A surprisingly cinematic campaign makes this game an instant classic for RTS fans, with a novel gameplay system that removes the need for resource management, putting all the focus on unit management and tactical strategy. The interplay between infantry, armor, and air gameplay really makes each game feel like a real battle, where positioning and planning really pay off.

The campaign, made with surprising production values in narration from Alec Baldwin, CG cutscenes, and character writing, really is a novel thing in the RTS genre. Few games of this type really try and tell such an engaging story when the gameplay is all about throwing units at each other. Unique gameplay scenarios keep the missions feeling fresh and engaging all the way through, with some truly standout moments throughout the runtime. Honestly, the game is worth it just to experience that alone.

For the multiplayer side, there is a surprising amount of strategy here, with each member of a team taking control of either infantry, armor, support, or air units, and each of those archetypes demands a different playstyle to use correctly as your team fights for control over points. It really was an exciting take on the formula, and when combined with insane support options to call in like heavy artillery, bombing runs, to a freaking tactical nuke, multiplayer games were just a blast to play each and every time.

More strategy games should strive to be as engaging in singleplayer like this game was, telling an engaging story, while still delivering unique gameplay scenarios that properly engage the player with the mechanics of the game. A fun and unique multiplayer offering was the icing on the cake, and this game really stands out from its contemporaries in how unique it approached the genre.