The number of new units and structures is amazing as well. While you won't be able to use every unit within a single army you will have lots of fun experimenting with the individual Generals and their corresponding armies. I particularly like the US microwave tank which disables buildings and fries nearby infantry. The Bunker-Busting Bomb for the Stealth Fighter will annihilate any troops garrisoned in a building while Chem. Suits will give the grunts a longer lifespan when up against the GLA. On the terrorist side the Sneak Attack ability is a 'helluva' lot of fun in multiplayer, unless you're on the receiving end. The fact that almost all GLA units can be upgraded by driving over battlefield scrap is a real bonus, as is the Combat Cycle. These little beauties are even more fun than they sounded when info first started leaking out about the expansion. Sending twenty or so of these fellas into an enemy base with Suicide Bombers strapped to the handles will create so much havoc that even a small group of Angry Mobs will finish off the less-prepared opponent. The Chinese Emperor tank is a behemoth that can take a mental beating while causing destruction through its massive cannons and built in gattling gun. The Carpet Bombing ability is great, although not as sweet as the Nuclear Carpet Bombing ability of one of the General's. All in there's about thirty new units to play with. The new neutral structures, Artillery, Repair and Unit Drop all add fun to proceedings, although again their lack of toughness makes them an all too brief factor in a match.

But there's more. For the skirmishers of you out there there are an utterly insane number of battlefield medals to win. I mean, who on earth is going to ever get the 10,000 Domination medal? But it's out there if you are so inclined, or bedridden for the rest of your life. There are also more achievable medals such as the Ultimate and the Battletank Honour. The graphics have been spruced up a bit, with rain and snow effects on some maps, and a smattering of new objects. The Worldbuilder has also been enhanced and tweaked and is certainly a less daunting tool than it's first incarnation, so we should see even more maps appearing on the net. It's not like the community has been slack in the past. For those of you into viewing past matches the replay function has been spruced up with some fast-forward controls.

Now the bad news. This game likes to crash more then the original. On my old motherboard things were fine, right up until a day or so before it got swapped, then the dreaded 'Technical Difficulties' box popped-up whenever I tried to load it. And that problem has migrated to my new set up, strange as it's a new XP install. Searching forums for help revealed that a lot of people are having more problems with ZH than they did with Generals. It seems RAM can be a problem, so if you have cheap RAM in your machine make sure you buy from some where that accepts returns. Problems also seem to be frustratingly prevalent in the side of things. Maybe the bolting on of the new features over the old game has made it go "tits-up" on many machines. I just hope that the imminent patch addresses these problems for the majority of people, as ZH is a top-notch piece of gaming when it's working right.

On top of these 'Technical Difficulties' there are a few other that rankle. Units have an annoying tendency not to fire back, even with the addition of the 'Retaliate' option which is meant to force your units into returning fire. Selection can also cause problems. Too many times my men have refused to acknowledge my orders and sat around discussing the weather while their comrades took a pounding. These problems only happen occasionally but they are extremely annoying when they do manifest themselves. The pathfinding can cause problems as well with units taking routes that make you think they are on expense accounts. During LAN games, battles would sometimes come to a premature end due to mismatches but as this only happens on user-made maps it can't really be blamed on the game. There are also a few balancing issues that need some further tweaking. However, even with these problems in mind Zero Hour is a top quality expansion which, in my opinion, will not be penalised too heavily for these hitches as they should soon be sorted out in a patch.

I barely touched the missions in C&C Generals, preferring instead to spend endless days wasting my flatmates over the LAN. With Zero Hour I've been enjoying some great story driven combat while trying (unsuccessfully so far), to beat all the Generals in the challenge mode. And almost every day still brings at least one fight over the network. So in effect, Zero Hour is actually a better game than the original it is spawned from. Once its teething problems are pulled or filled-in I feel it will be recognised as one of the classics of its time.

92%

By Sam Gibson

Comments

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  1. patrick Unregistered 6 years ago

    what is so new about it and how much free hard disk you need for it is it a patch for command and conquer generals that you install over it :-)

  2. Sam 6 years ago Staff

    Wierdly although you need the original to play it, it installs in its own seperate directory, which comes to over a gig.

  3. Diablos Unregistered 6 years ago

    Oh! Oh! *raises hand

    Tell me who the super-secret-bad-ass-ub3r-dude is please.. I really can't be arsed to complete all them... :D

  4. Ivanna Tinkle Unregistered 6 years ago

    WOW! i did not know it took that much ram up wow!
    :-D

  5. john Unregistered 6 years ago

    how can i build ship in that game?

