History YMMV / CommandAndConquerRedAlert

* HarsherInHindsight: In this timeline, Ukraine is an independent nation from the Soviet Union yet still on the same side of the war, and you can play as Russia vs Ukraine in Skirmish mode. Come the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, however...

* HarsherInHindsight: In this timeline, Ukraine is still part of the Soviet Union, and you can play as Russia vs Ukraine in Skirmish mode. Come the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, however...

* YMMV/CommandAndConquerRedAlertSeries

!![[VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert Red Alert]]:

* LowTierLetdown: The Allied Thief was maligned for how difficult it is to use them without resorting to outlandish tactics such as an Engineer rush or Chrono-shifted [=MCV=], followed by placing a Barracks to start training the Thieves. As a result, in ''VideoGame/RedAlert2'' the Spy was given the Thief's ability to raid credits in addition to their other skills, making the Spy even more valuable and allowing theft to also be stealthy.

* TierInducedScrappy:
** The Soviet YAK aircraft. In the early campaign missions, you won't have much of a choice with aircraft. However, in later missions (or in Skirmish/Multiplayer) you gain access to the Hind attack helicopter and the MIG fighter jet. The MIG has better armor, speed, and firepower than the YAK. And for anti-infantry purposes, the Hind has [[MoreDakka a powerful chain gun]] that can tear through infantry divisions. The Hind also has more ammo and armor compared to the YAK, so it can attack for longer periods of time. With these two better options, you might find yourself passing over the YAK altogether.
** The Soviet Mammoth Tank is heavily overshadowed by the standard Heavy Tank. It's extremely slow and has underwhelming firepower for the 1700 credits you pay. The missile pods are pathetic against air while infantry is too rarely fielded in multiplayer for the missiles to matter.
** The Allied Thief was maligned for how difficult it is to use them without resorting to outlandish tactics such as an Engineer rush or Chrono-shifted [=MCV=], followed by placing a Barracks to start training the Thieves. As a result, in ''VideoGame/RedAlert2'' the Spy was given the Thief's ability to raid credits in addition to their other skills, making the Spy even more valuable and allowing theft to also be stealthy.
** While the Allied Mine Layer does have its uses in fending off tanks or harassing ore trucks, the Soviet Mine Layer has no such luck, focusing on anti-infantry mines instead. Infantry are already pretty squishy even without the tactic of simply running them over with vehicles. Mines in general are pretty cumbersome to deploy since you need to constantly select the Mine Layer, deploy it, and reload at a Service Depot constantly. Most players simply resort to the simpler tactic of fielding tanks.
** The Allied Artillery cannon has a number of problems keeping it from fulfilling its intended purpose. Its range is considerably shorter than that of the V2 Rocket Launcher, having the advantage of being able to fire faster. This doesn't really help when a bug makes the Artillery unit engage its target like a tank rather than fire from afar, far enough to out-range base defenses. Instead, it ends up getting destroyed by said base defenses.

* EsotericHappyEnding: Possibly a minor one with the Soviet ending for ''Red Alert: Retaliation''. [[spoiler:Topolov is shown cleaning out his office and it is implied that the Soviets have lost the war. However, Topolov [[TokenGoodTeammate doesn't seem to mind]] due to his [[EveryoneHasStandards moral compass]] and actually seems relieved that the war is now over. In spite of the defeat, he congratulates you, presents you with a bottle of vodka, and happily salutes you as "General" in your new office. Now, consider that Topolov [[LiquidCourage used vodka to cope with stress]] and the Soviets have lost the war. It's kind of implied that you, the player, might have just been PromotedToScapegoat.]]

** The Allied Thief can steal half of the opponent's credits if it enters any non-defensive building. However it has no weapons of it's own, no armor of it's own, and unlike the Spy he cannot cloak. He also costs a whopping 500 credits, meaning not only do you have to hope your opponent has more than 1k in the bank at the time (just to break even) but it also makes spamming them unfeasible as the costs start stacking up. If you wanna cripple your opponent's economy, harassing Harvesters is much easier (and ironically much safer). Later games would fold the Thief's ability into the Spy.

** Also in the Soviet story, was [[spoiler:General Gradenko]] as incompetent as he appeared or was he secretly sympathizing with the Allies, as suggested by being declared a "traitor" by Kukov? Nadia even agrees, replying that dealing with traitors "...my pleasure".

** In the Soviet campaign, did [[spoiler:General Kukov]] truly botch the Chronosphere intelligence or did he purposely withhold info to set you up? This would make them like TheStarscream [[spoiler:Seth]] in ''Tiberian Dawn'' who attempted to dispose of the player by sending them on potential suicide missions but ultimately got executed by Kane for his attempt to send you to attack The Pentagon. It's notable how [[spoiler:Kukov]] encourages you with "Advancement in the Soviet Army can be rapid. Continue to accumulate victories and the future is yours." after he's done admiring his medals of honor.
** Also in the Soviet story, was [[spoiler:General Gradenko]] as incompetent as he appeared or was he secretly sympathizing with the Allies, as suggested by being declared a "traitor" by Kukov?