Red Faction

First of all, if you want to get this running properly on a modern system, make sure to install the latest version of the Dash Faction patch, which fixes many bugs and issues otherwise preventing the game from working properly. Built from the scraps of what was supposed to be Descent 4, Red Faction is the definition of a decent FPS. On paper, Red Faction had several innovative features, but in practice, these don't leave much of an impression. Most notably, the much-touted GeoMod engine with its destructible environments is largely underused, as the destruction only makes sense, and often is only possible, in designated spots, which typically are required for progression. Creativity is neither intended nor possible—for instance, there was a part where two bridges were separated by a chasm, and I thought it would be possible to destroy the steel beams holding the bridge on the other side, so that I could jump over. It wasn't possible, and the bridge didn't even have a scratch after multiple rocket hits. The vehicle sections are functional, but rather short and not too exciting, and the final APC section controls horribly. There is also a stealth section, but it's very short and far from interesting mechanically. The gunplay is somewhat hampered by the fact that guns are terribly inaccurate. Coupled with enemies strafing heavily, it's not uncommon to have one's crosshair locked onto an enemy, yet miss every single bullet in a mag. Later on, one is given more precise and powerful weaponry at last, which is sorely needed due to opposition being much fiercer during the last third of the game. On hard difficulty, the game is definitely challenging, which is a good thing, since the game is seriously short at less than five hours. All these issues aside, I still found myself entertained playing Red Faction. The level design is fairly creative, the setting original, and the pacing of the plot never slows down until the very end. Worth it on sale.

I used to love both the PS2 and PC versions of Red Faction back in the day. Playing again is still really fun but it's showing it's age and it's pretty buggy. There were two incidents where I had to completely restart the game because of two different bugs which completely blocked the story from continuing. One was with the sub that you're supposed to get into for a water section. Well the sub blew up randomly before I could get in it and I couldn't get past the water section without it. The other time was with the giant machine that you're supposed to lure into a trap. Well the stupid thing wouldn't follow me out of the room I was in so it could not be destroyed and I couldn't proceed with the story. Other than those bugs and and the weird and sometimes cheap AI, it's a great game. I think it's aged better on the PS2 though.

I bought this game back in the day, and did not enjoy it. The destructable terrain is a cool gimmick, but it's irrelevant to the game. The level design doesn't let you take advantage of it. It's full of indestructable walls that just railroad you where the game wants you to go. Enemies have the unerring aim of computers, but dodge side to side frantically like human-controlled opponents would. It doesn't feel like you're a character fighting against humans, it feels like you're a player playing against other players who are cheating. Enemies are incredibly, frustratingly hard to hit. Netcode is terrible, frustrating. You will have to listen to radio messages over and over again after loading your saved game after dying in a boss fight, even though you saved after the message. So frustrating. Seriously, do not get this game. Get the tech demo instead, if you can find it - it's a room with a wood-framed glass structure and a selection of weapons. I had more fun playing with the destructable terrain and glass in that little sandbox than I did in the actual game.

Go on, blow up that wall. You've dreamt about it for years! Enthusiastically marketed, not quite revolutionary, Geo-mod engine powers this long and varied treck through the barren, Martian wasteland that, on reflection, gets by on the sheer volume of weapons, environments, vehicles and post-Half-Life, cinematic narrative that gleefuly mimicks every gaming impulse, saturating the FPS genre at the time. Ultimately, much less than a sum of its parts, Red Faction is stil a game with scope and ideas, crammed inside with a shovel, secured with a duct tape of glitching sound effects and music, simple animations and blocky models. Don't get frustrated if modern hardware polishes the edges too much, rendering it occassionaly unplayable and persevere -- there's a satisfying if bluntly B-movie type experience to be had with Red Faction, an unlikely franchise with one killer gimmick. Why open a door when you can blow a way through a wall? Because Geo-mod is not nearly as prominently featured as advertised on the box, that's why.

Jak wyżej. Dlaczego więc nie dałem 5 gwiazdek? Są dwa powody, po pierwsze: gra zawiera bugi które psują rozgrywkę (ale da się to łatwo naprawić za pomocą programu Dash Faction), po drugie: nie działa na Win XP w więc mój (i Twój Sancti Magistri) retro-kompik jej nie łyknie (przynajmniej ja nie znalazłem rozwiązania). Poza tym wspaniały silnik umożliwiający środowiska w niespotykany wcześniej sposób (Geo-Mod), zróżnicowane i fajnie zaprojektowane bronie + możesz kopać tyłki dziabągom na marsie. CUD MIÓD I ORZESZKI. P.S. Gapisz mi się na bebech?