Review of Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3

Red Alert 3 :/

I'll start by saying that I can't believe they got away with releasing this game. It took them eight whole years to conjure a sequel to Red Alert 2, but the final result looks more like the efforts of just eight minutes of development time. This could very well have been released as an expansion pack for Red Alert 2, because neither the gameplay nor the graphics have actually been improved since their efforts in 2000.

RA2 destroyed all seriousness from the franchise, but at least supplemented that with new gameplay and improved cinematic sequences. RA3 has gone gung-ho on the farcical scale and ramped it up to beyond outrageous. The cut scenes are still the highlight of the game, but there are numerous plot holes and coincidences that make you roll your eyes until they hurt. It definitely has to be approached with your tongue in your cheek, and there is absolutely no seriousness left in the game. When you beat an opponent, they often appear with a communications message along the lines of "I'll get you next time!" and a virtual shake of the fist. Imagine if real war was like that!?

The only thing that has really changed is that your units have alternate fire modes. Obviously the computer can micromanage these units with army-crushing ease, but it's a bit more difficult for a human being to do so. I'd have liked to have seen a bit more ingenious AI from my units who simply refuse to fire on their attackers because I've accidentally left them toggled on an alternate weapon.

RTS purists should avoid this game at all costs, because it adds absolutely nothing to the genre. Your units still make mistakes that are unforgivable in a modern day RTS, like not looking for or being able to utilise cover, or by grouping into perfectly even spaced diamond formations. Many units are also blighted by the fact that they're difficult to control. Naval units will just spawn on top of each other when they exit the naval yard, meaning 30 aircraft carriers can occupy exactly the same space and look like one unit. It's also difficult to order some units - such as expensive bombers - back to base. They'd rather fly in a circle waiting to get shot up.

The one and only saving grace for this game is its multiplayer function. You can opt to play the entire campaign mode co-operatively with a friend, or team up against the computer in skirmish mode. That is the only real fun I've had from the game so far, which I doubt will have what it takes to remain installed on my comp for many more weeks. In all, a real let down, but fun amongst friends.

6/10

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Added by Grand Assault 3 months ago on 1 August 2009 02:48