The Bitter Taste of Command & Conquer: Legions - A Franchise Betrayed

In a heartfelt lament, the author recounts their deep-rooted love for the iconic Command & Conquer series, particularly the beloved Red Alert installments. However, their enthusiasm quickly turns to disappointment and disillusionment as they delve into the newly released mobile game, Command & Conquer: Legions, which they believe betrays the core essence of the franchise.

A Beloved Series Tarnished by Mobile Mediocrity

Cherished Memories of a Bygone Era

The author fondly reminisces about their extensive playtime with the classic Red Alert 2 and Tiberian Sun, proudly boasting about their online ranking achievements in Red Alert 3. They express a deep respect for the franchise's legacy, even going so far as to consider Red Alert 3 one of the most well-rounded real-time strategy games ever released.

The Promise of a New Dawn

The author's excitement is palpable as they announce the release of a new Command & Conquer game, Command & Conquer: Legions, available in beta form. However, this excitement quickly turns to a sense of dread, as the author feels a piece of their soul being ripped away.

A Disheartening Descent into Mobile Mediocrity

The author gives Legions a fair chance, pouring in a few hours of gameplay on their mobile device. Hoping for a bite-sized C&C experience, they are met with a disappointing reality. The author laments the game's rough onboarding process, describing it as an overwhelming barrage of tutorials, currencies, and concepts that feel more akin to a generic mobile strategy game than the beloved C&C franchise.

Drowning in a Sea of Microtransactions

The author's frustration grows as they delve deeper into Legions, encountering a plethora of in-game currencies, hero characters, and a relentless push for microtransactions. They express disbelief at the game's attempt to shoehorn recognizable C&C characters into a gacha-style loot system, questioning the integrity of the franchise's legacy.

Stripped of the C&C Essence

The author's disappointment reaches a crescendo as they describe the core gameplay loop of Legions, which they find to be a far cry from the simplicity and elegance of the original C&C titles. The game's focus on endless resource management and timer-based progression leaves the author feeling demoralized, unable to engage with the real-time strategy battles that were once the hallmark of the series.

A Betrayal of Franchise Expectations

The author reflects on the recent success of the Command & Conquer Remastered Collection, which they believed would pave the way for further remasters or even a new direction for the franchise. Instead, they are confronted with Legions, a mobile game that they feel is a cynical and misguided attempt to capitalize on the C&C brand, rather than a genuine effort to honor its legacy.

A Disheartening Conclusion

Ultimately, the author concludes that Legions is not a true Command & Conquer game, but rather a generic mobile strategy game masquerading as such. They express their disappointment and disillusionment, resolving to return to the comfort of the classic Red Alert 3, a game they still hold in high regard.