Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars
Preview
War, the Tiberium way
by Sergio Brinkhuis
previewed on PC
Telling the tale (cntd.)
Obviously the Global Defense Initiative has not been sitting still all these years. A new sonic resonator technology has been developed, and by deploying these resonators strategically, they have managed to contain the spread of Tiberium around the planet. Earth is now divided into different zones based on the contamination level within the area. Red zones are hazardous areas, rich in Tiberium but completely uninhabitable. Yellow zones are habitable but life is not easy in these regions. Humans are much better off in the Blue zones that are completely cleansed of Tiberium but it is a slow process getting rid of the stuff. Because of that, Blue zones are few and far between. The GDI's work is hampered by the advent of a new form of Tiberium that transforms just about everything it touches into more Tiberium. With the Brotherhood of Nod once again frustrating GDI's efforts, things are bound to heat up.
New technologies
The sonic resonators are, of course, not the only new technology out there. Kane's arsenal did not give him the victory he had hoped for last time, so he knows that he will have to bring something new to the table. And the years of relative peace have also given GDI the time to continue to develop their technology. One thing has not changed, however; GDI still focuses on more conventional weapons while Nod takes the high-tech route again.
Extensive funding of their space program has given GDI almost complete control over the planet's Orbit. Space-based weapons and surveillance systems are utilized to provide much needed support to GDI's ground forces. Many of GDI's more successful units return to the battlefield after having received an overhaul to bring them up to date. Expect to see new versions of the Mammoth tank, the Orca VTOL and the Juggernaut walker. One of the more promising new units is the Firehawk attack jet. Fast and agile, it is GDI's best hope to gain air superiority.
While GDI has moved away from walker technology, scrapping all but one type, Nod embraced it. They have developed a fast and highly versatile mechanized combat walker that can be used in a variety of roles by giving it the ability to mount different weapon systems. Nod has also made huge strides forward in the fields of energy weapons, stealth technology and psychic powers. Yuri's mind control ability anyone?
Mutation
As you play the game, new technologies will become available and can dramatically shift the power balance for a while. Feeling invincible and suddenly becoming the underdog -or vice versa- is a feeling we all know and love from the game's predecessors. Another, less obvious danger comes from the Tiberium itself. The new form of Tiberium can do unexpected things to those who touch it. Death is not the worst thing that can happen to a person and the danger of mutating into some sick parody of man is ever present.
Command & Conquer 3 also heralds the arrival of a new faction. There is ample speculation as to the nature of this third faction. My guess would be that it is of alien origin and that its arrival will explain the mystery behind the sudden arrival of Tiberium all those years ago. Rumor has it that you will have to play both the Nod and the GDI campaign before the new faction is unlocked. I don't know about you but I yearn to lose myself in the Command & Conquer universe again and find out for myself!
