Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Command & Conquer: Red Alert – The Arsenal packages two classic real-time strategy experiences into a single compilation, and the gameplay shine of both the base game and The Aftermath expansion remains as addictive as ever. At its core, Red Alert’s gameplay revolves around resource gathering, base building, and tactical unit deployment. Players must manage ore refineries and power plants to maintain a steady income, while constantly adapting their strategy to counter enemy advances.

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The Arsenal makes it easy to jump between the original Allied vs. Soviet skirmishes and the post-war scenarios introduced in The Aftermath expansion. The expansion adds new units, defensive structures, and superweapons that diversify tactical options. For instance, Allied players can deploy the amphibious Explorer transport or call in devastating weather control devices, while Soviet commanders can field Tesla coils or unleash nuclear tipped assault hordes.

Multiplayer remains a highlight, with both LAN and online matches offering frantic, nail-biting clashes. The compilation’s streamlined matchmaking and menu system ensure that setting up a quick skirmish or a longer campaign session takes minimal time. Whether you’re defending an ore field with anti-aircraft emplacements or orchestrating a massive push with heavy tanks, The Arsenal delivers that classic C&C thrill from start to finish.

Graphics

Despite its age, the pixel-art presentation of Red Alert and The Aftermath retains a nostalgic charm that hardcore RTS fans will appreciate. The Arsenal preserves the original 2D sprites, isometric maps, and distinctive color palettes that defined late ’90s PC gaming. Units are instantly recognizable—Mammoth Tanks lumber across the battlefield, while TFHVs hover ominously over hotspots.

While modern titles boast dynamic lighting and 3D models, Red Alert’s hand-crafted tilesets and unit animations still feel vibrant. Explosions boast satisfying particle effects for their era, and the zoomed-out camera perspective gives a clear view of large-scale engagements. Subtle touches, like the smoke trails behind rockets or the rippling water around amphibious units, keep the visuals from feeling completely frozen in time.

The Arsenal also offers optional enhancements such as higher resolutions and smoother frame rates on contemporary hardware. These tweaks don’t alter the original art but polish the experience for modern screens. The result is a crisp, stable presentation that remains faithful to Westwood Studios’ design, ensuring both veteran commanders and new recruits can appreciate the battlefield layouts in full clarity.

Story

Red Alert’s narrative premise—an alternate history where Einstein travels back in time to eliminate Hitler, inadvertently sparking a new conflict between the Soviets and the Allies—remains one of the franchise’s most memorable what-ifs. The Arsenal preserves the original FMV cutscenes, replete with campy performances and dramatic set pieces that delight fans of retro storytelling.

The Aftermath expansion shifts the focus to the post-Soviet theater, exploring faction infighting and rogue commanders vying for control of Europe’s shattered landscape. New briefings elaborate on the uneasy peace that fragments into further skirmishes, and the darker tone of these missions adds a fresh sense of intrigue. Watching officers scheme behind the scenes and launch surprise offensives injects additional depth into the overarching storyline.

While neither title aims for Shakespearean depth, the combination creates a cohesive narrative arc from global war to power vacuum. Each mission briefing and cutscene serves its gameplay purpose, motivating players to capture key territories or dismantle enemy superweapons. In The Arsenal, the story always feels tightly interwoven with player objectives, turning every skirmish into a vital chapter of this alternate timeline.

Overall Experience

Command & Conquer: Red Alert – The Arsenal stands as a stellar value proposition for strategy enthusiasts. It offers dozens of campaign missions, a robust selection of maps, and the timeless thrill of base-vs.-base warfare. The compilation accommodates both newcomers eager to experience a genre-defining classic and veterans seeking a nostalgia-laden return to form.

The Arsenal’s user interface and control scheme remain intuitively accessible, and the ability to toggle between expansion content ensures that players can tailor their experience. Replayability is exceptionally high—skirmish mode alone can sustain countless hours of play, while custom maps and community mods further expand the lifespan of this package.

With modern enhancements smoothing out technical wrinkles and a dual offering of the original Red Alert and its Aftermath expansion, The Arsenal delivers a comprehensive RTS anthology. It preserves the strategic depth, memorable units, and campy charm that cemented Red Alert’s legacy, making it a must-have for anyone seeking a slice of real-time strategy history.

Retro Replay Score

7.6/10