Product Reviews

Supreme Commander is the sequel in all but name to the popular 1997 real-time strategy (RTS) title Total Annihilation. The paper-thin plot sees three factions locked in an intergalactic war. To follow, then, here are three campaigns of linearly plotted missions, plus the usual online multiplayer modes.

The game plays a lot like a standard RTS title. You mine resources from the landscape, build a wide range of land, air and naval units, and use them to eradicate your opponents. However, Supreme Commander does all this on a scale never before seen in an RTS. The biggest levels measure a gigantic 81km across. To put this in perspective, it would take your huge armoured commander unit about 40 minutes to run across this size map.

All that space is just begging to be filled with huge armies of robotic killing machines. The three factions each have their own set of units, the biggest of which dwarf the standard units. For example, the conventional-looking United Earth Federation can deploy a huge mobile tank factory, while the high-tech Cybrans can create a gigantic spider-bot

However powerful your robotic lackeys may be, it's your frail human brain that must organise and deploy them effectively. This is no easy task when there are hundreds of units on each side, fighting on numerous battlefronts simultaneously. Hardware requirements are high, too, and therefore we would recommend a fast processor to keep it all running smoothly. There's even dual monitor support to help keep an eye on everything. DirectX10 support will be available in March for those who have Windows Vista and compatible graphics cards.

The mouse scroll wheel is essential, allowing you to rapidly zoom out from a detailed unit to an overview of the whole battlefield. From this vantage point, all the units are replaced by icons, so you can interpret the flow of the battle and send reinforcements where needed. The rest of interface is easy to get to grips with, and once mastered becomes a powerful tool. Setting patrol routes, organising build queues and airlifting ground units are possible without much fuss.

We occasionally found the single-player game tested our patience too much, with some missions feeling more like a chore than a challenge. In particular, you can often find that your opponent is so well defended by gun turrets and shields that it takes a long time to defeat them. However, defeating a similarly skilled online opponent is always a thrill.

For those with the time to spare, Supreme Commander lifts the traditional RTS to a new level without actually reinventing it. The added space allows for more strategic manoeuvring and the huge battles are genuinely awe-inspiring experiences.