While released last month on the PC, EA finally has the cahonies to distribute this baby into the console world one more time. Thanks to the power of the Xbox 360, the game not only looks the part, but the geniuses at EA have gotten an RTS to play the part on a controller to boot.

Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars takes place in the year 2047 when all hell is breaking loose in the fight against the GDI and the Brotherhood of Nod. Both factions are fighting over Tiberium, an enigmatic green crystal that proves as both a help and threat to the world’s fate.

While not as sharp in some areas as the PC version, EA did a great job in porting this impressive looking title onto the Xbox 360 with no slowdown or lag. Everything from the units, to the background terrain is beautifully detailed thanks to next gen console power. Even with a ton of units on screen in single player or online, there are no signs of slowdown or lag, which is impressive to say the least and will be a sigh of relief for those meticulous gamers out there. The story is moved along by some FMV video with some great B-movie talent like Billy “Get me a Colt 45” Dee Williams and Michael Ironside. Accompanying the great visuals is a solid audio package that will rock your speakers with plenty of explosions and crisp sound effects enough for you to shout…”click click BOOM”!

Obviously the game could look as if it were made in the 90’s and most C&C fans wouldn’t care, as long as the game play works and retained its addictive qualities that the series is notorious for. Thankfully EA is building off the already impressive Lord of the Rings RTS, so it is no surprise that they got the basics down, but what is more impressive is how well the controller system works in this, a faster paced RTS, with little to no headache or aggravation. Once you’ve mapped out your buttons on the controller, it is up to you to find a comfort zone on things such as scrolling speed, lock on sensitivity, and other little adjustments that will make your experience playing with a controller that much more enjoyable. Once you’ve found your happy place, you should have little to no quarrels with the way the controls feel even without the use of a mouse or keyboard. You have to wonder though, with USB ports, why a mouse and keyboard option still wasn’t featured for those who can’t get over the hump?

C&C 3 provides a ton of bang for your buck whether you are playing single player only, or decide to brave the waters online. The single player missions span over 35 with plenty of diversity between each level and enough variety and uniqueness that will keep you riveted even when you have reached your 25th mission. Depending on your skill level, you can expect to complete this title within around 30 hours, which is solid for a console title now days. If you are still aching for more bloodshed, then test your skills online against other greedy war minded individuals.

Online for the Xbox 360 has the same versus mode that can be found on the PC, but EA didn’t just feed one measly mode to Live subscribers as they have added 4 extra modes to justify paying 50 dollars for your Xbox Live Gold account. You now have Capture the Flag, Capture and Hold, King of the Hill, and Siege modes. While veterans will be familiar with the first 3 modes of play and what they mean, the new Siege mode starts you off with an impassable section in the middle of the map between you and your foe. You wait for a timer to expire and the section to become passable and wage war against your enemy with the one to destroy all units or unit producing buildings being declared the winner. EA even added the Vision Cam option just so you can see whose butt you are kicking.

There are still those reluctant C&C fans who don’t like the futuristic route the series has turned, but everyone else will have no choice but to become addicted to one of the best RTS franchises, with Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars leaving no one behind in disappointment. Obviously if you have a powerful rig of a PC, then you may have already bought this version and are enjoying it. If you want to run this bad boy on your big screen HDTV set in the comfort of your living room, the Xbox 360 version does a stand up job and is nearly identical to the experience the PC version delivers, with a few extras online too boot! In the end, the game is a must buy for RTS fans who own a 360.