• Publisher: EA Games
  • Release Date: Sep 22, 2003
Metascore
83 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. 90
    The campaign is usually enough addition for an expansion pack as it is. The extra work the team did on the Generals' Challenge mode is awesome.
  2. 90
    The addition of the specialized generals, however, pushes this expansion set over the top. If you've already got Generals, you cannot go wrong with getting Zero Hour.
  3. 90
    These factors combine to make a very rewarding and challenging strategy experience and create a great improvement to an already amazing strategy title.
  4. Bigger, better, more realistic and more difficult than Command & Conquer: Generals, Command & Conquer: Generals Zero Hour, is the expansion pack that keeps on giving.
  5. It may not win over the reflex-challenged, bearded gamer types, but fans of the original "Generals" won't find a title better tuned and tweaked to their tastes. [Dec 2003, p.88]
  6. Finally, an expansion that is a must have for every fan of the game. Quite simply, if you don't pick this up, you are definitely missing out!
  7. A great expansion to an already solid game. [Dec 2003, p.180]
  8. A great expansion that's a must for anyone who enjoyed Generals. It fundamentally improves the core game, it and should ensure that C&C Generals continues to be popular well into the next year.
  9. Given the little over a week that it took me to run through it all, I feel that this expansion pack is about average. It contains a few little tweaks that improve the game mechanics noticeably, though some of the more basic problems with C&C:G continue to shine through.
  10. Offers plenty of goodies for fans of the original. It goes beyond simply offering more of the same (the Challenge mode is indeed unique in that sense), and it also features some subtle yet very significant changes to the gameplay mechanics that will make the single-player experience a lot more enjoyable.
  11. It might seem spare when you consider it consists mainly of tweaks and minor additions, but it makes Command & Conquer: Generals play like a new and much better game.
  12. 80
    The new challenge mode and sub-divisions further enhance the "Command & Conquer"-style of gameplay, and the increased features, tweaks, and improvements make it an essential purchase for fans of the series.
  13. Even the friendly A.I. does a much better job of fighting and surviving. There are still some interface problems, but Command & Conquer is better than it's ever been.
  14. The new additions lack enough substance to make Zero Hour worth the investment for those who weren’t sold on the original.
  15. It puts at least a cherry on the "vanillafication" that was Generals.
  16. Pretty visuals and fun multiplay aren't enough, though, and ultimately Zero Hour is cut off at the knees by a surprisingly long list of problems...There's simply no excuse for this expansion's bug-riddled state. [Holiday 2003, p.102]
User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 95 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 43
  2. Negative: 2 out of 43
  1. JamesB.
    10
    It is an excellent expansion to an excellent RTS. All the new units add unparalled depth to strategy.
  2. GidS.
    10
    I think it need more real weapons like f117 more of aircrafts tanks and ships so on it is really good but need more weapons more tecnology bigger maps for same number for players. Full Review »
  3. Great expansion to a great RTS, i love to play as GLA, because they can expand easily and this should run on most pc's (because it's kinda old). Recommended for all RTS lovers. Full Review »