Command & Conquer: Red Alert is the prequel to the original Command & Conquer and is made by Westwood Studios. This time you choose between the Soviets or the Allies. The game is now, thankfully, in SVGA (windows 95 only) which means you have a much bigger map area and that the units aren't so blocky. One drawback to this is the units are much smaller and it can be very difficult to grab a single unit when in a large group. There is now also a map editor (windows 95 only) which lets you make different maps but unlike Warcraft 2, it isn't a scenerio editor. You can't choose how many units each player starts out with and the numerous other things you could do with Warcraft 2. As with the original, the movies are incredible. I didn't think it was possible but there better. The acting is still okay but could be better. There is still great sound effects and the music is awsome. The gameplay is almost identical to the first C&C except now you have more air and sea units. You start out with a small base and then build up. There are a few missions were you don't get to build and you have to accomplish a mission with only the units you start out with and the few reinforcements that arrive. These are sometimes very hard and can get annoying very fast. There is a mission that takes place inside which is intresting but pretty much just like the outside missions but with walls instead of  hills. The new units are nothing to get excited about, just some different tanks and units. There are some intresting new structures like the tesla coil and the gap generator. You still have to gather just one resource but this time it's ore instead of  tiberium.

This time you now also have a wide range of  keyboard commands like formations and gaurd mode. These can help out a lot. The AI is now a little better so that your units don't stop at walls but a lot of  times they did nothing when my base was under attack, even in gaurd mode. Each side has a lot of strenghts and weaknesses. The Allies have superior naval power and there there vehicles are cheaper but less powerful. The Soviets have the best air support and there vehicles are expensive but are a lot stronger than the Allies. Overall it makes for a good mix.

Now we get on too the best part, the internet play. As long as you have access to the internet you can log onto Westwood Chat and play anybody who is on there. You can join a game or host your own where you can pick the starting units, tech level, etc. It is very fun and can add a lot of replay value but only two human opponents can play against one another at a time. You can also play over modem, or a service like T.E.N. but not a direct connection.

In conclusion Red Alert is a lot of fun to play and can get to be very addictive. It is stiil pretty much the first C&C but with a few added features. If you didn't like the original do not buy this game since it really isn't anything different. If you did (like myself) you'll probobly want to check this one out. 4 out of 5 demons.