Command & Conquer: Red Alert – Counterstrike
Expansion of Command & Conquer: Red Alert
PC
Westwood Studios
Virgin Interactive Entertainment
Where to buy
Command & Conquer: Red Alert – Counterstrike is the first official expansion pack for Westwood Studios’ wildly successful 1996 alternate-history RTS, Command & Conquer: Red Alert. Released in March 1997 and published by Virgin Interactive, Counterstrike followed the exact same development philosophy as the original game’s expansion, The Covert Operations. Rather than delivering a unified, cinematic narrative with FMV cutscenes, it served as a brutal, highly challenging “mission disk” aimed squarely at players who had already mastered the base campaigns.
Set against the backdrop of the massive European war between the Allied Forces and the Soviet Union—a timeline created when Albert Einstein traveled back in time to erase Adolf Hitler from history—Counterstrike pushes the bizarre, sci-fi weaponry of both factions to their absolute limits.
Gameplay and Structure
Just like The Covert Operations, Counterstrike does not feature a linear, story-driven campaign. Instead, players are presented with a menu of 16 highly difficult, standalone tactical scenarios (8 for the Allies, and 8 for the Soviets).
Key gameplay characteristics include:
- Standalone Operations: You can tackle the missions in any order you choose. These scenarios represent isolated skirmishes, covert ops, and secret weapons testing happening on the fringes of the main war.
- Hero Units and Prototypes: While the expansion didn’t add standard, buildable units to the multiplayer roster (that would happen in the second expansion, The Aftermath), it heavily featured unique, mission-specific units. Players were introduced to the devastating Soviet Tesla Tank prototype, as well as the terrifying Soviet cybernetic super-soldier Volkov and his equally lethal cyber-dog, Chitzkoi.
- Punishing Scenarios: The missions were notoriously difficult. Players were frequently thrown into situations with severely limited resources, complex puzzle-like map layouts, and highly aggressive AI that demanded intense micromanagement.
- Expanded Soundtrack: The legendary Frank Klepacki returned to compose eight brand-new, high-energy tracks for the expansion, further cementing Red Alert’s signature blend of heavy metal and industrial electronica.
The Secret “Ant” Campaign
Westwood loved hiding massive, campy easter eggs in their games, and Counterstrike features arguably the most famous one in the entire franchise: “It Came from Red Alert!”
Replacing the secret dinosaur campaign of the previous game, Westwood drew heavy inspiration from 1950s B-movie sci-fi horror (specifically the film Them!). By holding down the Shift key and clicking on the speaker icon in the main menu, players unlocked a secret, four-mission mini-campaign.
The premise is brilliantly absurd: bizarre Soviet nuclear testing has irradiated the local wildlife, spawning an army of massive, highly aggressive, fire-breathing Giant Ants. The Allies and Soviets are forced to stop fighting each other and unite against the insectoid horde. Players had to use standard tanks, infantry, and base defenses to exterminate the hive before the ants overran Europe.
Development and Legacy
Released in early 1997, Counterstrike was exactly the kind of challenging, content-heavy expansion that the booming PC strategy market craved. While it was slightly criticized for not including the trademark live-action FMV cutscenes that defined the base game, the sheer tactical depth of the new missions and the inclusion of the brilliant Giant Ant campaign made it a must-own for fans.
Westwood would follow this up mere months later with The Aftermath, a second expansion that formally introduced brand-new buildable units to the skirmish and multiplayer modes.
Today, in 2026, Counterstrike is beautifully preserved. It was fully integrated into the spectacular 2020 Command & Conquer Remastered Collection. Developed by EA and Petroglyph Games, this collection completely redrew the 1996 pixel art into stunning 4K resolution, remastered the audio, and made the secret Giant Ant missions easily accessible from the main menu, ensuring this 90s classic remains flawless on modern hardware.
Key Features:
- Veteran Operations — Test your tactical prowess across 16 brutal, standalone missions designed specifically for hardcore Red Alert veterans.
- Volkov and Chitzkoi — Take command of (or attempt to survive against) devastating, mission-exclusive cybernetic hero units.
- The Giant Ant Menace — Discover the legendary, secret “It Came from Red Alert!” mini-campaign and battle hordes of radioactive, base-crushing insects.
- New Klepacki Beats — Wage war to eight iconic, brand-new heavy metal and industrial tracks added to the game’s legendary jukebox.
- Flawlessly Remastered — Play the expansion today in glorious 4K resolution via the acclaimed 2020 Command & Conquer Remastered Collection.
Release Platforms:
- MS-DOS / Windows 95 — March 1997 (Original Release)
- Microsoft Windows (PC) — June 5, 2020 (Available on Steam and the EA App strictly as part of the fully integrated Command & Conquer Remastered Collection).
