Personally, I would recommend playing the full campaign (American and Soviets together). I really think that the game is better that way and there are a few events that tie in together in both campaigns. For example, as the American/NATO forces, I played through one mission very well and was celebrating my victory. Then, on the next mission, the game switches back to the Soviets and I find out that my victory as the Americans had a tragic cost for one of the officers I serve with. One thing that this game did particularly well was that I cared about the characters in the game (American,NATO, and even the Soviets). I also liked how the Soviet characters you serve with aren't automatically the generic, dripping with evil, bad guys. They're just soldiers following orders. It's also interesting just to see what the Soviets are up to while I'm defending the U.S. and they even mention some of the battles that you fight through as the Americans. In short, playing through both campaigns adds to the already enjoyable storyline of the original.
