Zoom War is my love letter to the real-time strategy games that ruled our PCs in the early 2000s. It is a free browser RTS with four factions, nine battlefields and up to eight generals. Best of all, you can play it right here on this page. So if you ever lost a weekend to Red Alert 2, Generals or Tiberium Wars, this one is for you.
Click inside the game first so the keys work. Best played with mouse and keyboard on a computer; press Esc for all controls.
What is Zoom War?
Zoom War is a classic base-building RTS that runs in your browser. First you build a base, then you harvest Zoomium, and finally you train an army to crush the AI. In other words, it is everything I loved about Command & Conquer, rebuilt from scratch with my own factions, units and maps.
Quick facts:
- Four factions: the Iron Pact, the Aegis Coalition, the Scrap Legion and The Collective
- Nine battlefields, from a 1v1 valley to Metropolis for eight players
- Skirmish against AI generals on Easy, Normal, Hard or Brutal
- Spectate AI versus AI battles and watch your own replays
- Special attacks that unlock as your general ranks up, plus a superweapon for every faction
- Free to play on a desktop browser, with nothing to install
A love letter to Red Alert, Generals and Tiberium Wars
Every faction in Zoom War borrows a little soul from the games I grew up with. However, none of it is a copy, because every model, map, sound and line of code was made for this game. Still, if you played the originals, you will feel right at home within a minute.
The spirit of Red Alert 2: the Iron Pact
The Iron Pact carries that Red Alert 2 energy. You start with cheap infantry, then you roll out heavy tanks, and later you guard your base with crackling electric towers. Engineers capture oil derricks for extra cash, while infantry can garrison civilian buildings and fire from the windows. As a result, every match feels like a cold war movie gone completely over the top.
The spirit of Generals: the Scrap Legion
The Scrap Legion is my nod to the rebel armies of Generals. Instead of one construction yard, their workers build anywhere they go. Meanwhile their black market traders keep the money flowing, and their vehicles pick up scrap from wrecks to get stronger. As a result, they are cheap, fast and a little bit dirty, exactly like a good rebel army should be.
The spirit of Tiberium Wars: Zoomium and The Collective
Then there is Zoomium, the glowing crystal that grows all over the map. Just like in Tiberium Wars, it is what everybody fights over, and the blue fields are worth double. The Collective is my own alien faction, so expect floating crystals, a pylon network and mind control. Each faction also has its own announcer, so you always hear when your base is under attack.
How to play Zoom War
Click the big red button at the top of this page to play full screen, because an RTS needs room to breathe. Then pick a faction, a battlefield and how many AI opponents you want. Next, build a power plant, a refinery and a factory, and before long you have an army.
The controls feel just like the classics:
- Left click to select, drag a box to select a group
- Right click to move or attack, and hold the right mouse button to drag units into a line
- Press , and . to rotate the camera, and N to turn back to north
- Press Esc at any time to pause and see every control
What’s next for Zoom War?
Zoom War is still a demo, so it keeps growing with every update. Moreover, the patch notes in the game show everything that changed, from new units to brand new maps. Online multiplayer is on the wish list, but for now the AI generals will keep you busy.
FAQ
Is Zoom War free to play?
Yes, Zoom War is completely free. There are no ads inside the game, and you do not need an account either.
Do I need to download or install anything?
No, it runs in your browser. For the best experience, use a recent version of Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari on a computer.
Can I play Zoom War on my phone?
Not really, because it is built for a mouse and keyboard. A tablet might load it, but you will have a much better time on a laptop or desktop.
Is Zoom War an official Command & Conquer game?
No, it is an independent fan project. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Electronic Arts or any other company. If you want to play the originals today, the Command & Conquer Remastered Collection on Steam is a great place to start.
Final thoughts
Zoom War started as a small experiment, and it turned into a love letter to an entire era of strategy games. If you enjoy a bit of nostalgia, also check out my thoughts on the Oblivion remaster, the classic PlayStation franchises that deserve a comeback and why fans keep rallying for Battlefront 3.
Which faction will you pick first, and which old RTS should Zoom War borrow from next? Let me know in the comments!
Disclaimer
Zoom War is an independent, non-commercial fan project made out of love for the real-time strategy genre. It is not affiliated with, endorsed, sponsored or approved by Electronic Arts Inc., Westwood Studios, EA Los Angeles or any other company or rights holder.
Command & Conquer, Red Alert, Generals and Tiberium Wars are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. All other product names, trademarks and company names on this page belong to their respective owners. They are mentioned only to describe the games that inspired this project, and their use does not imply any affiliation or endorsement.
Zoom War does not contain any code, artwork, models, music, sound effects or voice recordings from those games. Every unit, building, map and sound was created for Zoom War. If you are a rights holder and you have a concern about anything on this page or in the game, please reach out through the contact page and I will respond and act promptly.