Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 (PC) Review
Posted by Chris Vicari on 11.12.2008
Was the latest installment of the critically acclaimed RTS series worth the wait?
Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 Developer - EA Los Angeles Publisher - Electronic Arts Platform - PC (also on Xbox360 coming Nov. 11)
What can be said about Command & Conquer other than calling it a classic RTS series that combined fun gameplay with light-hearted humor and is one of the sole reasons for the genre’s popularity? I remember playing the first Red Alert game back in ’95 and it was one of the best RTS experiences I ever had. Five years later, we were treated to a highly-praised sequel in Red Alert 2. It feels like yesterday I was mowing down Allied troops with Apocalypse tanks, terror drones, and Kirov airships. Has it really been eight years since then? Now that the 3rd installment in the series is finally here, let’s see how well it does in comparison.
Gameplay & Story
The Soviets and Allies are back at it in full swing once again and this time a third faction is thrown into the mix. As for the story, Red Alert 3 assumes that the Allies were victorious in the previous game and the Soviets are pinned into a corner. Premier Cherdenko, played by Tim Curry, Soviet Military General Krukov, played by Andrew Divoff, and Soviet scientist Dr. Gregory Zelinsky, played Peter Stormare, use an untested time machine to change the course of history, similar to what Einstein did in the first Red Alert game. In the altered future, the Allies and Soviets continue to fight it out, but their concentration on the war helped a new faction develop in secret, The Empire of the Rising Sun – the Japanese.
Gameplay wise, Red Alert 3 hasn’t changed all that much since the original Command and Conquer game, except for a few minor alterations. Resources aren’t scattered about the map in fields, but are located in harvestable mines, and the rarer gems do not make an appearance. There is much more emphasis on naval units, as each faction has a nicely fleshed out navy, and nearly every unit in the game from harvesters and infantry to super units have their own unique secondary attack. The units themselves range from the typical to the outright wacky, proving that Red Alert 3 doesn’t take itself too seriously. One such unit, the Soviet Bullfrog, can launch infantry into the air using its man-cannon. Allied and Soviet staple units make a return such as the Allied Aircraft Carrier and Prism defense towers, as well as the Soviet Apocalypse tanks and all things tesla. The Japanese are the high tech faction and they feature robots and units that can morph. Unlike Command & Conquer 3 and its expansion, where you can mass 1-2 unit types and own the entire map, Red Alert 3 forces you to think outside the box and build in quality, not quantity.
Also, similar to Generals, each side has its own off-map assistance which can help turn the tide of a battle. The ability to purchase these call downs is down via a point system and they are accumulated Company of Heroes style by destroying enemy units and buildings. It adds another level to the game, but at times, some of these attacks felt a little too powerful as they were able to topple most of an enemy base or entire attacking forces. Thankfully, some of their cooldowns run rather long.
Bases are built much like they were in Red Alert days of old. You start with your MCV, build a power plant, then a barracks, refinery, and so on. There are a few differences in building style for the staple factions such as the Allies possessing the ability to construct two different structures simultaneously and the Soviets build structures on the fly rather than waiting to place them, but nothing substantial. Small things such as this help keep the factions unique from one another. The real changes come from the new Japanese faction and their build style is completely different from anything any C&C veteran is used to. This will no doubt cause a little confusion, but everything should sort itself out after a little experimentation. The Japanese can build wherever they want and their MCV builds units which transform into structures and defenses, similar to the Zerg in Starcraft, minus the creep. Japanese units can almost morph into other units on the fly making them the most complicated of the three.
If you’re new to the series, the game’s tutorials featuring three comical tanks should bring you up to speed on all things new and re-occurring in the C&C universe. They are in-depth, give you a firm grasp on how to play the game, and are especially funny when the three tanks converse amongst themselves. Once figuring out how to play is all sorted out, you’re ready to choose your preferred side and embark on their individual campaign. Sadly, there are only nine missions per side and you can charge through the story at a brisk pace. The missions however can run fairly long, but definitely not Supreme Commander long.
