Gaming Target - Xbox: Red Faction II

Written by Nick Doukas on May 07, 2003

Full Review: Better dead than RedЕ

The original Red Faction was released for the Playstation 2 in May of 2001. A great console FPS with a solid storyline, groundbreaking Уgeo-modФ technology (no punЕ.I swear) and cool weapons, it was well received by gamers and an excellent addition to the PS2 library. I played it and enjoyed it thoroughly; appreciating its positive elements and realizing that console FPS's had come a long way since Goldeneye. Red Faction II picks up exactly where the original left offЕ.not. Actually, RF II throws you into the role of a new hero: Alias, a super soldier and demolitions expert with a ton of weapons and a lot of ammo. It's the 22nd century, five years after the rebellion on Mars, and Chancellor Victor Sopot continues his reign of terror. An endless war of unification with the United Republic has all but destroyed the Commonwealth, and the city is mired in filth and ruin. The Public Information Building continually broadcasts disinformation and hysterical ranting, as citizens are misled about the Commonwealth's military superiority and the state of the conflict. It's at this point that Alias (that's you) and his (or, in this case, your) squad of super-soldiers, who each possess specific attributes and talents, take up the fight.

Red Faction II controls well, and adheres to what has become the gold standard for console FPS's. You'll pitch and turn using the right thumbstick, and move using the left. Click right to jump and left to crouch. The white button will allow you to quick-spin 180 degrees, while the black button is used to manually reload. X and B cycle through available weapons, the Y button handles grenades, and the A button is used to interact with doors and switches. Primary and secondary fire utilize the right and left triggers respectively. The heads-up display indicates your available weapons, ammo and grenade types, as well as health and shield information. Since Alias is equipped with nano-technology, he's able to regenerate health over time, so you'll be able to duck out of a firefight and recharge. You'll also find health power-ups dropped by certain enemies, and ballistics and grenades scattered throughout the levels. Weapons are plentiful, and range from semi-automatic pistols, to a combat shotgun, magnetic rail driver, and a whole bunch of other heavy metal in between. All of the weapons fire realistically, and the geo-mod engine displays real-time damage to the environments. Enemy soldiers flop over convincingly when shot, and a well-placed rocket propelled grenade will blow an adversary into bloody chunks. Overall the on-foot combat feels great, and will satisfy FPS junkies in a big way.

Red Faction II features several vehicle driven segments. Vets from the first RF will remember a free-roaming experience with the various craft available in that game, but RF II has you mostly handling gunner's chores in rail shooter style. However, don't let that fool you. These sections are super-fun, and firing rockets, as well as ripping up windows, walls and enemies with powerful, mounted auto-cannons is extremely satisfying, and highly detailed. You'll see chunks of brick raining down, office furniture blasted to smithereens, and scores of bullet holes pockmark the walls as you fly past. Vehicles at your disposal include the AHC-36 Military Gunship, a heavily armored tank, and the SOP-MAI Battle armor, which sports wicked dual mini-guns and shoulder mounted pods that fire armor piercing shells. As objectives are completed and you advance through the game, your progress will automatically be saved at pre-determined checkpoints. As you can see, between the vehicles and your small arms, there's never a dull moment in RF II. The action plows along rapidly from beginning to end, and the game throws one intense firefight after another at you, as hordes of enemies swarm in from all sides.

Visually Red Faction II looks good. Solid textures (a bit flat, but decent looking nonetheless), great weapons effects, realistic physics, and atmospheric locales (think 22nd century fascism) create an impressive world that fits the story and overall mood well. The sound is well implemented also, with massive explosions, the rhythmic, staccato pulse of powerful weapons, as well as the sounds of each tremendous war-machine relentlessly pounding from your speakers. The music is suitable, if a bit non-descript, and accompanies the various combat action nicely. Enemies behave realistically, jumping and taking cover, and attempting to outflank you whenever possible. You'll sometimes find yourself fighting alongside your squad-mates, but most of the game sees you tearing into Sopot's armies all by your lonesome. Don't worry, you always have your guns to keep you company.

Red Faction II's story is pretty basic sci-fi dogma, but it strikes the right chords and draws you into the action effortlessly. The voice acting is well done, most notably by Lance Henricksen (Aliens), and the dialogue is B-movie worthy, but strangely compelling. Overall, the adventure lasts about 8 hours, relatively short for an action game, though every minute of those 8 hours is filled with relentless action and insane gunplay.

RF II features several multi-player modes, though unfortunately, no Live support is included. However, gamers can play standard deathmatch, as well as other game types, via split-screen. While Xbox Live support would have been embraced, the inclusion of customizable multi-player options is cool, and a blast to play around with. Live would have been nice, but oatmeal's better than no meal, right?