Command & Conquer: Generals is a real-time strategy game released in 2003. It is part of the Command & Conquer series developed by EA Pacific and published by Electronic Arts. Unlike other Command & Conquer games, Generals moves away from the traditional Tiberium storyline and focuses on modern warfare scenarios.
Facts
- Departure from Tiberium Universe: Command & Conquer: Generals is a departure from the Tiberium Universe, which was the main setting for previous Command & Conquer games. It takes place in a separate modern warfare setting.
- Real-World Inspired Factions: The three playable factions in Generals are inspired by real-world military powers. The United States of America represents the technologically advanced Western powers, the People’s Republic of China represents the populous Asian nation, and the Global Liberation Army (GLA) represents a fictional terrorist organization.
- Unique Generals: Each faction has three unique Generals, each with their own distinct playstyle, units, and special abilities. This adds strategic depth and variety to the gameplay.
- Supply System: Rather than traditional resource gathering, Generals introduced a supply system. Players capture supply docks on the map to generate income, which is used to construct buildings and units.
- Modern Warfare Technology: The game features modern military technology, including tanks, artillery, helicopters, fighter jets, and advanced weaponry. Players can deploy powerful air strikes, stealth units, and other cutting-edge military tactics.
- Multiplayer and Skirmish Modes: Generals offers both online and LAN multiplayer modes, allowing players to compete against each other in strategic battles. Skirmish mode lets players face off against AI opponents for practice or challenge.
- Fully Destructible Environments: Generals features fully destructible environments, allowing players to alter the battlefield and use tactics like demolitions and ambushes.
- Expansion Pack: Command & Conquer: Generals – Zero Hour is the official expansion pack for the game. It adds new units, missions, Generals, and gameplay modes, further expanding the Generals experience.
Gameplay Tips
- Scout Early: Scout the map early in the game to gain valuable information about your opponents’ base locations, resource positions, and potential threats. This knowledge will help you plan your strategy and prepare for any surprises.
- Balance Economy and Military: Maintain a balance between expanding your economy and building a strong military. Secure resource points, construct supply structures, and continuously produce units to keep up with your opponent’s forces.
- Take Advantage of Generals’ Powers: Each faction has three unique Generals, each with their own set of powerful abilities. Utilize these Generals’ powers strategically to turn the tide of battle, such as calling in air strikes, deploying superweapons, or boosting your units’ capabilities.
- Build Defenses: Construct defensive structures, such as bunkers, turret emplacements, and anti-air batteries, to protect your base from enemy attacks. Position them strategically to cover key entry points and ensure a strong defense.
- Exploit Weaknesses: Study your opponent’s playstyle and units to identify weaknesses. Exploit these weaknesses by deploying the appropriate counters and launching targeted attacks. For example, use anti-air units to take down helicopters or use artillery to destroy enemy tanks.
- Tech Upgrades: Research technology upgrades to enhance the capabilities of your units and structures. Prioritize upgrades that align with your chosen strategy or counter your opponent’s units.
- Coordinate Attacks: Coordinate your attacks by combining different unit types and utilizing combined arms tactics. Use tanks to soak up damage, infantry to clear out structures, and air units for quick strikes and harassment.
- Harass the Economy: Disrupt your opponent’s economy by targeting their resource-gathering structures and supply lines. Take out their harvesters or capture critical resource points to slow down their production.
- Map Control: Control key map positions and expansion points to gain an advantage. This allows you to secure additional resources, deny your opponent’s access to them, and provide strategic positioning for future attacks.
- Adapt to the Situation: Be flexible and adapt your strategies based on the changing battlefield conditions. Adjust your unit composition, production queues, and tactics to counter your opponent’s moves and exploit new opportunities.
Quotes
United States Faction:
- “Let’s build.” – Construction Dozer
- “Unit lost.” – Announcer
- “Clear the air!” – Aurora Alpha (Aircraft)
- “Patriot missile installed, sir!” – Patriot Missile System
- “Time to bring on the firepower.” – Stealth Fighter
People’s Republic of China Faction:
- “Construction is complete.” – Construction Dozer
- “Our courage will be seen by all.” – Red Guard
- “China will grow larger.” – Overlord Tank
- “Napalm bomb ready.” – Nuke Cannon
- “Tactical Fighter reporting.” – Chengdu J-10 (Aircraft)
Global Liberation Army (GLA) Faction:
- “We will live in prosperity.” – Worker
- “One path to freedom.” – Rebel
- “Scud Storm, ready to fire!” – Scud Storm
- “Let’s kick up some dirt.” – Technical
- “Toxin Tractor rolling.” – Toxin Tractor
General Quotes:
- “The end is near.” – GLA General Tao
- “The Red Army is unstoppable!” – Chinese General Tsing Shi Tao
- “Let’s give ’em an air show.” – US General Alexis Alexander
- “Their suffering is legendary.” – GLA General Rodall Juhziz
- “Our power is unmatched.” – Chinese General Shin Fai
Game Controls
Mouse Controls:
- Left-Click: Select units, buildings, or objects on the screen.
- Right-Click: Issue commands such as moving units, attacking enemies, or deploying structures.
- Middle Mouse Button: Rotate the camera view.
- Mouse Wheel: Zoom in and out of the game’s camera.
Keyboard Controls:
- WASD or Arrow Keys: Scroll the camera or move the cursor around the map.
- Spacebar: Centers the camera on the selected unit or group of units.
- Enter: Opens or closes the chat window.
- Tab: Cycle through selected units.
- Delete: Deletes the selected unit or structure.
- H: Selects all construction dozers.
- B: Opens the build menu to construct new buildings.
- M: Selects all military units.
- G: Selects all gatherer units (e.g., supply trucks).
- C: Centers the camera on the selected unit.
- F1-F4: Selects pre-set unit groups (if set up).
Units
United States Faction:
- Crusader Tank: Main battle tank with good firepower and armor.
- Raptor: Fighter jet that excels in air-to-air combat.
- Tomahawk Launcher: Long-range artillery unit that can attack ground targets.
- Humvee: Light utility vehicle armed with machine guns.
- Paladin Tank: Heavy tank equipped with a powerful cannon.
- Comanche: Versatile helicopter that can engage air and ground targets.
People’s Republic of China Faction:
- Battlemaster Tank: Main battle tank with decent speed and armor.
- MiG: Fast and agile fighter jet that can engage air and ground targets.
- Dragon Tank: Flamethrower-equipped tank that deals area-of-effect damage.
- Red Guard: Basic infantry unit armed with rifles.
- Inferno Cannon: Heavy artillery unit that fires devastating shells.
- Helix: Transport helicopter armed with missiles and Gatling guns.
Global Liberation Army (GLA) Faction:
- Scorpion Tank: Light tank armed with a machine gun.
- Rocket Buggy: Fast and lightly armored vehicle that fires rockets.
- Rebel: Basic infantry unit armed with AK-47s.
- Technical: Improvised vehicle armed with a machine gun or other weapon.
- Toxin Tractor: Vehicle that spreads toxic clouds to damage enemy units.
- Stealth Fighter: Advanced stealth aircraft that can deal heavy damage.