  6. BodX Unregistered 6 years ago

    How Can I Put Names. When i add a New Player Color. its always >MISSING INDEX< or whatever.? Please Help me find a tools or utilities that can edit the file where to edit them.

  7. Rene Unregistered 6 years ago

    I think this game rocks ,besides the high output of RAM it is the best yet.

  8. AnNiHiLaToR Unregistered 6 years ago

    What are the names of the new generals in Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour?

  9. AnNiHiLaToR Unregistered 6 years ago

    Sorry little dude but I just found out that u cant build boats u can only use em in the campaign.

  10. GENERAL Unregistered 6 years ago

    vive la guerre virtuel

  11. Rene Unregistered 6 years ago

    If anyone tries to say that Zero Hour sucks , your #$%*$# lieing Big time

  12. Christopher Unregistered 6 years ago

    when i click next to start installing:
    "program performed illegal operation and will be shut down"
    HELP!!!

  13. Christopher Unregistered 6 years ago

    you guys are lucky, you get to play it, me, I can't even install the game

  14. qoogla Unregistered 6 years ago

    i forgot her name.But she is a combination of all the super generals.

  15. Jason 6 years ago Staff

    I think thats hard disk space... not RAM, buddy

  16. JONATHAN Unregistered 6 years ago

    I THINK THIS GAME ROCK

  17. bRuNuShky Unregistered 6 years ago

    Aurora alpha bomber is like an error .....no body can win vs USA Super Weapons.... hey guy review this patch !!!

  18. Aesop Unregistered 6 years ago

    Does anyone know if it is coming out for the mac? i know the original generals is, but does anyone know about zero hour? This game rocks!

  19. harry Unregistered 6 years ago

    thursday 19 feb2004
    all off the comand & conquer games have been toooo
    easy I have clocked all of the versions on there maxi mum difficulty even generals zero hour.i am extremely f'ed of this stupid rip offs make a harder 1.

  20. harry Unregistered 6 years ago

    you are right china sucks

  21. Michael Unregistered 6 years ago

    I have played every C&C game that has ever been made, and I think Generals Zero Hour is the best so far. But it could use another expansion pack, one with Navel fleets that are useable. I got so use to Yuri's Revenge naval battles and air support, then Generals came out better graphic an all, was thinking maybe with zero hour there would be naval support, but no. Still love the game, but needs more maps.

  22. mattyr Unregistered 6 years ago

    i hate the china missons i'm on number 3 and the gla keep wiping me out before i can get the last statue the one at the top of the base please help me!!!

  23. crash_and_burn Unregistered 5 years ago

    comander and conquer zero hour rules

  24. jackass Unregistered 5 years ago

    this forum suxors my ass...

  25. martouf Unregistered 5 years ago

    :-( what is a mismatch and how can i stop it? chan any body help me? plzzzzzzzz :-(

  26. Steven Unregistered 5 years ago

    I can't figure out how to get this generals promotion stuff to unlock the scud or F-117.

  27. Josh Unregistered 5 years ago

    c&c generals zero hour rock :-D

  28. Josh Unregistered 5 years ago

    ps. this website rocks

  29. Roelie Unregistered 5 years ago

    hehehe
    i have c&c generals zero:hour

  30. jackass lover Unregistered 5 years ago

    jackass rulessss.................

  31. strom Unregistered 5 years ago

    air force gen is the best gen there is

  32. NAVAL Unregistered 5 years ago

    They should make ships for skirmish games :-D

  33. John Unregistered 5 years ago

    Could some 1 tell me how to make mods??? im realy stuck. If u have any tutorials of easy to use programs to make structures, tanks, ect, pls tell me put a link or some thing on here pls?

    Thanks

  34. steven Unregistered 5 years ago

    this is a good game but gets boaring after a while. i think ill just wait for the next 1. its 2 be a follow up on renagade

  35. Mugoo Unregistered 5 years ago

    Sounds awsome Matty Woods

    Hey guys i have seen pictures of a china hellicoptor. It was a fat hulled big thing and i'm wondering what it is and if yo can actually control it.

  36. joker Unregistered 5 years ago

    all the time that game keeps crashing. it says something about possible hardware overheating or not meeting minium specs or possible virus
    it happens alot. platform Windows XP Pro 1 gig of 3200 mushkin ram (2) 512 in dual channel. Audigy 2 ZS platium and a Delta 44 sound cards, Lite On 52 cd burner , generic DVD player, 550 watt psu Enermax, 250 gig Maxtor hardrive, Radeon 9800 pro 128 DDR.
    ASUS mother board N force 2 ultra chipset. proccessor 3200+ Athlon XP (I don't over clock)
    Windows has been updated and all drivers up to date.

