Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3

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"Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3" is a thrilling real-time strategy game set in a World War II alternate reality. The Soviets' time-traveling attempt to defeat Albert Einstein backfires, giving rise to the Empire of the Rising Sun, resulting in an epic three-way global conflict. With its intriguing storyline, fantastic mechanics, ingenious graphics, fabulous soundtrack, and plenty of humor, this 2-player, multi-player, co-op, and single-player game will keep you engaged, despite some bugs and grinding.

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Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 screenshot

+21

82%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,099 reviews

story172 positive mentions

stability17 negative mentions

story
560 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
64%
5%
The story of "Red Alert 3" is characterized by its over-the-top, humorous narrative that blends absurdity with a light-hearted tone, featuring time travel and a new faction, the Empire of the Rising Sun. While some players appreciate the engaging cutscenes and the performances of well-known actors like Tim Curry and George Takei, others criticize the plot for being shallow and filled with clichés, leading to a mixed reception regarding its coherence and depth. Overall, the game is seen as entertaining, especially in co-op mode, but it lacks the serious storytelling found in earlier entries of the series.
- “The story is quite funny even if it's a war theme.”
- “Each story is pretty much what you’d expect from a strategy game, but there’s something special in the way it is told through full-motion video cutscenes and actors doing their best to create memorable and charismatic characters.”
- “The story is goofy but fun, the balance is... less than perfect, but you'll still have a blast in spite of it, and the graphics are still pretty good compared to some more recent RTS games I've seen released.”
- “The story is a joke with no attempts to even pretend that it's serious, almost as if it came from a completely different franchise than Red Alert 1.”
- “However, the campaign and the story is where Red Alert 3 ultimately blows; it doesn't even manage to scratch Red Alert 2 and Red Alert 1's delivery of a consistent story.”
- “The storyline is as cheesy as it comes and that is what fans expect and love, but it lacks depth and coherence.”
gameplay
351 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
56%
6%
The gameplay of "Red Alert 3" is characterized by its blend of classic real-time strategy mechanics with unique unit abilities, fostering tactical decision-making and diverse strategies across its three factions. While many players appreciate the fun and engaging nature of the gameplay, some criticize its outdated mechanics and clunky controls compared to modern standards, leading to a mixed reception. Overall, the game retains a nostalgic charm with its humorous tone and vibrant graphics, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and veteran fans of the series.
- “Notable addition to the gameplay is that every unit has at least one ability or some kind of alternate fire mode, which lends itself to tactical decisions and makes gameplay more interesting than the usual 'I make more units than the enemy.'”
- “The gameplay is very fun, and I love the new units.”
- “With three differing factions, hectic gameplay, base building, and a plethora of units, structures, and abilities, it checks all the boxes of defining characteristics from the golden age of RTS.”
- “The gameplay is not up to par with modern RTS standards and in some cases almost unplayable. You can't shift+click to add a single unit to a group, you can't multi-select units holding down shift, you can't customize your keys as you want, and the control is very limited. You can't number buildings or select multiples, and many other gripes in gameplay and control.”
- “The gameplay is outdated and, well, it just wasn't that fun.”
- “The biggest problem this game has - just like Command & Conquer 3 - is that the gameplay is way too hectic, and because of that, even the very first missions have pacing issues.”
graphics
273 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
51%
5%
The graphics of Red Alert 3 have generally aged well since its 2008 release, with many players praising its vibrant, cartoonish art style and impressive water effects. While some critiques highlight that the visuals can feel dated compared to modern standards, they still hold up favorably against other RTS games, offering a fun and engaging aesthetic that complements the game's over-the-top narrative. However, there are mixed opinions regarding the character designs and animations, with some finding them less appealing or overly simplistic.
- “The graphics are beautiful though, and the implementation of co-op is a nice feature.”
- “The graphics still hold up today, and the attention to the simple idle animations for the troops amazes me to this day.”
- “Great graphics, great playability.”
