Red Faction: Guerrilla

What’s the Story?

Part Total Recall part Far Cry 2, RED FACTION: GUERILLA is an open-world sci-fi shooter set on Mars with a lead character best described as a resistance fighter. The governing powers are sending death squads out on the streets and crushing anyone who resists their authoritarian rule, including our hero’s brother. This forces our otherwise peaceful protagonist, a demolitions expert by trade, to hook up with the Red Faction, a resistance group intent on forcibly removing the Earth Defense Force -- Mars’ current rulers -- by destroying key installations and helping citizens whenever they come under attack. Players freely explore six separate sectors of the Red Planet, choosing missions as they like with an aim to raise the morale of civilians and eventually get them to help fight for their freedom.

Is It Any Good?

There’s plenty to like about Red Faction: Guerilla, not least of which is the intelligent way in which it handles the always touchy topic of terrorism. Our hero is a hesitant insurgent who only takes action against the EDF once his brother is killed and he looks to be next. And while the conflict in the game’s story is black and white, painting one side as purely malicious and the other as noble and good, it’s not unrealistic to think that stepping into the shoes of a virtual terrorist could make players think about insurgents in real-world wars and consider their potential motives.

Beyond politics and philosophy, the game is quite a bit of fun to play. Virtually everything in the world can be destroyed in satisfying fashion by smashing into it with vehicles, blowing it up with explosives, or simply pounding it with our hero’s trusty sledgehammer. Alas, all of the over-the-top destruction can and does grow a bit repetitive after a while. Still, it's recommended for older players looking for a bit of narrative substance.