Real-time strategy portraits on a screen as impressive as that of the iPad could possibly give shutterbugs a reason to click exceptional flashes. The arrival of Command & Conquer: Red Alert on the iPad unfolded the much-needed RTS battlefield on the digital slate. Hopping onto this ride through deliberated campaigns, we’ve been traversing across the in-game environment within this sphere. Here’s how this battlefield transforms and the shift in power play appears on the iPad as we pen down the Command & Conquer: Red Alert for iPad review.
While we kicked off the game, Command & Conquer: Red Alert seemed like a pitch unlikely to forgo. However, EA’s decision to port the iPhone version of the game brought down all our expectations. The title follows a patterned narrative, enclosing three factions namely Soviet, Allied and Rising Sun. Every campaign offers five missions with multifarious objectives in the fold. You learn controls and built-in moves which enable gamers to select multiple characters, tanks and helicopters simultaneously while performing simple tap commands. The title also allows players to scan the area by easily navigating across the in-game landscape with effortless swipes.
The bright and cartoony visuals are, to say the least, unimpressive. There isn’t much detailing and the idea to hand over the command of numerous characters takes a wrong turn at various points, especially while some characters and items cannot move beyond a certain area. The acoustics get repetitive and the voice-over does little to breathe life into the game. Further, the absence of elements such as resource management prevails throughout gameplay, adding to the title’s existing woes. Nevertheless, the multiplayer option via Wi-Fi connection unfurls a ground for live contests.
However, the gameplay remains restricted and at times, gets a bit jarring. With several characters and items to handle, the embedded unit selection feature manages to alleviate issues but does not completely wipe them out. Besides, the run-of-the-mill, Hollywood-inspired melodies infused into the game are far below the franchise’s standard. The graphics appear cartoony than we’d expected them to, taking away the intensity of an RTS game. Priced at 4.99 USD (approx. Rs. 223), Command & Conquer: Red Alert for iPad is now up on iTunes but we have serious doubts over whether the title can deliver enough to let you shell out that amount.