As the next-gen step for one of the biggest series ever created, Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars is one of the most exciting games of E3 - not just because of the stunning visuals, but because of three little words that are heard at the end of the teaser trailer shown exclusively behind closed doors at the show: "Then they came." Command and Conquer is back, and it’s bringing company.

Unfortunately, EA is unwilling to detail just who "they" are, no matter how many times we poke them in the ribs. We’re 99.99% sure that an otherworldly alien race will be touching down to invade Earth, though. Come on, it just makes sense!

After the trailer, we were lucky enough to see some actual in-game action of a simple Global Defense Initiative training mission. Set around a coastal base, the mission showed off Command and Conquer’s incredibly good looking translucent water and undulating terrain.

Above: Command and Conquer is back and from what we've seen it promises to be a glorious return

We also got to witness the brilliant deformable structure effects as the demo involved the GDI forces clearing out a ruined city block. Different vehicles took turns to pound the decrepit skyscrapers until they crumbled in clouds of dust, leaving splintered and broken remains – we could actually see every stage between the building standing and it lying in pieces on the ground.

But the best was yet to come. We might not know what the secret third race is, but EA has confirmed to us that we’ll be able to play as them, as well as taking control of GDI’s good guys and The Brotherhood of Nod’s anarchist guerrillas. Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars is looking set to resurrect one of GamesRadar’s favorite franchises in glorious style. Stay close for the inevitable updates.

May 12, 2006