So I'm running through mines, then corridors, with only one way to go, shooting the same enemies with the same weapons. I'm funneled in one direction, with no variation. Run through this corridor, shoot these guys, who are exactly the same as the hundred or so guys you've already shot in the last identical corridor. Someone please tell me this game gets better.

Some spoilers ahead.

Not really. I played the IGN guide up to step 9, but can't really be bothered to finish it. Later you encounter faster, better armed & protected mercenaries, but there is not much variation between them. Genetic mutations and robots will also attack you, but yes, this game is not everybody's cup of tea.

I've played RF about 10 years ago (now bought on gog to replay) and it surely isn't spectacular - basically a late-90's level average shooter. But one thing that I really appreciate is the fast-firing pistol. That's one feature that made RF actually really fun for me. It always cracks me up when you can fire a pistol as fast as you are fast clicking the mouse button. Halo had the same thing.

Try shooting everything that moves including miners and whatnot. That should help somewhat.

(This advice is not to be followed in real life, obviously.)

I'm not sure how you're issues with the game are any different than every other FPS out there :)

I've never played a FPS that had different enemies on every level (some even use the lame "use the same monster shell, just color it different and make it tougher" model). In fact, I like that the game kept the enemies mostly human, with a few short sequences of monsters and robots. If you fight humans, you won't see much variety :)

I always hated games that went from humans to all of a sudden fighting monsters (Wolfenstein, Farcry, etc). I like that Red Faction kept it mostly in the non-fantasy realm...