Red Faction II
Posted December 28, 2002
The Plot:
"Red Faction 2" is the sequel to the popular first-person shooter. The story (something about a group of rebels overthrowing an evil dictator) certainly isn't the key - the game's finest element is its impressive action, which almost literally never lets up. There's little in the way of strategy apparent here; the entire game is run-and-gun amidst some well-crafted and even inspired environments. You'll even be assisted by members of your team at various points throughout the game.
The game's Geo-Mod engine also makes for some neat additions to the usual action fare - enemies can blast through celings to attack you, for example. Hiding is also questionable - there are elements that may be good to hide behind for a moment, but will turn into dust the next. This effect isn't always used, but it's a fairly effective addition to gameplay when it is put into play.
The game also excells in weapon selection. There's dual guns, pistols, grenades and more. You'll need them - the enemies in RFII are rather difficult to take down at times. Aiming is fairly easy and although reloading is a bit slow, weapons are easily selected and used. Players also get to use vehicles, as well, including playing weapons control on a giant airship that, for some reason, reminded me a bit of the tanks in "Tron".
Although the soldiers are a bit tough to take down at times, the game is often not terribly difficult and expert players may find it fairly easy to go far quickly. The level structure also leaves a bit to be desired, as while the atmospheric visuals are often remarkably cool (I liked the abandoned subway station that looked like something out of "The Matrix"), the path that players proceed on feels fairly narrow. The game is certainly exciting for once through, but this closed-off quality will likely not make for a great deal of repeat-playing value. The constant, endless action is also going to thrill some, but eventually tire others. The enemy AI also varies - some seemed to be smarter than others.
Overall though, I enjoyed "Red Faction II" despite its faults. The game is intense and fairly cinematic, offering sort of a "Total Recall" experience, mixed with a few "Matrix"-ish stylistic touches. Also, up to four players can "deathmatch" in split-screen.
Gameplay:
The game's controls are simple to use - changing between weapons isn't entirely quick, but its easy. Moving the vehicles or aiming is also fine and most will catch on to the controls of the game in general very quickly.
Graphics:
"Red Faction 2" offers graphics that are fairly good for the Playstation 2 system. The Geo-Mod engine convincingly takes chunks out of walls and allows enemies to break through into the room your player currently is in. Character models are also very good, but not quite excellent. Textures are also crisp and clean and the levels are certainly not sparse. I particularly liked the cinematics, as the graphics during these between-level scenes seemed exceptional. No problems with framerate were encountered, either.
Audio:
"Red Faction 2" doesn't always offer the finest dialogue from its characters, but the voice acting ("Snatch" star Jason Statham voices one character) is quite good and often makes up for some of the more lackluster lines. Sound effects are solid and powerful, while the music is fine, if not terribly memorable.
Conclusion:
Rating Issues: "Red Faction II" is rated M ("Mature") for violence, much of it fairly graphic.
Final Thoughts: "Red Faction II" is a very good, very entertaining and almost film-like game that just doesn't quite have what it takes to stand out in a genre that has many solid offerings. Still, it's at least worthy of a rental and maybe more for fans of the first-person shooter genre.
"Red Faction 2" is the sequel to the popular first-person shooter. The story (something about a group of rebels overthrowing an evil dictator) certainly isn't the key - the game's finest element is its impressive action, which almost literally never lets up. There's little in the way of strategy apparent here; the entire game is run-and-gun amidst some well-crafted and even inspired environments. You'll even be assisted by members of your team at various points throughout the game.
The game's Geo-Mod engine also makes for some neat additions to the usual action fare - enemies can blast through celings to attack you, for example. Hiding is also questionable - there are elements that may be good to hide behind for a moment, but will turn into dust the next. This effect isn't always used, but it's a fairly effective addition to gameplay when it is put into play.
The game also excells in weapon selection. There's dual guns, pistols, grenades and more. You'll need them - the enemies in RFII are rather difficult to take down at times. Aiming is fairly easy and although reloading is a bit slow, weapons are easily selected and used. Players also get to use vehicles, as well, including playing weapons control on a giant airship that, for some reason, reminded me a bit of the tanks in "Tron".
Although the soldiers are a bit tough to take down at times, the game is often not terribly difficult and expert players may find it fairly easy to go far quickly. The level structure also leaves a bit to be desired, as while the atmospheric visuals are often remarkably cool (I liked the abandoned subway station that looked like something out of "The Matrix"), the path that players proceed on feels fairly narrow. The game is certainly exciting for once through, but this closed-off quality will likely not make for a great deal of repeat-playing value. The constant, endless action is also going to thrill some, but eventually tire others. The enemy AI also varies - some seemed to be smarter than others.
Overall though, I enjoyed "Red Faction II" despite its faults. The game is intense and fairly cinematic, offering sort of a "Total Recall" experience, mixed with a few "Matrix"-ish stylistic touches. Also, up to four players can "deathmatch" in split-screen.
Gameplay:
The game's controls are simple to use - changing between weapons isn't entirely quick, but its easy. Moving the vehicles or aiming is also fine and most will catch on to the controls of the game in general very quickly.
Graphics:
"Red Faction 2" offers graphics that are fairly good for the Playstation 2 system. The Geo-Mod engine convincingly takes chunks out of walls and allows enemies to break through into the room your player currently is in. Character models are also very good, but not quite excellent. Textures are also crisp and clean and the levels are certainly not sparse. I particularly liked the cinematics, as the graphics during these between-level scenes seemed exceptional. No problems with framerate were encountered, either.
Audio:
"Red Faction 2" doesn't always offer the finest dialogue from its characters, but the voice acting ("Snatch" star Jason Statham voices one character) is quite good and often makes up for some of the more lackluster lines. Sound effects are solid and powerful, while the music is fine, if not terribly memorable.
Conclusion:
Rating Issues: "Red Faction II" is rated M ("Mature") for violence, much of it fairly graphic.
Final Thoughts: "Red Faction II" is a very good, very entertaining and almost film-like game that just doesn't quite have what it takes to stand out in a genre that has many solid offerings. Still, it's at least worthy of a rental and maybe more for fans of the first-person shooter genre.