Command & Conquer: Red Alert

 PC
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
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  1. GameSpot
    95
    Red Alert belongs in the same category as "Civilization II" and "Quake," games that followed legendary predecessors and immediately eclipsed them. One can only wonder where Westwood can take us from here.
  2. TotalGames.net
    92
    With lusciously detailed graphics and some superb sound FX and music rounding the game off, Red Alert looks destined to follow "Dune II" and "Command and Conquer" straight into the Westwood hall of fame.
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  3. PC Gamer
    91
    Red Alert will be like by the legions of the faithful, and win new converts as well. [Dec 1996, p.238]
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  5. Adrenaline Vault
    90
    Suffice it to say that if you like strategy, military tactics, or liked the original game, you will love Red Alert.
  6. All Game Guide
    90
    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?
  7. Yahoo!
    90
    It not only completely satisfies the wants of any eager strategy player, it also covers those who like more action in their games, and then appeals to practically everyone in between. If you don't have Command & Conquer, buy this immediately.
  8. Game Revolution
    75
    A lackluster second offering when so much more could be done with the Command & Conquer universe, but just see how much damage I do to you if you take it away from me.

Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best PC Game of 1996
5
#5 Most Discussed PC Game of 1996
4
#4 Most Shared PC Game of 1996

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 431 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 370 out of 431
  2. Mixed: 49 out of 431
  3. Negative: 12 out of 431
  1. Yakinrossa
    Jun 29, 2013
    9
    Mission Accomplished..The first English sentence I learned from video games..And also, this is the game that symbolize my childhood..No otherMission Accomplished..The first English sentence I learned from video games..And also, this is the game that symbolize my childhood..No other games can take its place..… Full Review »
  2. XandervanDijk
    Feb 7, 2009
    10
    Best game ever!
  3. DrBobLee
    Oct 24, 2019
    10
    Despite this game being over 20 years old, no RTS has surpassed this games greatness. Starcraft and Xcom were great but sorry Boi, you're noDespite this game being over 20 years old, no RTS has surpassed this games greatness. Starcraft and Xcom were great but sorry Boi, you're no Red Alert. In this game you must be able to withstand infantry, tanks, planes, ships, Tesla and the dreaded engineer rush but if you keep your cool, keep your Dr Pepper close and have your Jacks Pizza cooking you should be alright.

    I have played many years of RA and have been ranked number 1 on Westwood Chat. I was also highly ranked in Team matches with my life partner Bfb in Kali. I destroyed people in regular or money maps. The only time I would have trouble would be from the terrifying engineer rush. Still to this day I have nightmares of a transport ship pulling up to my base in A Path Beyond only to see my APV and Sm Power Plant in enemy hands, and than before I know it a barracks is made with gunners slowly coming out....It can still be hard for me to talk about.

    Honesty, this is the greatest real time strategy ever created and I think about it hourly if not more. In Denmark (where I am from) people come up to me and say "Hey Nike1(my RA Gamer Tag) please tell me a great Red Alert story. Most people want to hear about when I out "Q"ed 14 heavy tanks with 5 light tanks and a Tanya but I prefer to talk about my exploits on TEN(Total Entertainment Network) There I wrote the book on money game strategy and believe that I could that I could team with any run of the mill Tom, Dick or Harry and take on any top team today, but hey, maybe that is me just getting nostalgic about my glory days, but its hard to forget because in Denmark, if you were a C&C legend you're basically a celebrity. I remember once our national paper, the Weekendavisen, did a top ten of the most searched celebrities on Google and I, Nike1, was number 7 right ahead of Lebron James so at least there is that.

    Anyway, you all should play Red Alert or even C&C the original. It is truly a great game if you're an RTS fan.    … Full Review »
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