Classic games in one package on Steam
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The legendary Command & Conquer series is making a big comeback on the Steam platform. Electronic Arts released Command & Conquer: The Ultimate Collection last year – a bundle containing virtually all the classic entries in the series, including their expansion packs. Specifically, it includes:
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Command & Conquer: Tiberian Dawn (the first entry in the series from 1995, including the The Covert Operations expansion)
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Command & Conquer: Red Alert (including the Counterstrike and The Aftermath expansions)
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Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun (including the Firestorm expansion)
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Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 (including the Yuri's Revenge expansion)
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Command & Conquer: Renegade (an action FPS spin-off from 2002, renowned for its excellent multiplayer and very punishing campaign difficulty on HARD)
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Command & Conquer: Generals (including the Zero Hour expansion)
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Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars (including the Kane's Wrath expansion)
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Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 (including the Uprising expansion)
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Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight
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That's 12 items in total – from the very beginnings of the Tiberium saga right through to the end of the series. This comprehensive bundle is available on Steam for around €20 (approx. 500 CZK) and represents an extremely good-value way to acquire the complete C&C classic collection. For fans interested only in the enhanced early titles, there is also the standalone Command & Conquer Remastered Collection (containing remastered versions of the first C&C and Red Alert) at a similar price – and this collection is often available on sale for as little as ~€5.
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Remastered in 4K with modern enhancements
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The creators of the remaster truly put care into the quality. The original Command & Conquer (Tiberian Dawn) and Red Alert were completely remastered in 4K resolution by a team of former Westwood Studios members. The remastered collection includes all three original expansion packs, a fully reworked multiplayer, a modernised user interface, a built-in map editor and even a bonus gallery of behind-the-scenes development footage. Fans of the legendary music will also be pleased by over 7 hours of remastered soundtrack by Frank Klepacki and company. The result is that the 1990s classics look and sound great while running smoothly on modern systems.
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The developers, together with the community, have also worked on technical improvements to ensure all the older titles run on modern computers. According to an official statement, the collection includes enhancements providing better compatibility with current operating systems (Windows 10 and 11) and supports multiple languages. For example, the older 2D titles (Tiberian Dawn, Red Alert 1, Tiberian Sun, etc.) were bundled with the DDrawCompat tool, which automatically resolves graphics rendering issues on new operating systems. As a result, all games in the collection run smoothly even on Windows 11, despite originally having been released decades ago. Cloud save support and the integration of original map editors (e.g., FinalSun for Tiberian Sun and FinalAlert 2 for RA2) directly into the Steam versions of the respective games are also included. It is fair to say that in technical terms, this is the best release of the entire C&C series there has ever been.
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Incidentally, it's worth noting that Command & Conquer: Renegade – that unconventional FPS entry – achieved cult status thanks to its superb multiplayer. In GDI vs. Nod matches featuring base building and vehicle vs. infantry combat, Renegade offered a unique blend of shooter and RTS elements. Its multiplayer was so beloved that the fan community decided to revive the experience in a modern guise.
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Fan remake Renegade X on Unreal Engine
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Available for free download today is the ambitious project Renegade X, which brings the C&C: Renegade multiplayer into a modern graphical treatment built on the Unreal Engine. Renegade X is completely free and was created by enthusiasts from the Totem Arts team, who wanted to remake the legendary 2002 action game in a new form. The game runs on Unreal Engine 3 and the developers have incorporated the original Command & Conquer Mode concept – two teams (GDI vs. Nod) battle with up to 64 players per server to destroy the enemy base, with each faction's buildings serving specific functions and the loss of a structure affecting the team's capabilities. The battlefield features dozens of weapon types and 15 driveable vehicles, an economy with credits for purchasing units and calling in support in the form of nuclear strikes, ion cannons or airstrikes – in short, everything fans loved about the original Renegade. Renegade X faithfully reconstructs and modernises the unique multiplayer experience of the original game and also works offline against bots.
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In technical terms it is a remarkable achievement. The game was initially developed as a mod for Unreal Tournament 3 and later transitioned to a standalone UDK (Unreal Development Kit) project. This brings a dramatic leap in graphical quality compared to the original – unit and environment models are detailed, effects are modern and overall the game looks visually appealing as befits a contemporary FPS. The hardware requirements reflect this: Renegade X requires a newer OS (Windows 10 or higher recommended) and a more capable machine, for example a quad-core processor, 16 GB RAM and an NVIDIA 1000-series or newer graphics card. The reward, however, is a smooth experience with dramatically improved visuals – fans have given Renegade a new audiovisual magic that makes it feel like a modern AAA-class shooter. It's no surprise that reviewers praise Renegade X for containing \"all the high-quality action and entertainment value of a big-budget AAA title\". The project has earned numerous awards and was even listed by PC Gamer magazine among \"the ten best fan remakes of classics you can play for free\". Importantly, Electronic Arts tolerates and indeed supports this endeavour – the authors of Renegade X have the blessing of former C&C developers and the game is officially permitted to use Tiberium universe themes.
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Renegade X thus represents an excellent example of what a passionate community can achieve: keeping a legend alive in a new form. While the official C&C Remastered Collection on Steam gives players the chance to revisit all the classic campaigns and battles in a modernised version, the fan-made Renegade X offers a brand-new experience for online play that looks stunning and at the same time honours the legacy of the original Renegade. For all fans of the Command & Conquer universe, this is the ideal time to return to the battlefield – whether into the nostalgic 2D GDI vs. Nod missions, or into frantic online skirmishes in the Tiberium world two decades later. Both options share one thing: the classic juggernaut entertainment of the C&C series is back in full force.
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Sources: Command & Conquer Remastered Collection – Steam (EA); C&C Ultimate Collection on Steam – announcement (Jim Vessella, Reddit/CNCNZ); Steam Store – C&C Ultimate Collection bundle; Official Renegade X project website (Totem Arts); Renegade X Wiki & IndieDB.