Consider yourself alerted. (Command & Conquer: Red Alert (PC))

Member Name: illogicology

Product:	Command & Conquer: Red Alert (PC)
Date:	11/01/09 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Wonderfully acted briefings are still here, quirky units show some remnants of the series humour

Disadvantages: Looks like it was done with crayons, more demanding than is really necessary

Taking video game franchies from the hands of the original developers can be an unpredictable affair. Sometimes the new developer will respectfully produce a follow up while making the game their own (Fallout 3), sometimes they will miss the point entirely (Sim City Societies) and then sometimes they will produce an adequate but uninspired continuation. Red Alert 3 is one of these games.

I remember being wary of Command and Conquer 3 and then being pleasantly surprised. Westwood studios had been all but absorbed and the last in the series, Generals, had been a poor cash in but somehow C&C3 pulled through and I loved it. With that in mind, I sat in anticipation for Red Alert 3 as soon as it was announced. My reaction was mixed.

The game reintroduces us to the Red Alert universe, a world where Hitler never rose to power and instead the Soviets engaged in a lengthy war with the Allies. As usual this is conveyed to the player through a series of well directed videos that feature respectable actors and as usual, they are wonderful. They have always seemed to be the most immersive video game briefings in the world and a new high point in this title.

Unfortunately that's where this all falls apart. The game begins and several things become obvious. Firstly, this game is more demanding on the graphics card than any Real Time Strategy needs to be. The visible difference between the quality at difference settings was negligible and yet on the higher settings the game can really slow down. Secondly, the vibrant but realistic colour scheme of the second game has been replaced with a gaudy effect that makes the screen look like it has been rendered with wax crayons. This makes units hard to see, the game hard to play and removed all interest in continuing further for me.
The game also tries to wedge in a co-op mode by adding a second player to every level. A feature that is wonderful in multiplayer mode but distracting, irritating and unbalanced in the single player.

The real shame is that there are some wonderful ideas in Red Alert 3. Bizzare units such as the parachuting bears are exellent and the plot is spot on command and conquer values. Unfortunately it is hampered by a disappointing visual decision and an overambitious engine.

Summary: Not the follow-up the series deserves