Command and Conquer Rivals

Reading Time: 3 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyNXQpAFQJc&vl=en

Title: Command and Conquer Rivals
Developer: EA Redwood Studios
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Website: https://www.ea.com/games/command-and-conquer/command-and-conquer-rivals
Genre: Real Time Strategy / Multiplayer
Platform: iOS and Android
Audience: Rated 12+ for the following: Infrequent / Mild Violence, Frequent/Intense Cartoon or Fantasy Violence, Infrequent/Mild Mature/Suggestive Themes.
Release Date: 04/12/2018
Price: Free – Offers In-App Purchases

What the Developers Say

Lead your army to victory in The War for Tiberium with Command & Conquer™: Rivals, the definitive real-time strategy game on mobile! Battle to dominate your enemy with Commanders from the Global Defense Initiative and Brotherhood of Nod. Customize your army with a unique commander, infantry units, and vehicles. Conquer opponents in one-on-one battles and strategically direct your forces to earn every victory. In this war, control is power. 

Introduction

Command and Conquer is back, with an entry into the mobile market with this real-time strategy. Throwing back to the much loved GDI and Nod factions you played in the first editions of the CnC franchise; the game works as a 1v1 matchup that requires you to capture points on the map to launch a nuclear strike against the enemy HQ.

You can also go the old fashioned route and attack the units, harvester and base directly to win. 

Looks and Sounds

The game looks like a super updated version of the original, with some new units and modern graphics and animations. The maps are simply laid out, and they remind me a lot of Clash Royale (except in landscape, not portrait).

The sounds are reminiscent of the original content, with some updated music scores and effects. There are some nostalgic moments in this game.

Gameplay and Replayability

The game works on the ever popular unit cards that need upgrading through coins and then more cards to upgrade those original cards. You collect these through crates and daily collections and unlock more cards through PVP arena progression and levelling up.

The biggest gripe is there is no practise rounds or single player campaign. I know there would be hordes of CnC players who hold on for something like Generals or Red Alert 2, and they could’ve delivered this with Rivals, but they chose not too, instead of going for the F2P model and more IAPs. Shame.

This game is something you can pick up and play as little or as much as you like, and if you strategise and play well, you can progress quickly. However with progression, you can come to the worry of underpowered units, the units are capped per Arena to avoid over-powered opponents, but there’s no lower end cap.

I got access to the early release, but I’ll admit I might only play it once every couple of days when I’m on the train. If it had a single player focus, that would swing me back into the game.

Conclusion

Command and Conquer Rivals is just another game I’ve added to the “every now and again” folder. If you’re a Command and Conquer fan, then dive in and give it a go, sometimes nostalgia keeps us playing for that little bit longer.

Rapid Reviews UK Rating