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Xbox 360 - Strategy
Product Description
Electronic Arts have developed and produced Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath as a standalone expansion of Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars, which was released a year earlier than Kane's Wrath. As is the case with many expansion packs, Kane's Wrath provides the core gameplay of its predecessor with newer additions to the gameplay such as even weirder creatures to fight against, cool new units to fight with and just generally more carnage. If you loved Tiberium Wars, you'll love Kane's Wrath.
Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath (Xbox 360) Review
C&C takes command of the Xbox 360... but does it conquer it?
Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath is a standalone addition to Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars and doesn't stray from the core real-time strategy (RTS) gameplay that made its predecessor so popular amongst PC fans. Kane's Wrath is the first time the C&C series has really ventured onto a console, and it doesn't bring with it a particularly convincing or engaging storyline. Instead, players will focus on the gameplay and the different missions and objectives to complete in order to best make use of the strategic element of the game.
Graphics and Presentation
It must be admitted that the graphics are not cutting-edge or anything worth bragging about. Indeed, it seems that EA could've done a lot more with the Xbox 360's capabilities if they had tried. It makes Kane's Wrath seem a bit like a cheap version of the real game, which looks much better on the PC.
That said, there are some positive points regarding the graphics; for example, as it doesn't look all that great it does mean that you hardly experience any slowdown at all, even with a load of action occurring on-screen at any one time. Small bits of detail have also been added here and there that retain the Command & Conquer look, even in the menu system, which is very easy to navigate.
Sound
Again, the game audio isn't one of its strong points. To be honest I hardly noticed the soundtrack whilst playing, as it didn't seem that interesting. It doesn't really immerse you in the game, or help to set a mood; it seems to just be there to fill the void in your ears. The voice acting in various cut scenes is not too bad on the voice front, however the scripted writing will make you cringe at times. Then again, if you're attracted to buying Kane's Wrath then you're probably not interested in the graphics or the gameplay, in which case I suggest you skip on to the Gamplay section of this review.
Gameplay
The control system of Kane's Wrath has been highly acclaimed as one of the best ever to feature on an RTS that’s on a console. Instead of a bar, the game uses a new command wheel feature so that it's a lot easier to access build menus, units, controls, etc. This is far smoother and more useful than most other chunky control systems on similar RTS games. Players can drag and dump units, however selecting particular units understandably can prove to be a bit frustrating at times, especially when grouped together with other men. To be fair however, it would be much easier to play this game with a mouse and keyboard.
Kane's Wrath features three game modes; Campaign, Kane's Challenge and Skirmish. Campaign sees you play as Kane, who for the sake of boring readers with a full explanation, is someone appointed to defend the globe against all sorts of aliens and terrible creatures. The storyline here is very annoying, especially seeing as you need to have really played previous titles in order to understand everything that is going on.
It's easy to get confused but it's also easy to ignore the storyline and get on with completing the missions by any means possible; the nature of the strategy element in Kane's Wrath means that you will have to employ various tactics in order to achieve your goals, whether it be through being stealthy or all-out blasting your way through your enemy. Nevertheless, the Campaign mode features 13 missions whilst the Kane's Challenge mode features up to 90 different scenarios in which to fight it out with an enemy by commandeering one of 9 different factions. These single player modes are interesting to play and certainly offer a challenge, but most players will be unsatisfied after copious hours of slaying the AI and want to hop straight onto Xbox Live with Kane's Wrath. Xbox Live players can compete in five different game modes; Capture the Flag, Siege, Capture and Hold, King of the Hill and Versus. Contrary to the single player mode, over Xbox Live some games might be prone to some slowdown or lag if there is any particularly huge clashes in-game on the screen.
C&C3: Kane's Wrath also presents some new units in the sub-factions. By sub-factions, I'm referring to the sections within certain factions (e.g. the Nod faction has a sub-faction called the Black Hand). Certain sub-factions will have different and very cool weapons compared to their brothers. These are the small gameplay additions that C&C lovers will buy the game for, with plenty of new ties to test out against the enemy; and with the aforementioned Kane's Challenge mode available, you'll be able to check out every faction and sub-faction as you progress through the game.
Closing Comments
Overall, Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath on the Xbox 360 is in a nutshell a newer adaptation of Tiberium Wars. There is a new campaign mode with added storyline, but unless you have followed the C&C game series since the start you'll probably remain as confused as I was but there is still a lot to offer from trying out the various sub-faction and faction additions in weaponry, vehicles and construction as well as the great control system. Playing on Xbox Live can also be a challenging experience and it gives Kane's Wrath some added shelf life. The graphics and sound on Kane's Wrath are far from superb, but these become somewhat irrelevant in the RTS genre – sure, they're nice, but they're not vital – it's the gameplay that matters in an RTS title and this is one that's worth trying out if you like the genre or are a die-hard C&C fan with an Xbox 360.
