Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Command & Conquer: Yuri’s Revenge builds on the tight, fast-paced mechanics of Red Alert 2 and introduces a wealth of new strategic options that keep the formula feeling fresh. The most striking addition is Yuri’s faction itself: a third playable side in skirmish and multiplayer modes that relies on mind-control, genetic alteration, and high-tech disabling tools rather than brute firepower. Deploying Floating Discs to sabotage defenses or Magnetic Tanks to lift heavy armor adds a layer of tactical depth that forces you to rethink unit compositions and counters.

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In addition to Yuri’s eccentric arsenal, both Allied and Soviet forces receive new units, structures, and superweapons. The Soviets trade in lost Yuri tech for devastating Hammer Tanks and the deadly Iron Curtain, while the Allies gain stealthier battlefield support with Battle Fortress drops and elite commando squads. The universal late-game Force Shield support power gives you a critical edge in desperate moments, letting you protect vital installations against overwhelming odds.

The expansion’s campaign structure further enhances replay value by offering two distinct paths—one Allied, one Soviet—each comprising seven missions. Each campaign presents unique objectives that range from timed stealth infiltrations to full-scale base assaults and time-travel sabotage operations. If you crave long-term challenges, skirmish and multiplayer modes support up to eight players and include new co-op missions, letting you team up with friends to test cohesive strategies against both human and AI opponents.

Graphics

Released in 2001, Yuri’s Revenge showcases the vibrant, isometric 2D art style that defined the Command & Conquer series at its peak. Units and buildings are richly detailed, with distinct color palettes that make it easy to distinguish between factions at a glance. While the game naturally feels dated compared to modern 3D titles, the sprite work remains clear and stylish, giving each unit personality—particularly Yuri’s twisted experiments, which sport glowing energy effects and unsettling animations.

The expansion adds new special effects for mind-control beams, particle-beam weapons, and the evocative hum of the psychic dominators coming online. Map environments are varied, from Arctic tundra to dense urban jungles, each featuring dynamic weather overlays and destructible terrain that influence your strategic decisions. Building collapses, vehicle wreckage, and explosion debris all contribute to a convincing, war-torn battlefield ambiance.

Voice acting continues to be a series highlight, with snappy one-liners and mission briefings delivered in character by campy Allied generals and gruff Soviet commanders. Even unassuming units like the Battle Bunker and Prism Tank earn distinctive audio cues when purchased or deployed. Yuri’s own voicework, dripping with megalomaniacal flair, cements the expansion’s unique identity and enhances immersion throughout every mission.

Story

The narrative of Yuri’s Revenge picks up immediately after the Allied victory over Premier Romanov in Red Alert 2. Unbeknownst to the Allies, Yuri—Romanov’s former advisor—has used his psionic prowess to build a hidden army fueled by mind control, genetic mutation, and a network of global Psychic Dominators. As these devices flick on, enslaving populations around the world, President Dugan’s desperate Alcatraz airstrike fails to stop progress but provides just enough damage to give our heroes a fighting chance.

Thanks to this glimmer of hope, the Allies race to power a captured time machine before Yuri’s dominators enslave all free nations. At this turning point, you choose whether to remain loyal to the Allied cause or side with the Soviets, who see the time machine as their ticket to global supremacy. This narrative fork means you’ll experience different mission sets, cutscenes, and endgame outcomes based on your allegiance. Unfortunately, Yuri’s faction—despite being the expansion’s centerpiece—does not receive its own single-player campaign, making this the one and only series entry where a playable side is solely relegated to multiplayer and skirmish matches.

Each campaign mission furthers the tension between time-travel stakes and high-tech confrontations, weaving in secondary objectives that reward creative problem-solving. Briefings are well-paced, the script balances humor and drama effectively, and mission cinematics—though pixelated by today’s standards—still deliver key narrative beats with cinematic flair. The story’s blend of alternative-history politics and occult sci-fi remains as engaging as ever.

Overall Experience

Yuri’s Revenge stands as one of the most beloved expansion packs in RTS history. It revitalizes Red Alert 2’s proven engine with fresh faction dynamics, inventive unit abilities, and a dual-campaign structure that encourages multiple playthroughs. The addition of Yuri’s mind-control warfare opens entirely new tactical avenues, preventing the gameplay from feeling stale and ensuring every skirmish can unfold in surprising ways.

While the graphics and interface show their age, the core gameplay loop—build, expand, harass, and obliterate—remains deeply satisfying. The boost in single-player missions, cooperative scenarios, and revamped multiplayer balancing all combine to create a package that still delivers hours of strategic entertainment. Technical issues are minimal, with stable netcode for its era and no significant bugs to speak of after dozens of hours spent battling friends and AI alike.

For fans of classic real-time strategy looking to revisit or discover the golden age of Westwood Studios, Command & Conquer: Yuri’s Revenge is an essential experience. It strikes an excellent balance between accessible base-building and high-octane battlefield tactics, making it a must-have add-on for anyone who enjoyed Red Alert 2—or for new recruits eager to command armies of psychically enslaved super-soldiers.

Retro Replay Score

7.9/10