Red Faction (series)

Infobox VG
title=Red Faction (series)


caption=
developer=Volition, Inc.
publisher=THQ
designer=
engine= Geo-Mod Engine(All), Havok Physics Engine(Guerrilla only) [cite web|title=Red Faction: Guerrilla 1up Preview|url=http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3167255|publisher=1up|date=2008-08-27|accessdate=2008-08-27]
released=First Released:
"Red Faction": May 22, 2001
"Red Faction II": October 16, 2002
"Red Faction Guerilla": Q1 2009 [cite web|title=Red Faction: Guerrilla Announcement|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=92100|publisher=Eurogamer|date=2008-02-06|accessdate=2008-02-11]
genre=First-person shooter, Third-person shooter(Guerrilla only)
modes=Single-player, Multiplayer
ratings='vgratings|ESRB=
"Red Faction": Mature
"Red Faction II": Mature
"Red Faction Guerrilla": Rating Pending
platforms=
media=
input=|

"Red Faction" is a trilogy of science fiction, first-person shooter video games developed by Volition and published by THQ. Originating in 2001, the "Red Faction" games have spanned many consoles, including the PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, PC, and Mac. Future game(s) will also debut on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

The third game, "", is currently set to be released in Q1 2009. The Geo-Mod engine, which all three games to date run on, is a key staple of the franchise that has yet to be topped in terms of realistic environmental destruction.

While a fourth game has not been announced, THQ has hinted at another sequel to follow "Red Faction: Guerrilla" (see Potential sequels below).

Gameplay

"Red Faction" and "Red Faction II"

The first two games were traditional first person shooters with unique environmental destruction features that were praised both games. The games include vehicles, pistols, rifles, explosives, and other traditional shooter weapons and features. While the first two games didn't re-invent the first person shooter, their Geo-mod Engine and rebellious story made both games a new step for the genre.

"Red Faction: Guerrilla"

The upcoming game, "Red Faction: Guerrilla", builds on the features of the first two games while bringing some entirely new or rebuilt things. The game will now feature a third person point of view, due to the fully upgraded Geo-mod engine(destructible and falling objects engine). The game will also include new weapons and vehicles to use in the open world of Mars. A new feature, called backpacks, are attachable items that are used to give the player an advantage in battle such as a speed burst or unlimited ammunition. The game will also totally revamp the multiplayer for next-gen consoles.

Common themes

The "Red Faction" series has been heavy on its thematic undertones throughout the games. One of the more outstanding themes of the series is a communistic undertone. From the miners rebellion featured (in separate ways) in "Red Faction" and "Red Faction: Guerrilla", to the overthrown monarchy of "Red Faction II", this has been a central theme since the games' inception in 2001. The logos(A fist holding a pickaxe, rifle, sledgehammer) for all three games depict the uprising to battle this communistic society.

Another, more disputable theme, is isolationism. All the games have a set tone of being a "lone ranger" or a "one man army". This has been essential to the games' way of putting the story in a sense of desertion and urgency.

"Red Faction"

"Red Faction" is the first game in the Red Faction franchise that was originally released in mid-2001 and later re-released for other platforms. Red Faction was also the first game to run on the Geo-mod engine that allowed for unparalleled environmental destruction.

Plot summary

"Red Faction" takes place on mars in the year 2158. The protagonist, Parker, is an oppressed miner that came to mars with dreams of fortune and escaping earth. Instead, the Ultor Corporation has given the miners horrible beatings and worse living conditions. Meanwhile, a fatal plague of unknown origin sweeps through the mining barracks, killing many miners.

The story begins with Parker witnessing another miner being brutally killed by an Ultor guard after work one day. Parker decides to fight back and aid the mysterious rebellion called the “Red Faction”. As the story progresses, Parker, aided by former technician turned rebel Hendrix and leader of the rebellion, Eos, wreaks havoc on Ultor’s installations and learns more about the mysterious Plague that’s killing all the miners.

