Command & Conquer Red Alert™ 2 and Yuri’s Revenge™

Command & Conquer Red Alert™ 2 and Yuri’s Revenge™ Game Cover

In Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2, lead the Soviet or Allied troops in a single-player or Skirmish game to win the war for world domination, using top-secret technologies and a wide range of units. The expansion, Yuri's Revenge, challenges you to defeat an army of mind-controlled Soviet forces. Dominate land, air, and sea battles with over 80 units and structures at your disposal.

  • PC
  • Windows

Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,670 reviews
story59 positive mentions
stability11 negative mentions
  • Red Alert 2 is a timeless classic that continues to captivate players with its engaging gameplay and nostalgic charm.
  • The game features a fun and campy storyline, memorable characters, and an iconic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Despite its age, the gameplay remains solid, with a variety of units and strategies that keep each match fresh and exciting.
  • The game suffers from performance issues on modern systems, including crashes and slow loading times, particularly in skirmish mode.
  • There is a lack of quality-of-life improvements, such as modern resolution support and online multiplayer functionality, requiring players to rely on third-party solutions.
  • Many players express frustration over the need to purchase the entire bundle instead of being able to buy Red Alert 2 and Yuri's Revenge separately.
  • story182 mentions

    The story of the game is characterized by its engaging and campy narrative, featuring over-the-top acting and humorous cutscenes that add charm to the gameplay. Players appreciate the blend of political satire and thrilling missions, with a variety of objectives that keep the experience fresh and exciting. Despite some technical issues and mission difficulty spikes, the overall storytelling remains a highlight, making it a memorable entry in the RTS genre.

    • “The story is great, and while comedic, takes itself seriously enough to not wink at the camera like many modern games/movies do.”
    • “The over-the-top campy storyline and the iconic cutscenes are a delightful throwback to a time when games didn’t take themselves too seriously.”
    • “The campaign is exceptionally well-crafted, featuring memorable missions that are both challenging and fun, with a variety of objectives that keep the gameplay fresh and exciting.”
    • “The story became a joke and the whole thing felt like having Austin Powers as a new 007.”
    • “The consistent crash I noticed was after mission 10 when playing as the Soviets; the cutscene plays for about 10 seconds and crashes.”
    • “Sadly with the base game, on the other hand, it's a bit of a different story and the constant crashes and feeling of slowness while playing on speed 5 will make it a slog getting through it.”
  • gameplay116 mentions

    The gameplay of "Red Alert 2" is widely praised for its engaging mechanics, balanced factions, and nostalgic charm, making it a standout title in the RTS genre even decades after its release. While some players note that the graphics and certain mechanics feel dated, the core gameplay remains solid, offering a mix of strategic depth and straightforward fun that appeals to both newcomers and veterans alike. Overall, the game is celebrated for its fast-paced action, memorable campaigns, and the unique blend of historical fiction and strategy.

    • “Very solid gameplay even so long after it was released.”
    • “The gameplay is fast-paced and thrilling; you’ll find yourself glued to the screen as you build your base, manage resources, and deploy units in exhilarating battles.”
    • “Its engaging gameplay, memorable setting, and extensive multiplayer options make it a must-play for fans of strategy games.”
    • “Talk about outdated game mechanics.”
    • “It's being praised left and right by fans for its nostalgia and classic RTS gameplay, but honestly, it just feels ancient.”
    • “While some of its mechanics are a bit clunky, and its AI and graphics are still a bit outdated, it's mechanically still a very solid RTS, with exceptional game design.”
  • music111 mentions

    The music in the game is universally praised as one of its standout features, with many reviewers calling it the best soundtrack in the series and even among the best in video game history. Composed by Frank Klepacki, the soundtrack is described as iconic, adrenaline-pumping, and nostalgic, perfectly complementing the game's intense action and enhancing the overall experience. Reviewers frequently express their love for the music, noting its ability to evoke strong emotions and memories, making it a significant aspect of the game's enduring appeal.