Red Alert 3 makes great use of its extensive budget by hiring a very talented cast and incorporating them into great live-action cut scenes. It’s hilarious watching Tim Curry fake a Russian accent and J. K. Simmons, who played U.S. President Howard T. Ackerman, rant on about anti-Communism. The way all the characters interacted is exceptionally hammy, just like it has always been. The female cast is especially “talented” too.
Despite Red Alert 3 not changing itself too much gameplay wise, it did incorporate two things which have never been done in any other RTS: the ability to play the single player campaigns cooperatively, and having a support commander with you if you play alone. Although it was a little difficult setting up a co-op game with someone online, tons of fun was had when it all worked out. As mentioned, if you fancy playing RTS games by yourself, you are paired up with an A.I.-controlled support commander at all times. Ordering them about is as easy as pressing a button. You can tell them to attack specific targets, hold an area, build up a large force and then assault, or just let them do their own thing. Sometimes they’ll ask for your permission to initiate certain attacks and that was pretty cool as well. With the help of a support commander though, the campaign missions weren’t really challenging, even on the hardest difficulty level. If you made a mistake and your entire force gets wiped out, rest assured your ally will swoop in and save the day, or just win the entire mission for you. Regardless, it’s nice to know you aren’t alone out there and the A.I. is pretty competent in its own right.
Multiplayer is another strength of Red Alert 3 and going against another player online is a blast. There are plenty of games going on still so it shouldn’t take too long finding a server to play in. You’ll learn quickly that the units you thought to be godlike in singleplayer will most likely get destroyed when thrown against an intelligent opponent. Balancing issues between the three sides will rear their heads as you play online, but they’re nothing overtly serious.
While Red Alert 3 does suffer from minor pathfinding issues, several problems with initializing co-op, and the puzzling lack of in-game juke box, the game is a phenomenal experience and is a definite buy for current Command & Conquer vets as well as those first breaking into the series.
Graphics
Red Alert 3’s graphics took a slightly different turn from the usual and utilized bright colors and specific visual palettes to look as cartoony as possible. While I won’t fault the game for its decision, it took a little while to get used to. In any case, Red Alert 3 looks great and it has some of the best water effects I have ever seen. The environments, units and structures are richly detailed, look great, and are fun to blow up. As mentioned before, the cut scenes also exhibit great quality.
Sound
Thanks to Frank Klepacki’s return and the first appearances of other talented music men, we were once again bestowed with a spectacular musical score and excellent remakes of C&C audio classics such as Hell March and Crush. When I loaded up the game for the first time, I had goosebumps when I heard the newest version of Hell March – it was that good. In-game sounds are top-notch quality and the units when you click them are pretty funny, especially the infantry. Red Alert 3’s sound is of exceptional quality and you can tell they put a lot of effort into it, especially the music, another staple of the series.
Lasting Appeal
While the game’s short campaign won’t keep you around for too long, the ability to play missions cooperatively, skirmish against the computer and the multiplayer help give the game some longevity. Red Alert 3, like all RTS games, suffers from lackluster replay value if you don’t enjoy playing them online though. Regardless, Red Alert 3’s charm and entertainment value help keep players around for seconds and then some.
Fun Factor
No doubt about it, Red Alert 3 is a total blast. It’s one of the most fun RTS games I’ve played in some time. Its humor, graphics, gameplay, units, and cut scenes combine into one hell of an experience.
The 411
If you haven’t purchased the game yet, please do yourself a favor and do so. You really are missing out, even if you have never played a single game in the series.
Graphics
8.0
Great visuals, but a little too cartoony for my taste.
Gameplay
8.5
Red Alert 3 changes enough to look new and refreshing, but not enough to be called a breakthrough.
Sound
9.0
Excellent musical score thanks to Mr. Klepacki and everything else screams of quality
Lasting Appeal
7.5
If you don't fancy yourself an online RTS junkie, RA3 might be a little too short for your taste, but skirmish helps keep the game alive.
