Unleashing the Power of Alternate History

What truly defines a man? Is it his wealth, looks, or the love of his friends and family? Wrong. All of those are wrong. There is only one thing that truly defines a man. In my videos, I often use alternate history to explore real-world questions and make us reflect on how we got to where we are today. But today, I want to talk about something different - a beloved part of alternate history that influenced my young mind.

When I was 10 years old, I was captivated by the world of Command & Conquer. If you're not familiar with it, don't worry; it hasn't been that relevant this decade, thanks to EA driving the franchise into an early grave. But let me enlighten you about a blessed series that planted the seed of alternate history craziness in my young and impressionable mind: the Red Alert series.

The Red Alert series, created in a post-war 1946, takes us to a world where Albert Einstein invents a time machine to prevent the tragedy of World War II. He goes back in time to eliminate Hitler before he can wreak havoc. But here's the twist: if Hitler never came to power, why would Einstein need to go back in time? Well, it's a strategy game from the '90s, so let's not think too deeply about it.

Each Command & Conquer game has multiple endings, depending on which side you play as. If you choose the Soviets, you get to lead the invasion of Europe using advanced technology like iron curtains and Tesla coils. The Soviet Union decides to take over Europe instead of Nazi Germany waging war against everyone. Your goal is to conquer Europe and bring the USSR to the forefront. Along the way, your comrades may perish, but as the main player, you survive Stalin's wrath and lead the USSR to control all of Europe.

On the other hand, if you play as the Allies, your mission is to prevent the Soviets from invading Europe. You beat back the Soviets using their own weapons against them, ensuring that they don't bomb Britain. The storylines in these games don't delve too deep into lore, but the state of the world ultimately comes down to either the Allies winning or the Soviets prevailing.

In the Red Alert series, the Allies emerge victorious. Stalin is replaced by a puppet leader named Alexander Romanov, a descendant of the Romanovs overthrown by the Soviets in the first place. However, the peace is short-lived when the Soviets invade the United States. The US president, caught off guard, confronts Romanov about the invasion, and tensions rise.

In this conflict, psychics play a role. Yuri, a psychic character, brainwashes top-secret nuclear bases, rendering the US unable to use its nukes. The war escalates, and the story unfolds through two campaigns with different outcomes.

As the Allied commander, you find yourself battling against the Soviets on American soil, reclaiming territories, including the Statue of Liberty, which has little strategic importance. However, Yuri's mind control on the president and top generals changes the tide of the war, ultimately leading to the Soviets' victory.

The Soviet campaign is similar, with conquests in Europe and a confrontation between Yuri and Romanov. The plot twists and turns, and the fate of the world hangs in the balance as you, the commander, fight against Yuri and his mind-controlled forces.

The Red Alert series may not be the most realistic portrayal of history, but it doesn't have to be. It offers an entertaining blend of strategy, action, and alternate history. So, if you're looking for a captivating journey into a world where pivotal events took different turns, give the Red Alert series a try. Immerse yourself in a world where time travel, war, and consequences collide.