Expansion packs are ten a penny for PC games but a bit of a rarity for us console gamers. Only a small spattering of games has had this including the original GTA and also Oblivion. This time round however C&C 3 has taken a different approach and released a stand alone expansion, so you don’t need the original game to play.

The story is a compilation of battles over the C&C history, from the initial rebirth of the Brotherhood of Nod to beyond the more recent game. Before and after each game you still have the trademark videos with returning performances from last years version. They all have the same budget and a hammy feel to them, but that is all part of the C&C experience. 

Also included in Kane’s Wrath is the new Kane’s Challenge mode, here you have about 80 pre-set maps where you have skirmishes against a few of the classic factions plus a few new offshoots made especially for this game.

Controls are like every other C&C game, the joysticks control your camera, the A button most of the commands and the trigger buttons bring up the menus for buildings and more advanced team instructions, there is also the addition of the Command Stick, this brings up a dial to select your quick commands, this is a good new touch to the ever evolving control style, but after playing Civilization recently they clearly need to do some serious rethinking to match the simplicity and playability of that game and also approach console gamers more openly rather than bashing out PC ports, controls and all.

Vehicle wise you have the same favourites from the original, starting off with the basic ATV’s and soldiers, then later Mammoth Tanks and snipers who are able to call in a destructive local air strike. You also have a few new units at your disposal, the Scrin have the awesome new Mechapede and Eradicator Hexapod, GDI has the Wolverine walker and the Nods are heavier in the infantry department with their super hard Enlightened Cyborgs.

Online is as good as ever, you still have the great Vision Cam system to see who you are blowing up and the amount of maps available is impressive, about 50 at the moment.

C&C Kane’s Wrath is a good stand alone title, the budget price reflects the scaled down single player experience, but it has enough new control tweaks and new vehicles to make owners of the original take a look.