Supreme Commander Gold Edition

List Price: $39.99 Discount Price: $28.95

Customer Reviews:

THE WOBBLY MARCH OF THE STRIDERS CONTINUES... [Posted on 2008-05-08]
The original SupCom was another excellent example of a good game that got too over-hyped for its own good. When it eventually hit the stores, the impression it made did not live up to the expectations (feel free to browse my review on the original game as well).

Its main flows were unpractical graphics (great looking yet unplayable when zoomed-in - whereas, the zoomed-out warfare views were bland and generic), as well as strategically irrelevant ground characteristics. Luckily, SupCom-FORGED ALLIANCE is a standalone expansion that THQ obviously worked on improving.

As with the original, SupCom-FA demonstrates its strengths when a great number of units is deployed. After all, war is big and ruthless - and this is SUPREME COMMANDER - and not...PRETTY BIG Commander; on the other hand, there is no free lunch in this universe.

This expansion sports improved graphics (on both units, shadows and terrain) - but this also means higher system requirements that include the effective need for a Dual-core processor. Just like the original game, SupCom-FA requires a lot of resources to calculate the physics and ballistics in a way that other RTS games would not even touch with a pole. So, when the number of units increases make sure that your system *surpasses* even the RECOMMENDED requirements (provided below):
* 3.0 GHz Intel (or AMD equivalent)
* 1024 MB of RAM
* nVidia 7600 (256MB) (or equivalent)
* 6GB of HDD space.
Now, even meeting the above, you canNOT rule out stuttering and freezing. A Dual-core processor is, in my experience, essential - and this is a requirement NOT justified by the quality of on-screen graphics. Today, there are many games that do wonders with much lower requirements - and this is where SupCom-FA looses its 5th star. The reason for this is the demanding physics calculations taking place in the background. Since they add little to the overall result, I could do without them if this would mean being able to play the game on older systems.

This is a much better deal than buying only the expansion for almost the...same price - provided you do not already own the original game! Here is why.
With the Expansion, supposedly, one is buying all three factions of the original SupCom as well as the new Seraphim faction. However, at $30 that is a pretty steep deal as the new Seraphim faction is only available in Skirmishes and Multiplayer, and does NOT have a campaign of its own! And, to add insult to injury, the other three original factions are LOCKED and not available in a Multiplayer - unless one has the original SupCom!

This GOLD EDITION, however, so it contains BOTH games for a slightly higher price of the expansion and, thus, is a good deal. Waiting for the Summer sales wouldn't hurt though...

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