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Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2

EMAIL PRINT pc

9.6 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 29 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 76 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: Westwood Studios

Genre(s): Real-Time Strategy

Players: 8

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: October 24, 2000

Summary

Wielding strange new technologies and hungering for revenge, the Soviet Empire invades America. New York City and Washington are overwhelmed. Allied forces, unprepared for the surprise attack, are decimated. Will freedom be crushed under the heels of Communist aggression? [Electronic Arts]

Also On Metacritic

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Cheat Codes & Hints: Adrenaline Vault Cheat Code Central Game Revolution GamePro Guide GameSpot GameSpot Guide Gamezilla! Happy Puppy IGN IGN Guide PC Gameworld

Also On The Web: Official Game Site Planet Command & Conquer

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)

The game play is absolutely superb, with well-balanced armies and some simply brilliant new units including a new building system more akin to the WarCraft series that allows for a more efficient unit production system.

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100

Cincinnati Enquirer

The game's plot-twisting story, addictive game play and bevy of single- and multiplayer options makes this an excellent addition to your CD-ROM collection.

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Gamezilla!

Although the gameplay hasn't changed much from the original, the updated graphics and the resolution of minor bugs make this a wonderfully enjoyable title.

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Da Gameboyz

I was completely won over by the simplicity of the resource management and gameplay, and will be playing it for many months to come.

IGN

One of the most polished, best-conceived, and downright enjoyable real-time strategy games in recent memory.

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Gamers' Temple

OK, so it's not a quantum leap forward in gaming, but so what? It's a heck of a lot of fun from the company that defined RTS.

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Total Video Games

Red Alert 2 is THE game that fans of the genre have been waiting for a very long time.

Eurogamer

The single player campaigns are great fun, and multiplayer has been very well balanced and improved so that most of the rough edges have been smoothed out, resulting in a game that is simply great fun to play.

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GamerWeb PC

Even though you're not breaking new boundaries in the technological field your definitely raising the standards in gameplay for RTS games to come.

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Adrenaline Vault

Not only one of the best games that Westwood has ever created, but is easily one of the most entertaining, visceral, and tactically focused RTS products ever seen, and will likely be remembered as a true classic for years to come.

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GamePro

The gameplay is nothing new, but the engrossing story and intense action will keep you playing for hours.

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PC Gameworld

You're not going to have a social life if you purchase this game. Tell your friends you will be unavailable for extended periods of time. Explain to your girlfriend that, no, you're not seeing someone else. And tell your mom to come into the room every 2 or three days to see if you have dehydrated yet.

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Electric Playground

Solid and extremely stylish (if unrevolutionary) RTS gaming.

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PC Gamer

Westwood must have felt that the RA engine didn't need improving - add 7% if you agree. [Jan 2001, p.118]

GameSpot

In spite of its premise -- a world war -- Red Alert 2 is lighthearted. From the humorous full-motion video sequences to the heavy-metal music to the toylike unit designs, the game has much more in common with G.I. Joe than with "Saving Private Ryan."

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Happy Puppy

A beautiful meld of both action and strategy that seems to hold a little something for everyone.

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FiringSquad

The most important thing we can say is that we had a whole lot of fun playing it - and that's what matters, isn't it?

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TotalGames.net

The game is one of the better efforts in the series, with the flaws that put off hardcore gamers reduced, but still present. It’s not really one for strategy nuts, but if you like a less challenging but enjoyable dose of strategy, this will fit the bill nicely.

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Game Revolution

While not totally original, it's got enough intensity and excitement to have even the most jaded real-time strategy gamer glued to his computer for hours. Death to the American dogs, comrade.

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Gaming Age

If you are looking for a fun and explosive real-time strategy title that isn't mired in diplomacy and realism, look no further.

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CNET Gamecenter

Red Alert 2 proves to be one of the finest offerings in the C&C series.

GameSpy

A well-polished sequel that lives up to, but doesn't necessarily advance, a real-time strategy classic. More compelling RTSs have come, and more are on the way.

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CheckOut

Even though Westwood hasn't blazed much technological ground with Red Alert 2, it does succeed in being their most enjoyable real-time strategy game yet.

Game Over Online

Not revolutionary by any means, but it's a solid and polished game that is one of the only jewels to be placed in the RTS crown recently.

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GameZone

RTS fans will really enjoy the faster pacing, new objectives to complete, and the well-acted cutscenes. Other fans looking for 3D graphics or new gameplay options will be disappointed, but the missions are still entertaining enough to keep them happy.

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Daily Radar

The recipe might be getting old, but what comes out of the oven is still plenty tasty.

All Game Guide

Straightforward, cautious, and pleasurable - this is a prequel-sequel that fills the stomach with candy that threatens very few intestinal side effects.

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Spank!

If you're looking for no-frills old school resource management, then Red Alert 2 is what you are looking for.

Computer Games Magazine

Red Alert 2 can be both fascinating and bewildering, neither of which amounts to much when you are launching a tank rush in multiplayer games.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.6 (out of 10) based on 76 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jimwick M. gave it a6:
Not that great compared to its predecessor. Even when patched fully up to 1.006, the game has significant bugs. The difficulty curve of the campaign missions is more like a difficulty cliff, where the first few on both sides can literally be completed in under 5 minutes if you know what you're doing, and the rest are of the "battle royale, you are surrounded with no meaningful defense, and the enemy is at your doorstep from the first few seconds" variety. The AI, while stupid, is nevertheless relentless, and will make you choke on its dead. It's not a question of game difficulty, but rather more a question of inhuman multitasking being necessary to answer the AI at more than two places at once, which is made impossible because there is no way to pause the game without going to menu, which means there's no way to give orders while paused. This game might be great in multiplayer, and you can tell it was designed almost exclusively for it. But the single player aspect is very disappointing.

Alex R. gave it a10:
One of the greatest RTS games in history - nothing is more exhilarating, even with the graphics dated, than a Soviet Tank Rush carried out within the first two minutes of play. Meticulously balanced, good pathfinding, and awe-inspiring units, the game offered a lot of tactical depth for multiplayer gamers, too.

Patrick S. gave it a10:
Truly a great game, and by one of the greatest companies who've ever made a game.

Amar J. gave it a10:
Sooooo good, this is a great game. I just brought it and I'm hooked on playing online.

Anson G. gave it a10:
The real 3d stunning action strategy game. Nice quality field, cool graphics and units, easy to control them.

Felipe H. gave it a10:
If RA1 was good, RA2 its the master piece. I still love playing the mission over and over.

Chris M. gave it a9:
It was a great game.

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Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2

Game Info

Summary

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What The Critics Said

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