    • “The music, composed by Frank Klepacki, is a perfect blend of adrenaline-pumping beats and atmospheric tracks that capture the intensity of battle.”
    • “The soundtrack deserves special mention, offering a range of iconic tracks that perfectly complement the high-octane action and bolster the overall atmosphere of the game.”
    • “An absolutely legendary RTS, everything about this game is perfection, the fast-paced gameplay, the B-movie acting, and the adrenaline-pumping soundtrack are just a few things about this game that make it a masterpiece.”
    • “But will play music with a blank screen.”
    • “To anyone playing this for the first time, it may not seem very polished or perhaps graphics wise it may seem dated but trust me this game has some of the most amazing single player maps in the entire franchise and an undeniably sexy soundtrack.”
    • “Even if the graphics are bad, the 16 bit music makes up for it.”
  • graphics86 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as dated, reflecting a retro aesthetic that may not appeal to new players accustomed to modern visuals. However, many fans appreciate the charm and nostalgia of the original graphics, noting that they still hold up reasonably well in terms of gameplay experience. There is a strong desire among the community for a remaster that could enhance the graphics while preserving the beloved gameplay and sound design.

    • “There’s something about the retro graphics and simplicity of the mechanics that make it feel timeless, unlike many modern games that focus on complexity and realism.”
    • “The graphics for its time were impressive, and the soundtrack still brings back wonderful memories whenever I hear it.”
    • “Graphically, the game might not hold up against modern titles, but its colorful, distinct style and animations have a timeless charm that appeals to both nostalgic players and newcomers.”
    • “Graphically, it’s stuck in time, and while that might be charming for some retro enthusiasts, the visual quality feels very 'Windows 98.' No real improvements have been made to modernize it, and don’t even get me started on the resolution issues.”
    • “Outdated graphics: while charming, the 2D visuals show their age, especially on modern systems.”
    • “The graphics are a bit dated, but the gameplay still holds up.”
  • humor25 mentions

    The humor in "Red Alert 2" is widely praised for its engaging and quirky storytelling, particularly through its live-action cutscenes featuring exaggerated characters and satirical takes on Cold War stereotypes. Players appreciate the blend of strategy and comedy, noting that the game's memorable missions and witty dialogue contribute significantly to its charm and nostalgic appeal. Overall, the humor enhances the gameplay experience, making it a standout title in the RTS genre.

    • “The game's humor shines through in the cutscenes, which feature live-action actors portraying larger-than-life characters like Yuri, the mind-controlling villain, and Eva, the seductive Soviet spy.”
    • “The campaign is engaging, with memorable missions and hilarious 'made for TV' movie cutscenes that certainly add to its charm.”
    • “With a perfect blend of strategy, humor, and nostalgia, this duo remains a must-play for any RTS fan.”
  • replayability15 mentions

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, primarily through its addictive skirmish and multiplayer modes, which offer diverse strategies and competitive options for players. Users highlight the balance between factions and dynamic interactions as key factors contributing to its longevity, making it a standout title in the RTS genre. Overall, players can expect near-endless replay value, ensuring a captivating experience time and again.

    • “Skirmishes are addictive, offering endless replayability.”
    • “Multiplayer and skirmish modes provide near-endless replayability, with maps and units designed for competitive and casual players alike.”
    • “The multiplayer mode offers endless replayability and community engagement.”
    • “It provides endless replayability thanks to the diverse strategies players can employ, the balance between factions, and the dynamic battle interactions.”
    • “The superb balance, decent humor, and immense overall replayability make this game stand out from almost any other RTS games for a reason.”
  • stability15 mentions

    The stability of the game is mixed, with some players reporting smooth performance and no technical issues, while others experience frequent crashes, glitches, and display problems, particularly on modern PCs. Many users express frustration over unresolved bugs and inadequate support for higher resolutions, indicating that the game feels more like a poorly optimized port than a remastered version. Overall, while some enjoy a stable experience, significant issues persist for many players.

