Review: Red Faction: Guerrilla (PS3)

While Gamestyle has played and reviewed both the original Red Faction and its sequel Red Faction II, we're pleased to confirm that familiarity with either is not required. The promising Mars premise set out in the original was twisted by the follow up to such a degree that its focus was on Earth. Volition have undoubtedly learned from this and headed back to Mars, where the game undoubtedly belongs and thankfully have kept things simple. In fact an early criticism could be that the storyline just doesn't matter, that it falls into the background, but as you progress through the game, it makes a return providing some needed direction.

Guerrilla is set fifty years after the original title, with Mars still a melting pot of political activism, remaining under Earth rule, enforced by what is an occupying army. Mining for valuable minerals is the major industry yet its clear the Earth Defense Force have other interests in the planet other than using residents as slave labour. You take the role of Alec Mason, arriving on Mars to find little has changed, and becoming involved in the fight against the EDF.

Volition has adopted the GTA sandbox approach for this third release, and at first this comes as a shock to the system. From what was essentially a first person shooter with a linear route and added destruction, it is a total transformation and a brave reinvention. Mars is split into various distinctive areas, which you must free from EDF control, once discovered. How you achieve the overall aim of liberating the planet is entirely down to you. Although Mars has been successfully terraformed it hosts several unique environments, from the suitably named 'Dust' to the more lavish 'Oasis' area.

Success is derived by eroding the EDF control in an area, this can be achieved by completing various missions. An added bonus is that citizen morale will improve as you progress in each area, often prompting bystanders to get involved and take up arms. The variety of missions encompasses taking out specific targets, freeing hostages, capturing or delivering vehicles and other twists on similar releases. Easily locatable via the planet map, you can layout a course or further into the game unlock the ability to warp to safe houses, freeing up time. The Mars landscape is huge and Volition has hidden away many surprises that need to be discovered, especially if you are ambitiously pursuing PS3 Trophies. The stark backdrops bring memories back of DMA Design's Body Harvest with a touch of Sega's Headhunter, all good influences in our opinion.

To Red Faction: Guerrilla's credit it is much more than just GTA set on Mars, thanks to the use of the Geo-Mod 2.0 engine. Destruction has always featured in the series, being a key differentiator from rival releases.  It achieves an added dimension to a familiar mission structure. Why use doorways to escape with hostages when you can knock through a wall, thereby creating your own departure point? The same applies to gaining entry to a heavily fortified facility. The Geo Mod 2.0 engine puts the player in control, allowing experimentation and improvisation to a certain extent. Do you destroy a target from a distance with one of your long-range weapons, or set charges from a short distance, thereby allowing you to salvage the remains? Salvage plays an important role in the game, as it becomes the unofficial currency. If you want to purchase upgrades for your weaponry, then expect to scavenge rubble for vital credits.

The combat is generally fun, with the emphasis on action rather than seeking cover. Like Mercenaries, expect plenty of explosions and ultra-violence as you tear across the planet, leaving a trail of destruction. Guerrilla doesn't take itself too seriously, resulting in an entertaining experience. Being only able to carry four weapons at one time (including the default sledgehammer), does introduce an element of strategy and planning into the mix. Yes, the AI of your comrades is erratic at best and in the distance you will notice occasional pop-up but put into perspective these are small concerns in what is a huge main mode. The driving physics can vary greatly, with the emphasis again on enjoyment.

Elsewhere, the need for destruction is the core ingredient of the Wrecking mode, where you can compete against others, rampaging across a level, racking up points against a timer. With plenty of options it’s a fun diversion, but the online mode is much better. Guerrilla features an entertaining online offering, with all the options you come to expect. The key differences are that the scenery is destructible, removing the confines of corridors and well-traveled routes. You can improvise and swap backpacks, which bring new special abilities such as quick bursts, invisibility or even taking to the skies. Matches are fast and furious, making this one of the best third person experiences online.

Volition could have stuck with the same tired first person shooter format, as seen recently in the disappointing Killzone 2. Instead by taking a risk, the resulting dividend is a massive success. This is probably the most fun Gamestyle has had in such a sandbox title since the fantastic Grand Theft Auto 3.

Rating: 8 / 10

Words by Jason Julier