Parker is eventually led to the lair of Dr. Capek, a deranged scientist who has developed mutants, nano-technology (something key in "Red Faction II"), and the Plague itself. Awhile after parker chases and kills Capek, Ultor calls in a band of mercenaries lead by General Masako to stop Parker and the rest of the Red Faction.

For the finale, Parker fights his way through the mercenaries to confront Masako. After a long battle, Parker kills her and finds Eos tied down next to a bomb about to detonate. Parker quickly defuses the bomb and frees Eos. A cutscene shows the Earth Defense Force come to the rescue to stop Ultor’s oppression and help cure the Plague. Eos declares Parker a hero and the game cuts to credits. [cite web|title=Red Faction Detailed Storyline|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Red_Faction#Plot|publisher=Wikpedia|date=2008-09-03|accessdate=2008-09-03] [cite web|title=Red Faction Gamespot Review (Plot Overview)|url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/redfaction/review.html?tag=quicklinks;reviews|publisher=Gamespot|date=2001-09-22|accessdate=2008-09-12]

Evolutions from other games

"Red Faction", having borrowed elements from canceled projects like Descent 4 and others, was considered ahead of its time for many reasons. Among these reasons were:

* Smart AI in both single and multiplayer

* Real-time destructible environments

* Prevalent story-telling and undertones

* Advanced weapons and vehicles for improved gameplay

And so many other great features that made "Red Faction" a hit amongst fans and critics.

Reception

Praised for it’s long play time, great gameplay, and smart AI, "Red Faction" was generally given average to great reviews by critics. The game was also criticized for it‘s scattered story and mediocre graphics. Gamespot gave the game a great review saying, “It's a great big game with much to explore and enemies tough enough to make it worth playing through more than once.” Gamespot awarded the game with a 8.9, giving it a rating of “great”. [cite web|title=Red Faction Gamespot Review|url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/redfaction/review.html?page=1|publisher=Gamespot|date=2008-08-28|accessdate=2008-08-28] Gamespy awarded the game an overall score of 89/100 and called the PC version, “the best and most well-rounded first-person shooter released in a long time.” [cite web|title=Red Faction Gamespy Review|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/september01/redfaction/|publisher=Gamespy|date=2008-08-28|accessdate=2008-08-28]

"Red Faction II"

"Red Faction II" is the sequel to "Red Faction". The game was released in October 2002 for the PlayStation 2, and early 2003 for other platforms. "Red Faction II" is an earth based FPS that mostly deviated from the story set in "Red Faction", only keeping minor plot details.

Plot summary

"Red Faction II" takes place on Earth in the year 2163. The protagonist, Alias, is a genetically enhanced super soldier formerly employed by the Ultor Corporation. Nano-technology developed by Dr. Capek (See Red Faction) has fallen into the hands of the EDF (who is now associated with Ultor) and many other terrorist groups. A dictatorship, “The Commonwealth” has employed the Alias to retrieve Nano-technology and other data.

Eventually the research is claimed for Victor Sopot, leader of the Commonwealth. As Sopot’s soldiers become more enhanced due to the recovered technology, the more he fears them. Sopot sends lessened troops to stop all remaining nano-tech soldiers (including Alias). Alias allies with other soldiers who call themselves “The Squad”.

The Squad quickly fights off the Commonwealth and kills Sopot. As they return to the new Red Faction base, it is revealed that the Squad’s leader, Molov (as well as other squad members Quill and Repta), has turned on them and now assumes control of The Commonwealth. Molov is attacked by another Squad member, Tangier, which allows all remaining Squad members (Alias, and a Red Faction member, Echo) a chance to escape.

As the game continues, Alias fights alongside Red Faction members (including Echo, who is killed by Quill), and eventually hunts and kills Quill after she kills Echo. Alias proceeds to a Commonwealth nano-tech laboratory where he, after multiple battles, kills Repta. Molov, the last remaining enemy, retreats to Victor Sopot’s statue to flee.

