| ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. | |
| OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that while this game has some violence and animated blood,
this "Teen"-rated game is not very graphic compared to most other PC and console
strategy games. Why? It's played primarily from an eagle's eye view (not to
mention the action takes place more between units, such as vehicles, than
people). Also, several of the fighting units in this over-the-top sci-fi tale
are units such as sonic dolphins and fighting bears. Mild language includes
words such as "damn" and "hell."
It's been seven long years since the last Command & Conquer Red
Alert game and now real-time strategy (RTS) fans can rejoice as COMMAND
& CONQUER RED ALERT 3 is now available for Windows PCs (with an Xbox 360 and
PlayStation 3 version to follow). As with its best-selling predecessors, this
anticipated sequel features an over-the-top story told via cheesy live-motion
video cut-scenes, and of course, frantic mouse-clicking game-play from an
overhead perspective (ideal for "commanding" and "conquering"). The deliciously
ridiculous premise behind Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 involves a
Russian leader, played by Tim Curry (of Rocky Horror Picture Show
fame), who goes back in time with colleagues to kill Albert Einstein in the
hopes the Soviets will become the world power instead of the U.S. Except
tampering with history causes an unexpected outcome: the Empire of the Rising
Sun becomes a major player, led by corny emperor George Takei (Star
Trek).
In the story-based campaign, players must choose to lead one of the three
sides – the Allies, Soviets and Empire – each with their own weapons, vehicles,
structures, units and technologies. Players can go at it solo by advancing
through increasingly tough missions, with offensive and defensive missions (and
more naval battles than in past games), or for the first time in the series
engage in co-operative play by connecting with a friend online or choosing an
A.I. co-commander to help tag-team your war efforts. Command & Conquer
Red Alert 3 also includes the standard non-story skirmish mode and
multiplayer matches for up to six players.
Yes, its good as long as you don't mind having to micromange every facet of the conflict, including building bases and key
structures, and deploying troops in a tactical fashion onto the battlefield.
This sequel enjoys a tremendous amount of polish, both in the game's visual
flare and in the delicate balancing of the three sides. Plus the mouse-based control
is intuitive and responsive. Quite simply, RTS fans longing for the return of
Command & Conquer Red Alert will be more than pleased with the
latest chapter in the franchise.
Families can talk about whether game sequels are a good thing or way overdone
these days? What makes you want to play a sequel? Is it the characters, story,
locations, or game-play mechanics of a game? Do most sequels live up to your
expectations? Or do you think there are too many sequels now, such as Gears
of War 2, Resistance 2, Fallout 3, Rock Band 2,
Guitar Hero: World Tour, Fable II and so on?
| Available online? | Available online |
| Genre: | Real Time Strategy (RTS) |
| Developer: | Electronic Arts |
| Release date: | October 28, 2008 |
| Price: | $49.99 |
| ESRB rating: | T for Animated Blood, Mild Language, Violence |
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