Red Alert 3

lol tidy. some of my coworkers and i were having good old fashioned geek fun with the included poster after lunch.

spoiler below, in case you don't know.
Spoiler:
http://www.cncnz.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=56&pos=0
 
Last edited:
This game is so awesome, best 2008 game imo. Maybe GTA4 will beat it when it comes out this month
 
This game is so awesome, best 2008 game imo. Maybe GTA4 will beat it when it comes out this month
You're talking PC-only, right?
 
also lol @ EA for messing up the serial keys on the first batch. The only solution they provided is to try every letters/numbers for the missing character. lol.
 
Just picked it up today. Waiting for this fucking install, FUC+++KK

lol nice. One of my friends wants to try this out
 
any1 wanna play co-op. mecha tengu goooooooooooooooooooooooooo
 
Just got it installed, Bringing the Japanese was genius. Can't wait to use the samurai gundam.
 
That mission is off the hook. It's like you're God coming down and showing these ants how war is fought!
 
so.. for C&C fans.. worth getting? :P
 
Seriously? I have mix feelings so far. I downloaded the game so I can try it out before I actually go out and buy it (yeah I'm totally against DRM too). I've always been a big fan of Red Alert in general and I had high hopes out of this game, especially after Red Alert 2.

Let's start with the good points. The system requirements does not seem to be too high. I can run that game in full graphics capabilities in 1440X900 without any problems compared, for example, to the newly released Fallout 3 where my computer is just able to get it up at High only. (Core 2 Duo E8400 @ 4.2GHz, 4GB rams, GF9600GT 512MB.).

Electronic Arts advertised the part where you can build your base about anywhere on the map. That is true. Most of your base can be built on either regular terrain of directly on water. Certain types of building can be only built on terrain or in water (shipyard duh lol). It's not a BIG innovation to the gameplay but it adds to the strategy department ^^. Talking about strategy, the ore fields has been removed and replaced by ore mining pad. You actually build the refinery just in face of the mine on prelocated build space for them. So if you have 2 mines, you need to build 2 refineries, etc. If you want more resources, you can always capture oil derricks and such to keep the money entering. Speaking of money, in campaign (I have yet to play a skirmish, but I guess it's about the same) you're assigned a co-commander. It's basically and ally npc fully capable of building a base, lead an army to the fight and follow your orders when you ask a strike or a conjoint attack on an enemy fortification. The only downside to that is that you need to share half your resources with it but in counterpart, it serves you well as a diversion when you need some time to actually put your stuff together.

The music is also very good for an RTS. I actually downloaded the soundtrack for some songs that I found very good, especially some of the Allies songs and the Soviet March in the main menu. On a personal note, I didn't like the new Hell March from Red Alert 3 compared to the older ones. They also kept the real life CSs that made C&C/RA what it was when they were still under Westwood flag. The actors are quite competent (lolSulu) and some of the actress, well, I think they could make good Playboy prospects :p.

Now for the bad points of this game (it's personal opinions here). First of all, Electronic Arts Los Angeles. Enough said.

Secondly, DRM protection. I think you have like 5 installations before your key is locked for good and you need to call EA for support. Like I said I'm not a fan of protection that need you to connect to Internet to validate their authenticity. EA are just making people more angry at them with stupid dumb ass protection being decrypted under a week and I personally think that I have more fun playing with a cracked version right now than having the original and the hassle to go through all those nonsense of verification. Yes EA, I like to double-click and be able to enjoy the game. On a sidenote, if you're playing with a cracked version here's a quick fix for long menu load under XP (due to the fact the game tries to communicate with EA server everytime you do something in the menu in game. It can get pretty annoying.)

Go to: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc

Open the "Hosts" file in notebook and add the following line at the bottom:

127.0.0.1 servserv.generals.ea.com and save

Voila, problem solved.

Other bad point from this game, the length of the storyline. Man, I got through Soviet campaign in under 4h, and I'm almost at the end of allied one in 3h. Usually, we got pretty tough missions in the older ones. Here, totally different, especially with the npc. I'll assume that the 3 campaigns have 9 missions each since the soviet one has 9. I can't confirm yet but I guess it's the same for every campaign. It would be logical.

Thirdly, Giant robots. I can understand they fucked up the timeline by killing Einstein and stuff but come on, giant robots. We're in a cold war scenario, US vs. URSS, capitalism vs. communism, Nuclear arsenal vs Spoutnik and EA just blow the bubble by sending Sulu and his army of transformers coming out of nowhere against the 2 armies. It just not make any sense to me.

My final verdict: EA killed the franchise when they decided EA LA was taking over the IP, they killed the franchise when they shutdown Westwood Studios. If you're a fan, you may want to "rent it" on piratebay to give yourself a good feeling but with Starcraft 2 looming on the horizon, I would keep my money in my bank account. I have been very disappointed with Red Alert 3. I'll finish the storyline but definitely it's not the franchise we once knew anymore.
 
I ordered the special edition with the bonus goods last night from EBgames.com, overnight delivery. I like RTS games for the most part, but disliked the games where the optimal tactic was a 5 minute zerg. Once people learn how to zerg you never see the cool high end units. I read in one of the online reviews, I believe it was Gamespot, that Red Alert 3 has a slower pace because the ratio of resource gathering to production was one to one, with only one resource. With the death of Ensemble Studios, I can no longer look forward to Age of games, and this seemed pretty cool. Another perk is that I play Warhammer Online, and these two games have a synergy with mutual codes for unlocked items. Getting a russian hat that transforms me into a bear for my warhammer chr will be fun in itself. The game should arrive tomorrow before I go to work, and I can't wait.
 
Thirdly, Giant robots.
So you were cool with all of the time traveling soldiers that just warped around the battlefield, and all of the tesla-coil wielding cyborgs; but giant robots sets off your "bullshit flag?" Yes, the technology is ridiculously over the top and way to advanced for where it's supposed to be(or even right now). Welcome to a red alert game, since you don't seem to have played one before. You claim you have, so I guess you just didn't pay attention to the technology they were using.

Your only real complaint for why they "killed the franchise" is that it's an EA LA game, and not a westwood studios game. The game's a lot of fun, it captures the same feel as Red Alert 2; but this time with another country to play as.
 
so how about my question? :P with a simple answer lol
 
I'm enjoying it, if you liked the other C&C games, you're probably going to like this one too; unless you're hung up on the fact that EA made it. They've added new features, buildings being able to be built on water; or that every unit in the game has a special ability, but the core gameplay is the same.
 
I was a fan of Red alert II years ago, I must confess I played it more on my PS1 linked to another for some head to head action. It was quite enjoyable and I may check this newer version out to see what its like. :)
 
Ive always been a fan of Red Alert, hell I still play part two on my PC, my favorite is all the Yuri units ^_^ Im looking forward to getting this game for the PC (as soon as I get a good PC tho).
 
Back
Top