Command and Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath

Command and Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath - (Xbox 360)
Developer: EA
Format: Xbox 360
Genre: RTS

A decent stab at a game more at home on the PC

There are certain things that a PC can do better than a console. You won't see the Xbox 360 whip up a spreadsheet storm in next to no time. Nor will the PS3 pull out a PowerPoint presentation quicker than you could load up a game of Metal Gear Solid 4.

But those two examples rely on software - something that if the developers had enough time, could at least in theory be possible. No, where the real difference lies between PCs and consoles is via the interface - what I'm using to type right now and the small mouse-like device you're using to scroll through the text.

The humble keyboard and mouse may seem outdated in the world of wireless, vibrating gamepads. But ask a fan of twitch shooters such as Quake or Unreal which interface they'd prefer and you'll only get one answer - ands it won't be vibrating.

The keyboard and mouse is king of point and click - which is why, Command and Conquer games, or indeed any RTS titles that require those specific rapid action skills, falls a little flat when placed into the palm of your hand.

EA's solution to this age-old dilemma is by introducing a new radial based menu that's activated by pressing the right trigger. Then, by cycling around the power wheel with the left thumb stick, players are able to construct buildings develop new units and activate dedicated power-ups with the touch of a button.

The control is designed to be easy but sadly we still found it lacking in comparison to the feel of total control that a mouse and keyboard affords. With this rather large issue to one side, the latest 'stand-alone expansion' pack does exactly what it say's on the tin - an enjoyable single player campaign, a wealth of new units for each faction and more multiplayer mayhem than you could wave a slab of Tiberium at. Just don't go expecting the kind of fluid 'total' control that this genre demands - because you won't be finding it on this console version.