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Expansion packs have been a mainstay on the PCs for quite some time now. Gamers of the platform know what to expect, and know not to expect features, length, and content as deep as the original titles or even a full fledge game. Console gamers, on the other hand, haven't seen this option often and may feel that they are duped into buying a full game at a bargain price. Nevertheless, EA tested these murky waters by releasing Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath on the Xbox 360. Fans of the series that may have already bought, and then traded in C&C3: Tiberium Wars (Click Here for our review) will be happy to know that you don't have to have the original title to play this one. Gamers who may have missed the boat the first time, may want to pick up Tiberium Wars first, if for the sole reason of not having your ass handed to you by vets of the series online. You're not going to find anything totally unique to this expansion that you didn't already experience in Tiberium Wars. You do, however, get the same fantastic console controls that finally make RTS games work with a controller. Anyone who feared playing this style of game on a home console will have their minds set at ease knowing the developers did wonderful things accessing all the building, deploying, and attacking mechanics for the Xbox 360. While I'm not a fan of the saving and load times of the console version, it is a small set back in order to play it on my 50 inch HDTV.
While the story is a continuation of sorts, along with a ton more FMV cut scenes (featuring Natasha Henstridge, Carl Lumbly, and of course Joe Kucan as Kane), the game isn't a sequel per se, but you do get a butt- ton of features that will keep you gaming long into the night. Beginning with six new armies, each having exclusive units, structures, and abilities, you now get more bang for you buck. You have access to 13 new missions which span over multiple decades of the C&C universe, 50 multiplayer maps (yes, even the ones included in the PC patches of late), and exclusive to the Xbox 360 is Kane's Challenge. Kane's Challenge will allow you to compete in over 80 matches against all nine army structures to see if you are the ultimate general of the C&C universe. Do you have what it takes to stand side by side with the Dark Messiah? Of course let's not forget about those 1000 achievement points for the whores out there. God forbid you pay 40 dollars and you don't get a new set of achievement points! If you played and loved Tiberium Wars on the Xbox 360, then there is no reason why this expansion shouldn't be in your library. If you still can't get the mouse and keyboard mechanics away from your left brain and had issues playing the home version, there isn't anything dramatically improved here that will encourage you to play this expansion pack either. Whatever side of the fence you stand on; there is no denying that EA has taken great painstaking steps into finally bringing RTS games to home consoles. I for one am happy as I'm tired of upgrading my rig every six months to play something new. Thank you EA!
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