Supreme Commander was an excellent game, as the spiritual successor to Total Annihilation, it had better be. With Supreme Commander 2, developer Gas Powered Games tries a different route, instead of the classic SupCom formula, they’ve simplified most of the gameplay and there is now a lot more focus on action rather than base and defense building. Ultimately, for Total Annihilation and SupCom fans, this is a disappointment. Especially considering that major franchises like C&C4 and Dawn of War are going in the same direction, SupCom 2 could have stood out, but instead, it followed suit. It’s a game that tries to please everyone, from hardcore players to newcomers, and sadly, it ends up pleasing no one.

It’s not all bad though, the game first and foremost feels very polished and runs smoothly, the zoom function on the map is still superior to any other RTS game out there, and the visuals this time, while not much better than list time, certainly run a lot smoother, even on low end systems. Just as before, you’ll have huge maps and the ability to amass huge armies of hundreds of robots and go into action, or sometimes, defend against an army of hundreds of robots. SupCom 2 has revamped many aspects of the game, specifically, the upgrading and tech tree has been simplified, as has much of the gameplay. There’s a lot less base building and a lot more action, so if you thought that the original game was a bit too slow, the you’ll be happy to know that the sequel is a lot fast, and likewise, the learning curve is a lot faster as well.

The campaign is decent, although not perfect, but the real treat with SupCom 2, just like in the predecessors, is in the skirmish and multiplayer. At best, the campaign is a learning tool and demo for you to train your skills before you start playing skirmishes against AI or human enemies. Overall, SupCom 2 is a decent RTS game that will satisfy casual gamers who don’t have hours to spend on one battle, but for the veterans of SupCom and Total Annihilation, it’s kind of a disappointment, as things become easier and simpler, they also become less rewarding, which is the case with Supreme Commander 2.

The Good:
Runs smoothly
Great map zooming functions
Simplified gameplay

The Bad:
Campaign is dull
Feels to simplified for hardcore RTS fans

Overall score: 7/10