Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Command & Conquer: Red Alert – Retaliation delivers an instantly recognizable real-time strategy experience, refined for the PlayStation pad. Veteran RTS players will appreciate familiar mechanics: base building, resource harvesting, and unit production all flow smoothly from mission to mission. The game integrates the campaigns from both Counterstrike and The Aftermath, offering dozens of varied missions that keep the action fresh and challenging.

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One of the standout features is the two-player link-cable mode. By connecting two PlayStations and TVs, you unlock head-to-head skirmishes on over 100 custom maps. This mode transforms what was once a solitary console experience into a competitive showdown, adding tremendous replay value as you adapt strategies to outwit a human opponent.

The control interface has been thoughtfully reworked for the DualShock and original PlayStation pads. Context-sensitive button mapping streamlines base commands and unit selection, reducing the frustration often associated with translating a mouse-driven RTS to a gamepad. While there’s a learning curve for newcomers, the redesigned HUD and radial menus make navigation surprisingly intuitive after a few missions.

Graphics

For a PlayStation title of its era, Retaliation’s visuals are impressively crisp. The isometric battlefield presents detailed terrain, from snow-covered plains to urban gridlocks, and animates explosions and unit movements with satisfying responsiveness. Despite hardware limitations, the game maintains clear unit silhouettes to prevent confusion during hectic engagements.

Newly produced FMV cutscenes serve as mission briefs and interludes, injecting personality into both Allied and Soviet commanders. These videos are fully voiced, bringing a campy Cold War dramatization that complements the series’ tongue-in-cheek tone. Though the resolution is modest by today’s standards, the production values stand out on the PlayStation library.

During two-player skirmishes, split-screen performance remains largely stable, with only occasional frame rate dips when dozens of tanks and aircraft converge. This technical polish ensures that the action never feels sluggish, preserving the fast-paced tactical decision-making that defined the original PC releases.

Story

Retaliation picks up where the original Red Alert left off, weaving together the Counterstrike and Aftermath expansions into one seamless narrative. The Allied campaign focuses on thwarting Soviet incursions across Europe and beyond, while the Soviet side offers alternative objectives that explore a darker, more aggressive ideology. Switching perspectives deepens your understanding of both factions’ motivations.

The plot may not rival heavyweight story-driven titles, but it delivers a compelling backdrop for the strategic conflicts. Characters are introduced through the FMV sequences, and though archetypal, they possess enough flair to make each mission feel purposeful. Players who relish Cold War what-ifs will find the cutscenes’ dialogue and set design particularly entertaining.

Mission design cleverly reinforces the narrative arcs. You might begin by defending an Allied outpost and end by infiltrating a heavily fortified Soviet base, reflecting the shifting tides of war. Side objectives—such as rescuing VIPs or sabotaging superweapons—add variety and enhance the sense of story progression within each campaign.

Overall Experience

Command & Conquer: Red Alert – Retaliation stands as one of the finest RTS adaptations on console. It successfully marries the depth of the PC originals with console-friendly controls and exclusive two-player modes. Whether you’re tackling solo missions or challenging a friend via link cable, the game offers hours of strategic engagement.

The combination of refined gameplay, memorable FMV cutscenes, and robust multiplayer maps makes Retaliation a must-have for fans of classic RTS titles. It may show its age in graphical fidelity, but the core mechanics remain as addictive as ever. Newcomers will appreciate the accessible interface, while series veterans will enjoy revisiting iconic missions tuned for a gamepad.

Ultimately, Retaliation captures the essence of the Red Alert universe, delivering a satisfying blend of strategy, story, and competition. It’s a polished package that brings the heat of Allied vs. Soviet conflict to the living room, proving that real-time strategy can thrive beyond the desktop.

Retro Replay Score

7.9/10