A great RTS (Command and Conquer - Red Alert 2 (PC))

Member Name: shaneo632

Product:	Command and Conquer - Red Alert 2 (PC)
Date:	04/09/09 (3 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Knowingly corny style, but well executed

Disadvantages: None

The Command and Conquer franchise is a vast one, but probably the very best of the bunch is Red Alert 2, a thrilling installment that builds on the numerous entries before it, and has a nice wink and nudge with the knowingly cheesy cut-scenes that introduce all the missions. This is an RTS that is accessible to people who wouldn't usually play the genre, but also has enough crazy weaponry and technology to please fans of the series.

Although there are two discs, so you can play as both the Allies and the Soviets, the canonical story involves the Soviet Union invading the USA and somehow ridiculously catching them by surprise. The game is also rather notorious for its level where you can blow up the World Trade Center, although I believe this was removed from post 9/11 versions of the game. Nevertheless, regardless of this sort of controversy, this is a supremely well crafted RTS that's got some impressive visuals, and gets pretty hairy and intense in some of the latter levels.

As per usual, the game is presented as though like some dodgy B-movie on a late night film channel - it gets some washed up actors in front of a low budget soundstage for the cut-scenes, but knows what it's doing and is rather charming as a result. It's an interesting opposition to the actual gameplay, which is mostly quite serious and very well organised. It's never a bother to work out where your resources are, thanks to a map that highlights where your various units have slunk off to (although most of the time you should keep them on a tighter lead than that!). The game also introduces the ability to use nuclear weapons, and although they're not the easiest thing in the game to get, launching a nuclear strike against your enemies is quite an awe-inspiring event to watch.

RTS fan or not, this is a fun and exciting game that keeps the pace fast, and doesn't get too challenging until the later stages, meaning it's perfect for those new to the genre. Also, there's other settings meaning veterans won't have too easy a ride, either.

Summary: One of the best in the genre