Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3
C&C Red Alert 3
Release Date: October 28, 2008
Strategy, science fiction, RTS, Games Workshop, alternative history, Game Pass, EA Play, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
Steam
After the success achieved by the third installment in the Command & Conquer series, EA Los Angeles began to work on a sequel to the Red Alert subseries developed in parallel with the franchise's main installments. Again, the players are thrown into an alternative reality, where the leaders of the Soviet Union decided to travel back in time in order to make Russia great again.
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 for PC, PS3 and X360 is the third installment in a series of acclaimed, real-time strategy games. The franchise is considered a key representative of the entire RTS genre by many players. The previous installment was released more than 7 years earlier, so apart from many new features, Red Alert 3 also brings visuals comparable to other modern-day games in terms of their quality.
Plot
In Red Alert 3, the players are introduced to an alternative course of history. Desperate leaders of the Soviet Union decide to travel back in time in order to change the events that shaped the future and restore the mother Russia to its former glory. Unfortunately however, not everything goes in accordance with that plan and a new timeline emerges. Within this new timeline, technology in general has evolved in a direction completely different to what humanity observes in its own reality. What is more, a new superpower has been established in the eastern part of the globe – the Empire of the Rising Sun. Among the Soviets and the Allied Forces, the said empire is one side of a great military conflict that is simply considered the next world war.
Mechanics
Since the conflict involves three entities, the game offers the same number of campaigns to be completed; each consists of 9 missions. Interestingly, the campaigns can be played solo or with another player in the co-op mode. When playing alone however, one's actions here are aided by the AI controlling the leaders, who were gifted with their own in-game personalities. Particular armies utilize different combat units, which simply look fairly original, but could be also described as bizarre. For instance, while dolphins have been used during wars, armed bears are definitely a rare occurrence. It is an alternative history after all, thus using Tesla's technologies for military purposes should not be surprising (tanks undergoing transformations, floating keep-islands, and such). Additionally, each unit has their special abilities - for instance, allowing to freeze enemy forces or to cast the invisibility effect on allies, which can be very useful in combat. The game offers ground, air and sea battles, thus diversity is what describes this aspect of the game best.
What is apparent here, is that the creators must have asked themselves many so-called "what-if" questions. What if all the weirdest science projects and experiments conducted over the last 70 years gave the expected results? What if it was possible to travel in time or have the ability to teleport? The player can answer different questions of such kind through shaping the course of the conflict in Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3.
Technical aspects
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 for PC, PS3 and X360 utilizes the SAGE engine, which is the same technology Command & Conquer: Generals is powered by.
Last updated on July 18, 2016
Last Update: January 19, 2009
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 Game Guide
The guide contains descriptions of all missions forming the single player campaign.
Videos and Screens
[1:06] Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 launch movie #2
[1:33] Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 #2
The main pros of the game
- Engaging Story and Humor: The game's narrative is described as entertaining, with a mix of campy humor and engaging live-action cutscenes featuring well-known actors.
- Diverse Factions and Unique Mechanics: Players appreciate the three distinct factions (Allies, Soviets, and Empire of the Rising Sun), each with unique units and strategies, providing varied gameplay experiences.
- Multiplayer and Co-op Features: The multiplayer aspect is highlighted as a strong point, allowing for competitive play and cooperative missions that enhance the overall experience.
- Visuals and Audio Design: The game is praised for its vibrant graphics and sound design, which contribute to an immersive gaming experience.
- Replayability: The variety of units and strategies, along with the cooperative campaign mode, adds to the game's replayability.
The main cons of the game
- Outdated Graphics and Controls: Several users feel the graphics and command system have not aged well compared to more recent RTS games, making it less appealing to new players.
- AI Limitations: Some reviews mention that the AI's behavior in base building and defense can be subpar, affecting the overall gameplay experience.
- Shared Resources in Co-op: The shared money system in co-op mode is criticized, as it can lead to frustrations over resource management.
- Over-the-Top Acting and Tone: The acting in cutscenes has received mixed reviews, with some finding it overly campy and lacking seriousness, which detracts from the overall narrative.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Better AI: Users express a desire for improved AI behavior, particularly in base building and strategic decision-making.
- More Factions: Some reviews mention that the game feels limited in faction variety compared to previous titles in the series, particularly Red Alert 2.
- Enhanced Multiplayer Functionality: While multiplayer is appreciated, some users note the need for better support and functionality, such as LAN play without issues related to CD keys.
- Improved Balance: There are comments about certain factions or units being overpowered, suggesting a need for better game balance to enhance competitiveness.
Summary
- Overall, while Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 is celebrated for its engaging story, diverse gameplay, and nostalgic value, it also faces criticism for its outdated mechanics and certain design choices that may not resonate with all players.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 1836 votes. 343 players anticipated the game.
18
GAMES
in Command & Conquer Game Series
Game Series
Command & Conquer Series
Set in the reality of science fiction, the real-time strategy (RTS) series. The series was created by the Westwood Studios team, but now the brand is owned by Electronic Arts, developing it with its own development studios (including Victory Games and EA Phenomic).
18 video games
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows October 28, 2008
PlayStation 3 March 24, 2009
Xbox 360 November 11, 2008
Developer: Electronic Arts Inc.
Publisher: Electronic Arts Inc.
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 System Requirements
PC / Windows
Recommended: Pentium 4 2.2 GHz, 1 GB RAM, graphic card 256 MB (GeForce 6800 or better), 6 GB HDD, Windows XP/Vista
Xbox 360
Supports: Xbox Live
Game Expansions for Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Uprising
Expansion
Strategy
March 12, 2009
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Uprising is a Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 expansion, released by Electronic Arts in 2008. It expands the plot with new threads, taking place after the events of the core game. During the three campaigns, the player can support the retreating Soviets, help the Empire of the Rising Sun to regain its former glory, or tackle the corruption ravaging the ranks of the Allies. The fourth mini-campaign tells the tale of one of the Empire's leaders – Yuriko. The developers didn't forget about the implementation of new, previously unknown units, a fresh bunch of FMV cut-scenes with live actors, as well as many more minute upgrades of the mechanics. The game mode list is complimented by the challenge mode known from C&C Generals: Zero Hour. During the fifty missions of increasing difficulty, the player fights against nine AI-controlled leaders.
DLCs for Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3
Decimation Map Pack
DLC
May 15, 2009
Isles of Conflict
DLC
April 2, 2009