- “The graphics are terrible; I expected more from the in-game pictures.”
- “Graphically, the game has aged poorly - it's not unplayably bad, but it definitely looks more like a fan game than an actual C&C installment.”
- “The graphics look like an imitation of Dark Reign 2, and the entire game system apes Blizzard's.”
music
158 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
54%
2%
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising the soundtrack as one of its standout features. Composed by notable artists including Frank Klepacki, the music is described as diverse, energetic, and fitting for the game's campy and fun atmosphere, often enhancing the overall gameplay experience. However, some users noted issues with volume levels and occasional sound cutouts, but these did not significantly detract from the enjoyment of the soundtrack.
- “The soundtracks of the Red Alert series have always been good, and in this game, I can say that the soundtracks are incredible!”
- “The soundtrack is simply fantastic, and I find myself listening to it even while not playing the game.”
- “With an amazing intro song to boot and epic campaign cut scenes that you won't forget.”
- “The music alone is forgettable, apart from the update to 'Hell March'.”
- “You will hear a single song for the entirety of each and every single mission within the campaign as well as the multi and skirmish section; not once is the famous Red Alert song played at any point within the game, short of the menu.”
- “The soundtrack does not fit well with the game being a war game and all, in my opinion.”
humor
131 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, characterized by its hilarious cutscenes, over-the-top storylines, and cheesy voice acting that evoke a nostalgic charm reminiscent of earlier titles in the series. Players appreciate the absurdity of the characters and scenarios, with many noting that the lighthearted tone and comedic elements enhance the overall enjoyment of the gameplay. The combination of witty dialogue, humorous unit interactions, and intentionally exaggerated stereotypes contributes to a fun and entertaining experience, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The absurd story, hilarious characters, and the brutal weapons were some of the most fun I've ever had with an RTS.”
- “This game takes everything that was hilarious or ridiculous about the previous games in the series and dials it up to 11.”
- “The main selling point of the game, though, is its irreverent and wacky sense of style and humor - expect to see hilarious FMV sequences, Gundam-style giant robots, and highly-trained attack dolphins.”
optimization
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
58%
12%
Overall, the game's optimization for PC has received mixed reviews, with many users noting that it struggles to perform well even on modern hardware. While the graphics and performances are praised, players often encounter performance issues, requiring mods for smoother gameplay. The AI's reliability is also criticized, further detracting from the overall experience.
- “It's graphics are great for back in its time and it runs smoothly, even to this day it is a fun and interesting game!”
- “One of the games that pioneered high production value cutscenes and live action performances that elevate the experience to a new level.”
- “Great graphics, great performances all around and an engaging if not over the top plot with the feel of a big budget Hollywood production.”
- “Feels like the game is not optimized for PC with the latest parts.”
- “You can't have the game performance you want with a 2020 computer.”
- “Unstable performance.”
replayability
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
44%
17%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, particularly in single-player and multiplayer modes, with diverse campaigns for each faction and a robust skirmish mode featuring numerous maps. While some players find certain aspects, like the campaign missions, less engaging, the variety of gameplay styles and the option for co-op play contribute to its lasting appeal. Additionally, the presence of mods and unique AI interactions further enhance the replay value, making it a fun experience that can be revisited multiple times.
- “Fantastic replay value in single player as well as multiplayer.”
- “A full campaign for each faction provides a variety of challenges, and a skirmish mode with numerous maps offers unlimited replayability.”
- “This is a fun game with almost infinite replay value in the fact that you can try something new each time.”
- “Still the most replayable game in the C&C universe.”
- “Semi-decent campaign (with okay cutscenes, with actors you've actually heard of [how did they afford Takei?...]), though some missions are quite a grind; and not much replay value.”
- “From the perspective of skirmishes (custom games against NPC armies with or without teams), it's not too replayable in my opinion.”
stability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous users reporting significant bugs, visual glitches, and crashes that hinder gameplay. Many players have experienced issues with troubleshooting and compatibility, leading to frustration and an inability to run the game properly. Despite its enjoyable content, the persistent technical problems overshadow the overall experience.
