-
Developer: Westwood Studios
Publisher: Virgin Interactive
Genre: Strategy
Region: PAL
Format:
Release Date: 31 Oct 97
User Rating
9 (11 votes) -
Overview
The background to Red Alert is quite original in that it is set at a time before the first Command and Conquer. It presents us with a World in which Hitler has been killed before his rise to power and Nazi Germany doesn't exist. The game revolves around the Allied forces of Western Europe, (the good guys), and the Soviet-led Communists of Eastern Europe (the bad guys), the idea being that without Hitler in the way, Stalin becomes the grinning despot bent on nothing less than World Domination.
I like it!
Gameplay
The player can choose to play as either Allied or Soviet, there being approximately fifteen missions for each. The missions follow the progress of each army from the outset of hostilities to ultimate victory, focusing on relationships between some of the (rather amusing) characters, giving a real feeling of continuity. The missions are tricky, but far from impossible and should keep an experienced gamer busy for some time.
Multiplayer with link-up is possible as long as you have access to two machines, which not everyone will have, but it is definitely worth getting a mate to bring their machine round to try this out. Many gamers will tell you that the multiplayer skirmish option is the only way to play Red Alert!
Skirmish mode is also available vs AI opponents, but they are predictable and rather dull, still it's another feature which adds to the longevity of the game.
All in all, the gameplay is superb, for beginners and experts alike. It's not the newest game around, but it is generally accepted to be the best of it's genre at this time.
Graphics
A disappointing yet understandable step down from the PC version, but as any decent strategy fan will tell you, good graphics don't make a good game. They aren't bad, but they certainly aren't particularly eye-catching either.
The FMV is pretty special, and there is a lot of it. The acting is atrocious - but who cares!
Fun Factor
Try it, you'll be an addict within the hour.
On a serious note, the game does not offer much in the way of new ideas, with the exception to the multiplayer option Red Alert is extremely similar in essence to the original. It is a tribute to the designers that they could get away with changing so little. They have added large amounts of new Units and Buildings as well as going into more detail with Air and Sea Units, but it is still just a better version of Command and Conquer.
The game offers an astonishing range of Units including five naval vessels, four types of aircraft, mine-layers, artillery, and armour. One very impressive addition was the creation of specialised infantry - medics, spys, thieves, as well as a somewhat agressive young sociopath called Tanya who does a passable Deniro impression with twin Colt 45's.
Overall
Yes, yes, yes. Buy it now.
I have spoken.
- Gameplay
9.0 - Graphics
8.0 - Fun Factor
9.0 - Overall
9.0
