Cold War 2 (Command and Conquer - Red Alert 2 (PC))

Member Name: lap dancer

Product:	Command and Conquer - Red Alert 2 (PC)
Date:	05/03/01 (294 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Kick some Commy butt

Disadvantages: Won't get homework done!

This game is absolutely superb. I own every command and conquer in the collection and i'm very glad to say that this is the best yet. I don't know where to start!
The game is very simple and quick to install. It does require, however, Windows 95 or better, 266MHz processor, 64MB of RAM, 4 speed cd drive, 2MB graphics card, direct X 7.0a compatible sound card, 1 cd per computer for multiplayer, 56.6Kbps internet access and of course a keyboard and a mouse. Once all these are in place, install and set off on another command and conquer glory trail.
There are 2 basic ways of playing games, one over the internet and another against the computer in a single player.
In the single player there are 2 ways of playing,

1. skirmish: In a skirmish game, which is like a multiplayer game you play against computer computer controlled opponents. You can play either a head to head against the computer simulations or you can co-operate with them, or some of them in a co-operative style game. You can choose different levels of expertise in this section ranging from easy to brutal which is obviously a lot harder. You can then choose which country you want to be. There are nine to choose from including, UK, USA, Russia and France or you cold press random to allow the computer to choose you and your opponents.
You can determine the colour your team is going to be or have this randomly selected aswell. You can also adjust the speed of the game, money you start off with (TIP:try giving your opponents no money, it's quite funny!), the limit to the number of units in your army, super weopons on or off, whether you want a short game or not(win by killing all opponents buildings), allow yourself to build your structures near an ally, choose whether you want a MCV (mobile construction vehicle) to be able to repack and therefore you can move your base or whether crates appear or not(give you goodies). Then start the game and attempt to smash the ab
solute *********** out of your enemy using all the firepower and know how you have derived from all the other previous missions i'm sure most of you have played on other command and conquer games.
The campaign menu, although similar to the skirmish menu is very different. In this menu you can choose to be either the Allies or the Russians. The Americans special character is Tanya and the Russians special character is Yuri. In this you are lead through the campaigns by a sort of secretary who gives you inside information and enables links with the President and other world leaders, she's a bit annoying really! In this you must complete missions using your tactical astuteness and firepowere, of course! In the Ally campaign the Russians are taking over America with weopons such as the nuclear missile silos, physchic sensor, and the iron curtain. You must outsmart the might of the Russian army, using primarily, Tanya! There are different levels of difficulty. I would advise the beginner to begin on easy, to get to know the controls etc.
You can also play over the internet, either on Westwood online, where you can play your friends and other command and conquer fanatics or on a network game between friends. Great fun. Remember o get your friends IP address before going online!
Thats what you can do on Command and Conquer 2 but here's a run down on what you can use! (the fun bit).

GI's are very cheap and are good in numbers however are only capable of light damage.
Engineer's are invaluable. They can repair bridges and buidings. Very useful, bare them in mind. Can turn into bunkered GI's if they are clicked on when stationary.
Rocketeers are an aerial assault unit and in groups i think are some of the toughest units around. Superb. However watch out for flak cannons and flak tracks. They can be massacred very quickly by them.
Spy's are also extremely useful. You can send them into enemy bases an
d uncover territory without being seen. Tryputting them in enemy buildings, you'll be pleasently surprised. Tanya is your most versatile (Ally) unit. Not so good at killing tanks but watch out infantry and dogs, you're outta there!
Attack dogs are the best units for taking out infantry but can be easily slaughtered by armoured units.
Chrono Legionnaires are units which can teleport about the map. Instead of killing units the legionnaire erases them from time!
Grizzly Tanks are good for base assaults. Useful in defence and attack.
IFV (infantry fighting vehicle). Put different men inside and they'll change to suit the unit. Add an engineer and it will become a very quick engineer with all the attributes.
Harriers are very fast and are best used against enemy buildings. Vulnerable to anti-airraft fire though.
Mirage tank. Similar to grizzly however when it isn't moving it appears as a tree. Good for spy attacks.
Night hawk transport can transport units quickly across the map. Invisible from radar but vulnerable from anti-aircraft fire.
Prism Tank uses prism technology to destroy units.
MCV is the unit you start with. You use it to create a construction yard to build units/buildings.
Chrono Miner is used to obtain ore/money and use the money to but units.
Amphibious transport is basically a transport across the sea for up to 5 units.
Destroyers are best at defending against enemy submarine units.
Aegis cruisers are best suited to defend against enemy air attacks.
Aircraft carriers carry planes which can drop torpedoes/bombs against the enemy.
Dolphins are used against enemy sea units. They are stealth units.
Those were the American units. The Russian have the equivelent to the Americans units except with different names and slightly different strengths and weaknesses.
Special Multiplayer Forces:

American paratroopers
French grand cannon
German tank destroye
r
British sniper
Korean Black eagle
Russian tesla tank
Cuban terrorist
Libyan Demolition truck
Iraqi desolator

These are all used in skirmish games depending on which country you have chosen.

There are numerous buildings and defences in the game and you must use these when you see fit including radar, cannons, walls, gates barracks, construction yards etc.

The basic themes of the game are destruction, death and victory. You must use your ore miners to get money to build buildings which allow you to build units. Once you have an army youmust decide whether the time is right to attack or be attacked!

This is a superb game and the addiction rate should be unbelievable. The games achieve nothing but pure satisfaction and the option of changing the difficulty is very useful as the more advanced users can play amore advanced opponent and beginners can play easier opponents.
If there was one flaw it would be that there re 2 cd's which you have to change between for different functions of the game but uou can't have everything!
Enjoy

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