Review by TheReviewer - C&C Red Alert 2: Reborn mod for C&C: Yuri's Revenge

Red Alert: Reborn **: Proof that big is not better.

Red Alert Reborn is a project that aims to rework and re balance each side for improved game play. It adds literally hundreds of new units and art with which to achieve this. While many units are unique and fun, most fulfill an existing niche and will probably never be used actively on the battlefield. Many simply fulfill the same role, but with a bigger gun and are available at the same tech level.

Continuity is a big is a big issue in this mod, with dozens of units looking out of place with their counterparts or incomplete. Numerous artists are reflected in the graphics and this leads to very ugly and inconsistent looking armies.

The mod also aims for balance and opportunity it has sadly missed. Many units are completely overpowered and the entire game-play evolves around who can get them first. In this way, strategy goes out the window and even playing with a friend becomes a predictable experience. The AI itself ranges from childishly easy to ridiculously brutal and casual players will be unable to cope and even experienced ones will struggle. Early game-play involves desperately trying to build defenses quickly to counter the spam tactics of the computer. Wave after wave of tanks and paratroopers will frustrate the player more than it will challenge them.

450MB is also far too large for a Red Alert 2 mod and on inspecting the internal files, it is unfortunate to see that the creator has not taken the time to trim things down a sign that things have been rushed. Many files also overwrite previous ones, a factor that can easily be avoided with custom installers. This is sad, because there is a lot of potential for this mod. There are small gems of good ideas, but these are outweighed by the cluttered game play, lack of consistency, scattered graphics and poorly written AI.