- “Was promised that a community patch could get it working again, but it was a buggy mess.”
- “However, it being on the saga engine, of course, causes glitches and bugs to be rampant as per the protocol of any EA game.”
- “It's a very good game, though it can't overshadow its previous part, RA:2. The game has technical issues, it freezes and crashes, and forces me to restart my PC whenever I try to change the resolution or the display properties. Is there any fix for that problem?”
grinding
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
69%
Reviews highlight that grinding in the game is excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring players to invest significant effort without rewarding creativity or strategic depth. Many players find the micromanagement and resource constraints frustrating, leading to a monotonous gameplay experience that detracts from enjoyment. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a major flaw, making the game feel dismal compared to its predecessors.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “This kills all creativity and makes all campaigns feel like a tedious slog of building your defenses and slowly but surely building all your units.”
- “You don’t have enough money as it is, and the game forces you to tediously waste it on useless buildings that may as well be piñatas for enemy planes.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
38%
The atmosphere in the game is highly praised for its creativity, high-quality voice acting, and impressive cutscenes, which enhance the overall experience. However, some players feel that it lacks the charm of earlier titles in the series, with mixed opinions on the maps and gameplay feeling outdated. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a strong point, contributing significantly to the game's immersion.
- “One of the best strategy games with a great atmosphere, featuring top-notch actors and voice work.”
- “The FMV scenes in RA3 are superbly done and add so much to the atmosphere of the game, making it feel significantly more real.”
- “Nice atmosphere, challenging story missions (some difficult but beatable), and great cutscenes with actors between missions.”
- “While I'm glad that the feel, atmosphere, and gameplay of RA3 remains true to the series, the gameplay feels exceptionally old.”
- “Atmosphere and creativity are 100%.”
- “>maps/atmosphere=6”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The monetization aspect of the game is criticized as a "shameless cash grab," with players expressing frustration over the lack of base-building features and the prevalence of microtransactions in modern games. In contrast, some users appreciate the game's fair pricing and absence of microtransactions, highlighting it as a nostalgic return to the quality of earlier titles like Red Alert 3.
- “Red Alert 3 is a great memento of the time before EA turned into a microtransactions factory - an excellent RTS game for one fair price!”
- “+ No microtransactions”
- “Don't fall for this shameless cash grab.”
- “Can't build bases, only command units. This is a cash grab; bring back the Red Alert era with base building and Tesla coils.”
- “This game is entertaining, addicting, and all those buzzwords you hear when a game brags about its reviews in advertisements.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players find it lacks depth and connection due to a short and disjointed story, others appreciate its nostalgic charm and humor, likening it to a heartfelt throwback to the 90s. Overall, the emotional engagement varies significantly among players, with some feeling disconnected and others enjoying the absurdity and fun of the narrative.
- “It's an anachronistic, yet heartfelt throwback to C&C's heyday during the 90s FMV trend, which is super appropriate given the time-travelling shenanigans this B-movie cooks up for its stupidly fun plot.”
- “The cartoonish units, the gaudy art, and the absurd physics detract from any emotional engagement, making it hard to connect with the story.”
- “The boring storyline that casually retcons the entire series thus far out of existence leaves players feeling disconnected and frustrated.”
- “The entirely dumbed-down experience fails to evoke any real emotions, reducing the narrative to a series of shallow interactions.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Character development in the game is perceived as overly simplistic and whimsical, likened to a child-friendly version of a more complex experience, akin to comparing Duplo to Lego. This suggests a lack of depth and seriousness in character design and gameplay mechanics.
- “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, making it hard to connect with any of the characters.”
- “I found the character arcs to be predictable and lacking depth, which made the overall experience less engaging.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices in character progression left me feeling disconnected from the story and its characters.”