Alias meets with Tangier to battle a counter-attack, consisting of Molov’s most elite soldiers. Molov has taken the Nano-tech Cell – the culmination of Capek's nano technology research, and awaits for pickup from Shrike. Shrike then betrays Molov, saying that what they are doing is wrong. Tangier manages to reclaim the Nano-tech Cell from Molov's possession and escapes to the observation deck.

For the finale, Molov pursues Tangier and ensues battle with her and Alias. After a long fight, Molov is defeated as the observation deck begins to collapse. Shrike, now loyal to The Squad again, saves Alias and Tangier from the crumbling statue. Depending on the player’s “Heroic” rating, the plot has four separate endings. See "Red Faction II" for details.

Evolutions from "Red Faction"

Many new features had been added to the original game's sequel, among these are:

* New, more evolved weapons

* Better, more realistic graphics

* An earth-based, militaristic setting

* Lack of online multiplayer (Considered a de-evolution)

And many other positive and negative additions.

Reception

"Red Faction II"'s short campaign and lack of online multiplayer has diminished reviews by many critics. However, redeeming features include dual wielding, great multiplayer(split screen), and improved graphics. For these and other reasons, Gamespot awarded the game an 8.3/10.0, earning it the rank of "Great". [cite web|title=Red Faction II Gamespot Review|url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/redfaction2/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary%3Bread-review&page=2|publisher=Gamespot|date=2008-08-30|accessdate=2008-08-30]
IGN's positive side of their review called the game "a very solid, well-produced first-person shooter", but their complaints stated that: "Volition still shows some room for improvement when it comes to level design, spots of AI, and implementing the vast potential of the Geo-Mod concept". Despite their complaints, IGN gave "Red Faction II" a 9.2/10, an "Outstanding" ranking. [cite web|title=Red Faction II IGN Review|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/373/373878p3.html|publisher=IGN|date=2008-08-30|accessdate=2008-08-30]

"Red Faction: Guerrilla"

"Red Faction: Guerrilla" is the upcoming third installment of the "Red Faction" franchise. The game will now assume a third person point of view and an open world to play in. Acoording to Volition's Rick White, the game is on track for a Q1 2009 release date.

Plot summary

Red Faction: Guerrilla takes place on a terraformed mars in the year 2208, 50 years after the events of the first "Red Faction". The plot follows former miner turned rebel Alec Mason, a member of the new Red Faction resistance. Alec has joined the fight to avenge his brothers murder. He will battle the EDF (the allies from the first Red Faction) and their oppressive ways to liberate all miners in the open world "Red Faction: Guerrilla" takes place in.

Evolutions from "Red Faction II"

Many new features have been added to the second game's sequel, among these are:

* New, more evolved weapons

* Better, more realistic graphics for the next-gen consoles

* A returning Mars-based, revolution/rebellion setting

* More in-depth and expanded multiplayer for Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, and PC online

* An even deeper, stress-based Geo-mod engine for extremely realistic destruction

* Melee weapons and unique "backpacks" for enhanced gameplay

* An $89.99 USD collectors edition package with extra features

And many other overall positive additions.

Early reception

Previews of the game have given "Red Faction: Guerrilla" incredible remarks. IGN said, "With a new third-person perspective, a full cover system that allows for guerrilla-style tactics and a diverse planet to explore, we're excited to revitalise the gripping world of Red Faction for high-definition platforms." [cite web|title=Red Faction: Guerrilla IGN Preview|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Red_Faction_(series)&action=edit|publisher=IGN|date=2008-02-20|accessdate=2008-08-30]

Potential sequels

THQ has announced that they plan to bring sequels to all their key franchises around every two years. "Red Faction: Guerrilla" was the latest announced "Red Faction" game, but more titles are expected to be announced soon after "Guerrilla"'s debut in 2009. [cite web|title=THQ Sequels Announcements|url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/redfaction2/news.html?sid=6166288&om_act=convert&om_clk=newsfeatures&tag=newsfeatures;title;1|publisher=Gamespot|date=2008-08-30|accessdate=2007-02-22]

References

ee also

* "Red Faction"
* "Red Faction II"
* ""
* Volition, Inc.
* THQ