Game Description

Command & Conquer: Red Alert is the sequel to Westwood Studios' real-time strategy war game Command & Conquer. Although a sequel, the game itself deals with the world as it was leading up to conditions relevant to and introduced by the original title. Pertaining to a timeline, then, one should view Command & Conquer: Red Alert as a prequel.

In the "what if" alternate-history universe portrayed in Command & Conquer: Red Alert, World War II was not initiated by Germany under the leadership of Adolph Hitler but was a blight on mankind authored by the rise of Russia's Joseph Stalin instead. The war itself happens but the driving factor is the invasion of Europe by Soviet forces, thus the significance of the title "Red Alert".

As in the original game, Command & Conquer: Red Alert supports multi-player action but doubles the number of possible players (from four to eight) via a LAN or the Internet. The game features many new enhancements including a much more detailed level of unit command on land, in the air or at sea, a practice option (Skirmish Mode) and a choice of playing as either Soviet or Allied forces, each with 13 specific missions. Additionally, the game introduces a large number of new units and structures ranging from attack dogs to Chronosphere Generators.

The game's real-time aspect is preserved and gameplay includes appearances of both famous and infamous historical figures. Command & Conquer: Red Alert has a dedicated web site containing such extras as a "War Factory" for learning about the various vehicles (helicopters, mine layers, tanks, submarines, missile launchers and more) available during gameplay and a "Research Archive" that offers information on weaponry. Special software designed for chatting with other fans of the game can also be found at the site. ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide

Roots & Influences

Although a "prequel" time-wise, Command & Conquer: Red Alert is the sequel to the original title, Command & Conquer. The game uses the same game engine as Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty (PC and Amiga) and Dune: The Battle for Arrakis (on Sega Genesis). ~ Glenn Wigmore, All Game Guide

Review: Enjoyment

Very good single player and the multi-player is a lot of fun. ~ Glenn Wigmore, All Game Guide

Production Credits

COMMAND & CONQUER: RED ALERT CONVERSION CREDITS

Marketing Materials:

Producer: Ted Judson

Product Manager: Shelby Ferrari

Development:

Programmer/Technical Producer: Peter Wierzbicki

Quality Assurance:

CQC Manager: Joel Knutson

CQC Tester: Robert Walker

Electronic/printed documentation: Incan Monkey God Studios

Note: Electronic documentation was taken from the original game manual produced by Westwood Studios, Inc.

COMMAND AND CONQUER (ORIGINAL GAME CREDITS)

Executive Producer: Brett W. Sperry

Producer: Ed Del Castillo

Original Concept: Joe Bostic, Eydie Laramore, Brett W. Sperry

Original Story: Eydie Laramore

Lead Programmers: Denzil E. Long, Jr., Phil Gorrow, Barry Green, David R. Dettmer, Maria del Mar McCready Legg

Technical Direction: Steve Wetherill

Lead Designer: Erik Yeo

Designers: Eydie Laramore, Michael Lightner, Larry Seratt, Jason Sexton

Lead Artists: Aaron Powell, Matthew Hansel, Victor Gerth

Artists: Chris Demers, Joseph Hewitt, Damon Redmond, Shelly Johnson, Jack Martin, Cameron Chun, Nick deSomov, David Dame, Ren Olsen, Bhavin Patel

Video & Film: Felix Kupis, Eric Gooch

Casting & Direction: Joseph Kucan

Grip & Prop Master: Paul Bastardo

Screenplay: Ron Smith

Audio Direction: Paul S. Mudra

Original Soundtrack: Frank Klepacki

Sound Effects: Dwight K. Okahara

QA Direction: Glenn Sperry, Chris McFarland

Quality Assurance: Jesse Clemit, Kenneth Dunne, Chris Rubyor, Troy Leonard, Paul Bastardo, David Maxey, Bijan Shaheer, Scott Manning, Chris Nelsen, Jeff Gorden, Tom Rademacher, Lisa Hoffman, Glenn Burtis, Mick Love, Victor Rodriguez, Gordon Madison, Nick Camerota, Robert Dearborn, Stacey Mendoza

