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

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,862 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Command & Conquer Red Alert™ 2 and Yuri’s Revenge™ Game Cover
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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
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,862 reviews
story86 positive mentions
stability20 negative mentions
  • story257 mentions

    The story of Red Alert 2 is characterized by its over-the-top, campy narrative and engaging cutscenes, which blend humor and strategic depth across its unique missions. Players appreciate the diverse character interactions and the imaginative plot, although some missions can feel repetitive or frustratingly difficult, particularly towards the end. Despite technical issues like crashes during cutscenes, the game's nostalgic charm and memorable storytelling continue to resonate with fans, making it a standout title in the RTS genre.

    • “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.”
    • “C&C Red Alert 2 and its expansion are one of the most refined RTS experiences that I've ever seen, and a true gem for every player, fan of the genre or not: it's simple, yet complex, with a plethora of units, a fantastic single-player campaign with a 'what if' kind of story, played by real actors in a funny and engaging way.”
    • “The game’s blend of strategy, storytelling, and high-stakes action is a winning combination.”
    • “There's even an unresolved issue where a main story cutscene continuously crashes and the only way to beat the game is to skip that cutscene.”
    • “Plays well, however the Soviet campaign is broken; an error message pops up during the cutscene after the 'Fox and the Hound' mission that keeps coming up every time, essentially locking the campaign.”
    • “I love this game but the game keeps crashing after I beat the 'Fox and the Hound' Soviet mission, right when the photo of Stalin appears.”
  • gameplay139 mentions

    The gameplay of Red Alert 2 and its expansion, Yuri's Revenge, is widely praised for its fast-paced, polished mechanics and engaging strategic depth, making it a standout in the real-time strategy genre. Players appreciate the unique playstyles of different factions, the balance between them, and the nostalgic charm of the game's design, despite some dated graphics and AI. Overall, the game successfully combines simple yet complex mechanics, ensuring a fun and addictive experience for both newcomers and veterans alike.

    • “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.”
    • “The different factions in this game have unique playstyles and mechanics, so it creates interesting asymmetric balance.”
    • “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.”
    • “The more I dig through this series of games, the more I realize the first two games are the only ones worth playing; the rest are ruined by absolutely horrible mechanics.”
    • “Online gameplay doesn't work.”
    • “The gameplay still holds up to this day, but sadly the engine does not, as expected of early DirectX games.”
  • music110 mentions

    The music in the game, composed by Frank Klepacki, is widely praised as iconic and adrenaline-pumping, enhancing the overall immersive experience. Many players describe the soundtrack as one of the best in gaming, with tracks that are catchy and memorable, often revisited outside of gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's charm and enjoyment.

    • “The game's soundtrack, composed by Frank Klepacki, is iconic and enhances the immersive experience.”
    • “Truly an icon that will never be forgotten and has some of the best game music out there.”
    • “Absolute banger of a soundtrack by Frank Klepacki, campaign mission design and variability is great, story FMV cinematics are wonderful and overall replayability in skirmish or multiplayer is second to none.”
    • “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.”
    • “The cheesiness, the missions, the music.”
  • graphics109 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally considered dated, yet they still hold up reasonably well, especially when boosted beyond 1080p. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and functional isometric visuals, many express a desire for a remaster to modernize the graphics and improve overall quality. Overall, the visuals are seen as a mix of retro appeal and the need for updates, with gameplay remaining the standout feature.

    • “The exceptional feature of RA2 & YR is the diversity of battles and landscapes in each war, with graphics that are very realistic, commanding 3D, and sound effects with logical time and space algorithms, creating a very realistic war gaming experience that brings to life the entire adventure, which is always freshly renewed in every series the play is repeated!”
    • “The game's colorful, isometric visuals are both charming and functional, with units and buildings that are easily distinguishable at a glance.”
    • “One of the most surprising things about Red Alert 2 and Yuri’s Revenge is how well the graphics and sound have held up.”
    • “The graphics aren't much to look at and the gameplay is old-school RTS, but if you enjoy quick RTS gameplay, it is amazing.”
    • “The graphics have not aged well.”
    • “Graphics are showing their age and the controls, well, more primitive than I realized coming back to it.”
  • humor33 mentions

    The humor in "Red Alert 2" is widely praised for its clever satire and engaging storytelling, particularly through its live-action cutscenes that highlight amusing stereotypes, especially of the USSR. Players fondly recall the game's ability to blend strategy with comedic elements, creating memorable and entertaining campaigns that have left a lasting impact on their childhoods. Overall, the humor is considered a key aspect that enhances the game's charm and appeal, making it a beloved classic in the RTS genre.

