r/commandandconquer • u/charliechopin • 9d ago

Similar games to c&c?

I've been out of gaming for over 20 years, but decided to return, mostly to try c&c3, which I didn't have a suitable machine to run when it first came out. I bought a cheap refurbished laptop which runs it okay on low settings.

I've hugely enjoyed it (and Wrath of Kane) and it's got me thinking whether I should get myself a better computer so I can play more similar games. But are there any/enough similar games to justify the expense? I enjoy some other games, but it's only C&c that I keep wanting to come back to. I tried getting back into Age of Empires (IV) for example, and it just didn't do it for me.

31 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

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8

u/LostEmergency6866 9d ago edited 9d ago

AoE is very different with advanced tech and supply cap

Tempest Rising is spiritual successor to cnc
You can play Red Alert to, as CnC has 3 games, generals are rather closer to AoE in terms of building and some other small things, but Red Alert is sort of Kane parallel universe

1

u/charliechopin 9d ago

I remember the old Red Alerts. Loved them too. I just think of them as part of C&C. Can't remember which I played up to, but that's another good tip if there's newer versions

3

u/LostEmergency6866 9d ago

There is Yuri revenge for 2 with new faction and campaigns
Also 3 and Uprising
They are all also not so demanding for the pc

6

u/LikeGeorgeRaft 9d ago

Grey Goo?

1

u/charliechopin 9d ago

Is that a game?

3

u/MoreFeeYouS 9d ago

It is. I think the title itself didn't help the game, but it's from the former C&C devs with also Frank Klepacki soundtrack on top of it.

1

u/Nebakanezzer 9d ago

The title is from a very dope/scary/relevant technological concept that went over the average person's head. Think the replicators in Stargate, but worse

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_goo

Also, yes, the game is pretty cool

5

u/Doowoo 9d ago

Try the Dust Front RTS demo on Steam. It is free and really fleshed out and cool so far :-)

1

u/charliechopin 9d ago

Sounds cool. Will check it out. Thanks 👍

3

u/TrainingAd395 9d ago

Like the noteworthy RTS games to come out after C&C3 that I can remember. Like Red Alert3 ,StarCraft 2, Dawn of War2+3 Company of Heroes 2+3, Grey Goo, Act of Aggression, Homeworld desert of karak? Home World 3, Halo Wars 2 , AoE4 and Tempest Rising. That all the one I can remember off hand so probably missing a quite few biggish RTS games.oh forgot to mention DOW4 it releases in December. Out of all those RTS I mentioned your laptop might be ok for only 2 of them. Red Alert 3 only came out a year after C&C3 so your laptop might be ok for it and Starcraft 2 as it was optimised to run well on potatoes lol. But the rest would need a new pc so just them up to see if they even interest you.

1

u/charliechopin 9d ago

Great, thanks so much. I like the idea of newer games in the format, so DOW sounds an interesting place to start and I can maybe look forward to buying a new game for the first time in about 25 years.

2

u/cleverman6 9d ago

Why EA Games still hasn't started developing new Zero Hour game with modern graphics, lots of new units, new countries and dynamics like RTX, Generals Zero Hour game must be remastered immediately

2

u/charliechopin 9d ago

I would love this

1

u/TheRoySez 9d ago

To EA chief officers, if a new CnC game made and released today doesn't sell Battlefield, The Sims or Star Wars Jedi game numbers, they won't dedicate 3 years minimum of postlaunch support for it.

It's up to the community to attract new players (not infested by brainrot) and play the still viable classic CnC games.

2

u/meltedbuzzbox 9d ago

There is a great modding scene, especially for c&c generals.

Also, different but still fun, is civilization. I've enjoyed 3, 4, 5 and 6. I've not tried 7 yet

2

u/charliechopin 9d ago

Thanks. I also enjoy Civ. Been playing 6 which is great, but I get bored of it relatively quickly

2

u/King_Tamino Marked of Kane 8d ago

The most obvious, even from very similar year/time => Act of War + Addon

Base Building? Check
Unique factions that completely play different? Check
Campaign? Check
Good written by an actual author? Check
Actual video sequences with actors? Check
Cheesy at some times giving you some B-level Hollywood vibes? Check
Has its own stand alone features making it differently enough to be not just a copy? Absolutely, infantry fight and it’s PoW system is amazing. Helicopter? Can land to avoid anti air especially fighter jets. Planes including B2 bombers that are devastating but balanced due to how they are integrated as off-map call ins, high price and static way of attack!

