Command & Conquer Tiberian Sun Torrent is an action strategy game developed by EA Los Angeles and published by Electronic Arts. Players familiar with Command & Conquer will find Tiberian Sun immediately recognizable, but a closer look reveals that the game’s terrain visuals are much more advanced than before. Realistic landscapes and colorful lighting effects enhance the Tiberian Sun’s terrain, and the terrain itself becomes a crucial tactical element as explosive weapons create craters and destroy bridges. Additionally, new elements like a different type of mysterious resource Tiberium, and mutated creatures add to the battlefield’s complexity.
While the game’s scenery differs from past titles, the interface remains unchanged – one column for units and another for structures. Hotkeys can be assigned for quicker navigation, and up to five units can be queued for production from one facility, albeit one structure at a time. Although the interface occupies a significant part of the screen, the small size of the units mitigates this issue. However, adjusting to the game’s new appearance, which includes peculiar infantry and vehicles, may take some time.
Infantry units retain their familiar animated sprites, while vehicles are represented using voxels, giving them a rough three-dimensional appearance. This visual style has its advantages, particularly evident when observing the movement of units across terrain. While some voxel units may appear less impressive, such as the Devil’s Tongue Flame Tank, others like the GDI Titan are visually striking. Special effects, like the Titan’s red laser targeting pointer and damaged units emitting smoke and sparks, enhance the game’s visual appeal.
Tiberian Sun features nods to Westwood’s classic Dune 2, with units like the Nod buggy resembling the heavy quad and the GDI Disrupter akin to a sonic tank. The game’s narrative also draws inspiration from Dune, with mutants reminiscent of the Fremen. While these references may appeal to Dune 2 fans, they might feel out of place for Command & Conquer enthusiasts. Notably, Tiberian Sun diverges from its predecessor by offering a wholly science-fiction experience, with even basic infantry armed with pulse rifles.
Whether one enjoys Command & Conquer Tiberian Sun Torrent largely depends on their appreciation for the original game, as it is essentially an extension of that experience. Those who didn’t embrace the first game are unlikely to change their minds now. Even fans of the formula may find their enthusiasm dampened compared to four years ago, given the emergence of other compelling real-time strategy titles like Dark Reign, Total Annihilation, and Starcraft.
Command & Conquer Tiberian Sun Torrent System Requirements
OS: Windows 7/8/10/11
Processor: 166 MHz Intel Pentium processor
RAM: 32 MB
Hard Disk: 150 MB of free space
DirectX: DirectX version 6.0 or higher
