Fans of the real-time strategy game genre have been feeling the love on the PlayStation 3 as well as other consoles but one RTS classic had yet to show up on Sony’s shiny new console. Luckily for us, though, the Command & Conquer series has finally arrived on the PS3 with Red Alert 3 and - while it has its problems - it turns out that the PS3 is capable of doing justice to the series. It’s time to call in the samurai robots and war bears division, comrades, because the war continues.

Those who have played Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 on the PC or even the Xbox 360 can tell you that the Red Alert series is far from serious despite the fact that the theme is war. In fact, Red Alert 3 is actually delightfully zany and - as we can see from the opening video - utterly campy. Speaking of the video footage and opening intro movie, it features a surprisingly well-known cast of celebrities that ranges from Jonathan Price, George Takei, Peter Stromare and Tim Curry (whose Russian accent is so bad that it’s hilarious) just to name a few of the many celebs on board.

While introducing a few exclusive PS3 features such as Command School, the Ultimate Edition of Red Alert 3 offers a number of bonus video features (including a blooper reel) and PS3-exclusive maps. While the bonus material is great stuff, the main attraction delivers a lengthy and diverse campaign mode. The campaign begins with the Soviet side coming under attack by the Allies. With defeat looming near, Premier Cherenkov (Curry) and General Krukov (Andrew Divoff) turns to Dr. Zelinsky (Stromare) and his time machine to travel back into time to eliminate Albert Einstein. With Einstein gone, the Allies are forced to fight the war without their tactical advantage. So continues the war between the Soviets, Allies and the Empire of the Rising Sun. 

You can then chose the faction you would like to play as but, by default or if you’re now to RTS games, it’s best to pick the Soviet side. Then again, the game does include an in-depth Tutorial that does a good job of teaching you all that you need to know about the gameplay. All three factions contain the same gameplay elements only different allies and Co-Commanders. Of course, each faction has different types of infantry units, vehicles, structures and special operatives. The Soviets, for example, have Natasha as a special operative while the Allied side has Tanya (played by Jenny McCarthy) and the Japanese side has Yuriko. 

The campaign is broken into levels with several mission objectives including bonus objectives that will give you an advantage out in the field. You are not only placed in command of units but also given the chance to construct structures that will build and train new infantry and vehicle units as well as extract natural resources that will grant you more spending money. You’ll also have a Co-Commander that - in single-player mode - is made up of an AI buddy you can order around to use their infantry units.

Interestingly enough, the opponent AI isn’t dumb and will do a good job trying to counter your every move so every decision you make out in the field should be thought thoroughly before making a move. Do you spend your resources repairing your power plant or concentrate all your forces into reclaiming enemy territory. You’ll also have Top-Secret Protocols, Superweapons and Ultimate Weapons. You also have Special Attacks.

As far as the controls are concerned, moving units, issuing commands and deciding where on the map can be considerably awkward. The PS3’s DualShock controller makes it somewhat difficult to selections from the Command Menu. Click on a spot where you want your infantry and vehicles to move and they might take the long route. These problems will not fail to irritate occasionally but once you get use to the controls you’ll be able issue commands and mobilize your troops quickly. This is good news seeing as the mission objectives often change in the middle of a skirmish. 

Speaking of Skirmish, you can take on a friend or up to four of them on a battle that uses multiple Co-Commanders. The game flows nicely online whether you play against a friend or with a friend taking up the role of your Co-Commander in the game’s campaign mode. Unfortunately, the game only allows you to play with friends or players whose PlayStation Network ID you know. At least the game moves at a steady framerate and you can download extra maps.

Visually, the game looks decent enough with some sharp video cut scenes that give the game a truly fun B-movie feel. The performances are really over-the-top campy and watching each actor feed you Intel makes the game all the more unique. While the map shows some detailed cities, it just doesn’t look as good as it should on the PS3. The visual effects do look good, though.

Meanwhile, the Ultimate Edition features some remixes in the soundtrack that’s wonderfully diverse. Depending on the faction, you’ll be hearing musical arrangements that drive home the feeling that you’re fighting for Empire of the Rising Sun or the Soviet side. The sound effects are not bad at all but the soundtrack occasionally drowns it out. The voice acting is actually just as awesome as the video cut scenes. 

The Ultimate Edition of Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 definitely deserves a place in your PS3 gaming library even more so if you’re a dedicated fan of the genre. It’s actually great to see a Command & Conquer game on a console like the PlayStation 3 and, while you’ll start wishing for a mouse and keyboard, the controls are user-friendly enough to do this thoroughly entertaining RTS justice. Pick this one up if you’re a fan of the genre and the series. 

Gameplay: 8.0
The PS3 control scheme takes some getting used to but - thanks to the tutorial and responsive controls - you’ll be commanding your troops and building structures in no time. The three campaigns don’t fail to challenge even the more experienced RTS fan.

Graphics: 7.5
As far as the graphics are concerned, Red Alert 3 could have looked a tad better on the PS3. Still, the game does display some awesome effects and the video cut scenes look crisp and clear.

Sound: 7.5
The voice acting and music really stand out in this game but sometimes the sound effects feel a little too distant at times to the point that you’ll be pumping up the volume. The same can be said about some of the voices during particularly intense skirmishes.

Difficulty: Medium/Hard
While the Russian campaign is considered the easiest, it does offer plenty of challenges. The other campaigns pile on the mission objectives and the opponent AI is able to surprise you with some cunning strategies. You can always increase the difficulty level at the beginning of any level.

Concept: 8.0
The Ultimate Edition contains a number of juicy extras from the PC edition that includes some behind-the-scenes material (The Women of Red Alert 3), bloopers from the video cut scenes, Battlecast Primetime and there’s even some exclusive PS3 content. The game also has an online multiplayer mode that supports voice chat.

Multiplayer: 7.0
Oddly enough, EA dropped the ball on the online multiplayer options that don’t really feature a lobby where you can challenge players that aren’t on your friends’ list so you can only invite gamers you know. On the plus side, though, the co-op of versus multiplayer action is fun.

Overall: 8.0
Red Alert 3 is one of those wildly enjoyable and outrageously campy games that make this a good time for anyone looking for a real-time strategy game for their PS3. A few annoying issues aside, the fun campaigns, video sequences and numerous options does make this an impressive console version.