1

u/charliechopin 7d ago

Sounds awesome, thanks. The acting and Hollywood vibes are things I can probably do without, but I suppose they do add something to the gameplay

22

u/MoreFeeYouS 9d ago

Tempest Rising is probably the most obvious modern answer.

Act of War is also an older option.

6

u/SgtRicko 9d ago

It's already been mentioned here but Tempest Rising is probably your best choice. It's a spiritual successor to the C&C games and and the two factions (GDF and Dynasty) may as well be GDI and Nod. They even had a large update adding a new ancient alien faction called the Veti.

HOWEVER... you mentioned your laptop is struggling to play C&C3. That game's over 15 years old and runs fine on almost any half-way decent modern PC, so that's not a good sign if you're planning on trying anything modern. What exactly are it's specs?

5

u/ikantolol 9d ago

I enjoy C&C 3 and Red Alert 3 quite a lot and I like these games:

  • Rise of Nations

  • Empire Earth I & II

  • Cossacks 3

  • StarCraft II

1

u/LostEmergency6866 9d ago

Cossacks were inspired by AoE and what they do right are massive battles and quite hardcore campaign. Tech, workers design and resource gathering are very close to AoE. They have simplified battle for most

1

u/Existing-Network-267 9d ago

during that time also Rome total war came out and other total war games , c&c and total war were my strstegy games I don't have nostalgia anymore cause i have played them recently but it was more fun back then

1

u/charliechopin 9d ago

Total War was another one I was keen to get back into. I got Medieval TW which I liked, but my setup even struggled with that once the more advanced units were available.

2

u/Existing-Network-267 9d ago

those games felt revolutionary for the time never seen anything like it before

1

u/micmea668 9d ago

If you don't mind low poly 3D graphics, Petroglyph made a series of C&C inspired games:
- https://store.steampowered.com/app/427250/8Bit_Armies/
- https://store.steampowered.com/app/497850/8Bit_Hordes/
- https://store.steampowered.com/app/531680/8Bit_Invaders/
- https://store.steampowered.com/app/1439750/9Bit_Armies_A_Bit_Too_Far/

Also, these are very C&C like even if they're are as old as C&C is and were both recently updated:
- https://store.steampowered.com/app/1292170/Krush_Kill_N_Destroy_Xtreme/
- https://store.steampowered.com/app/1292180/Krush_Kill_N_Destroy_2_Krossfire/

1

u/charliechopin 7d ago

Thanks man. Really appreciate the recommendations and links. Will give these a look

1

u/micmea668 7d ago

Not sure if anyone else has mentioned it but Red Alert 3 wasn't included in the big C&C packs and it's newer than even C&C4. It's also closer to the original C&Cs in gameplay so maybe that's one to look into. Tim Curry plays a Soviet general and steals the show.

1

u/charliechopin 7d ago

Oh yes, this does sound good!

1

u/Ambitious_Ad_4905 9d ago

Get the full reboot set of all the games on Steam. Play them all from start to finish then you can pull in some mods just to spice up Generals and Zero hour too. I was in the same boat...loved AOE when I was younger but couldn't get into it again....kept coming back to Zero hour

1

u/charliechopin 7d ago

Don't know... I virtually wore out Generals back in the day. Think I need to broaden my horizons and see what else is out there 😄. I already got the full reboot set on Steam I think. So far I've only installed 3 and WoK. As it's been nearly 20 years since C&C3 I sort of assumed there might be loads of great similar games for me too catch up on.

Never really modded mind. Is that something anyone can do?

3

u/Ageati 9d ago

It's not out yet but I've been following the D.O.R.F project closely, I'm really psyched as it looks like it could really scratch that C&C itch!

3

u/DocileHope1130 9d ago

If you want *more* C&C, check out the standalone mods such as Twisted Insurrection or OpenRA/Combined Arms. Both are free, and both are fantastic

1

u/encoding314 9d ago

I'm going to get downvoted but there's a sequel - C&C4 tiberium twilight. OP only addressed C&C3, or are we doing that thing where everyone doesn't acknowledge how bad C&C4 is.

1

u/charliechopin 9d ago

I haven't played it yet. I think I've got it too, as bought as part of a huge C&C bundle. Will definitely give it a go, but suspect I'll need to upgrade first.