3/5
Rich Lawlor
Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath is a standalone addition to Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars and doesn't stray from the core real-time strategy (RTS) gameplay that made its predecessor so popular amongst PC fans. Kane's Wrath is the first time the C&C series has really ventured onto a console, and it doesn't bring with it a particularly convincing or engaging storyline. Instead, players will focus on the gameplay and the different missions and objectives to complete in order to best make use of the strategic element of the game.
Graphics and Presentation
It must be admitted that the graphics are not cutting-edge or anything worth bragging about. Indeed, it seems that EA could've done a lot more with the Xbox 360's capabilities if they had tried. It makes Kane's Wrath seem a bit like a cheap version of the real game, which looks much better on the PC. That said, there are some positive points regarding the graphics; for example, as it doesn't look all that great it does mean that you hardly experience any slowdown at all, even with a load of action occurring on-screen at any one time. Small bits of detail have also been added here and there that retain the Command & Conquer look, even in the menu system, which is very easy to navigate.
Sound
Again, the game audio isn't one of its strong points. To be honest I hardly noticed the soundtrack whilst playing, as it didn't seem that interesting. It doesn't really immerse you in the game, or help to set a mood; it seems to just be there to fill the void in your ears. The voice acting in various cut scenes is not too bad on the voice front, however the scripted writing will make you cringe at times. Then again, if you're attracted to buying Kane's Wrath then you're probably not interested in the graphics or the gameplay, in which case I suggest you skip on to the Gamplay section of this review.
Gameplay
The control system of Kane's Wrath has been highly acclaimed as one of the best ever to feature on an RTS that’s on a console. Instead of a bar, the game uses a new command wheel feature so that it's a lot easier to access build menus, units, controls, etc. This is far smoother and more useful than most other chunky control systems on similar RTS games. Players can drag and dump units, however selecting particular units understandably can prove to be a bit frustrating at times, especially when grouped together with other men. To be fair however, it would be much easier to play this game with a mouse and keyboard.
Kane's Wrath features three game modes; Campaign, Kane's Challenge and Skirmish. Campaign sees you play as Kane, who for the sake of boring readers with a full explanation, is someone appointed to defend the globe against all sorts of aliens and terrible creatures. The storyline here is very annoying, especially seeing as you need to have really played previous titles in order to understand everything that is going on. It's easy to get confused but it's also easy to ignore the storyline and get on with completing the missions by any means possible; the nature of the strategy element in Kane's Wrath means that you will have to employ various tactics in order to achieve your goals, whether it be through being stealthy or all-out blasting your way through your enemy. Nevertheless, the Campaign mode features 13 missions whilst the Kane's Challenge mode features up to 90 different scenarios in which to fight it out with an enemy by commandeering one of 9 different factions. These single player modes are interesting to play and certainly offer a challenge, but most players will be unsatisfied after copious hours of slaying the AI and want to hop straight onto Xbox Live with Kane's Wrath. Xbox Live players can compete in five different game modes; Capture the Flag, Siege, Capture and Hold, King of the Hill and Versus. Contrary to the single player mode, over Xbox Live some games might be prone to some slowdown or lag if there is any particularly huge clashes in-game on the screen.
C&C3: Kane's Wrath also presents some new units in the sub-factions. By sub-factions, I'm referring to the sections within certain factions (e.g. the Nod faction has a sub-faction called the Black Hand). Certain sub-factions will have different and very cool weapons compared to their brothers. These are the small gameplay additions that C&C lovers will buy the game for, with plenty of new ties to test out against the enemy; and with the aforementioned Kane's Challenge mode available, you'll be able to check out every faction and sub-faction as you progress through the game. Closing Comments
Overall, Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath on the Xbox 360 is in a nutshell a newer adaptation of Tiberium Wars. There is a new campaign mode with added storyline, but unless you have followed the C&C game series since the start you'll probably remain as confused as I was but there is still a lot to offer from trying out the various sub-faction and faction additions in weaponry, vehicles and construction as well as the great control system. Playing on Xbox Live can also be a challenging experience and it gives Kane's Wrath some added shelf life. The graphics and sound on Kane's Wrath are far from superb, but these become somewhat irrelevant in the RTS genre – sure, they're nice, but they're not vital – it's the gameplay that matters in an RTS title and this is one that's worth trying out if you like the genre or are a die-hard C&C fan with an Xbox 360.
3/5
Rich Lawlor
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