  37. Vapor Unregistered 5 years ago

    I had that very problem with things blowing up right after I get say my aitfield or war factory built... but I just uninstalled and re-installed everything and it was ok

  38. Atomicd1 Unregistered 5 years ago

    I have the spanish version of the game, but cant get the multiplayer working, wenn patching it says SpanishZH.big is not the right file, how to fix?

  39. moro Unregistered 5 years ago

    i need to ask aqu

  40. lala Unregistered 5 years ago

    why my generals send message:
    the game has lost synchronisation between players.
    Thats happen on LAN,more than two players

  41. Roman Unregistered 5 years ago

    That is the best game ever!!!! Rocks!!!! USA AURORA, AVENGER, MOTHER OF ALL BOMBS

  42. Mr.Kimo Unregistered 5 years ago

    I can't play generals Zero Hour Online !!
    when i try the game tell me Something like that "enable to establish a connection to C&C geberals Zero hour servers
    Do any one have a solution for this probleme ?

  43. general grant Unregistered 5 years ago

    I downloaded updates. Now when I start CCG it is patching. No gameplay comes up. Who can help me?

  44. Ace granger Unregistered 5 years ago

    get high-speed internet no lag frustrated

  45. RainZ Unregistered 5 years ago

    and i'm the ppl who are like mad on this... i can win allmost everybady here;)

  46. francis Unregistered 5 years ago

    what country is the modt powerful

  47. jay-ar Unregistered 5 years ago

    i love d game !!its so exciting!very very very good!

  48. Lotus Cars Unregistered 5 years ago

    I have a little question i would like an answer too.
    How do i change the Lan game speed. I a few of my friends and me are trying to play on a lan, but the game speed is set so damn slow its not even fun.

  49. MAJO Unregistered 5 years ago

    JE TO MMOJA NAJLEPSIA HRA

  50. alfonz Unregistered 5 years ago

    is there a zero hour expansion pack for mac?

  51. astalavista Unregistered 5 years ago

    it's good

  52. insainia Unregistered 5 years ago

    dose anyone else get thier basses blown up in generals?

  53. anon Unregistered 5 years ago

    cheats plz

  54. wac Unregistered 5 years ago

    umm, as soon as i play a skirmish match, my base and the enemies base just blows up about 30-40 seconds into the game and it says we have both been defeated, anyone help me out here? how do i stop it? keeping in mind i really dont want to reinstall. thanks

  55. edin Unregistered 5 years ago

    could someone please help me
    I just want to know how to make a mod for generals zero hour

  56. Tedmund Unregistered 5 years ago

    is there a website to download generals zero hour.

  57. Juozas Unregistered 5 years ago

    This game sucks

  58. Agung "RICO" Ngrho Unregistered 5 years ago

    While I still playing this game, sudentlly my cursor move around and uncontroled. Why and how to prepare? Would you like to help me please. Thanks.

  59. Ranger27 Unregistered 5 years ago

    Hey, I've been trying to find out when the next C&C comes out, but I can't find anything, DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHEN AND WHAT IT IS CALLED? Thank you

  60. Betso Unregistered 5 years ago

    Hello !!! how i can play online ??? :-D

  61. Master of C&C Generals - Zero Hours! :-p Unregistered 5 years ago

    China Rocks!
    :-D

  62. hot chick Unregistered 5 years ago

    i love this game i REALLY luv it

  63. jabb Unregistered 5 years ago

    <3 generals zh! ON LINE WITH CS! somebody got a link to download mod files like RULES.INI to generals zero hour?


    -_-

  64. aids Unregistered 5 years ago

    i finished beating all of the generals but i dont have the secret general yet. what do i have to do?

  65. Malink Unregistered 5 years ago

    C&C zero hour is stiil a nice strategic game to play. Even after one year, you dosen't get tired of it!

  66. Malink Unregistered 5 years ago

    C&C zero hour is stiil a nice strategic game to play. Even after one year, you dosen't get tired of it!

  67. Malink Unregistered 5 years ago

    I'm sure that everybody have played Challenge in zero hour. But versus do you find the most difficult´. For me, it was with the superweapon general against air force general because you do not possesse aaa projectile such as quad cannon or gattling canon or tank or neither laser weaponry. Even when you are able to produce Avengers and a lot of them, you might probably already lost this mission.

  68. Malink Unregistered 5 years ago

    I'm sure that everybody have played Challenge in zero hour. But versus do you find the most difficult´. For me, it was with the superweapon general against air force general because you do not possesse aaa projectile such as quad cannon or gattling canon or tank or neither laser weaponry. Even when you are able to produce Avengers and a lot of them, you might probably already lost this mission.

