Red Alert 2 is one of the best examples of off-the-shelf mayhem and over-the-top craziness that RTS has to offer
These qualities, however, are not what make Red Alert 2 a great game.
Red Alert 2 is a great game because in addition to the excellent unit design, it also utilizes crazy and utterly ridiculous premises to both enhance the gameplay and also to keep the real-time genre feeling as fresh as ever. For example, instead of following the meat-and-potatoes formula of countries locked in dire, life-or-death struggles, Red Alert 2 takes on the campy, yet thoroughly enjoyable storyline of a cantankerous and overly zealous Soviet Union taking over the world with the help of psychic madman, the ever wonderful Yuri.
What Westwood Studios manages to do so well in Red Alert 2 is that it preys upon the stereotypes of the Cold War era and turns them into extremely exaggerated versions of themselves to the point of comedy. The Soviet faction, for example, all sport extremely thick and very bad Russian accents. The leader of the Reds, Premiere Romanov, is portrayed as a bumbling oaf ruling the Soviet Union only as the puppet of his second-in-command, Yuri. Speaking of whom, Yuri proves to be an indescribable breed of human, one who is intended to be a sinister, cunning old devil, but ends up looking like a lame, but still totally awesome villain, which is exactly what Westwood wants you to think. The fact that he is a psychic madman just adds to the already spoofy nature of Red Alert 2 and further enhances the rts experience.
The Allies are treated no different as well. One of the main characters, special agent Tanya, is highly reminiscent of the good ole', butt-kicking, all-around tough-guy heroes such as Indiana Jones. The allies also have access to their own special breed of crazy genius, professor Einstein himself. Since the whole series' premise is that WWII never starts because Hitler was assassinated before he could form the Nazi regime, Einstein apparently had more time to goof off in America and develop an easily-excitable and borderline hyperactive persona. Nearly every mission or cutscene features him excitedly demonstrating his newest gadget or weapon that he wishes to give to you. As interesting as these people are, however, General Carville might be the character that you will most identify with and enjoy. A roly-poly man with a distinct Texas inflection and deep sense of patriotism, he will grow on you so much that you will be sad when... well, if you don't have the game already, I can't tell you what happens to him next. Trust me, you will be sad that whatever happens to him happens.
The cheesiness doesn't stop at the characters, though, not by a long shot. Unit design benefits tremendously from the atmosphere Westwood creates and offers you a surprising and very fun to use collection of war machines. The Soviets, with the psychic Yuri at their side, have access to a mind-controlled giant squid that can sneak up on allied ships, grab them with their tentacles, and bring them down into their watery graves. Is it preposterous? Yeah, it is. Is it fun? Oh, most definitely.
The Allies are a slightly more conventional side, but that does not mean they don't have their fair share of wacky and silly soldiers as well. Thanks to Einstein's tireless efforts, the Allied commanders have access to prism tanks, which are basically gigantic lasers on wheels, the Chrono legionnaire, brainchild of Albert's time-traveling obsession, and the mirage tank, which can disguise itself as a tree and ambush unsuspecting Soviets. In order to provide an effective counter to the Red's Giant Squid, the Allies have their equally strange, specially trained dolphins that emit soundwaves that stun the squid long enough for the destroyers to finish off.
Overall, Red Alert 2, if it were a run-of-the-mill RTS, would be a competent game, playable in all aspects; however, with the amount of humor and the unique cast of units and characters, Westwood has managed to elevate this game into something more special than a standard strategy title and rightfully deserves hearty acclaim and recognition.