[/caption]One reason for the immense popularity of iPad is the collection of brilliant games that this amazing device brought in the market. The real-time strategy games have captured attention of a major segment of the gamers and Command & Conquer: Red Alert has a massive following. Such strategy games improve the overall decision making abilities and are mandatory for those who are involved in strategy making in the real world. The iPad version is a proud addition by the Electronic Art for Apple users.
Features
The game itself is divided into 3 campaigns namely, Rising Sun, Soviet and Allied. One of the improvements that EA managed to do with the iPad version is the availability of additional skirmish (against computer) maps that were available for iPhone but by paying some extra bucks. These campaigns come with 5 missions each. Numerous goals are designed for each mission and after developing some expertise you can easily complete these goals within half an hour. One overall disappointment here is the shortage of diverse goals – usually you ultimately require killing the opponent all the time.
Graphics have improved dramatically on the iPad as compared to its iPhone version. If you try to zoom-in then you will not only be presented with a zoomed-in 2D map but more detailed 3D animations will appear. Zooming is made quite intuitive and manageable with the famous pinch-to-zoom gesture using two fingers. Sound quality is improved and you can get rid of the extra buttons (options) – the full screen mode provides the much-needed details of the map.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="384" caption="Nasty Explosions, Photo Courtesy of Apple, Inc."]
[/caption]One disappointment is the verdict of EA team to chuck out the detailed resource management. The option was not available on the iPhone version as well but iPhone had to compromise due to its small screen size while iPad has considerably a large screen.
Multiplayer mode is available but the limitation to only play with opponents on the same network really disappoints the online-multiplayer gamers. Now if you want to enjoy the multiplayer mode, first you have to find some friend having the iPad with a working Red Alert app. Multiplayer is only limited to Bluetooth and WiFi.
Unnecessary limitations that EA puts on the game are not laudable when iPad has all the potentials to be awarded with a full-fledge version of Command & Conquer Red Alert. The game is available in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish languages.
Controls
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="336" caption="Selection made easy, Photo Courtesy of Apple, Inc."]
[/caption]EA deserves some complement for implementing intuitive controls for the iPad version. Selection of groups of units is possible directly by using three fingers – this saves lots of time. The allowance of hot key tab so that 3 individual forces are grouped jointly is a real blessing. You can place any desired building on the ground with a simple tap of the finger.
Gameplay
The real-time strategy Red Alert will keep you engaged in lots of activities simultaneously. You will constantly have to indulge in some serious construction around your base to increase the resources. iPad version’s ability to create unit groups is super fast and saves lots of time.
Navigation through the map usually takes the major proportion of the time as you are required to find out resources. Once you are able to determine the locations, collecting the raw resources is just few taps away.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="317" caption="Detailed Briefing for every Mission, Photo Courtesy of Apple, Inc."]
[/caption]One of the major functions of the game is to engage with opponents in heavy battles. You constantly have to move your troops to defend your territory and to capture some more. You just have to select the buildings and troops that you want to destroy – your army will do the rest. If you plan to engage in some serious battle, then zooming-in to that particular area is always helpful to have the real insight.
Although Red Alert offer skirmish mode where you play against the computer but the real fun lies in playing against a real player. Generally the overall intelligence of the game is commendable but there are some issues that require immediate action from EA. Troops are sometimes mistaken for trees which is not at all funny if you are engaged in a battle.
Price
The user reviews are not good for the Red Alert and the game is one of the most expensive games available on the iPad – a solid sum of $12.99. Gamers who love other editions of the game will be most happy to spend this much for a half-baked game like Command & Conquer Red Alert for iPad.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="384" caption="Diverse maps, Photo Courtesy of Apple, Inc."]
[/caption]Verdict
The game earned huge number of fans in the early days but soon the issues faced by the gamers became the reason for its decline. We recommend it for the Red Alert fans who just love to have a copy of iPad version but with no online multiplayer the game is a little disappointment for them too. You can get Command & Conquer Red Alert for iPad here.
[rating: 3/5]
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