If you are a fan of real-time strategy games, you might have heard of Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2, one of the most popular titles in the genre. Released in 2000 by Westwood Studios, Red Alert 2 is a sequel to the original Red Alert game that features an alternate history scenario where the Soviet Union invades the United States in a bid to conquer the world.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Red Alert 2, including its gameplay, graphics, sound, expansion, mods, and how to download it from Origin, EA's digital distribution platform. We will also share some tips and tricks to help you play better and enjoy this classic game even more.
So let's get started!
Red Alert 2 is a real-time strategy game that pits two factions against each other: the Allies and the Soviets. Each faction has its own unique units, buildings, technologies, and superweapons that can turn the tide of war. The game is divided into two modes: campaign and skirmish.
In the campaign mode, you can choose to play as either the Allies or the Soviets, and follow a series of missions that advance the story of the war. Each mission has different objectives, such as capturing enemy bases, defending your own, destroying key targets, or rescuing allies. The missions are also filled with cinematic cutscenes that feature live actors and add to the immersion and humor of the game.
In the skirmish mode, you can play against the computer or other players online or offline. You can customize various settings, such as the map, the difficulty, the starting resources, and the teams. The goal is to build your base, gather resources, train your army, and destroy your enemies.
One of the most appealing aspects of Red Alert 2 is the diversity and creativity of its factions and units. Each faction has its own strengths and weaknesses, as well as its own style and personality. Here are some examples of the units you can find in each faction:
Allies |
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Soviets |
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GI: A basic infantry unit that can deploy a sandbag bunker for extra defense. |
Conscript: A cheap and expendable infantry unit that can be mass-produced quickly. |
Grizzly Tank: A versatile tank that can deal with most threats on land. |
Rhino Tank: A heavy tank that can overpower enemy armor with sheer force. |
Prism Tank: A futuristic tank that fires a powerful laser beam that can bounce off multiple targets. |
Tesla Tank: A deadly tank that unleashes bolts of electricity that can fry enemy units and buildings. |
Harrier: A fast and agile jet that can launch missiles at ground targets. |
Kirov Airship: A massive and slow-moving airship that drops huge bombs that can devastate anything below. |
Spy: A stealthy unit that can disguise as any enemy infantry and infiltrate enemy buildings for various effects. |
Crazy Ivan: A suicidal unit that can plant bombs on any unit or building, friend or foe. |
Tanya: A commando unit that can kill any infantry with one shot and demolish any building with C4 charges. |
Yuri: A psychic unit that can mind-control any unit or building and turn it against its owner. |
Red Alert 2 offers two campaigns, one for each faction, that tell the story of the war from different perspectives. Each campaign consists of 12 missions, each with its own challenges and objectives. The missions vary in difficulty, length, and complexity, and require you to use different strategies and tactics to succeed.
Some of the missions are based on real-world locations, such as New York, Paris, Moscow, and Washington D.C. Others are set in fictional or futuristic settings, such as the moon, Antarctica, or a giant floating fortress. The missions are also full of surprises, twists, and Easter eggs that add to the fun and replay value of the game.
Some of the memorable missions in Red Alert 2 are:
Red Alert 2 also features a co-operative mode, where you can play the campaign missions with a friend or a computer ally. This adds another layer of strategy and teamwork to the game, as you can coordinate your attacks and share your resources with your partner.
If you want to test your skills against other players or just have some fun with your friends, you can try the multiplayer and skirmish modes in Red Alert 2. These modes allow you to play on various maps with different settings and options. You can choose from several game modes, such as standard, free-for-all, team alliance, or megawealth. You can also customize the rules, such as starting units, tech level, superweapons, crates, fog of war, and more.
Red Alert 2 is a game that was released more than 20 years ago, but it still holds up well in terms of graphics and sound. The game uses a 2D engine that allows for smooth and colorful animations, detailed sprites, and dynamic lighting and shadows. The game also supports high resolutions and widescreen modes, making it compatible with modern monitors and devices.
The sound design of Red Alert 2 is also impressive, as it features a variety of sound effects, voice acting, and music that enhance the atmosphere and mood of the game. The sound effects are realistic and satisfying, such as the explosions, gunfire, and unit responses. The voice acting is well-done and humorous, as each unit has its own personality and accent. The music is catchy and memorable, as it mixes rock, techno, and orchestral elements to create a fitting soundtrack for each faction and situation.
One of the most distinctive and iconic features of Red Alert 2 is its use of full motion video (FMV) cutscenes. These are live-action scenes that feature real actors and actresses playing the roles of the characters in the game. The cutscenes are used to introduce the missions, advance the plot, and provide some comic relief.
The FMV cutscenes are cheesy, campy, and over-the-top, but that's what makes them so enjoyable and memorable. The actors and actresses deliver their lines with enthusiasm and charisma, making the characters likable and memorable. Some of the notable actors and actresses in Red Alert 2 are:
The FMV cutscenes are a hallmark of the Command & Conquer series, and Red Alert 2 is one of the best examples of how to use them effectively and entertainingly.
If you want to experience Red Alert 2 with improved music and graphics, you can try the remastered version that was released in 2020 by EA and Petroglyph Games. The remastered version is part of the Command & Conquer Remastered Collection, which also includes the original Command & Conquer game and its expansion packs.
