Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3

 PC
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 593 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 324 out of 593
  2. Mixed: 153 out of 593
  3. Negative: 116 out of 593
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  1. aaronh
    Jul 20, 2009
    3
    Red alert 2 was really good, it had a simple gameplay, low graphics for your average computer at the time to take, and somewhat realistic units, some a little futuristic, but not over the top. in comparison, this game takes up a ton of graphics, looks (in my opinion) too cartoon-ish. yes i know thats what they go for, but i still think that tiberium wars type graphics/units would get a Red alert 2 was really good, it had a simple gameplay, low graphics for your average computer at the time to take, and somewhat realistic units, some a little futuristic, but not over the top. in comparison, this game takes up a ton of graphics, looks (in my opinion) too cartoon-ish. yes i know thats what they go for, but i still think that tiberium wars type graphics/units would get a much better score from players. in my opinion, the only good thing about this game is the cinematics and co-op. (i am not slamming the c&c series however, this is the first "bad" game so far).… Expand
  2. StevenBarna
    Oct 1, 2008
    3
    While they do have a good storyline (supposedly) EA has absolutely killed this game. Not only did they manage to make war all cartoonish, but now the units perform ridiculous functions, and the new fraction Empire of the Rising Sun? What a horrible name that is! Red Alert Fans worldwide beware, long gone is the glorious battleground brought to you by Westwood... all that's left is aWhile they do have a good storyline (supposedly) EA has absolutely killed this game. Not only did they manage to make war all cartoonish, but now the units perform ridiculous functions, and the new fraction Empire of the Rising Sun? What a horrible name that is! Red Alert Fans worldwide beware, long gone is the glorious battleground brought to you by Westwood... all that's left is a kiddie version that looks like it is shooting for a E 10 rating.… Expand
  3. CBCB
    Nov 16, 2008
    3
    Red Alert 3 is a bastardized, arcade version of the classic RTS genre. It is an exercise in monetizing the franchise by EA and a way to boost their stock price. If you are not already a Red Alert fanatic, you'll likely rate this game a 40% (no grade inflation). The graphics are updated and look very good. There are a lot of vividly animated and colored units with the usual funny Red Alert 3 is a bastardized, arcade version of the classic RTS genre. It is an exercise in monetizing the franchise by EA and a way to boost their stock price. If you are not already a Red Alert fanatic, you'll likely rate this game a 40% (no grade inflation). The graphics are updated and look very good. There are a lot of vividly animated and colored units with the usual funny voices. A lot of people are up in arms about the cut scenes - when regarded in that light, Red Alert 3 is more of an interactive third tier movie. For $10 you can do much better in a movie theater (or for much less if you use Netflix like I do). The strategy part of the game, i.e. its core, is flawed. I personally hated the protocol concept. Basically you can have an enemy that is defeated, down to his last building and out of money and units, yet he can still control a series of devastating attacks that will savage your base and army. It is just silly. One of the interesting aspects of traditional RTS is that they combine resource management with the army build-up and the actual combat. Once you remove a big portion of your damage generation from the economic supply chain the game becomes just a silly arcade. Play whac-a-mole with your opponent's army using a silly set of tools like the magnetic satellite that pulls entire ships into outer space. And do that all for free... Basically the entire balance of power can be switched around with a few lucky deployments of the other guy's protocols particularly on larger maps. The protocols are overpowered and especially as they do not cost anything they ruin the strategic element of the game.… Expand
  4. JakeS.
    Nov 21, 2008
    3
    Someone else said that this game is only appealing to Red Alert fans. I am in that category and I want to shoot whomever is responsible. Sadly, my wife gave it to me as a gift. She knows how much I loved RA2 and she was so happy to buy it for me. Now I have to pretend that I like it.
  5. JoeM.
    Dec 8, 2008
    3
    I bought this game, only to take it back 24 hours later. The onlything interesting about this game is the coop. There are no unique units, no fun maps, the acting is terrible and quite frankly, its just an embarassment to EA games. I took a careful look at those who dared give this game anything higher than a 75 rating.
  6. IvanC
    Feb 20, 2009
    3
    The first Command and Conquer I didn't enjoy. I can't get into it. It's just not fun, I liked every iteration of this series and I love innovation. Ignoring the video clips which are on par with all the others in the series, the game mechanics don't feel right. I find myself playing this out of loyalty to the franchise (and to justify buying the game) but it lacks the The first Command and Conquer I didn't enjoy. I can't get into it. It's just not fun, I liked every iteration of this series and I love innovation. Ignoring the video clips which are on par with all the others in the series, the game mechanics don't feel right. I find myself playing this out of loyalty to the franchise (and to justify buying the game) but it lacks the magic of the previous versions. All units have two types of attack but the menu system is annoying. Some units are just plain novel and only used because they're all you have in the single player mode. I can't understand the high review scores, perhaps I'll play it again and change my mind, maybe I'm missing something. In the meantime I'll stick to the skirmishes in Tiberium Wars. Unforgivable taking away the ore/tiberium mining and replacing it with boring oil derek's. Good to see Mr Solo make a come back via the world of failed actors who end up in video games though.… Expand
  7. JH
    Nov 18, 2008
    3
    The AI is abysmal in the campaign (friendly AI keeps dying), and in skirmishes (rushes early in the game, then is easily decimated if you survive the one-time rush). The game is RA2 on speed... everything needs to be micromanaged and done at extreme speeds or you will be raped. It honestly feels like RA2 reboxed with some new units and graphics. EA has yet again shown its abilities of The AI is abysmal in the campaign (friendly AI keeps dying), and in skirmishes (rushes early in the game, then is easily decimated if you survive the one-time rush). The game is RA2 on speed... everything needs to be micromanaged and done at extreme speeds or you will be raped. It honestly feels like RA2 reboxed with some new units and graphics. EA has yet again shown its abilities of taking an existing game and re-releasing with ass gameplay and buggy AI.… Expand
  8. PhilH
    Nov 7, 2008
    3
    I'm absolutely shocked by the scores supposedly professional reviewers gave this game. In all honesty I think it has to rate as one of the worst RTS games of recent years, it's staggeringly poor. Maybe if games like Company of Heroes, World In Conflict, Supreme Commander and Dawn of War didn't exist it'd be able to call itself average, but honestly I can't think I'm absolutely shocked by the scores supposedly professional reviewers gave this game. In all honesty I think it has to rate as one of the worst RTS games of recent years, it's staggeringly poor. Maybe if games like Company of Heroes, World In Conflict, Supreme Commander and Dawn of War didn't exist it'd be able to call itself average, but honestly I can't think of a more infantile, braindead, cheesy game in its genre. The graphics are reasonably well presented, but the artistic concept is like something out of a bad cartoon as the art team do their best to emulate the look of Starcraft and fail. The units are uniformly stupid and inconsistent, the interface is immensely dated, the maps are poor and small. I mean take away the shiny graphics and it'd struggle to be better than the original. It's like a decade of innovation in the genre never happened. I got this game for free through work and I still felt cheated. Free is too expensive.… Expand
  9. Zak
    Jan 19, 2009
    3
    They completely ruined it. The first Red Alert wasn't cartoony, silly, or remotely light hearted. It was a violent, scary portrayal of war, with gassing, bombing, and even a cinematic with Stalin being buried alive. EA shouldn't be trying to make the Red Alert series their funny line, they should get Westwood back and make some good games. Though the soundtrack was awesome.
  10. killzon32
    Jun 11, 2012
    3
    EA has failed to appease its gamers they have defiled the c&c series and it saddens me, Red alert 3 was hyped up as being a true c&c game but failed to achieve this goal, it is not competitive the story is off track.... And no Ore really wtf EA seriously go lay in a pit forever.
  11. Kirase
    Jan 1, 2012
    3
    EA tried to take the strenghs of this games predecessor to a new level, completely failed and ridiculed the complete franchise this way. A company like blizzard or valve would have simply thrown this into the garbage to not damage its reputation. Not only judged by its big name and the big expectations it could not life up to this game is simply just plain bad. Guess i never played a worseEA tried to take the strenghs of this games predecessor to a new level, completely failed and ridiculed the complete franchise this way. A company like blizzard or valve would have simply thrown this into the garbage to not damage its reputation. Not only judged by its big name and the big expectations it could not life up to this game is simply just plain bad. Guess i never played a worse rts before.… Expand
  12. Canney
    Jul 2, 2012
    3
    GOD, please look after the future of C&C. I do not think that it is capable in the corrupt hands of the greedy.
    I'm not a religious man by any means, but I do not have any faith in the EA handling of the C&C universe. Since Red Alert 2, each subsequent release from EA LA has buried this once glorious game deeper, and deeper, deeper still in EA's own septic waste. C&C3 was a step in the    GOD, please look after the future of C&C. I do not think that it is capable in the corrupt hands of the greedy.
    I'm not a religious man by any means, but I do not have any faith in the EA handling of the C&C universe. Since Red Alert 2, each subsequent release from EA LA has buried this once glorious game deeper, and deeper, deeper still in EA's own septic waste. C&C3 was a step in the right direction. C&C:RA3 however proves how out of touch EA really is. The once solid design, mechanics & love implemented by Westwood has been replaced with **** arrogant design, heavily sedated and influenced by other game universes, manga, and comic books. You would be forgiven if you thought this would improve the game formula. Sadly it does not. Co-op is a feature implemented during a period of 'every-game-must-have-co-op' madness at EA. EA have thrown money into the cast rather than the game and is marketing sex appeal and fantasy rather than science fiction. The result is a game which is prehistoric before it ever launched. Too many 'new' features to entice customers. New feature this, new feature that, battlecast, **** and ass, stereotypes that will bore the balls off you.

    The game has some nice tech, and they have obviously tried hard to bring back the cut-scenes story arc to submerse the gamer. But the direction is just abysmal, and the story is a lame duck that couldn't hatch a fart without popping a blood vessel in it's eye.

    My gut feeling is that RA2 (and just barely C&C3) are the last straws in what was once a very enjoyable universe that will be remembered fondly until EA gets it's s**t together and stops leaving the design in the hands of an 8 year old.    … Expand
  13. James009
    Sep 28, 2014
    3
    So far removed from classics such as Red Alert and Red Alert 2 this game destroys the series mythos in favor of crazy units and far removed storyline.
  14. LysanderS
    Jan 2, 2010
    2
    The only tactic is zerging. The art of zerging is a tricky business. It onvolves quickly capping a resource point, then spamming top tier units out as quickly as possible to march on the enemy base. By tricky, "i mean what the hell, are there even any tactics here?!" If you want some nice tactics, gorgeous graphics and a load of fun, i suggest you look elsewhere, specifically Company of The only tactic is zerging. The art of zerging is a tricky business. It onvolves quickly capping a resource point, then spamming top tier units out as quickly as possible to march on the enemy base. By tricky, "i mean what the hell, are there even any tactics here?!" If you want some nice tactics, gorgeous graphics and a load of fun, i suggest you look elsewhere, specifically Company of Heroes. If you want...i don't know what the hell this game offers...boring, repetitive gameplay, ugly graphics...then you came to the right place. While other games use gameplay to catch gamers' attention, this game uses skimpily girls and terrible voice acting. So, so cheesy. Do not buy this "game".… Expand
  15. TimB
    Nov 19, 2008
    2
    Abysmal AI. Resource collection (a key part of RA) is nearly non-existent. They seemed to spend more on boobs than they did on the AI and gameplay.
  16. AdamP
    Nov 16, 2009
    2
    A horrible injustice of a game. It's an obvious show of cards on EA games releasing bright and flashy games. There are some good ideas, but every good idea is trumped with 3 bad ones.
  17. BR
    Mar 17, 2009
    2
    Personally, I think red alert 2 graphics are better. Gameplay is weak and units are very limited. I'm very disappointed in this. I agree with one of the others reviewing this game, I would love a refund. The 10 dollars i spent on Red Alert 3 were not worth it.
  18. M_Alex
    Mar 26, 2011
    2
    The co-op mode probably is fun when you play with a friend. But its absolutely horrid when playing with the computer. The AI is awful. Apart from that i agree with people who consider it "dumbed down". I could survive the fact that apart from the co-op mode it does not offer anything new, but not in a situation when every mission gives you a feeling of deja vu. The units also aren'tThe co-op mode probably is fun when you play with a friend. But its absolutely horrid when playing with the computer. The AI is awful. Apart from that i agree with people who consider it "dumbed down". I could survive the fact that apart from the co-op mode it does not offer anything new, but not in a situation when every mission gives you a feeling of deja vu. The units also aren't particularly any fun, and all you have todo is master the strategy of building a huge army ASAP. The game might be OK if you have a mate to play it with, or if you hadn't had much experience with other RTS, but other thanthat - avoid it at all cost.… Expand
  19. marqpas
    Oct 7, 2010
    2
    The units are plastic toys. It's war for 4-8 year olds, really cute. Little tankies that talk to you. The warzone looks like it was designed by the team that also does Wallace & Gromit. No scary Yuri, but a lovely Japanese girl with VERY stylish hair. A real winner. Co-op is a brand new mode, which demonstrates to you how bad AI can be programmed. For 6-8 year olds, there is an ongoingThe units are plastic toys. It's war for 4-8 year olds, really cute. Little tankies that talk to you. The warzone looks like it was designed by the team that also does Wallace & Gromit. No scary Yuri, but a lovely Japanese girl with VERY stylish hair. A real winner. Co-op is a brand new mode, which demonstrates to you how bad AI can be programmed. For 6-8 year olds, there is an ongoing boobies show. Do yourself a favor and buy or download Red Alert 2. Or any other RTS, really.… Expand
  20. RampantAndroid
    Jan 1, 2014
    2
    I loved RA2...but this game is pretty awful. The campaign hand holds you to the point of boredom. Acting is well...not good, but you expect that from C&C.

    In versus mode, it's beyond boring. You rush to get a special power like a psionic detonator, let it charge and then just obliterate the enemy base. Your units aren't that useful in the end. I'll take another helping of AOE1 please:    I loved RA2...but this game is pretty awful. The campaign hand holds you to the point of boredom. Acting is well...not good, but you expect that from C&C.

    In versus mode, it's beyond boring. You rush to get a special power like a psionic detonator, let it charge and then just obliterate the enemy base. Your units aren't that useful in the end. I'll take another helping of AOE1 please: at least that game was fun, despite being archaic. This game FEELS archaic and isn't fun.    … Expand
  21. Hudson633
    Aug 15, 2012
    2
    A disappointment for Command & Conquer fans, as EA steers the CnC franchise into the mainstream arcade area to pickup new customers. The game looks pretty, the cutscenes are true to the series, but for gameplay and every other aspect, I'll stick with older titles.
  22. armchairjerk
    May 8, 2013
    2
    I was in shock about this game. I bought the complete C&C collection and love all the other ones, but this one is just a horrid abortion of the game series. I know Red Alert is a very goofy game its pretty obvious. But just 10 mins into the game i started realizing how far they had taken it with this game, and it was obvious they had knocked it down to a level of simplicity that i couldI was in shock about this game. I bought the complete C&C collection and love all the other ones, but this one is just a horrid abortion of the game series. I know Red Alert is a very goofy game its pretty obvious. But just 10 mins into the game i started realizing how far they had taken it with this game, and it was obvious they had knocked it down to a level of simplicity that i could just not cope with.
    The graphics are not even that redeeming even on ultra it looks like im playing a cartoon-ish web browser game and the recycled audio with the time tested lines was just too much for me at that point.
    Im just glad i never bought this game at full retail price and really just paid around a dollar and some change for it.

    Bottom line? Not even worth the one buck i spent on it. God have mercy on the developers souls for this abortion of a C&C game.    … Expand
  23. SuneB
    Jan 3, 2010
    1
    The game is a SCAM from if you buy it from steam, they do not have Serial keys for it so you are not able to play it online. No fix has been made for a long time, i want a refund.
  24. BrianC
    Nov 6, 2009
    1
    the game play is good, and the ability to play lan is awesome but the online is the worst in the world making me never want to play any gamespy game again!! would be a 8 if not for that.
  25. BlamM.
    Nov 20, 2008
    1
    You must be kidding me! When is the press going to stop kissing EA's butt. Any other company puts a game this stale out and they would get slammed. It's the same game we've all been playing since Command & Conquer 1 and that's just not acceptable.
