RA2, first impressions

[dura]

Yesterday I bought Red Alert 2 (already available in the Netherlands) and I must say, I kinda liked it. It is very much the same as all other WW RTS-games, so don't expected a completely new game.
Graphics are on par with Tiberian Sun, but more colourfull.
Units seem smaller though. The game itself is smoother on my P2-300/128MB 1024x768 then TS.
Where I found TS kind of 'lifeless' RA2 is very vivid, both in background as in the activities of opponents. This makes gameplay more hectic.
This however is reached by use of lots of units (the opponents have more units, and the making of units is faster too) so it can get a little chaotic.
All in all, I still think Starcraft is the best RTS ever, but RTS-fans who liked RA1 or CC would very like like this one too.
The inbetween video's are very catchy, nice acting and a nice story.
It seems (first impressions, remember) that it is a more enjoyable game then TS, well balanced, and it will probably stay on my HD longer then Dark Reign 2 or Warlords Battlecry.

 

[Gorgonzola]

i haven't tried it myself yet, it looks too similar to TS for my liking. i really thought TS was just a lame attempt by westwood to cash in on the C&C franchise.

 

[snow patrol]

Thanks, I'm hoping for a demo of sorts before taking the plunge

 

[duragezic]

Cool it's out there... have you messed around with the mind control crap? I'm not sure whether to buy it or not because it seems there is a lot of that mind control stuff and not enough regular units and tanks. So what's your opinion on this?

 

[dura]

No Sorry, not yet, I was hoping to get further today, but busy busy busy.
perhaps anyone else?

 

[TAsunder]

Starcrap had the nicest difference between races and a GREAT online play system, but my vote for best RTS ever has got to go with Total Annihilation, with AOE2 being second... but let me explain my reasons:

Once I had played TotalA (pronounced with a california girl accent), I could not get over the fact that games after it did not have some of the interface things that really really make the game manageable and more "strategic" and "Tactical" than other RTS games. When I played TS I somewhat didn't hate the waypoint system, but I hated the inability to queue units or issue multiple queued orders, etc.

Does RA2 have any of this? How does the interface rate? Are there still about 98% useless units with 1 or 2 units being the only useful ones?

How's the multiplayer?

I ask these things even though I'll probably buy it anyway

 

[Jumpem]

SnowPatrol I heard that there will not be a demo of RA2. Try buying it from an Electronics boutique. They'll let you return a game for ANY reason, at least here in central New York. I've returned a few games to the local EB and the only reason I had to give was "I just didn't like it.". They just refund my money and ask if there's any other games that I want. Pretty damn cool!

 

[dura]

just spent another two hours. No mind control yet, but lots of fun nevertheless. I must admit I prefer space- or fantasysettings (guess which games?) but it is very nice.
TASunder, I find most units usefull, though not in all phases.
RA2 does have a waypoint-thing, much more pleasant then TS had.
Is has construction queues, but unfortunately no orderqueues.
Gameplay is really good I think, but of course so far I only played a short time.
Still no one else with a first impression?

 

[snow patrol]

Ok, thanks for the suggestion Jumpem.

 

[Pastore]

One word, Awesome!

 

[Giovanni]

I didn't even know it was out yet. I'll definitely try it out, if for no other reason than the exploding cows. Apparently you can put bombs on cows, and then mind control them so they walk into the other guy's base. Get them all herded around the construction yard, then MoooooBOOOM! Now that's entertainment!

 

[xMikey]

I should be getting my copy today, so I'll let you all know later.




Mikey out!!

 

[Moonbender]

I played it, and I really didn't like it. The only neat thing is IMO that you can put your troops into buildings, using them as bunkers. The units are quite boring, and also realistic units are mixed up with futuristic and fantasy units (dolphins and squids attacking war ships, yeah RIGHT ...). The proportions are ridiculous, as usual, but that's only a minor problem. Compared to the general quality of graphics, at least. Good thing I didn't exactly buy the game ...
On the other hand, I am not a RTS fan anymore, two of my friends are however. One was mildly excited after he played it, saying it didn't offer anything really new, but it's more of the usual stuff. The other liked it (he also likes the squids ... sheesh), but still prefers StarCraft.

About TA, that was the last RTS I really liked. I haven't seen ANY isometric RTS which graphics are as good (AoE2 is close), the massive amount of units was cool, the maps looked awesome, the command interface was just amazing, far beyond ANYTHING Westwood has ever offered.

Oh well. I better shut up now, this is getting me into trouble with them fanatics...

 

[Sunner]

Is there a demo available, after being so utterly dissapointed with TS, I dont wanna go buy another game from Westwood unless Ive tried it.

As for TA, I liked it for a while, but I thought multiplayer sucked.
There was no fantasy in that game, 150 units sure, but lets face it, it was like 1 tank, a bigger tank, an even bigger tank, a really big tank, and the biggest tank etc etc.
Also, unlimited supplies of resources was moronic IMO, especially with the metal makers, that was one huge invitation to turteling.

 

[3putt]

I also was hesitant about buying RA2. I really didnt like TS. It was a snorefest. Ra2 is back to the speed of play I like ( FAST ) Granted some of the units are ummm ...should we say creative but I like them. So far im not dissapointed. I was weaving between RA2 and Startrek Voyager Elite, but after reading some of the reviews on SVE I went with RA2 for now. I dont play much online and they said the game was very short. Ill wait for it to come down in price.

 

[JellyBaby]

Just out of curiosity, what's the appeal of "fast speed of play"? Seems to me clicking furiously on bone-dead stupid units to keep them alive and productive is unappealing at best, frustrating at worst.

I loved Dune. I loved Red Alert. I loved TA. I kinda liked Age of Empires. I skipped TS due to suckage and I'll be skipping this latest farce. However, Westwood's lookin' good with that next Dune game and I hope they'll bring something new to the RTS world with that title. Can't wait!

 

[dura]

Well, the game is not frantic, but there is a lot going on, so you can't keep track of everything, but usually it is not so that you get wiped out because you lost the oversight.
I played some more, and still find it a very satisfying game. The game is very 'rich'; landscapes are full of monuments and all kinds of buildings, and in skirmish you can choose frim different countries with different specialities.
One thing I found is that it is still possible to do a great deal of damage with 12 harriers. Bomb out a building, replace lost units, bomb out another one. I used that strategy in all Westwoodgames and it still works well.

 

[randypj]

JellyBaby--Yes.....Dune II. The first real RTS game.....started it all. Take a look at it, then consider when it was made. Nothing compared to it at the time.
--Randy