Command & Conquer Red Alert™, Counterstrike™ and The Aftermath™

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 120 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • graphics
Command & Conquer Red Alert™, Counterstrike™ and The Aftermath™ Game Cover
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"Command & Conquer Red Alert™, Counterstrike™ and The Aftermath™" is a series of real-time strategy games that offer intense military conflict between the Allies and Soviets. The first game, Red Alert, is known for pushing the boundaries of the RTS genre and becoming a classic. The expansion packs, Counterstrike and The Aftermath, introduce new missions, experimental technologies, and forbidden weapons, adding to the depth and challenge of the gameplay. Players must make cunning decisions to control the fate of the world.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 120 reviews
story8 positive mentions
graphics3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a nostalgic experience, bringing back fond memories for many players who enjoyed it in their childhood.
  • Gameplay is still engaging and challenging, with a variety of units and missions that require strategic thinking.
  • The iconic soundtrack and humorous cutscenes add to the charm, making it a fun retro experience despite its age.
  • The controls and pathfinding are outdated and can be frustrating, leading to a less enjoyable gameplay experience.
  • The graphics are very dated, which may deter new players and make it feel clunky compared to modern RTS games.
  • There are frequent bugs and crashes, especially on newer systems, which can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustration.
  • story47 mentions

    The story aspect of the game is generally viewed as a nostalgic and enjoyable experience, with many players appreciating the unique and sometimes humorous narrative elements, particularly in the context of the 1990s. While the campaign missions are seen as engaging and challenging, some expansions lack significant storyline connections and innovation, leading to a perception of repetitive content. Overall, the story is considered a fun backdrop to the gameplay, despite some criticisms regarding mission design and difficulty.

    • “The story in Command & Conquer was rather unique.”
    • “Story is fun and is more serious compared to later additions of the Red Alert series.”
    • “These titles have stood the test of time, proving that great gameplay and engaging storylines never age.”
    • “☐ no story”
    • “There’s no significant storyline connection in these expansion missions, and they just plop more content on your plate with no real innovations.”
    • “The missions themselves are pretty hard...”
  • music13 mentions

    The music in the game, particularly Frank Klepacki's iconic tracks like "Hell March," is widely praised for its nostalgic and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate both the remastered versions and the original soundtrack, often highlighting it as a standout feature that evokes strong emotional connections and memories. Overall, the music is considered a masterpiece that significantly contributes to the game's appeal.

    • “I'm serious, there was that certain atmosphere in this game; Frank Klepacki's music added to it too, especially his legendary 'Hell March', while Frank himself appeared in one of the scenes playing the Soviet soldier.”
    • “Everything down to the soundtrack is a masterpiece.”
    • “The music is, as always, phenomenal, but that goes without saying.”
    • “The 'new' music tracks?”
    • “I love the remaster, the new graphics and updated soundtrack, but this could actually be more comfortable to play.”
    • “I was a huge fan of this game when I was a kid, and I still get excited by the music and cutscenes, but wow, the controls are just painful.”
  • graphics9 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its 1996 origins, yet they evoke a strong sense of nostalgia for many players. While some appreciate the retro charm, others note that the visuals can hinder gameplay, particularly in the DOS version. Overall, the graphics are seen as a nostalgic element that adds to the game's appeal, despite their lack of modern sophistication.

    • “The retro graphics have a unique charm, and while they might seem dated, they contribute to the game’s nostalgic allure.”
    • “It's graphics are old but still fun to play.”
    • “The game itself is buggy and the graphics are very dated, but I'm playing for nostalgia.”
    • “Graphics are extremely dated, but that's to be expected for a game made in 1996.”
    • “I love the remaster, the new graphics and updated soundtrack, but this could actually be more comfortable to play.”
  • gameplay9 mentions

    The gameplay is praised for its timeless quality, with players enjoying the depth and engagement it offers, particularly in the Soviet campaign and through expansions like Counterstrike and Aftermath. While some feel the core mechanics have aged, the overall experience remains captivating, with new missions and unique units adding freshness to the gameplay.

    • “24.9 hrs - absolutely marvellous! I've just finished the main Soviet campaign and... what amazing gameplay! I am going back now to Command & Conquer™ and the Covert Operations™ to play the 'second' campaign as Reds this time + expansion pack missions.”
    • “These titles have stood the test of time, proving that great gameplay and engaging storylines never age.”
    • “The counterstrike expansion brings fresh missions and a new layer of depth, enhancing the core gameplay.”
    • “First off, the gameplay hasn’t aged well.”
    • “Gameplay-wise at least, because story?”
    • “Anyway, what's about the gameplay?”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The game is praised for its immersive atmosphere, effectively capturing the intensity of realistic warfare while also evoking a mysterious and dark undertone. The inclusion of Frank Klepacki's iconic music, particularly "Hell March," enhances this ambiance, distinguishing it from remastered versions. Overall, the atmosphere is described as both compelling and unique.

    • “The game had a brilliant atmosphere of realistic warfare and a mysterious aftertaste.”
    • “I'm serious, there was a certain atmosphere in this game that was surprisingly dark and not even close to a colorful disaster that'll come later. Frank Klepacki's music added to it too, especially his legendary 'Hell March', while Frank himself appeared in one of the scenes playing a Soviet soldier.”
    • “It still has a flair and atmosphere when playing this compared to the remaster.”
    • “I'm serious, there was a certain atmosphere in this game (Frank Klepacki's music added to it too, especially his legendary 'Hell March', while Frank himself appeared in one of the scenes playing the Soviet soldier) that was surprisingly dark and not even close to a colorful disaster that'll come later.”
    • “Still has a flair and atmosphere when playing this compared to the remaster.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in "Red Alert" is highlighted by its humorous setting and black comedy storyline, which contributed to its acclaim as one of the best games of the 1990s. Additionally, the variation in units enhances tactical gameplay, adding to the overall fun.

    • “Naturally, you think of Red Alert's humorous setting.”
    • “More unit variation also allows for more tactics and fun, and the dark humor in the story made the game one of the best of the 1990s.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of time akin to having a second life to fully engage with it.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
    • “Grinding takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game suffers from numerous bugs and features outdated graphics, which detracts from its overall stability; however, some players continue to enjoy it for nostalgic reasons.

    • “The game itself is buggy and the graphics are very dated, but I'm playing for nostalgia.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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