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GRAPHICS: Let me first point out that graphics are not important as far as C&C goes. This is basically true for most strategy games after all. They are good, nonetheless, and display how deep the designers went to get the true feeling of controlling the an army. Regrettably, there are irritating factors that subtract merit from an otherwise splendid game. For instance, the units are very detailed (the soldiers actually do push-ups to train themselves), more so than in the original game, but what lacks is the size of the units. The soldiers are huge when compared with a tank, and buildings and such are completely out of proportion even when compared with each other. Of course, once you get past that, other things may still disturb you if you happen to be very analytical. The graphics are not 3-D, which means units are sprites with dimensional motion and backgrounds are still.
Disregarding this, however, you will find the graphics satisfying. They fit with the style of gameplay. The FMVs that accompany the regular game are very good, even the acting is not bad. With the FMVs there are great CG clips that look as good as CG clips get on the Playstation; not to mention a great CG movie for the opening. Moreover, much of the designs are very interesting and appealing, piling up your tanks all over the screen is so much fun you won’t even think about the problems in the graphics department. SOUNDS: The musical tracks are great, but do not compare with the adrenaline-charged beats of the original. They do however fit very well. The sounds are excellent. The soldiers cry out when they are killed very intensively, explosions are dynamic. When the tanks run over people you’ll hear a delightful squishy sound and when a building blows up the explosion gets combined with a shaking of the screen for maximum effect. Some of the voices may annoy some people, but at least they do not say stupid things. PLAYABILITY: This is a masterpiece of war strategy games. If you have already played C&C, then you are in for a treat. There are more units, more buildings, the missions are just as fun and diverse. Just like in the original, there are two sides to choose from, in this game it’s the Allies vs. the Soviets, and each side is packed with surprisingly very enjoyable missions. The options are great, if you get frustrated by the real game—which is indeed very challenging—then you can decide to play the other mode called Skirmish. During the game you have tons of things to control, of course, from the harvesting (how you earn credits to purchase units and buildings), to constructing and training, to devastating the opponent with a massive strategic attack. C&C: Red Alert supports the mouse for the PC experience, and, more importantly, the link cable. The Skirmish mode allows you to choose from lots of different backgrounds and countries, as well as other options, and play either against the computer’s team (or teams, of which there can be up to three for you to take down) or a friend via link (with whom you may decide to include one or two additional AI teams). This is probably too expensive for the average player, but it sure is a hell of a lot of fun. However, even if you don’t have this option, C&C Red Alert provides with a never ending barrage of entertainment.
OVERALL: The best strategy game for the Playstation, you can’t afford to miss C&C: Red Alert. While you may not fall in love with the graphics, you will certainly fall in love with the game itself. Unless you are against games that require thought and patience, you will enjoy this purchase. SCORE: 9.25 A-
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