  69. Malink Unregistered 5 years ago

    I'm sure that everybody have played Challenge in zero hour. But versus do you find the most difficult´. For me, it was with the superweapon general against air force general because you do not possesse aaa projectile such as quad cannon or gattling canon or tank or neither laser weaponry. Even when you are able to produce Avengers and a lot of them, you might probably already lost this mission.

  70. Malink Unregistered 5 years ago

    I'm sure that everybody have played Challenge in zero hour. But versus do you find the most difficult´. For me, it was with the superweapon general against air force general because you do not possesse aaa projectile such as quad cannon or gattling canon or tank or neither laser weaponry. Even when you are able to produce Avengers and a lot of them, you might probably already lost this mission.

  71. Fernando Unregistered 5 years ago

    Qualquer dia desses eu jogo on-line com vocs e os ensino a jogar

  72. Pat Unregistered 5 years ago

    how do u make sandbags and fences by dozer???
    there is some way because i saw some1 do it before
    Plz help!!!!

  73. nate Unregistered 5 years ago

    can you get me a free downloadable version

  74. FRo Unregistered 5 years ago

    I can't figure out how to play Command & conqure online

  75. Yves Unregistered 5 years ago

    Me and my friend have both windows XP, and when we connect together to zero hour, we always get the message, cannot connect make sure fire wall is disable.
    We both have service pack 2 of XP and before the game we disables our fire wall through the security center and also both Anti-Virus are disconnected as well
    We need help, we bought this game to play together
    Can we direct connect through IP adress or something?
    PLEASE HELP US

  76. Pat Unregistered 5 years ago

    No Nate I dont no how 2 get u a free downloadable version but y did u ask??? Do u no how to make sandbags fences etc by dozer??? Plz tell me PLz!!!!

  77. marcus Unregistered 5 years ago

    can anybody tell me a website to download comand conquer generals zero hour

  78. dustin Unregistered 5 years ago

    is thar a demo

  79. daz Unregistered 5 years ago

    my brother gave me the game the day he left for india. my problem is this.....i only have the disks, no manual.....any ideas where i can download a copy

  80. dazzler Unregistered 5 years ago

    help!!!!!!!!!!

  81. alex mkd Unregistered 5 years ago

    can you tell me where i can find plays about generals

  82. needs boats Unregistered 5 years ago

    needs boats

  83. needs boats Unregistered 5 years ago

    why doesnt it have boatrs?
    i whant ships
    that have planes

  84. navy ships Unregistered 5 years ago

    u can get navy ships in the naval mod :-D :-)

  85. JOHN4 Unregistered 5 years ago

    I think this game rocks, and I can play it for hours! It kills all the C&Cs before it, except for the lack of a navy. I do have one question. The computer is always chaniging the direction their buildings face (skirmish). Is this possible to do? I couldn't find it in the manual.

  86. Gen. Mitz Unregistered 5 years ago

    i like this game. i want a ship that can carry air craft.

  87. ali g Unregistered 5 years ago

    ausgezeichnet ;-P

  88. c&C generals fanatic Unregistered 5 years ago

    JOHN4 it is possible to rotate ur buildings if you hold left mouse down when u r placing an object then u move the mouse in a side way motion and the buildings move though i personaly think generals 1 is bettr for online play esspecialy since there is so many cheats on zh!!!!

  89. Timmah Unregistered 5 years ago

    Why do you bother to post useless drivel?

  90. Don Unregistered 5 years ago

    Mine dosent work even with a faster motherboard. It dose the same as christopher

  91. ships!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unregistered 5 years ago

    why the bloody hell doesnt it have ships!it sucks because it doesnt have ships that you can control.

  92. hello Unregistered 5 years ago

    hello

  93. Jepank Unregistered 4 years ago

    i'm with the GLA

  94. miez Unregistered 4 years ago

    just play.......skill only..........Can you beat me??

  95. Dirtydee Unregistered 4 years ago

    oh yea i blow up when i play alone as well

  96. diggitall Unregistered 4 years ago

    so what about blowing up after half minute playing on direct connection?

  97. vincet Unregistered 4 years ago

    me & my chinaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!.........

  98. kent Unregistered 4 years ago

    i like this game more than the original version but if your planning to make another version pls increase the promotion of the GLA becoz their promotions r just 2 small

  99. sdark Unregistered 4 years ago

    wow I love this game!!! but pls make more pomotions for the GLA...

  100. anton Unregistered 4 years ago

    try the general-REBORN. you'll gonna like it. so many generals to chose even george bush, saddam husien, bin laden and many known warlords are added on the characters.

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