I got the expansion last week and I’m really enjoying it. Plot wise, it takes an interesting approach to the ‘expansion pack’ model of most games-
Usually most games break up their plots/sequels into major chunks of time. Expansions tended to be events immediately after the main game (hence a way to write in new units/abilities in the context of advances in technology).
But instead of simply going that route, Kane’s Wrath actually has the player performing actions before, during, and after C&C3. It picks up right when C&C2: Firestorm leaves off and its really neat to see how the story is interwoven between C&C3.
The Good: Plot, but that’s just me. I’m also a fan of FMV cutscenes, which you don’t really see in games much anymore. There are also sub-factions (like in C&C generals expansion) which expands the number of playable sides.
The Bad: Some of the new units are a little redundant (Mantis and Slingshot). No reward for getting all gold medals in campaign (that I’m aware of) giving less incentive to try to beat it on hard mode.
I just bought this myself yesterday but I haven’t had time to play it yet. Is there a GDI campaign or is it all NOD missions?
All Nod missions unfortunately. But I’m sure they’ll come out with some more expansions in the future.
If you play the skirmishes you can play as GDI though. ZOCOM is definitely the force to be reckoned with. Once you get teched-up and get access to stuff like the MARV, the game is just over. I played a skirmish against a “turtle” opponent (who just walled himself up behind a massive layer of defense) and I let my MARV do the negotiating. It got pounded down to about half life but also got promoted defending itself. So it all evened out… literally.
I don’t know if you’ve reached the campaign mission where you are immediately attacked by GDI helicopters and walkers. The trick is to build a bunch of rocket soldiers and then a bunch of Black Hand infantry. The bonus they give to your rocket soldiers plus their own chain guns make short work out of anything. So as long as you keep pumping out replacement forces, GDI can attack you all day and hardly make a dent.
I’m into the second act now and it doesn’t look like these are going to be fun missions. But the build tree is opening up pretty nicely now so that makes things fun.