While the dust is yet to settle on Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3, developers EA aren't resting on their laurels just yet, announcing the first standalone expansion for the title, Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Uprising will be available via digital download, exclusively for the PC in March of this year.

The expansion brings an "epic" new single-player campaign, throwing gamers further into the Red Alert universe with more action-packed gameplay, plus a gauntlet of "new and compelling challenges", which come with the new Commander's Challenge mode.


Amer Ajami, Senior Producer at EA Los Angeles explains:

”Uprising is a game that in many ways reflects the feedback we have gotten from the Command & Conquer community. We’re giving gamers more of what they want – more of the fast, fluid and fun gameplay, more of the story we began to tell in Red Alert 3 and more cutscenes featuring top-notch Hollywood talent. At the same time, we’re excited we’re going to be able to bring new things to the mix, including new units and the Commander’s Challenge, which is a great way for players to hone their skills and get deeper into the combat.”

Uprising follows on from the massive battles in Red Alert 3, which sees the Soviets still down from a crushing defeat, the Empire of the Rising Sun scrabbling to regain identity (and honour!), while the seemingly victorious Allies have uncovered deceit and corruption among their own ranks.

The game features four mini-games - one for each faction plus a bonus campaign featuring the history of Yuriko, commando for the Empire of the Rising Sun - and also introduces the new Commander's Challenge mode. This gives players the ability to test their skills against nine different commanders, from various territories and with assorted difficulty levels, in 50 unique challenges each boasting unique conditions and their own special rules.

...in case you were wondering, yes the cheesy HD cut-scenes will be making a reappearance, with fan favourites Gemma Atkinson and Ivana Milicevic returning to the high ranks of Allied and Soviet leaderships, plus an all-new set of stars to be announced soon.

If you don't have a copy of the original Red Alert 3, don't panic. Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Uprising is a standalone release, which does not require the first game. Of course, if you do want to rush out and catch up on the earlier story, we're not going to stop you - and suggest that you might like to check out our review, or some of our earlier coverage of the game.