Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 took players back into an alternate history in which the Cold War between the Soviets and the Allies escalated into an open conflict over the territory of the United States itself. Instead of Tiberian Sun's dark tone, the game embraced an openly exaggerated, at times almost comic-book style - whether it was dog units, bears as a Soviet weapon, or overly patriotic American commanders delivering witty one-liners. In terms of gameplay it's classic base building, ore harvesting and rivalry between two distinctly designed factions, where the Soviets rely on brute force, heavy machinery and psychic weapons, while the Allies bet on advanced technology, mobility and precision.

The game excelled in clarity and well-balanced pacing, which made it one of the most-played strategy titles of its era on Windows 9x computers, both in the campaign and especially in online multiplayer. Live-action cutscenes with real actors gave the campaign a cinematic atmosphere and humor, the music was again composed by Frank Klepacki, whose tracks are among the most recognizable themes of the whole series and remain associated with the image of a Soviet invasion of America to this day. The graphic style combined an isometric view with colorful effects and clearly readable units, which made the game accessible to less experienced players and simplified orientation even in larger battles.

Red Alert 2 received the Yuri's Revenge expansion, which added a third faction and new units, and to this day many fans consider it one of the high points of the classic Command & Conquer era. Its easy accessibility, distinctive factions and exaggerated story made it a game the community keeps coming back to even decades later, including modern fan modifications, community servers and an active online multiplayer scene. It was precisely the accessibility with which the game combined fast pacing, understandable units and an over-the-top story that made it an ideal gateway into the real-time strategy genre for a whole generation of players encountering Windows 9x for the first time, and many still remember it as one of the first truly big games on their computer.

Why play it: For players looking for an accessible, fast-paced RTS with distinctive factions and an over-the-top story - Red Alert 2 remains playable today thanks to its active community and mods.