  26. King
    Dec 16, 2008
    1
    I had high hopes for this game, and they were dashed soundly. While playing this game it is painfull obvious they spent all of their budget on the women they included. Gameplay is awful, and using your units to their full potential is irrelevant. The game has the same overall flaw that I saw in CNC3, which is build up your base as fast as possible and spam the one kill-all unit. The I had high hopes for this game, and they were dashed soundly. While playing this game it is painfull obvious they spent all of their budget on the women they included. Gameplay is awful, and using your units to their full potential is irrelevant. The game has the same overall flaw that I saw in CNC3, which is build up your base as fast as possible and spam the one kill-all unit. The enticing "Water Battles" they promised ruins the navy aspect, allowing most navy units to drive on land and most land units to drive around seemlessly on water. This is an insult to the gaming community, driven by EA's obvious lack of creativity.… Expand
  27. Johnw
    Jan 13, 2009
    1
    I cannot believe that they managed to ruin such a great franchise! -The graphics are awful, look old and are very confusing nad they are also TOO bright -The camera is TOO close to the ground -The units are like they came out of a stupid manga comic for 10 year old kids -You just place an ore refinery and that's it! No more resource strategies! -Limited Buildings, Units -Female I cannot believe that they managed to ruin such a great franchise! -The graphics are awful, look old and are very confusing nad they are also TOO bright -The camera is TOO close to the ground -The units are like they came out of a stupid manga comic for 10 year old kids -You just place an ore refinery and that's it! No more resource strategies! -Limited Buildings, Units -Female actors are like they are preparing for a porno film shoot. -Lack of many automatic defenses for your base -Units can walk on land and sea!! Just build anything you like! it can do anything!! No more strategy here as well -Finally the DRM thing... I miss the old WestWood Red Alert It was a classic, serious, true strategy game for all ages. Red Alert 3 is a shame for the strategy genre. Pity C&C 3 Tiberium Wars was much better and a more serious strategy game. Why did they destroy this one?… Expand
  28. Granit014
    Feb 10, 2021
    1
    Man the campaign is much worse than ra2, i just play the game again after a while and i notice that the graphics, unit, interface was lack behind compare to others game of its time, the storyline is cool but the way it was executed is awful
  29. RoyW
    Jan 20, 2009
    0
    Bought this game on steam, so i couldn't "return" it. very disappointed in this game, it lacks in game play and graphics. Pros: The cut scene's are great, the girls are great. Cons: The game-play lacks badly, be first to build your base not so you can have an awesome killer army, but so you can get your special attacks then you can air-strike your enemy. This will wipe them out Bought this game on steam, so i couldn't "return" it. very disappointed in this game, it lacks in game play and graphics. Pros: The cut scene's are great, the girls are great. Cons: The game-play lacks badly, be first to build your base not so you can have an awesome killer army, but so you can get your special attacks then you can air-strike your enemy. This will wipe them out almost instantly and it's game over for them. This lacks having to use all of your army. Overall: I'd love my money back to buy anther game, really would.… Expand
  30. BrianT
    Dec 10, 2009
    0
    They broke almost every mechanic that the game had going for it. Taking over a refinery with a harvester in it doesnt cap both. Single harvesters should be replaced by an oil well building instead, why even have a harvesting unit anymore? Tanks look like bobble heads and have stupid designs that no moron would use in war. Too bad they slutted the game up worse than a trailer park strip They broke almost every mechanic that the game had going for it. Taking over a refinery with a harvester in it doesnt cap both. Single harvesters should be replaced by an oil well building instead, why even have a harvesting unit anymore? Tanks look like bobble heads and have stupid designs that no moron would use in war. Too bad they slutted the game up worse than a trailer park strip club to seal the deal.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Best PC Game of 2008
18
#18 Most Discussed PC Game of 2008
11
#11 Most Shared PC Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 55 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 48 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 55
  3. Negative: 0 out of 55
  1. PC Gamer
    92
    Any game in which a giant laser cannon pops out of Teddy Roosevelt's head on Mt. Rushmore is a winner in my book...Red Alert 3 is a highly polished game that doesn't take itself the least bit seriously, and co-op play might jus be the next big thing in RTS. [Holiday 2008, p.62]
  2. GamePro
    80
    Red Alert 3 is by no means a bad addition to the Red Alert series, but compared to its forebears it lacks much of the panache the series held and may hold some disappointments for fans despite the addition of a good new faction and a fairly satisfying single-player experience.
    Read full review
  3. GameSpy
    80
    What was a tongue-in-cheek look at Cold War paranoia married to solid RTS gameplay has blossomed into a pure comedy that retains the easy-to-pick-up and addictive-as-peanuts gameplay of the best in the Command & Conquer franchise. It's not a game that will redefine strategy gaming, but it is one heck of an enjoyable ride.
    Read full review
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