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

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

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

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 240 reviews

story16 positive mentions

grinding1 negative mentions

The game is a nostalgic classic that remains fun and engaging nearly 30 years after its release.
It features a unique blend of real-time strategy and alternate history, with a captivating atmosphere and iconic soundtrack.
The remastered version improves upon the original with better graphics and additional content, making it a worthwhile experience for both new and returning players.

The controls and pathfinding are outdated and can be frustrating, making gameplay feel clunky compared to modern RTS games.
The AI is often poor, requiring players to micromanage units excessively, which detracts from the overall enjoyment.
Many players recommend the remastered version instead, as the original feels too basic and lacks the quality of life improvements found in newer titles.

story
94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
79%
4%
The story aspect of the game is generally viewed as lacking depth, with many players noting that it does not significantly enhance the gameplay experience. While some appreciate the nostalgic elements and the fun, albeit cheesy, cutscenes, others criticize the lack of a cohesive narrative, especially in expansion missions that feel disconnected from the main storyline. Overall, the missions are seen as challenging and engaging, but the story itself is often considered secondary to the gameplay mechanics.
- “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.”
- “With nod everything goes normally until you reach the mission to save the nuclear reactor... straight away you can't avoid automatically losing the game because you don't even have time to command anyone... the soldiers advance and there's an explosion and your mission fails automatically. From then you don't have the chance to continue the remaining missions because you only move on to the next mission by completing the previous one... games like this are a fraud in my opinion, since no matter how good a player you are, this mission is impossible!”
music
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
73%
12%
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 soundtrack and the original compositions, often reminiscing about their emotional connections to the music from their childhood. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The music is as always, phenomenal, but that goes without saying.”
- “Everything down to the soundtrack is a masterpiece.”
- “Im 26 now and the remastered music here is an absolute bop and I find myself head bobbing while playing.”
- “The 'new' music tracks?”
- “I kept thinking, 'did I forget how completely stupid every unit in this game is.' 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.”
graphics
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
66%
17%
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as extremely 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 technical shortcomings.
- “The retro graphics have a unique charm, and while they might seem dated, they contribute to the game’s nostalgic allure.”
- “0.3 hrs - oh my god... I don't think I have ever been hit with so much pure nostalgia before... the music, the graphics, the war crimes from the get-go... I've just finished Command & Conquer™ and the Covert Operations™ (1996), the main Allies/GDI story only so far.”
- “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.”
gameplay
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
61%
17%
The gameplay is praised for its engaging mechanics and depth, particularly in the context of the Soviet campaign and expansions like Counterstrike and Aftermath, which introduce new missions and factions. However, some users note that the core gameplay has not aged well, despite the overall enjoyment and timeless quality of the experience.
- “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 Counter-Strike 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?”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The game's atmosphere is praised for its blend of realistic warfare and a mysterious, dark undertone, enhanced by Frank Klepacki's iconic music, particularly "Hell March." Players appreciate the unique flair it offers, distinguishing it from remastered versions and contributing to an immersive experience.
- “The game had a brilliant atmosphere of realistic warfare and a mysterious aftertaste.”
- “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.”
- “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) 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.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Red Alert" is highlighted by its comedic setting and black humor storyline, which contributed to its acclaim as one of the best games of the 1990s. Additionally, the variation in units enhances the 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 black humor story made the game one of the best of the 1990s.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it requires an unrealistic commitment akin to having a second life to fully engage with it.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant bugs and outdated graphics, which detracts from the overall stability and experience, although some players continue to engage with it for nostalgic reasons.
- “The game itself is buggy and the graphics are very dated, but I'm playing for nostalgia.”