Command & Conquer 3 for the Xbox 360 is the latest in the very popular real-time strategy franchise which hasn't had a new release in almost five years. The 360 version uses an update of the engine that was used for the Lord of The Ring: Battle for Middle Earth 2 which was released just last year on the 360.
C&C 3 implements a control system that is, for the most part, user friendly. It will probably take you about an hour to really get a handle on the controls but once you do it will become second nature. The control system revolves around the use of an onscreen HUD that allows you to manage almost all of you building and troops simply by use of the triggers and D-pad. You can also use the typical click on the barracks and build troops that some PC games might be used to but this can become a chore during the major battles. The controls aren't perfect, some things take longer than they should, but all and all they get the job done.
The graphics looks pretty impressive on the 360. I am sure a high end PC could produce high resolution on the textures but compared to BFME2, C&C 3 has better character models, better ground textures and better special effects. During battles the screen is lit up with weapons fire, explosions and particle effects that really make it appear you are in a large scale battle. I have heard complaints of choppiness and slowdown but the only time I noticed this was during sequences when "command" was giving additional information which is done with real actors on real sets. The presentation is really pretty entertaining, all of the story as well as most of you mission updates are done by real actors on real Hollywood sets. Sure the acting is B-grade quality but it is obvious that was intentional, yet the developers pulled it off in that Starship Troopers type of way. Side note the commander from Starship Troopers is one of the GDI generals.
Being an RTS game, strategy and planning are a major part of the gameplay. However this is one of the few areas I was left wanting a little more. There are 3 factions in C&C 3, GDI, NOD and Scrin (Scrin is only playable after you have beat both the GDI and ND Campaigns) but the game feels more like "rush first, think later," which kind of makes some the unit types more of a novelty than a necessity. BFME2 had six different factions, so only having three factions seems a little out-dated. However, the "powers" are pretty fun to use and can cause quite a bit of devastation if used properly. I do enjoy the fact that the game focuses less on a chain of upgrades and more on being able to build different unit types.
There is a very solid online system with multiple game modes, so after the moderate campaign you are sure to get some extra life on the online battlefield.
Overall C&C 3 takes much of what BFME2 did right last year and turns it up a notch in every category. This mixed with the unique style and gameplay of the Command & Conquer series make this a game that any self respecting RTS fan or 360 owner should really give it a try.
