Finally! I got it!!

[Azrael Strife]

After much waiting, I finally got and installed Command & Conquer The First Decade!

I tell you, after an uninterrupted succession of TERRIBLE or awfully buggy games, I cannot express how refreshing it is to see the original Command & Conquer run as well as it did back on my old PC (I only got one bug running that one and it's probably a monitor problem which I will ask about later to you..), to see Red Alert 2 again (I had lost mine a few years ago), to see Tiberian Sun (My copy got scratched...), it's all joy!!

 

The last RTS I got was Dark Crusade, which, admittedly, is not a bad game at all! But somehow it just didn't do it for me, I found it very boring, gameplay very repetitive, units annoying, sounds even more annoying, unit upgrades pointless, squads while an interesting idea I just didn't like, I like my troopers produced and moving one by one. Needless to say, I was seriously disappointed with it.

 

Other recent games include ST Legacy (I don't need to comment on this one), Dark Messiah of Might and Magic (which is great, but has lots of bugs and crashes every few scenarios), X3 (boring!!).

 

I'm just so happy with getting this one I decided to spam the forums a bit with my enjoyment ^_^

 

And since I'm at it, maybe one of you can help with the C&C problem I have.

The game loads wonderfully, the music sounds as GREAT as I remembered (prob one of the best and most memorable game soundtracks I've ever heard), but the problem is that for some strange reason, the screen is stretched too long on the y axis, so the top and bottom parts of the game interface are clipped.

I can adjust the x-axis length of my monitor, but for some reason, the y axis is not available to be changed (something that didn't happen in my previous monitor, current one is a 19inch flatscreen LCD)

I wish I could take a screenshot for you, but for some reason, it won't let me, maybe it's because of the 256 color setting it sets when launching, or something else. Anyone has an idea of how to fix it? other more modern C&Cs run just fine, but I'd love to play the original.

[Slaughter]

Did you try and start the game in compatibility mode (Win98 etc.)? Change the resolution and colours of your desktop?

 

Oh, and I've been meaning to get that box myself. Even if I never play them again, it's a box of fond memories

[Gimli]

If all else fails, you should be able to use PrintScreen to take screenshots, then simply c/p it into Paint.

As for the monitor, that's one of the things with LCDs, they don't always mix well with games... however, there might be a workaround, depending on how data is stored. Try finding an .ini file in the folder where you installed the game (and check the subfolders), and attach that file here, and I'll take a look.

If this is the DOS version of the game, which I doubt, try DOSBox.

That's all I can think of right now.

 

EDIT: Graaak, Slaughter sneaked his reply in somehow. Definitely try the compatibility mode.

[Azrael Strife]

Tried PrintScreen, all screenshots come out messed up badly.

 

And about compatibility mode, I'll try it, but I doubt it'll work, TFD is meant to work for XP...

[NKF]

Wasn't there an option to change the resolution of the games? If I'm not mistaken, this thing allows you to access a much higher screen resolution than was available in the original release. Would fiddling with that have any help?

 

It's a pity they didn't re-use the old installers for the actual game installation - they were a good part of the fun. All the sound clips and images for the installer programs are still there in the game data though.

 

I too got C&C the First Decade not too long ago. The first C&C is the real prize, I felt - the others are just eye candy in my eyes. You can't imagine how difficult it was to look for a copy of the good old first version of the series. Where I'm living, everywhere I looked it was RA2 this, RA2 that. Tiberium Sun made a brief appearance that no one but fans of the series seemed to want to buy. Renegade showed up as a bonus free game on a budget release of Freedom Force. Rah! Oh, and lots of EA and Red Ant/$0ld Out Software budget re-releases of the "classic" C&C title RA2. Did I say RA2? I really like both Red Alerts in equal measure, but seriously!

 

But having played the first couple of games again, the majority of the fun I had when I first played the game is just not there anymore (same feeling I got when I replayed Starcraft ). They were great games, they are great games. The novelty factor however is long gone and the games just look and feel somewhat bland. I guess I've outgrown them somewhat.

 

Still, I've really missed how the Mammoth MK I's were things to be absolutely terrified of. Act on Instinct still does it for me too. The nostalgia kick however was a real blast.

 

- NKF

[Gimli]

I still love the last GDI mission, that was pure genius, wish more RTS games had that. And yes, Act on Instinct is great, I also like Demolition. Frank has updated versions of those on his site. The original C&C is still my favorite.

[Knan]

Hmm. Dune 2. Now where did I put that cd... *rummage*

[Slaughter]

Mmm, Dune 2 was great! I bought Dune200 some time ago, but never managed to make it run

[Azrael Strife]

It's basically a slightly modified Dune 2, absolutely not worth a dime.

 

Did you try Emperor: Battle For Dune? that one was quite enjoyable

[Slaughter]

I meant to, but never got around to it. Guess I should give it a try then?

[Azrael Strife]

I found it to be quite good, haven't played it in long time though, but I was pleasantly surprised.