Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2 review for Windows PC - Part 1

2008-12-19

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Introduction

Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2 continues a popular game formula that has millions of fans both on line and off, with proven game mechanics, variety in both units and available sides to play, and the ability for experienced gamers to devise and implement tactics and strategies that are effective and fun.

Just one of a series of popular titles by Westwood Studios, Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2 is one of the best in a series of strategy games that has millions of game hours already played, both on line and off.

The Good (3 out of 5)

Westwood Studios has done an excellent job with all the Command and Conquer titles they have developed, and Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2 continues the tradition of quality strategy games by one of the leaders in this popular genre.

Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2 has some of the best unit and vehicle design of any game in the genre, each is significant during play and can be used in certain situations to increase a player’s chance of victory.

The map editor is excellent for players who want to try different geographical possibilities. You can try maps with mountainous features, flat features, and even individual continents for you and your opponent. Players get a number of sides to choose to play, each with their own particular special weapon, and secret weapons to call down upon enemies. The best thing about the editor is the control it gives the player over all important decisions, which gives gamers other options to find enjoyment and entertainment while playing Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2.

The Bad (3 out of 5)

No game is perfect, but Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2 is one of the closest games to reaching the pinnacle of games in the RTS genre with its utterly playable interface and state of the genre game mechanics.

The scenarios involving buildings don’t allow you to put snipers or other types of specialized infantry within the protection of a building, which really grates on me.

The skirmish mode, which is fun because of the control and variety players are given over the game parameters used, needs to be harder to be a challenge to gamers who have experience and had time to develop strategies to help them achieve victory.

The super weapons, when in use, kind of unbalance the game, making victory more a matter of who is able to use their secret weapon first.

Graphics (3 out of 5)

Command and Conquer has gotten better looking as each edition has debuted and this is the way it should be, as games should evolve in the quality of the graphics they display, as in all parts of the game. Occasionally, it can be possible to lose track of a unit that is hidden behind trees, buildings or any structure visible on the map, but this is the only real issue with the graphics of the game.

Sound (3 out of 5)

The soundtrack chosen for Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2 is appropriate for a war game and it sound wonderful at all times during play. The sound effects are timely, well designed and add to the overall enjoyment level of this real-time strategy juggernaut of entertainment.

Gameplay (3 out of 5)

Westwood Studios has included a single player option, a campaign that is challenging and fun, and a multi-player option on line that is the real gem of Red Alert 2 and the series as a whole. You can play as a number of well known countries, each enjoyable to play with their individual special weapon, which provides opportunity for players to devise individual strategies for each country. In the skirmish mode you can play against the A.I. in a battle to the death against up to five individual opponents in ‘free for all’ or fight against a team of up to five in ‘battle’.

Replayability (3 out of 5)

This game is still playable after years of play, and today gamers who have played this game until their discs are worn and tattered still occasionally take the disc out and slip it into the drive or even log on and see if they can find a worthy opponent to challenge them. The game interface and mechanisms, unit and map designs, and player entertainment levels are proven to be some of the best in the RTS genre.

Show me a RTS fanatic who doesn’t want to play this game and I’ll show you a gamer who needs a nap, followed by a time out.

Conclusion (3 out of 5)

You’ll be hard tasked to find a RTS that is more fun, entertaining and playable than Red Alert 2 with all the options that Westwood Studios has included with this edition of Command and Conquer.

Gamers who are fans of real-time strategy gems like Red Alert 2 who haven’t played the game yet are in for a special treat, while fanatics of the series probably already have their copies and have played the game to death. If you haven’t tried the game yet and would like to try a strategy game that is fun, entertaining and a pleasure to play, then give Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2 a try.