Box Design: Lauren Rifkin

Manual Design: Penina Finger, Eydie Laramore

CAST

General Sheppard: Eric Martin

Kane: Joseph Kucan

Carter: Bill Collins

Seth: Eric Gooch

Morelli: Wendy Bagger

Dr. Mobius: Richard Smith

Greg Burdette: Eric Randall

Science Show Host: R. C. Favero

Female Reporter: Marcia Swayze

GDI Soldier #1: Aaron Powell

GDI Soldier #2: Michael Lightner

NOD Soldier #1: Bhavin Patel

NOD Soldier #2: Ed Del Castillo

NOD Soldier #3: Paul Bastardo

NOD Soldier #4: Chris Rubyor

NOD Panicked Soldier: Ian Pugh

NOD Cyberspace Soldiers: Ed Del Castillo, Frank Klepacki, Ian Pugh

NOD Communications Officer: Ted Morris

Voice of Eva: Kia Huntzinger

Voice of Yelling Interrogator: Jeff Fillhaber

Voice of In-Game Infantry: Paul Mudra, Rob Sandberg

voice of In-Game Vehicle Personnel: Elie Arabian, Dwight Okahara

Other Voices: Jason Buchanan, Elsbeth Wetherill, Frank Klepacki, Clifford Davis, Rick Gush, Penina Finger

Audio Technology by: HMI, INC.

Direct Digital Audio (DDA) by: Westwood Studios

Special Thanks to:

Sean Brennan for the spaceship

Matt Spall and his graviton top

Louie "the madman" Beatty, Laurie Anderson for The Bright Red

Autodesk: Monty and Sonic Foundry ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide

Review: Overall

Command & Conquer: Red Alert expands on the award winning success of the original Command & Conquer. While similar in many ways, Red Alert provides plenty of new and improved features that allow it not only to stand on its own merits but set a standard by which all other real-time strategy games are judged as well.

The story, explained through a full-motion video introduction, is based on the premise that Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany never came to power before World War II. However, despite Hitler's absence, a war still rages thanks to the rise of the Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin. As in the original, it is once again the players' prerogative to pick a side and wage war on the opposition with a variety of units and weapons.

To fund the war effort, the player must mine ore, which is then converted into credits, allowing the purchase of a variety of air, land and sea units. A few of these units are shared by both the Soviets and Allies but most are tailored to reflect each forces individual strategies. For example, the Soviet forces consist of heavier weaponry such as mammoth tanks, V2 rocket launchers and the spectacular Tesla Coil that fires a stream of electricity at approaching enemy units. The Allies, on the other hand, focus on stealth and speed, much like the Brotherhood of NOD seen in the original. Light and medium tanks, artillery and a variety of infantry units such as rocket soldiers and spies make up the majority of the Allied army.

Many of these units are similar to those found in other games but there are quite a few innovative units to provide some variety. The Chronosphere allows the player to transport a unit across the map while the Gap Generator creates a black shroud on the opponents map, making it impossible for them to see what you're doing. Another new unit is the Soviet missile silo that provides potential chaos in the form of an atomic bomb which can be launched to wreak utter destruction on the opposition.

The single player mode follows a campaign structure with most missions centered on a base-building philosophy. The missions are varied, however, and while they last are great fun. The true appeal of the game really emerges when the multi-player facilities are unleashed. Monster sized maps make it possible for up to eight players to battle it out on a selection of multi-player specific maps. A map editor extends play with a huge range of maps downloadable from the Internet. For players not interested in online action, a skirmish mode allows you to play multi-player style games against up to seven computer controlled and relatively intelligent opponents.

Overall, Red Alert is a great gaming experience. While perhaps not upgrading the original Command & Conquer engine as much as some would have liked, its clean graphics, crackerjack music score and immersive sound effects all make for a game that's great fun to play...and that's what it's all about, isn't it? ~ Brendan Newell, All Game Guide

Review: Graphics

Since the game can be run in Windows 95, the graphics are crisp and clean. ~ Glenn Wigmore, All Game Guide

Review: Sound

The sounds and music are brilliantly done, playing a major part in making this game enjoyable. ~ Brendan Newell, All Game Guide

Review: Replay Value

With the scenario editor, customized maps, and add on packs, plus Internet play, you will definately come back for more on this one. ~ Jim Muntone, All Game Guide

Review: Documentation

107 page manual, two cards describing all units and buildings, and a tutorial. Very well done. ~ Jim Muntone, All Game Guide