Command & Conquer: Red Alert - Retaliation

- Reviewed on PS3 -

Command & Conquer: Red Alert – Retaliation released on August 28th, 1998. 

Despite the timeframe of release, thanks to the magic of digital re-releases, I played Command & Conquer: Red Alert – Retaliation on PS3 through the PS1 Classics library—and it honestly felt like I was stepping back into a time machine, in the best way possible.

As a console strategy game from the late '90s, Red Alert – Retaliation might not look like much by today’s standards, but what it lacks in polish, it makes up for with sheer charm, strategy depth, and that classic Command & Conquer energy that kept me hooked from mission to mission.

This review WILL have Major Spoilers so keep that in mind before continuing...

For those unfamiliar, Retaliation is a console-exclusive spin-off of Command & Conquer: Red Alert, bundling together the Aftermath and Counterstrike expansion packs that originally launched on PC.

That means you’re getting two full campaigns, one for the Allies and one for the Soviets, with a grand total of 34 missions (plus some fun bonus missions, too). 

This isn't just a straight-up port either—Retaliation comes with its own FMV cutscenes, new mission layouts, and a full control overhaul to work with the PS1’s limited controller.

Playing on PS3 with a modern controller was surprisingly smooth... until the frame rate decided otherwise.

Command & Conquer is classic real-time strategy. You build a base, collect resources (ore and gems), manage power, produce units, and outmaneuver the enemy. 

What sets Red Alert apart from the original Tiberian Dawn is its alternate history WWII setting, with Allied and Soviet tech trees that feel both familiar and totally wild at times.

Yes, that means attack dogs, tesla coils, chrono tanks, and some of the most over-the-top mission objectives this side of a Bond villain lair.

The unit variety and mission design are still a standout. 

Some missions have you build up a massive base and army, while others strip you down to a handful of troops for stealth-style objectives. That variety kept the game feeling fresh even when the pace slowed a bit.

That said, frame rate drops are a real problem—especially once the map gets busy. Any time too many units are moving on-screen, or if there's a full-on base brawl going on, the game chugs hard, and there’s no real way to avoid it. 

It’s not game-breaking, but it definitely affects strategy when you're trying to give multiple commands quickly and everything suddenly slows to a crawl.

Let’s talk about the controls, because this is usually the death sentence for console RTS games.

But honestly? For a 1998 PS1 release, Retaliation handles way better than I expected. 

Sure, it’s not as fast or smooth as using a mouse on PC, but the devs did a great job making everything manageable with a controller. 

The interface uses radial menus, unit grouping is possible (though a bit slow), and there’s a helpful mini map for awareness.

But... combine the already slow unit control with the non-escapable frame drops, and suddenly some missions feel like you're fighting the game as much as the enemy. 

It's not always present, but when it hits, it throws off the flow of battles pretty noticeably.

Look, this is a PS1 game, so visuals are basic, pixelated, and a little muddy—but the charm is still there.

Explosions pop, units have great sound feedback, and the FMV cutscenes are exactly what I wanted: cheesy, over-acted, and absolutely amazing. These little videos give the campaign a campy '80s spy-movie vibe, and I was 100% on board from the start.

The music is another big highlight. Retaliation features several iconic tracks by Frank Klepacki, and the moment “Hell March” kicks in, you just know you're about to cause some chaos. The soundtrack still slaps even in 2025, and that’s not something I say often about a PS1 game.

Playing this on PS3 in a modern context is definitely a niche experience. There’s no online multiplayer here, and some of the menus feel their age. Add the frequent slowdowns during late-game missions or larger battles, and it’s definitely not as smooth as it could’ve been.

Even so, if you're someone who loves strategy, or just wants to revisit the roots of console RTS, Red Alert – Retaliation holds its ground. The amount of content, the solid mission variety, and the nostalgia-infused soundtrack more than make up for its performance issues—for me, at least.

Pros: 

    - Huge Campaign Content

    - Surprisingly Solid Console RTS Controls (For the Time)

    - Campy and Entertaining FMVs

    - Iconic Soundtrack by Frank Klepacki

    - Satisfying, Challenging Mission Design

Cons:

    - Controls Still Feel Dated in High-Stress Missions

    - Frequent, Unavoidable Frame Rate Drops

    - Basic Visuals & Some UI Clunk

My Rating for Command & Conquer: Red Alert – Retaliation (on PS3):

3 / 5

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Disclaimer

All Reviews, Ratings, Pros, Cons, and Opinions Shared on this Blog (Press A Reviews) are my (Connor Butler) own Thoughts and Feelings.