Star craft can't hold a candle to the immense game play and strategic immersion of c&c.
Command and Conquer was, and in many cases still is, a mile stone that has defined it's predecessors. Not since star craft has a game been synonymous with real time strategy, and been as revolutionary to gaming. It may not seem like much today, but once upon a time it was arguably the best game ever made. With an engrossing plot, punishing gameplay, and a dynamic assortment of toys for each faction, it is a game worth playing for anyone who loves rts.
The story takes place in the Tiberium series of c&c, where a foreign crystal of the same name has begun developing on earth. While Tiberium is rich in metals and easily made into resources, it's a dangerous product that drains nutrients from anything it touches and has slowly begun to destroy the earth. A war breaks out between the global police force of the Global Defense Initiative (GDI), and the fanatical corporate organization called the brotherhood of nod (nod). This is all done in an effort to secure tiberium, power and their own interests respectively.
The gameplay is realtime, spanning over two separate campaigns. With additional missions thrown and new units added for flavor every mission, the ultimate goal is to destroy the enemy base, while protecting your own. Combat takes a while to build up mostly due to resource restrictions and a moderately slow pace, but once the real fun starts it's impossible to pull away from. GDI strategy is the always fun bigger is better ideals as they utilize toys like the mammoth tank and airstrikes to hammer away at enemy bases. Nod employs sneakier tactics such as stealth tanks and flamethrowers to get their work done. Even when you think you have the upper hand, the ai never relents in bringing the pain, and while you may feel safe with mediums tanks on your front you can easily let flame tanks tear through your rear if you're not careful.
The visuals were good for their time, and are still respectable even today. Guns blare, cannons boom and the insidious obelisk hums as it brings death to careless commanders. The game is more or less 2-d, broken by the entertaining cinematics between levels that unfold the plot.
C&Cs sounds are amazing for their time. Many cannot forget the songs 'mechanical man', and the sound track offers dozens of songs that set the tone for the vicious battles that ensue. Tanks and vehicles explode while soldiers scream for death as eva announces 'unit lost' every time a comrade in arms falls. Even listening to flame troopers torch both friend and foe is entertaining to hear.
This game is, by all standards, old, but it will never be too old to enjoy. It has set the standards for gaming and offers plenty to enjoy even today. It's shame westwood went under, leaving only it's c&c legacy to offer it's memory. If you're a fan of the classics, a fan of strategy games or even just a timeless gamer, you should consider it your duty to play this game. Not since Star Craft has any game has such an impact on the world of gaming.