The original Red Faction came at a time when the PS2 was without a large library of hits. It also had more hype than a game should legally be entitled to, thanks to the inclusion of the Geo-Mod, a nice piece of code that allowed you to destroy environments as easily as foes. Therefore, most gamers were able to look past its muddy graphics and underdeveloped story to enjoy it for what it was: a solid single player experience with loads of multiplayer replay value. The sequel however, has both the name of the original to live up to, and the hundreds of other games on the PS2 market to compete with. On both fronts, it comes up a little short, but still remains a great game, and worth at least a rental.
The graphical prowess of Red Faction 2 is so much higher than that of the original title; that it's hard to believe you're actually playing its sequel. Explosions are much more intense, textures don't look faded and drab, and the character models, while not exactly what I would call "fluid", are certainly leaps and bounds ahead of the almost action-figure type bodies in RF I. It's obvious that the developers have been tweaking their skills with the PS2 a great deal, and the fruits of their labor are great.
The gameplay in the single player is mixed bag of great shoot-em-up action and aching variety. Dual weapons that can be fired independently of each other are a nice touch, as is the ability to lob grenades with a separate button, ala Halo. However, the game balance often seems very sloppy: this is evident in the fact that you'll pick up a health kit just as often as ammo, if not more so. You'll also find yourself using explosive weapons such as rockets, launched grenades, etc. more often than dual uzis. This is because while enemies can seemingly take a clip or two of standard bullets before they fall, it only takes one well placed, or even relatively close placed explosive projectile to put them out of their misery. Add in the fact that they, on the other hand, can tear you to shreds within seconds if given a chance, and the choice becomes clear.
It's hard to knock RF2 too low for this quirk, as it seems more like a design choice than a flaw, and what's more, it's one that works: you're given something like 50 explosive shells at the start of every level, and you'll find a large supply of them as you blow more fools into chunks of blood. You rarely have to use bullets if you don't want to, and it's almost as if bullet-based weapons were viewed more as an obligation than a mechanic originally designed to be included. This isn't a bad thing, as I had lots of fun always being the man with the rocket launcher in hand, ready to kick ass. Some may not enjoy such activities though, preferring "traditional" ballistics, so it's something that should be pointed out.
Red Faction 2 is a straightforward shooter, and has more in common with Doom or even Serious Sam than it does with Goldeneye or Perfect Dark. It does, however, sometimes go into the realm of "awful variety", including the all too familiar shoot-stuff from-a-helicopter level that is much less fun than an activity of that nature should be. The only time the variety ever comes close to approaching "fun" status is when you take control of the battle armor. Even then, you'll probably want to get back on foot as soon as possible.
For some reason, the multiplayer and bot options from the original just aren't as attractive in the sequel. It doesn't quite match up to the original in terms of sheer fun factor, partially thanks to the reduction in the Geo-Mod engine. Much of the fun in the original's multiplayer game came from mutating the environments like a scene from The Matrix. There's very little of that here, and the experience suffers as a result. The multiplayer arenas also seem less painstakingly designed, ranging from just about average all the way down to a sloppy mess of hallways and rocket launchers. If you're buying Red Faction for its multiplayer appeal, don't.
Likewise, if you're buying Red Faction for its story, don't. It's even more clichéd and convoluted than that of its predecessor. But unlike the original, you probably won't care in the least about destroying the enemy dictator, nor the "true" enemy that eventually reveals himself about a third through the game. However, for nonstop bullets and explosions, Red Faction delivers once again, if only for a long weekend.
-George
Company Line
Sequel to Best-Selling, Critically Acclaimed Action Game Scheduled to Ship Winter 2002
CALABASAS HILLS, Calif., Jan. 25, 2002 - THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) today announced "Red Faction(TM) 2" for the PlayStation(R) 2 computer entertainment system. Developed by THQ's studio, Volition, "Red Faction 2" is the sequel to one of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed original game franchises of 2001.
More than 1 million units of "Red Faction" on PlayStation 2 and PC have been sold worldwide according to THQ. Featuring an enhanced Geo-Mod(TM) engine that allows players to strategically alter and destroy the game environment in real-time, "Red Faction 2" expands and builds upon the experience and technology of the original game. Complete with blistering action, an engaging storyline, highly detailed graphics and a number of multi-player options, "Red Faction 2" is scheduled for PlayStation 2 release in winter 2002.
"The overwhelming success of 'Red Faction' last summer firmly placed THQ and Volition among the top original content creators on PlayStation 2," stated Brian Farrell, president and CEO, THQ. "We are delighted to be building on this franchise for holiday 2002, a time when the PlayStation 2 hardware will be reaching a critical installed base."
"'Red Faction 2' will take the action genre to new heights, thanks to innovations in both game design and technology," said Mike Kulas, president, Volition. "The enhancements we've made to the Geo-Mod engine will allow players to completely interact with a game world, where destroying and altering the environment become an integral part of gameplay."
About "Red Faction 2"
"Red Faction 2" is the sequel to one of the biggest original franchise releases of 2001. Powered by enhancements to Volition's revolutionary Geo-Mod engine that allows players to alter and destroy the game environment in real-time, "Red Faction 2" introduces a host of new features and improvements constructed around a gripping storyline. Players will be tasked with completing multiple mission objectives with an arsenal of weapons and items at their disposal.
"Red Faction 2" will also allow players to commandeer different vehicles and fight alongside elite squad members each with their own attack attributes. Refined graphics, an auto-save function, enhanced enemy AI and dynamic environments will also be featured in "Red Faction 2." New additions to the game's multi-player action include four-player split screen, customizable computer opponents, and new game modes.
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