Command & Conquer 4 Preview: IncGamers

[Sonic 296]

Here comes another Command & Conquer 4 preview. This time its one from IncGamers. But to their credit they dug up some extra information compared to previews from other sites. Here's a sample from IncGamers' main preview.

 

.... Stealth Tanks and Flame Tanks returned with new looks, and we're promised the Mammoth Tank will make an appearance, but the Nod Centurion was what caught our eye – a towering mech-like monstrosity with an energy shield to deflect enemy fire. Before long, the initial scouting and offence mission switched to defence as both the GDI Crawler and troop ship came under attack, and the Nod Crawler set up shop right outside and began pumping out more and more units.

 

And it all looks very, very good. Units have separate chunks making up their outer shell, with bits being blown off the bigger units so that you can see the inner workings for yourself. Explosions are predictably gorgeous, and seeing all of Command & Conquer 4the old units in this new engine is a treat. Despite all of this, the pace is considerably slower and more measured than Red Alert 3. Once again, for accessibility reasons, you're going to have more time to consider your moves and options in battle so that you don't feel like things are out of your control in even the most frenetic of firefights, according to EA.

Click here for more of this preview.

 

As mentioned, IncGamers have posted additional details, hit the links below to find out what it is.

• C&C4 Superweapon Details

  EA producer Jim Vessella has let IncGamers know that superweapons are back, and exclusive to the Defense class.

   

• Only One Shared Unit In C&C4

  There will be only one shared unit across the three classes for each faction on Command & Conquer 4.

   

• No Buddy AI In C&C4's Campaigns

  Command & Conquer 4's main campaigns will not have buddy AI, despite support for co-op.

[Koen 2]

• No Buddy AI In C&C4's Campaigns

  Command & Conquer 4's main campaigns will not have buddy AI, despite support for co-op.

Who needs buddy AI's when you have... me, myself and I. I found it very distracting when I had a buddy AI in RA3, I'd just sent it to attack and then with a few units of myself with it, I could beat the missions. Being alone instead of together should prove a much greater challenge

[Silverthorn 0]

Without an AI buddy is kind of bad, but that's fine and reasonable when I read the article. It is sad, but that one is with the Crawler system, not some classic base-building like in the previous games. If RA4 is going to be back with the classic base-building, an AI buddy is a must, especially I like Oleg, Lissette & Shinzo.

[Johnnyxp64 20]

i didnt liked the AI buddy ether it didnt do what i was ordering it every time, and was playing like a totall noob!

 

i had to have my eye watching over it every time and that was a problem.

 

i prefer they way they are doing it right now. if you are alone the difficulty wil be slightly lower atomatically but when an friend joins in , the defficalty will increase a bit.

 

i am very pleased with that!

 

also i love that there will not be shared units. and every class will be totally different.

 

i just hope they have apply an upgrade system similar to Supreme Commander 2. when an upgrade is persuaded it will be upon even your tier 1 units, so late in the battle the tier 1 units will not be useless because you will use only tier 3-4 etc!

 

that the most important thing they need to balance, to NOT self kill their units.

Edited August 12, 2009 by Johnnyxp64

[Gben 20]

You know the spawning system... should allow players to join in mid-game like a fps.

[Luk3us 63]

Sure why not, online play is going to be total garbage anyway. 5v5 pff...

[Silverthorn 0]

Well, Johnny, that's alright, I didn't say I love the buddy AI. I can cope with RA3 without any problems, so the AI is optional, I didn't think it's compulsory.

Edited August 13, 2009 by Silverthorn

[Malevolence 6]

I'm not sure about the idea that superweapons like ion cannon will be limited to defensive class subfaction. HMmm..

[Silverthorn 0]

When you play in KW, imagine if you got a MARV & an Ion Cannon, the opponent will worry on the both of them and it increases his stress level. So I think it's a choice to choose between an epic unit or a superweapon, they do have the same expensive high cost, and there's a reason why they're expensive, because they are epic & dangerous.

[Nmenth 291]

Since there are no bases to smite, the Ion Cannon isn't going to be that special. You're using a super weapon on mobile units...

[Existor 15]

Mastodont is a mobile SW-unit for atacker class

[Malevolence 6]

Mastodont is a mobile SW-unit for atacker class

 

So I take it that the Mastodon is like a walking MARV and pwns mammoth tanks?

[Gben 20]

yeah that's how I understood it - the Mastodon is an EPIC unit. It will be interesting to see if the crawlers are simply heavilly armoured with main battle tank weapons, or truely EPIC strength weapons. Obviously have to balance it's summoner abilities to borrow a RPG term.

 

But I don't mind the SW being restricted to the Defensive class, but I hadn't really thought through the lack of a base to target. I wonder how instant the weapon-fire will be is going to be... and how much damage it can do to the crawler... I also now wondering about shroud...

[Nmenth 291]

I wonder how instant the weapon-fire will be is going to be... and how much damage it can do to the crawler... I also now wondering about shroud...

Well if it can't kill the Crawler in one strike, takes 5+ minutes to recharge, and can't fire through shroud (or shroud isn't easily revealed), the Epic Units > Ion Cannon.