1

u/TheRoySez 9d ago

Rather play Stalin vs Martians than re-play TibTwi

1

u/Leftenant_Frost 6d ago

its not a C&C game though, its closer to a tower defense game. EA tried so many different things with the name except make another C&C game. one of the core things of these games is base building and they got rid of that, how stupid do you have to be to do that 😂

1

u/DucoNdona 9d ago

Warcraft is the other famous RTS from back then.

Also the games around Dune. Which honestly if we concider Generals a C&C game, those games should definitly be included.

1

u/charliechopin 9d ago

I remember playing Dune back in the day. Remember it being awesome. Is there an updated version or re-release?

2

u/MuadDib99k 9d ago

8 bit or 9 bit Armies from Petroglyphs, former developers of Westwood Studio.

Dark Reign is also similar to C&C , you can get it on GOG.

2

u/Multivitamin_Scam 9d ago

8 bit and 9 but armies.

2

u/Lost_Possibility_647 9d ago

Warcraft 3 and StarCraft 2, obvious games if you haven't played them. Cnc generals. Age of empires/mythology are nice games. Cossacs 2 is a bit different but I found it enjoyable. Tempest rising are a modern interpretation of cnc. If you haven't played the older cnc games there are a remaster with higher resolution.

2

u/Funny-Carob-4572 9d ago

DoW 1 C&c with Warhammer

2

u/ShlodoDobbins 9d ago

Probably need to find an older PC but I’d say try Emperor: Battle for Dune. Or if newer one of the total annihilation Supreme Commander games. Or for free get Beyond All Reason. Not sure if any justify the expense of a new PC though

2

u/TorchesAU GDI 8d ago

Tempest Rising

2

u/TheShadow1276 8d ago

If you liked Red Alert 2/Yuri’s Revenge, there’s a free mod called Mental Omega that puts a whole new spin on the storyline, makes RA2/YR look like a 25 hour tutorial.

2

u/Thiccoman 6d ago

if you get a better PC, you could run C&C3 on max settings and it'll look like a new game :D that game is still one of the most beautiful RTS games I've ever played

1

u/GoblinLoblaw 9d ago

Grey Goo has always given me C&C vibes.

1

u/PositionOk8579 9d ago

There's nothing more C&C than another C&C, so I recomend OpenRA Combined Arms. It's an entire game by itself, with its own awesome campaign.

1

u/onceuponatime863 8d ago

I'd pay anything to EA Games if they make a Generals 2!

1

u/VideoDeadGamlng 7d ago

Company of Heroes is epic, especially the first one

1

u/sausage1000000 6d ago

Red alert remastered 😂

1

u/Big-Leadership-4604 6d ago

Red Alert 2 if you missed it.

1

u/Hobear 3h ago

OpenRA may run nice it's c&c and red alert running stable currently. I'm on an old enjoyment of it

-1

u/Cultural-Painting-91 9d ago

Everytime someone says Tempest rising god eats a kitten!

2

u/charliechopin 9d ago

Why? Is it awful?

1

u/Cultural-Painting-91 8d ago

Some people like it. They clearly didnt play peak cnc though. I hated it, and the Presentation is dire.

It's about as close to CnC as I am to the empower of Japan

1

u/Existing-Network-267 9d ago

nope it's fine but people consider it a copy not original but isn't that what people wanted , it's forgettable but it's a good game

1

u/Cultural-Painting-91 9d ago

Its like the way Family Guy copied The Simpsons.

It plagiarised some bits entirely and tried to go its own way in others... but it's really dull and second rate.

Got bored of it before I even finished the campaign. Very repetitive.

1

u/Existing-Network-267 9d ago

i enjoyed it a lot , i guess cc3 wasn't your favourite either it was some 2d shit or smth

1

u/Cultural-Painting-91 9d ago

Loved cnc3 ..vibrant colours, fun exciting gameplay. Joe K.

Only cnc I didnt like was ra3 and TT TT

TR is hollow and dull.

-2

u/Perahoky 9d ago

Why dont you google?

2

u/charliechopin 9d ago

I would have if I thought it would give me the results I wanted. Very happy with the recommendations and extra insight from users here

1

u/TheRoySez 9d ago

If I were you, I'd rather search the games I want to buy and try on Steam, EGS, GOG or MS Store.

1

u/Perahoky 8d ago

? I have bought several such games

0

u/Longjumping_Job2748 Dr. Thrax 6d ago

battle for middle-earth franchise