Command & Conquer: Red Alert – The Aftermath

Command & Conquer: Red Alert – The Aftermath is the second and final official expansion pack for Westwood Studios’ 1996 real-time strategy masterpiece, Red Alert. Released in September 1997 and published by Virgin Interactive, this expansion took a drastically different approach from its predecessor, Counterstrike.

While Counterstrike was essentially a brutal, standalone “mission disk,” The Aftermath was a massive mechanical upgrade. It injected a bizarre, highly experimental roster of brand-new, buildable units directly into the core multiplayer and skirmish sandbox, fundamentally altering the competitive meta of the game.

Gameplay and The New Arsenal

The defining feature of The Aftermath was its commitment to wild, asymmetrical sci-fi warfare. The new units completely patched the tactical holes of the original factions while adding a layer of glorious, unpredictable chaos to the battlefield.

• The Allied Forces: Emphasizing speed and trickery, the Allies received the Chrono Tank, a lightly armored vehicle that could teleport anywhere on the map, allowing for devastating hit-and-run attacks on enemy harvesters. They also received the Field Mechanic, a specialized infantry unit capable of healing damaged vehicles on the front lines without needing a Service Depot, and the dreaded Demolition Truck, a fast-moving, nuclear-rigged suicide vehicle that could instantly level an entire base if not intercepted.
• The Soviet Union: Doubling down on raw, apocalyptic power, the Soviets received the Shock Trooper, an elite infantryman wielding a portable Tesla coil. The navy was vastly improved with the Missile Sub, which allowed the Soviets to bombard inland targets from the sea. On land, they deployed the Tesla Tank (a mobile, rapid-fire Tesla coil) and the terrifying M.A.D. Tank (Mutually Assured Destruction), an unarmed vehicle that, when deployed, generated a massive, localized seismic wave that heavily damaged everything—friend or foe—within a massive radius.

The Campaigns and Additions

Just like Counterstrike, the expansion eschewed the linear, cinematic story of the base game in favor of standalone tactical scenarios.

• 18 New Missions: The expansion featured 9 new operations for the Allies and 9 for the Soviets. These missions were heavily designed to showcase the new, highly experimental units, forcing players to master teleporting tanks and seismic weapons.
• Mega Maps: To accommodate the destructive new arsenal and the massive popularity of the game’s LAN and dial-up scenes, Westwood introduced “Mega Maps.” These were significantly larger map sizes specifically designed to comfortably house up to eight players for massive, chaotic skirmishes.
• New Klepacki Tracks: The game’s legendary jukebox was expanded once again. Franchise composer Frank Klepacki delivered eight brand-new, high-energy industrial and techno tracks to accompany the new carnage.

Development and Legacy

Released in late 1997, The Aftermath was praised for doing exactly what an expansion should do: providing meaningful, game-changing additions to the multiplayer sandbox while delivering a wealth of new single-player content. The new units proved so popular that variations of them (like the Tesla Tank and the Demolition Truck) would become permanent, iconic fixtures in the Red Alert 2 sequel a few years later.

Today, in 2026, there is no need to track down the original 1997 CD-ROM to experience this slice of RTS history. The Aftermath is flawlessly preserved within the stellar 2020 Command & Conquer Remastered Collection. Developed by EA and Petroglyph Games, this collection features fully redrawn 4K graphics, remastered audio, and seamlessly integrates all of the expansion’s wild new units and missions directly into the modernized multiplayer client.

Key Features:

• The Experimental Arsenal — Radically alter your multiplayer strategies by deploying teleporting Chrono Tanks, nuclear Demolition Trucks, and seismic M.A.D. Tanks.
• 18 New Operations — Test your skills across 9 new Allied and 9 new Soviet missions, designed specifically for veterans of the base game.
• Expanded Warfare — Fight on newly introduced “Mega Maps,” providing the massive real estate required for intense, 8-player multiplayer battles.
• The Jukebox Expands — Wage war to the beat of eight brand-new, iconic industrial tracks composed by Frank Klepacki.
• Flawlessly Remastered — Play the expansion today in glorious 4K resolution via the acclaimed 2020 Command & Conquer Remastered Collection.

Release Platforms:

• MS-DOS / Windows 95 — September 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).