Supreme Commander takes real-time strategy (RTS) gaming to the next level by upping the scale of the world to not only include up-close tactical command over units, but also continental strategic command. Players can zoom in close to admire the building and unit details, or scroll out to a strategic map where tiny icons represent each unit. The game even supports multiple monitors or split screen, so players won't have to sacrifice one view for the other.

The current demo deals exclusively with the Cybran Nation, a group who fused their minds with artificial intelligence. Although the included single player campaign deals primarily with teaching players the basics of unit and economy management, it also provides a glimpse of what combat will look like. Armies must be constructed not only to battle against the UEF (United Earth Federation), but also the Aeon Illuminate. Like the game itself, the scale of the campaign gradually increases, with more territory being revealed as the storyline progresses. At first, it seems easy to simply build a large force and overwhelm foes, but the game makes it just as easy to play a defensive game as an offensive one. Walls (probably for the first time in any RTS) will actually hinder units, and prove tough to destroy through brute force. Dismantling them using builder units actually makes an efficient means of dealing with them. Otherwise, it can be extremely difficult for tanks to negotiate past them.

Constructing power generators and mass collectors (mass is a resource in the game) will bring in a steady stream of resources, but mass gathers at such a slow rate that fast upgrades can be very difficult. Starting any new mission or skirmish seems slow until enough resource sites bring in a strong flow. Upgrading manufacturing facilities may take a lot of time, but they produce upgraded engineers, which can construct advanced mass extractors instead of taking the time to upgrade old ones. In addition, engineers absorb the mass and energy from the environment (broken units, trees, enemy buildings) to obtain a quick boost.

Continue...