Thanks to Command and Conquered Remastered Collection, fans of the acclaimed Command and Conquer series can enjoy Westwood Studios' hit C&C: Tiberian Dawn and Red Alert– upgrades courtesy of EA and Petroglyph Games. However, with Blizzard's Warcraft 3: Reforged remaster garnering negative reception, perhaps it's time for another classic to finally get remade: Red Alert.
Aside from C&C, it's Red Alert that set the stage for the gaming world to welcome thrilling RTS titles set in alternate histories. Whereas C&C explored the conflict of the Global Defense Initiative and the Brotherhood of Nod, Red Alert explores the conflict between the Allied Forces and the Soviet Union. However, what would make a Red Alert remake stand out? And why shouldn't devs touch this classic?
10 Remake It: This May Resolve A Continuity Problem
Some fans still debate about the true placement of Red Alert within the C&C timeline. After all, Westwood originally created Red Alert as a direct prequel to Tiberian Dawn. In Red Alert cutscenes, Kane from C&C appears as one of the advisors of Joseph Stalin in the Soviet campaign. The game even implies that Kane himself orchestrated the events that started Red Alert.
Moreover, Adam Isgreen, former C&C designer, also confirmed that Red Alert's Allied campaign should lead directly into Tiberian Dawn while Red Alert 2 hails from Westwood's canceled C&C& 3 prototype. As such, EA making a Red Alert remake may encourage them to finally settle this conflict.
9 Don't Touch It: Unsettled Continuity Adds Appeal
However, a lot of fans might also argue that there's no need to settle anything with the timeline. In fact, this "incomplete" feel serves as a meta way of reminding players that famous franchises often make mistakes in their infancy, as there's a ton of experimentation with the brand.
Moreover, thanks to the way Westwood told the original Red Alert story, there's no direct hints to its relationship with C&C. As such, looking at it as a game of its own, there's no continuity issue to worry about.
8 Remake It: See Units, Structures In Crisp 4K
Modern RTS titles give players the opportunity to zoom in and see their units attack opponents in high-action glory. Moreover, these titles often let players customize unit colors and even the custom weapons they have. A Red Alert remake may feature not just upgraded graphics, but the opportunity for players to customize the way their units look, which fits the alternate history vibe of the franchise.
Thanks to Red Alert's mixture of themes such as time travel and Tesla-based technology, a Red Alert remake can finally bring to life concepts of Tesla Coils, the Chronosphere, and even Tanya Adams.
7 Don't Touch It: Pixels Are Part Of The Brand
Unfortunately, despite the prospects of a graphical upgrade, a Red Alert remake might just look like other modern 4X or RTS titles. For instance, 2009's Red Alert 3 has graphical similarities to other RTS titles of the time like WH40K: Dawn of War 2 (2009). These similarities might be evident in a Red Alert remake as well.
Of course, modern graphics chips today help devs unleash their full creative glory in unit and structure design. However, some purists might also argue that the pixelated graphics and the "archaic" approach to futuristic interfaces and tech contribute to the core Red Alert aesthetic. From this perspective, a remake might ruin this retro approach.
6 Remake It: Make More Cinematic Sequences
Recent C&C titles retained the same "video call" cinematic sequences, where NPCs actively talk to the player throughout the campaign. However, these "calls" have tidbits such as faction-specific design, and interactions faithful to the rather B-Film aesthetic of the franchise.
A Red Alert remake can transform its original cutscenes and add the improved graphics games such as Tiberian Twilight have. In fact, EA can opt to make actual cinematic sequences that make the remake feel like an alternate history war film. Since it's the first game of its series, EA can take its own visual spin and still be unique.
5 Don't Touch It: Camp Has Its Appeal
Fans of C&C and Red Alert find themselves drawn into their universes because of storytelling. Unlike other RTS titles, Red Alert approaches its alternate history with B-Film craziness. In fact, it's this approach that makes its over-the-top plotlines stand out. Much of this appeal can be attributed to cutscenes where NPCs directly speak to players.
As such, Allied Commanders directly talk to the President of the United States (complete with red phone). Meanwhile, the USSR Commander directly answers to the Premier, as well as speak with thick-accented USSR officials.
4 Remake It: Transform It Into A 4X Game
A Red Alert remake will enable EA to apply a wide range of new mechanics and gameplay options to the title. For instance, the Red Alert remake can take the "generals" mechanic from C&C: Generals where players can take on the identity of different generals and have access to special units.
EA can take this mechanic and spin it into making Red Alert a turn-based 4X game of its own. For instance, in this imaginary 4X title, Red Alert can feature different countries in both Allied and USSR forces, each of them with special attributes that can influence the way they try to control the world.
3 Don't Touch It: Simple RTS Forces Mastery
Touching Red Alert might motivate devs to try out crazy mechanics that might taint the original spirit of the game. In this regard, players love Red Alert for its simple and fast-paced gameplay. Unlike other titles, units in Red Alert can immediately meet in skirmishes in just a few minutes of unit preparation.
Instead of the clunky nature of other RTS titles, Red Alert feels lightweight and easy to get into, which the game should retain. Moreover, this feature also forces mastery on the part of players.
2 Remake It: Create More Exciting Multiplayer Matches
Thanks to modern tech, more people can now access multiplayer games via a robust networking infrastructure. A Red Alert remake can not only spark a return to the franchise, but also a return of an active user-base if EA decides to pursue multiplayer support.
Not to mention, a remake with updated gameplay and graphics may also help players get back to the RTS eSports scene– which can be a breath of fresh air in an eSports scene heavily focused on MOBA, FPS, and fighting games.
1 Don't Touch It: Create Another C&C Game Instead
Instead of making a Red Alert remake, perhaps EA should try making another Command and Conquer title. For instance, the ending of C&C 4: Tiberian Twilight left a wide opening in the series' overall continuity that can be resolved with another title. Additionally, C&C Generals 2 may also be an ideal choice for a continuation.
Instead of banking on nostalgia, players might find it more appealing to play continuations of these franchises. Knowing what happened to Kane after this "ascension" still lingers in the minds of long-time C&C fans.