regarding the single player being less indepth and there are now fewer units due to a tiering system re-jig, but I found the new system a lot easier to get to grips with.

For those that have not played either of the Sup Com's, the general overview is similiar to C&C. The game consists of 3 factions duking it out over different battlefields.
The biggest difference is the sheer scale of the battles. Up to 500 units each, ranging between little tanks or two legged walkers, all the way upto massive Air fortresses and huge robots with plasma cannons for arms.

The graphics are excellent, the game feels slick and the scale of the battles can be very awe-inspiring. The size of the maps can be quite a shock when jumping from other RTS like C&C, but you can zoom right out of the battle, giving a tactical view, replacing 3D models with coloured markers.

I've already written st loads and haven't even covered 10% of the units, needless to say, it's similar to Red Alert 3 but it takes itself a lot more seriously.

Would definetly recommend it to other RTS fans and it's worth checking out some of the Youtube videos.

8.5/10

[Odie]

I used to love C&C conquer and still have the boxed original somewhere but I just feel its a bit samey now after playing the first 5-6 versions of it. Dont get me wrong its a great game but it needs another dimension in my eyes, I liked playing through the missions & the storyline back in the day but it just doesnt seem to cuck me in like it used too.

[Jinx]

I quite liked Sup Com 1 - though I always dislike the limited access to tech on the lower levels. Why they can't just limit resources so you have to use a strategy that involves pondering over 2 low tech vehicles being more efficient than 1 tech 2 vehicle? Just building waves of the best available units and throwing them lemming style at the enemy base gets dull after awhile.

[S3_Graham]

what do you think the super com 2 will play like on the xbox?? ive also been tempted after having hours and hours of play lost in civ rev online.

[MintyChris]

I hate SC2 with a passion. Awefull game. I loved and still do love SC1.

[Daston]

S3_Graham said:

what do you think the super com 2 will play like on the xbox?? ive also been tempted after having hours and hours of play lost in civ rev online.

Probly not very well, I have tried a few RTS games on the xbox (I borrowed them) and my god they were terrible there is no way a controller can be used to the same effect as a mouse!

I am currently working my way through the Dawn of War 2 expansion then really tempted to pick up Napoleon Total war. However after Empire Total war I am some what reluctant.

[varsas]

I really liked SupCom (and it's ancestor, total annihilation). I admit it had it's flaws, however the sheer scale and size of what it attempted made up for it...it was an amazing game, a real step change next generation RTS, marred by a few flaws, rather then most other games which are very polished and well done...but quite limited. This includes SupCom2 IMHO (only played the demo, but that was very restrictive, like C&C et el). It is a shame most computers and people couldn't get the hang of SupCom (it did/does need a v. fast computer and a lot of effort by the player, which I completely understand is not for everyone) as it could have been something truly amazing. It's still the best hardcore RTS (Chris Taylor once said it was the only real time strategy game...the rest are real time tactics) but the flaws are too much for many, and so SupCom 2 seems very much dumbed down and simplified.

I also much preferred DoW1 over DoW2 I get what they were trying to do with it (squad based, more tactical), and the single player is good fun.

[Daston]

varsas said:

I really liked SupCom (and it's ancestor, total annihilation). I admit it had it's flaws, however the sheer scale and size of what it attempted made up for it...it was an amazing game, a real step change next generation RTS, marred by a few flaws, rather then most other games which are very polished and well done...but quite limited. This includes SupCom2 IMHO (only played the demo, but that was very restrictive, like C&C et el). It is a shame most computers and people couldn't get the hang of SupCom (it did/does need a v. fast computer and a lot of effort by the player, which I completely understand is not for everyone) as it could have been something truly amazing. It's still the best hardcore RTS (Chris Taylor once said it was the only real time strategy game...the rest are real time tactics) but the flaws are too much for many, and so SupCom 2 seems very much dumbed down and simplified.

I also much preferred DoW1 over DoW2 I get what they were trying to do with it (squad based, more tactical), and the single player is good fun.

I know what you mean DoW1 was a bit more epic and had far more stuff going on. DoW2 kinda got sucked into the divide by 4. Whats with that? Gears of War = 4 guys, Battlefield Bad company = 4 guys, Ghost recon and rainbow six 4 guys etc etc.

I understand from a co-op console view but not on the PC please!!

I think relic were just showing what they could do with the RPG eliments for the console based RPG they are doing.