Command & Conquer is a real-time strategy franchise started in 1995 by Westwood Studios and later continued by EA Los Angeles, Victory Games, EA Phenomic and EA Redwood Studios. The original game was one of the first RTS titles, laying the foundation for the entire genre and implementing mechanics and solutions that are still an inspiration for modern developers. Most of the titles in the series are available on PCs (Windows)

Gameplay and game modes

Most of the Command & Conquer games (with an exception of Command & Conquer: Renegade, a first- and third-person shooter) are a classic example of the real-time strategy genre, where the player commands his troops, collects resources, and develops infrastructure to destroy the enemy forces and their base. Most of the C&C games allow choosing between at least 2 different playable factions, with each having its own buildings, units, and abilities, making the gameplay more interesting and diverse.

• Command & Conquer

The first game of the franchise takes you to the alternate timeline, where the meteorite with a toxic substance called Tiberium crashes the Earth. The Tiberium becomes the highly demanded resource, for which the two playable factions, the Global Defense Initiative and the Brotherhood of Nod, are fighting over. The Covert Operations expansion pack adds a few single-player missions.

• Command & Conquer: Red Alert

Command & Conquer: Red Alert is a prequel to the first title and shows an alternative vision of the post-World War I events, where Albert Einstein travels back in time to prevent Adolf Hitler from starting the Second World War. The history takes an unexpected turn, however – with Hitler gone, Joseph Stalin grows in power instead. The Counterstrike and The Aftermath expansion packs add a lot of new units, missions, maps, and new, larger map size.

• Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun

This is the continuation of the events from the first Command & Conquer game. Nod’s leader, Kane, was presumed dead, but he resurfaces along with his new Tiberium-enhanced army. GDI has to secure the world’s peace once more. Meanwhile, another faction joins the conflict – The Forgotten. The game features 3 new types of Tiberium and relies more on the futuristic sci-fi tech. The Firestorm expansion pack revolves around the CABAL – a highly advanced artificial intelligence.

• Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 follows the story of the first Red Alert game. Soviets were defeated, and Allies installed a puppet premier to keep the Soviet threat at bay. The plan didn’t work well, however, and Soviets surprised the Allies with an invasion they were secretly preparing for quite some time. Now the two superpowers are fighting for domination once more. The Yuri’s Revenge expansion pack focuses on the Yuri, the former head of the Soviet Psychic Corps. It features 2 additional campaigns and a Yuri faction.

• Command & Conquer: Renegade

Command & Conquer: Renegade is unique, as it is the only first-person shooter game in the entire franchise, in contrast to the RTS nature of the other titles. The player takes command of a GDI commando Captain Nick „Havoc” Parker on a series of dangerous missions during the final days of the First Tiberium War.

• Command & Conquer: Generals

The title takes place in the near future, where the terrorist organization of the Global Liberation Army opposes the two global superpowers – the United States and the People’s Republic of China. The Zero Hour expansion pack introduces 3 new campaigns, one for each side of the conflict, as well as 3 new generals for each faction.

• Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars

The game follows the events from the C&C: Tiberian Sun – Firestorm. Brotherhood of Nod and Global Defense Initiative are facing each other once again in the war known as the Third Tiberium War. This time, however, the outcome of the war is not easily predictable, as the mysterious extraterrestrial race joins the battle. The Kane’s Wrath expansion pack re-introduces Nod’s leader, Kane. It also features an additional campaign, as well as additional sub-factions and a new game mode – the risk-like Global Conquest.

• Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3

C&C: Red Alert 3 continues the plot shown in the Red Alert 2. After being defeated, Soviets decide to travel back in time to kill Albert Einstein, to prevent him from changing the course of events. The outcome is different from what Soviets were hoping for, however, and leads to the rise of the third superpower – the Empire of the Rising Sun. The game emphasizes naval warfare – many units are amphibious and trade the firepower and effectiveness for increased flexibility. The Uprising is a standalone expansion pack which adds 4 mini-campaigns and a 50-scenario long Commander’s Challenge mode.

• Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight

The last title in the bundle follows the story of the Tiberium Wars and takes place after the Third Tiberium War. The Tiberium grows rapidly and poses a threat to the entire Earth, forcing the eternal enemies of Brotherhood of Nod and the Global Defense Initiative to unite under the common flag. When the spread of the Tiberium was finally stopped, extremists from both sides started to cause unrest, leading to the Fourth Tiberium War. The game features single-player campaigns.

Ultimate Collection contents

Command and Conquer Ultimate Collection includes the following games:

• Command & Conquer
• Command & Conquer: The Covert Operations
• Command & Conquer: Red Alert
• Command & Conquer: Red Alert - Counterstrike
• Command & Conquer: Red Alert - The Aftermath
• Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun
• Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun – Firestorm
• Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2
• Command & Conquer: Red Alert - Yuri's Revenge
• Command & Conquer: Renegade
• Command & Conquer: Generals
• Command & Conquer: Generals - Zero Hour
• Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars
• Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath
• Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3
• Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 – Uprising
• Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight

Key features

• Rediscover the classic RTS franchise
• Experience different universes – Tiberium, Red Alert, and Generals
• Choose your faction and take advantage of the unique units and structures it provides
• Build your base, gather resources, train your troops and conquer the enemy
• Play alone or party with friends and dominate the battlefield together