Command & Conquer: Red Alert

In 1996 Westwood gave us C&C: Red Alert, which effectively was C&C on steroids. Including more of the same stuff we all loved, Red Alert featured bigger maps, and the inclusion of specialist units and naval battles.

God bless exploding barrels.

The game was a phenomenal hit, producing 2 official add-on packs and numerous unofficial map packs and tweaks (which often weren’t worth the cardboard they were boxed in).  The legend that is Kain also appeared in the final piece of FMV for the Soviet campaign, Westwood having since categorically stated that the two Universes are completely separate, this being a failed attempt at introducing a further back story to their Tiberian franchise. Despite the core gameplay being fairly similar to that of the original Command and Conquer, switching up the setting to that of an alternative futuristic cold war seemed a masterstroke, Tesla Coils soon becoming quite the favourite.

The look of a man who ’would’.

Red alert also added further depth to what was essentially just the commando unit from C&C by giving him a sex change, a name, and a role. Tanya soon became as much of an icon as Kain (although likely not for the same reasons), and was one of the first examples of having a unique unit who also played an important part in the story. As with the original C&C, Westwood also included another Easter-egg in Red Alert, this time allowing players to fight against Giant Ants, proving to be as amusing as it was entertaining!

Part 2 of Charting the Times will be coming soon, watch this space!