Command & Conquer Red Alert

by Westwood

Product Details

• ASIN: B000038AAT
• Item Weight: 8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,126 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

GameSpot Review

So you've played through Command & Conquer on the console systems, and you need more. That's where the title's thematic prequel, Command & Conquer: Red Alert, comes in. If you want a fix of what you enjoyed in the original, Red Alert certainly has it - though that's definitely a bit of a two-edged sword.

For the uninitiated, typical C&C gameplay finds you on a clouded playing field - in which territories become visible with exploration - with varying degrees of resources (such as money, troops, and buildings). You command your forces to set up bases, raise funds by harvesting minerals, build up manpower (tanks, planes, missile carriers, and so on.), take on the minions of your opposition, and carry out your objectives, which vary mission to mission from defending convoys to leveling enemy bases. It's not uncommon to play the later levels more than five or six times before accomplishing your goals, and since there are two discs full of missions (one for each of the two opposing camps), there's an incredible amount of gameplay time involved here.

The drama of war plays out much the same as in the first Command & Conquer, but the cast has changed a bit. Instead of GDI and the Brotherhood of Nod, the two groups are made up of the Allies and Soviets. It seems that some enterprising time-travelling soul (oh, maybe that Albert Einstein guy) has gone back a few decades to take Adolf Hitler out of the picture - for good. A bold move, to be sure, but not one without repercussions. In this revised timeline, the Germans now work along with the rest of Europe to defend against the machinations of Stalin.

Since we're now about 50 years before the time of the original C&C, some of the vehicles and weapons are a little less advanced - although, since Einstein is involved, there's a sprinkling of advanced technology to be found further along, as well. The units, vehicles, weapons, and structures are now fairly different and include MIGS, destroyers, submarines, attack dogs, medics, Tesla Coils (poles that guard your base by lashing out bolts of electricity at enemy troops), camouflaged pillboxes, the Iron Curtain (this stuff is poison), and more. The two sides no longer seem to be simple mirror images of each other, and they have their own unique plusses and minuses. For instance, the Soviets have attack dogs that can wipe out troops quickly, while the Allies have medics that can heal all their soldiers. Similarly, the Allies have vehicles that can move very fast but are short on firepower, while the Sovs have slow, superstrong tanks and missile carriers. Unfortunately, the balance of the two forces isn't quite what it should be, so the Soviets have a clear strength advantage early on in each round. This makes for a bit more of a challenge when playing as the Allies in the single-player game but takes away from a lot of the fun of taking on a friend over the two-player link cable mode.

The game also seems to have lost a bit in its conversion from PC to console. The graphics have taken a noticeable bite in quality, though they're still decent and, admittedly, graphics were never incredibly important in C&C to begin with. And, not surprisingly, playing the game with a PlayStation controller instead of a mouse takes away from the ease of play (it is compatible with the PS mouse, but good luck finding one). However, the main frustration is not being able to save at any point in the game. On the slightly frustrating side, this makes it necessary for you to ensure you have a few hours free before you take on an advanced mission. On the very frustrating side, instances frequently occur when you are an hour or so into a level and doing perfectly well, then you just start dogging it and have to start all over from scratch.

Otherwise, be warned that the difference between Command & Conquer and Command & Conquer: Red Alert isn't incredibly major. In fact, Westwood seems to have taken a leap similar to what id took from Doom to Doom II, then Doom II to Quake. There are new weapons, enemies, and levels, but the game engine and basic play are essentially the same. That's not necessarily a bad thing since it is still quite fun, but it's beginning to feel a bit dated. If you're looking for a true sequel to Command & Conquer, you're probably going to have to keep waiting a few more years for the console version of Command & Conquer II: Tiberian Sun. But if you just really want more of the same, with some nice improvements to boot, you'd be well set getting Command & Conquer: Red Alert. --Joe Fielder
--Copyright ©1999 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited. GameSpot and the GameSpot logo are trademarks of GameSpot Inc.

Product Description

This is the game Command and Conquer Red Alert for the Playstation 1. This game may not come with the original case and instructions. We stand by our products and offer a 60 day guarantee. If a game does not work within 60 days from the time you receive it we will gladly exchange it for you.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Red Alert:The Prequel, November 25, 1999

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Command & Conquer Red Alert (Video Game)

Red Alert is the prequel to Westwood Studio's smash hit "Command and Conquer". The idea behind the game is that a time machine is used to rub out Adolf Hitler, before his rise to power. With Hitler and Germany out of the way, a new country must take over the fight to gain Europe. This struggle is undertaken by Stalin's Russia. The game allows the player to choose to be the Soviets or the "Allies". The Allies are made up of a few assorted European countries thrown together. Stalin's "Red" Army is a great force to be reckoned with. The Soviets focus mainly on their ground firepower, air firepower, and offensive strikes. The Allies rely upon their Navy, base defense, and a range of ground assault vehicles. I liked this game because it had a good storyline, good enough graphics, the new skirmish mode, a wide range of units, a good amount of buildings, good sound, and it is a good strategy game. The new Skirmish mode allows the player to go up against one,two,or three AI teams, or up to three other players (using link cables). It is a great way to play the game if you're stuck on a mission and you are to frustrated to go on trying it. Also, it allows a certain amount of practice and it perfects the skills of experienced players. This game is a good play, but it may not be as popular as the orignal Command and Conquer. Also, Command and Conquer Red Alert: Retalliation may be a better game for the average player. Red Alert offers around 26 single player missions, and about 15 Skirmish maps. Retalliation has around that number of missions, but more than 200 multiplayer maps. I suggest you pick up the orignal first, then try this game. At this price, I would reccomend purchasing Command and Conquer, Command and Conquer Red Alert, and Command and Conquer Red Alert: Retalliation. The combined price of these three titles is around sixty dollars. You get six different games for the sam price as a new Playstation game (Each title comes with two discs). I would give Red Alert three and a half stars, it definitly should be on every strategy gamer's shelf.I know it and the orignal are on mine.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars command & conquer red alert, November 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Command & Conquer Red Alert (Video Game)

command & conquer is a great game its been around a while but i have meet people who have bought some of the best games ever and taken it back just to get command & conquer red alert 1 & 2 and they say it is the best choice they have ever made once you start you can't stop playing the longer you wait on each level the more impressive the people/machines on the 3rd level you can get invisible tanks

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not great, November 26, 1999

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Command & Conquer Red Alert (Video Game)

If you've played this game on the PC, you'll notice it's not quite as good on the PlayStation. But, it is pretty similar. The controls are different and the graphics aren't the best, but you get used to them. It's just as fun as the PC version, with the tesla-coils frying people and soldiers screaming when they die. So if you liked this game on the PC, and you have a Playstation I recommend this game.