COMMAND AND CONQUER: TIBERIAN SUN

Reviewed By: Matt Middleton
VOLUNTEER GUEST REVIEWER

GAME TECH INFO

Computer Platform: PC
Produced by: Westwood Studios
Price Range: $17-40
Learning curve time: 1 hr.
Age level: 14+
ESRB Rating: Teen
System Requirements: PII; 32 MB RAM; 16 bit color video card; 2 MB Video RAM; 4x CD-ROM drive; 200 MB hard drive space

Genre: Strategy
Christian Rating: 2 of 5
   (offensive)
Gameplay: 4 of 5
   (good)
Violence: 2 of 5
   (heavy)
Adult Content: 3 of 5
   (mild)

"Command and Conquer: Tiberian Sun" is a strategy game with a futuristic setting. In each mission you command either Global Defense Initiative (GDI) forces (the good guys) or the Brotherhood of Nod forces (the bad guys). The game is good, but there is more than enough objectionable content to steer Christians away.

Box art for 'Tiberian Sun'. Illustration copyrighted.

Kane, of Nod forces, has “returned from the dead” and launched a blitzkrieg against the GDI force. In each mission you control your infantry and other units. You always have objectives you must complete in order to get the “Mission Accomplished” words to appear on your screen. Usually, you have to destroy the opposition's base, capture something, or protect something in order to complete each mission.

On the back of the box there was the phrase “mild language” as a reason for the Teen rating. I find the language in this game to be more than mild. In the video introductions to over thirty missions the characters usually swear. That is more than enough reason not to buy it.

Being a warring type of game, there is violence. Realistic explosions and guerilla warfare are the basis of the entire game. When an infantry unit is killed you'll see realistic blood and the unit screams. In one instance, over thirty of my infantry units were ran over by a vehicle with no weapons. To sum up, the game is violent.

Within the Nod forces, deceit, assassinations, and murder are the way to get more power. There are no sexual undercurrents or themes in the game.

"C&C: Tiberian Sun" is a good strategy game, but the objectionable content is enough to make you look for a better game.

Year of Release—2000

Negative—I can't say that I would recommend this game in any way. Aside from the moral objections in the main review (which I agree with) the gameplay is rubbish! I enjoyed both Tiberian Dawn and Red Alert and awaited this game eargerly. Within a couple of hours of playing it, I realised that Tiberian Sun was not up to the standard set by its predecessors. The units aren't fun, the AI is hopeless and the storyline is pure cheese. In short, save your time and money for something else. My Ratings: [2/2]
—Gavin Hall, age 21

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this Christian Spotlight review are those of the reviewer (both ratings and recommendations), and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Films for Christ or the Christian Answers Network.