Command & Conquer: Generals Zero Hour Review

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Released in June of '03, Electronic Arts' (EA) highly anticipated expansion pack to their critically acclaimed real-time strategy title has finally landed. Does it live up to the high standards set by its predecessor? Let's dive right into our full review.

Storyline:

The storyline continues where we left off with Generals. The war between the Allies and the Soviets rages on, but now a new player enters the stage - General Alexander 'Fadin' Malakai of an unknown nation known as the Russians. As Fadin fights to capture key facilities across Europe and Asia, players must either stop him or help their chosen faction achieve victory.

Gameplay:

The core gameplay hasn't changed much since Genersals. Players still control a mix of infantry, tanks, aircraft, and units specific to each faction (i.e., the Allies have the M-18 'Black Cat' tank destroyer while the Soviets can call upon the SU-37 'Mig' fighter). New additions include more unit upgrades, improved base-building capabilities such as new buildings like supply depots and defensive structures.

Graphical Upgrades:

While not revolutionary compared to other modern RTS titles on the market today (e.g., Age of Empires III), Zero Hour does bring some welcome graphical improvements over its predecessor. Expect crisper textures and smoother performance even at higher resolution settings without any noticeable framerate drops.

Soundtrack & Sound Effects:

The soundtrack has been remixed with new tracks added by none other than the legendary composer, Chris Vrenna (Nine Inch Nails). The sound effects have also received a boost making unit interactions feel more realistic. However, some may find certain sound bites to be slightly too loud or obnoxious.

Overall, Command & Conquer: Generals Zero Hour is an enjoyable expansion that will please fans of the series and newcomers alike who haven't had chance to experience real-time strategy gaming at its best yet. While it doesn’t stray far from what we saw in Generals graphically speaking – which may be a turn-off for those looking something truly innovative – everything else remains largely intact, making this expansion pack well worth your money if you're already invested in the series.

Rating: 8/10

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