Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Uprising Review for PC

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Uprising box art

System: PC	Review Rating Legend
Dev: EA Los Angeles	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Electronic Arts	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: March 12, 2009	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-24	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Visually, Uprising is the same as Red Alert 3. The new units are modeled in the exact same style and fit well. The environments are as well-rendered as they were in the original. Conversely, the environments don't really offer much in the way of variety. Even the dungeon-crawl experience doesn't throw much new into the mix for the player. Moreover, the fact that the camera can't zoom in very far is another drawback, especially when other RTS games allow players to practically get down to eye-level and witness the action in a more intimate setting. On a brighter note, the game is full of bright colors and vibrant particle effects, so those looking for escape from the muddy colors of other games should find sanctuary.

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Uprising screenshot

The controls have remained untouched, so anyone familiar with Red Alert 3 should feel completely at home. And, being Uprising is a stand-alone expansion, newcomers with a little RTS experience will find them intuitive and easy to learn. Aside from the player controls, there are still some pathing issues that can make for a frustrating experience. Units aimlessly walking against barriers, and getting stuck on each other can be a painful thing to watch. Meanwhile, Uprising's music is probably one of its better qualities. With a number of different styles thrown into the mix, the music tracks complement the over-the-top style very well. Hard rock, oriental ballads, and the original music from Red Alert and Red Alert 2 sync well with each other.

Overall, there isn't much to say about Red Alert 3 Uprising because, frankly, there isn't much new to talk about. It is nice to see that gamers don't need to own the original in order to play the expansion. However, the campaigns from the original aren't playable in Uprising, so if you're at all interested in the single-player, buying the original is a necessity, despite the laughably short "recap video" that you can watch. To its credit, Uprising is just another installment in a series that knows what it is-a complete exaggeration on everything an RTS game is. Just don't go into it expecting anything more than that though, because you'll be disappointed.

By Derek Hidey
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.0

Graphics
A fine-looking game that uses its bright and colorful style to its advantage.

3.0

Control
Standard RTS controls are left untouched since the original and make for an easy-to-manage experience. However, the camera not being able to zoom in to a more intimate level is a drawback.

3.5

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The music stands out as the game's best quality, with the standard Red Alert acting to complement it.

2.0

Play Value
Standard and repetitive gameplay isn't made any more entertaining by new units or the dungeon-crawler mode. While the Commander Challenge mode is fun, it lacks the depth and replayability it deserves.

2.7

Overall Rating - Average
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Four New Mini-Campaigns: Battle your way through four all-new mini-campaigns featuring classic fast, furious, and fun C&C action. New stories and missions will cover all three factions, plus experience an entirely new, dungeon-crawler campaign centered on the Empire's commando, Yuriko Omega.

Challenge the Best!: How will you fight gigantic parachuting war bears, falling satellites, or an entire army of Yurikos? Can you beat the par time in each challenge? The new Commander's Challenge mode puts you right in the action of 50 grueling challenges against 9 commanders from different territories and factions. Gamers skilled enough to make it through the daunting gauntlet will gradually unlock new units and find tougher opponents in a true test of RTS skills.

The Largest Cast in the History of Video Games Gets Bigger and Better: Command & Conquer's trademark live-action videos return with stunning HD cinematics telling the deep story of Uprising. Fan favorites like Gemma Atkinson and Ivana Milicevic will make their return to Red Alert, alongside Malcolm McDowell, wrestling legend Ric Flair, Jamie Chung, Holly Valance, Julia Ling, and many more!

New, Over-the-Top Units: Uprising brings you 11 new over-the-top units in true Red Alert fashion. Use the agile Archer Maidens with their dangerous energy arrows, the fully amphibious Grinder that will crush everything in its path or the giant Giga-Fortress, a flying cyborg head s bigger than any other unit you have seen in Red Alert. Freeze your enemies with the Cryo Legionnaire or poison them with the radioactive liquid of the Desolator Trooper.