Command & Conquer: Covert Operations
   (Virgin Interactive Entertainment / Westwood Studios)
  œ14.95 - PC CD-ROM (requires Original Command & Conquer)

              A mini review by Richard Hewison

To celebrate Command & Conquers 6 month birthday, Westwood Studios
have just released a data disk with new missions for both the GDI
and NOD forces. This extra CD is simple to install (just point it
at the current Command & Conquer directory & off it goes).

As well as the new missions, you also get the main game upgraded
to version 1.20 (updates up to vers 1.9 have been floating around
on the Internet and a few of the main glossy PC mags over the last
few months). This upgrade fixes a few bugs and tweaks a few of the
game features, and adds some extra maps as used in the two player
head-to-head mode.

You also get some red book CD music to listen to on your hi-fi or
CD audio players. Avoid playing Track 1 as this contains the
computer data (this CD isn't CD Plus or CD Enhanced compatible, so
playing Track 1 might cause damage to your speakers if you try and
play it).

One nice addition is an extra 'sneak peek' which has been added to
the original introduction sequence (which lasted a few mins
anyway). Once the intro has finished, you are then treated to
another two and a quarter minutes of what I'd call a 'trailer' for
Command & Conquer: Red Alert. This is a prequel to the original
game (which was also known as Tiberian Dawn). A sequel is also due
in about six months time called Tiberian Sun, so by the end of
1996 we should have three separate Command & Conquer games!
Anyway, the trailer features tons of excellent rendered 3D
animation which has to be seen to be believed. Running in standard
320 x 200 VGA, you get to see rockets blast off into space then
launch satellites, you witness a submarine launch a salvo of
torpedoes against a war ship in the ocean...I think you get the
picture. The submarine sequences look like they have been plucked
right out of The Hunt for Red October or The Abyss!

After this trailer is finished, you are then shown another new
teaser for Tiberian Sun. This rendered sequence shows a metal
beast not dissimilar to those found in the MechWarrior games. It
looks interesting to say the least..

These extra missions are really more of the same, but when the
game is as good as this - you won't hear me complaining! The price
is also very welcome.











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