The remastered version of Red Alert 2 features enhanced graphics that support up to 4K resolution, as well as revamped UI elements, icons, menus, and fonts. The game also features remastered music that was re-recorded by the original composer Frank Klepacki and his band The Tiberian Sons. The remastered music preserves the original style and feel of the soundtrack, while adding more depth and quality to it.
The remastered version also includes some new features, such as a map editor, a modding support, a gallery of bonus content, a multiplayer mode with online servers, and a toggle option that lets you switch between the classic and remastered graphics and music at any time.
Red Alert 2 is a game that has a lot of replay value, thanks to its expansion and mods. The expansion and mods add new content, features, and gameplay elements to the game, making it more diverse and fun.
Yuri's Revenge is the official expansion pack for Red Alert 2, released in 2001 by Westwood Studios. It adds a new faction, a new campaign, new units, new maps, and new modes to the game.
The new faction is Yuri's Army, led by Yuri, the former Soviet psychic who betrayed his allies and tried to take over the world with his mind-control devices. Yuri's Army has its own unique units and buildings, such as the Psychic Dominator, the Mastermind, the Magnetron, and the Boomer. Yuri's Army also has access to some of the Allies' and Soviets' units, such as the Mirage Tank, the Tesla Trooper, and the Terror Drone.
The new campaign follows the events of Yuri's Revenge, where Yuri has escaped to his secret base on the moon and launched a global mind-control network. The Allies and the Soviets have to team up to stop him before he enslaves humanity. The campaign consists of seven missions for each faction, each with its own challenges and objectives.
The new units are mostly for Yuri's Army, but some are also for the Allies and the Soviets. Some of the new units are:
The new maps are mostly based on real-world locations, such as London, Sydney, Seattle, Cairo, and Transylvania. The new modes are:
Yuri's Revenge is a great expansion pack that adds more depth and variety to Red Alert 2.
Mental Omega is a fan-made mod for Red Alert 2 that was first released in 2005 by Speeder and his team. It is one of the most popular and acclaimed mods for the game, as it adds a lot of new content, features, and gameplay elements to the game.
Mental Omega adds a new faction, a new campaign, new units, new maps, new modes, new music, new graphics, and more to the game. The mod also improves the AI, balance, performance, and stability of the game.
The new faction is Epsilon Army, led by Yuri himself. Epsilon Army is an advanced and secretive faction that uses psychic technology and genetic engineering to create powerful units and weapons. Epsilon Army has its own unique units and buildings, such as the Psychic Amplifier, the Epsilon Elite, the Dybbuk-Interceptor, and the Rahn. Epsilon Army also has access to some of Yuri's Army's units from Yuri's Revenge.
The new campaign follows an alternate timeline where Yuri has succeeded in taking over the world with his Psychic Dominator network. The Allies and the Soviets have formed a resistance movement called Foehn Revolt to fight against him. The campaign consists of 36 missions for each faction (Allies, Soviets, Epsilon Army, Foehn Revolt), each with its own story and objectives.
Mental Omega also features a new soundtrack that was composed by various artists, such as Frank Klepacki, World Beyond, Black Ice 9, and more. The soundtrack matches the mood and theme of each faction and mission, and adds more flavor and variety to the game.
Mental Omega also improves the graphics of the game, by adding new effects, animations, models, textures, and more. The game looks more polished and modern, while still retaining the charm and style of the original.
Mental Omega is a mod that transforms Red Alert 2 into a whole new game, with more content, features, and gameplay elements than ever before. It is a must-play for any Red Alert 2 fan who wants to experience the game in a new and exciting way.
If you want to play Red Alert 2 on your PC, you can download it from Origin, EA's digital distribution platform. Origin is a service that allows you to buy, download, and play games from EA and other publishers. You can also access other features, such as cloud saves, achievements, friends list, chat, and more.
If you want to play Red Alert 2 on your PC, you can download it from Origin, EA's digital distribution platform. Origin is a service that allows you to buy, download, and play games from EA and other publishers. You can also access other features, such as cloud saves, achievements, friends list, chat, and more.
To download Red Alert 2 from Origin, you need to follow these steps:
Before you download and play Red Alert 2 from Origin, you need to make sure that your PC meets the minimum requirements and is compatible with the game. Here are the minimum requirements for Red Alert 2:
If your PC meets these requirements, you should be able to run the game smoothly and without any issues. However, if you encounter any problems, such as crashes, glitches, or errors, you can try some of these solutions:
Now that you have downloaded Red Alert 2 from Origin, you need to install it on your PC. The installation process is simple and straightforward, and it should not take too long. Here are the steps to install Red Alert 2:
Congratulations! You have successfully installed Red Alert 2 on your PC and are ready to play!
Red Alert 2 is a game that requires skill, strategy, and creativity to master. It is not a game that you can win by simply spamming units or clicking randomly. You need to plan your moves, manage your resources, adapt to your enemies, and use your units effectively. Here are some tips and tricks to help you play better and enjoy the game more:
These are just some of the tips and tricks that can help you play better in Red Alert 2. There are many more that you can discover by playing the game yourself or by watching other players online. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy this classic game!
In conclusion, Red Alert 2 is one of the best real-time strategy games ever made. It has a captivating story, a diverse gameplay, a stunning graphics and sound, an amazing expansion and mods, and a simple and easy way to download it from Origin. It is a game that will keep you entertained and challenged for hours and hours.
If you are looking for a game that combines action, strategy, humor, and fun, you should definitely try Red Alert 2. You will not regret it!
Thank you for reading this article. We hope you found it helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you!
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Red Alert 2: