C&C: Red Alert 2

By the time this article is posted, I’ll be somewhere on the coast of Cuba. This, of course, means I should probably thematically link my post to my vacation. Thus, we must discuss the fantastic RTS game, Red Alert 2!

Read on after the break for more information regarding this fantastic, Communist filled game!

Like the critically successful Red Alert game before it (which I discussed last week), Red Alert 2 sees the Soviet and Allied forces face-off in a battle for world dominance. The game starts, of course, with a Soviet surprise-attack on the United States of America. Fighting over the dominance of North America, you can lead the Allies and Soviets through two unique campaigns, making for a total of 26 unique mission levels.

In true Command and Conquer fashion, the story is pushed forward through the ample use of FMV cutscenes. Casting such talents such as Ray Wise as the American President, and Udo Kier as the Soviet psychic Yuri, the game does a great, if not cheesy, job of telling an over-the-top story. That, however, is all part of the charm of Red Alert 2. Everything is exaggerated, and it all works well to make an entertaining, and addictive, RTS game.

To further elaborate on the craziness that is Red Alert 2, I should probably list some of the units you’ll be commanding. As the Soviets, you have in your command Giant Squids, who can wrestle a ship to the depths of the ocean. The Allies of course have an Einstein-developed Weather Control Device, which summons powerful storms which blast the enemy with bolts of lightning. Other units such as trained dolphins, mechanical spider-like drones, and Tesla Towers fill out your ranks. None of these units feel out of place though, as the entire presentation of the game leads you to expect, and want, these kind of things.

Apart from the single player game, there is of course a skirmish and multiplayer mode. Skirmish mode lets you face off against random AI controlled armies, while multiplayer mode lets your face off against people over the internet, or via a LAN setting. However, Red Alert 2 introduces the concept of “sub-factions” to the RTS game. While you can choose to play as either the Soviets or Allies in these game modes, each come with their own unique member-countries. As such, if I chose to play as the Soviet controlled Libya, I get a unique unit in the form of the Demo Truck (which is a suicide truck containing a small nuke). Likewise, if I play as the Allied nation France, I get a massive defensive turret to build at my base. In all, there are multiple sub-factions to choose from, each there to lend to your type of playstyle.

In the end, Red Alert 2 is a fantastic game which I spent far too many hours playing. Supported by a very robust modding community, there are a number of multiplayer maps, units, and entire factions for you to download and enjoy. Heck, the game is very easy to mod as well, so why not make something your self? Go and grab yourself a copy of the game, you wont be disappointed.