    • “With a perfect blend of strategy, humor, and nostalgia, this duo remains a must-play for any RTS fan.”
    • “Amazing satire humor in the cutscenes, especially USSR stereotypes.”
    • “This game is packed with humor and soul and utter madness, and it apologizes for nothing.”
  • stability28 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players report smooth performance on modern PCs, others experience frequent crashes, freezes, and various glitches, particularly in the Steam version. Many users note that it feels like a straight port with outdated resolution support and buggy menus, leading to frustration. Overall, while it can run well for some, significant stability issues persist for many players.

    • “Good game, runs great on Windows 10.”
    • “So far the game runs great with no slow down and crisp play.”
    • “Thank god for Steam - now it runs great and this is all I will be doing this weekend.”
    • “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.”
    • “It's a shame that this hasn't been remastered; it's full of game-crashing glitches (for now!), and EA has yet to bring back the original 'Hollywood in Vain' voice tracks.”
    • “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 game's optimization has been widely criticized, with users reporting significant lag and performance issues that detract from the overall experience. Many recommend using CNCNet for a better experience, as it offers improved resolution and online play, highlighting the original game's lack of optimization. Despite some positive aspects, such as engaging campaigns and live-action performances, the technical shortcomings remain a major concern.

    • “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 online play, enhances graphics, and improves performance.”
    • “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.”
    • “Not optimized, lagging like there is no tomorrow, bad, just bad man I can't enjoy this anymore.”
    • “Horrible performance issues!”
    • “But it isn't optimized.”
  • replayability13 mentions

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, particularly through its multiplayer mode, which fosters community engagement and offers endless replay opportunities. Players appreciate the balance, humor, and variability in campaign missions, alongside a captivating soundtrack, making it a standout in the RTS genre. Overall, the combination of enjoyable storytelling and diverse gameplay ensures lasting replay value.

    • “Absolute banger of a soundtrack by Frank Klepacki, campaign mission design and variability is great, story FMV cinematics are wonderful, and overall replayability in skirmish or multiplayer is second to none.”
    • “The superb balance, decent humor, and immense overall replayability make this game stand out from almost any other RTS games for a reason.”
    • “If you’re looking for a game that offers endless replayability, genuine challenge, and a nostalgic trip back to the golden age of RTS, then look no further.”
    • “Replayable indefinitely.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game is heavily criticized as a blatant cash grab, with users expressing frustration over its reliance on microtransactions. While some appreciate the convenience of not needing outdated discs or EA's Origin, the overall sentiment is that the port feels lazy and primarily designed to generate revenue.

    • “The laziest port and most insane cash grab ever.”
    • “Just an old cash grab for EA.”
    • “☐ funded by microtransactions”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant effort and patience. The need to adjust settings manually and the presence of performance issues further exacerbate the frustration associated with grinding. Overall, it is viewed as a laborious task that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “I even tried saving every couple of minutes so I can go back in and try again, but it's so tedious and tiresome.”
    • “It's more tedious to change the resolution (you now need to change an additional .ini file), and the slowdowns are not fixed by default.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is noted for its depth and complexity, with players appreciating the nuanced growth of characters throughout the narrative. Many reviews highlight the emotional arcs and relationships that evolve, making the characters feel relatable and engaging. Overall, the development is seen as a strong point that enhances the overall storytelling experience.

  • emotional2 mentions

    Users express that the emotional impact of this RTS is unparalleled, highlighting its unique ability to resonate deeply with players, making it a standout experience in the genre.

  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere is enhanced by Frank Klepacki's music, which combines adrenaline-pumping beats with atmospheric tracks, effectively capturing the intensity of battle and immersing players in the game's environment.

    • “The music, composed by Frank Klepacki, is a perfect blend of adrenaline-pumping beats and atmospheric tracks that capture the intensity of battle.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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 6 analyzed playthroughs

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