The AI in Tiberian Sun is, again thankfully, improved over the earlier games. Unit path finding is certainly some of the best yet seen. Units stay together, follow the logical route to a destination and other units will even move out of their way. Enemy AI is also pretty good, although you can still spot patterns, and units tend to attack the same points and rarely in groups of more than four. None the less, no enemy action stood out as pointless or stupid as can often happen in real time strategies, and this should keep you on your toes rather than bored out of your skull.
All these previously mentioned factors would be nothing without gameplay. Missions tend to be varied if a bit uninspired (protect this/destroy this/rescue this etc.), although they are usually fun to play none the less. There is, however, the added incentive behind each mission of seeing some more of the computer rendered movies that Westwood is so famous for. While the story can be a little predictable, the acting is good all round, particularly from James Earl Jones, and the numerous rendered video interludes bring the Command and Conquer world to life and provide a welcome reward from your victory on the field of battle.
Playing the two sides feels very much like it did in previous games despite the new units. This is both a blessing and a curse for Westwood and fans of the original are bound not to mind, although those who have moved on to other titles might find the lack of new races in the game a little uninspiring both in terms of the more linear storyline and the less varied gameplay.
Tiberian Sun isn't revolutionary but then Westwood never intended for it to be. Rather, it is evolutionary. The two sides have changed and gameplay and graphics have been tweaked. Overall, Tiberian Sun is just as good a game as its predecessors. However, due to this lack of many great features, it is really more a game for Command and Conquer veterans or those that are hard core about real time strategies. Both types of gamers won't be disappointed, but more casual strategy gamers may well be as Tiberian Sun doesn't quiet add enough to the genre to be anything special.
Pete Closs
Games Editor