Over the past several years, Electronic Arts seems to have put the iconic real-time strategy series Command & Conquer on the back burner. However, the vibrant modding community has taken it upon themselves to keep the spirit of the game alive. Using open-source platforms like OpenRA, they’ve consistently rolled out updates and introduced improvements to both the original Command & Conquer and its follow-up, Red Alert. These enhancements include a host of quality-of-life features that fans have come to appreciate. Some enthusiasts have even gone beyond mere updates, using the game’s engine to craft entirely new experiences.
One standout project from this dedicated fan base is Combined Arms. Developed by the committed creator Inqubi, this mod, which has been in the works for nearly four years, just got a significant update. Given its extensive content, it feels almost like a fresh entry in the Command & Conquer series.
The breadth of changes and additions in Combined Arms is so vast that it’s hard to cover everything succinctly. It brings together all five factions from the Command & Conquer universe, each complemented by distinctive sub-factions. These factions introduce unique powers, units, upgrades, and bonuses. For example, choose the USA sub-faction within the Allies, and you’ll benefit from superior airborne capabilities. On the other side, pick the Soviets’ Psi-Corps, and you have mind-control units at your disposal.
This mod creatively combines familiar elements from the original Command & Conquer and Red Alert with content from Red Alert 2 and Tiberium Wars. New graphics are also part of the package, all designed to reflect that classic, chunky C&C aesthetic that fans love.
The campaign mode in Combined Arms is particularly noteworthy, offering a 34-mission journey that weaves together storylines from various Command & Conquer games. To add to the nostalgia, there are nine brand-new tracks that remix music from the legendary series composer, Frank Klepacki.
While Combined Arms might not have the high polish of the Command & Conquer Remastered Collection from 2020, it certainly benefits from the innovations introduced by the OpenRA engine. Players can enjoy additional accessibility features, support for ultrawide monitors, build queues, and many other upgrades that significantly enhance the gameplay experience.
As of now, Combined Arms ranks as the fourth most popular mod on Moddb. After giving it a spin, I recommend that any Command & Conquer loyalist or real-time strategy fan check it out. It’s conveniently available as a standalone download; all you need to do is head to Moddb, grab the package, and get started.