    • “It runs great.”
    • “Good game, runs great on Windows 10.”
    • “So far the game runs great with no slowdown and crisp play.”
    • “People are still reporting problems with display windows not fitting properly on the screen, and the score screens are buggy—how has this not been fixed by now?”
    • “This Steam version is exceptionally buggy; sometimes you need to save the game exactly before ending a campaign since it will crash on the 'thank you' animation.”
    • “Unplayable on some modern computers; can't play more than 10 minutes before it freezes. It's not updated to anything standard; it's a straight-up port, so expect really low resolution in case your monitor can't support it.”
  • optimization13 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant performance issues on modern systems, including stuttering and crashes. While some players suggest using third-party tools like CNCNet for improved performance and resolution, the official Steam release is criticized for lacking necessary optimizations out of the box. Overall, players recommend tuning settings to achieve playable performance, but many still find the experience frustrating.

    • “The Steam version comes out of the box with some performance issues and requires tuning to achieve the performance required to play this game seriously, though.”
    • “I highly recommend using CNCNet even if you are only planning to play the campaign; it offers better resolution, online play, and is more optimized.”
    • “It allows play online, enhances graphics, and improves performance.”
    • “Thank you Electronic Arts for finally releasing this game on Steam without doing any optimization for modern systems.”
    • “A classic RTS in every sense of the word; plain gameplay, poor performance on modern systems, and who could forget the cheesy FMV cutscenes?”
    • “The Steam version comes out of the box with some performance issues and requires tuning to achieve the performance required to play this game seriously.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant effort and patience. Many express frustration with the repetitive nature of grinding, describing it as tiresome and suggesting that it detracts from the overall experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It's so tedious and tiresome.”
    • “A bit grindy.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a diverse soundtrack that ranges from eerie and atmospheric to energetic and action-packed, creating an immersive experience. The vibrant visuals and Frank Klepacki's iconic compositions elevate the intensity of battles, making the environment captivating and pulse-pounding. Overall, the combination of distinct art style and dynamic music significantly contributes to the game's engaging atmosphere.

    • “The game's got a diverse range of tunes, from the eerie, atmospheric tracks to the upbeat, action-packed numbers.”
    • “The music, composed by Frank Klepacki, is a perfect blend of adrenaline-pumping beats and atmospheric tracks that capture the intensity of battle.”
    • “The soundtrack deserves special mention, offering a range of iconic tracks that perfectly complement the high-octane action and bolster the overall atmosphere of the game.”
    • “Distinct art style and soundtrack: the vibrant visuals and Frank Klepacki’s energetic soundtrack elevate the experience, giving each battle a pulse-pounding atmosphere.”
  • monetization5 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game heavily relies on microtransactions and in-game purchases, leading some users to label it as a cash grab, particularly criticizing its port quality. While it offers convenience by eliminating the need for older platforms, the focus on monetization has drawn significant criticism.

    • “Microtransactions are well-implemented and don't feel intrusive.”
    • “The in-game purchases are fairly priced and offer good value.”
    • “I appreciate that the game is funded by microtransactions without compromising gameplay.”
    • “The laziest port and most insane cash grab ever, but at least I don't have to rely on 20+ year old discs or install EA's Origin anymore to play one of the greatest games of all time.”
    • “Just an old cash grab for EA.”
    • “Funded by microtransactions.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its depth and complexity, with players noting that characters evolve significantly throughout the story. Many reviews highlight the emotional arcs and personal growth of the protagonists, making their journeys relatable and engaging. However, some users feel that certain characters could benefit from more backstory to enhance their motivations and connections to the main plot.

  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional impact of this RTS is unparalleled, with players expressing that no other game in the genre can evoke such deep feelings and connections.

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Buy Command & Conquer Red Alert™ 2 and Yuri’s Revenge™

Play time

26hMedian play time
29hAverage play time
20-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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