Red Faction

About

"Red Faction" is a first-person shooter game set on Mars, where players join a revolution against the oppressive Ultor Corporation. The game is known for its Geo-Mod technology, allowing for real-time destruction of the environment, and features 5 controllable vehicles, 15 weapons, and advanced physics simulation. Multiplayer action is also a focus, with Geo-Mod specific strategies available.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,777 reviews

story185 positive mentions

stability48 negative mentions

Innovative destructible environments with Geo-Mod technology that allows players to create their own paths.
Engaging gameplay with a variety of weapons and satisfying gunplay.
Nostalgic experience for fans of classic FPS games, reminiscent of the early 2000s gaming era.

Numerous bugs, including a game-breaking submarine glitch that can make the game unplayable without a mod.
Inconsistent AI behavior and difficulty spikes, particularly in the later stages of the game.
Lack of autosave feature, requiring frequent manual saves which can lead to frustration if forgotten.

story
579 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
61%
7%
The story of *Red Faction* is generally considered average, featuring a straightforward plot about miners rebelling against a corrupt corporation on Mars. While some players appreciate its engaging atmosphere and thematic elements, many criticize the pacing, lack of depth, and poorly executed stealth missions that disrupt the flow of gameplay. Overall, the narrative serves primarily as a backdrop for the action, with mixed opinions on its execution and memorability.
- “While the story isn’t groundbreaking, it’s bolstered by a strong atmosphere and enough twists to keep you hooked.”
- “I remember asking my brother, 'Have you ever played a game that made you mad/hate the bad guys?' because I genuinely got immersed in Red Faction's simple but relatable story of a revolution against a violent and corrupt corporate overlord.”
- “The game also includes unexpected plot twists and turns, keeping players on the edge of their seats and fully invested in the story until the very end.”
- “The story is as bog-standard as it gets, but it's there.”
- “The story is generic even for the time, and just kind of there.”
- “The story is mediocre.”
gameplay
342 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
58%
5%
The gameplay of *Red Faction* is characterized by its solid gunplay, exploration, and innovative geo-mod destruction mechanics, which, while impressive for its time, are underutilized throughout the game. Players enjoy a mix of fast-paced shooting, varied environments, and some engaging mechanics, though the level design can feel uninspired and certain gameplay elements, like vehicle controls and stealth sections, are clunky. Overall, while the game offers nostalgic charm and fun mechanics, it suffers from a lack of originality and depth in its core gameplay loop.
- “Red Faction's gameplay revolves around gunplay, exploration, and destruction.”
- “The gameplay exceeded my expectations, providing consistent enjoyment throughout.”
- “The destructible environments not only add to the believability of the setting but also create interesting gameplay opportunities.”
- “But after a while it kind of feels like the gameplay stagnates, and then the devs just added a bunch of really strong enemies to give you a challenge.”
- “Most egregiously, the destructible geometry mechanic which was most heavily advertised is barely utilized; there are a handful of sections where it is actually necessary, and none that will feel satisfying or make you feel clever (unlike its sequel Red Faction Guerrilla, the only good game in the series).”
- “The gameplay itself is a fast-paced shooter with the usual weapons (pistol, shotgun, rifle, rocket launcher, etc.) where we basically follow a linear path and regularly receive instructions from the leaders of the rebellion.”
graphics
263 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
63%
13%
The graphics of "Red Faction," released in 2001, are widely regarded as outdated, with many reviewers noting that they have not aged well compared to modern standards. However, some players appreciate the game's unique aesthetic and nostalgic appeal, highlighting that the visuals were impressive for their time and still hold a certain charm. While technical limitations and low-resolution textures are common criticisms, the game's destructible environments and engaging gameplay often overshadow these graphical shortcomings.
- “The game has its very own unique aesthetic, from the visuals to the music, to the guns... Red Faction had one of the coolest arsenals for the time.”
- “In the realm of gaming classics, Red Faction stands tall, not only for its gripping gameplay but also for its well-crafted aesthetics.”
- “While Red Faction's graphics may lack the polish of modern titles, the combination of its distinct visual style, captivating music, and immersive audio design creates an unforgettable gaming experience.”
- “The graphics are outdated, but it's still a lot of fun to play.”
- “The graphics, though decent for their time, now feel dated.”
- “The graphics have aged very poorly, but overall the game is entertaining.”
music
115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
39%
4%
The music in the game has received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many players praising the soundtrack as fantastic, immersive, and fitting for the game's atmosphere. While some noted that certain tracks can be repetitive or forgettable, others highlighted the unique blend of electronic and orchestral elements that enhance the gameplay experience. Overall, the soundtrack is often described as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's nostalgic and engaging vibe.
- “Overall this is a great game, with a great community, with great mods, and a great soundtrack that I absolutely loved!”
- “The soundtrack weaves seamlessly into the gameplay, enhancing and intensifying the action.”
- “From the haunting melodies in the depths of the mines to the adrenaline-pumping tunes during intense firefights, the music enriches every moment, creating an unforgettable sonic backdrop.”
- “The music and sounds in this game are lacking, very similar to Half-Life 1.”
- “The soundtrack is... not good...”
- “While the music does fit extremely well with the setting, it does become very repetitive after a while.”
stability
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
98%
The game is widely reported to be unstable, with numerous bugs and glitches that can hinder gameplay, including game-breaking issues and frequent crashes. While some players have managed to work around these problems using patches or cheats, many recommend downloading fan-made fixes to enhance stability. Overall, the game's age contributes to its instability, making it a mixed experience for players.
- “Runs great on Windows 11; I had no problems at all.”
- “The game is incredibly stable; I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs.”
- “Performance is solid; the game runs smoothly without any hiccups.”
- “Alt-tabbing out of the game almost always freezes the game and my PC.”
- “The game is still great, but the reason I do not recommend this game is because of the glitches, and I don't mean small little, useless glitches.”
- “I loved it when I played it when I was nine, but the game is so buggy that it's not even able to be played the way it was meant to be, and there are plenty of game-breaking glitches in it, so I do not recommend it.”
atmosphere
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
31%
9%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, drawing comparisons to iconic titles like "Total Recall" and "Half-Life." Players appreciate the unique visual style, varied environments, and effective sound design that enhance the overall experience, despite some criticisms regarding the story and gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game successfully creates a compelling and engaging atmosphere that keeps players invested.
- “The textures may not boast the high fidelity of modern titles - even with texture mods - but they contribute to the game's unique atmosphere, transporting players to the Martian mines with a distinct visual style.”
- “It's obvious: the story here surely isn't the holy grail of narration by today's standards, but the main theme fits and is well delivered through a rich synth soundtrack, an interesting setting, action-packed gameplay and a fantastic, at times even eerie atmosphere.”
- “The bland atmosphere, lack of compelling story, and limited replayability gives one the sense of playing one of the old games that isn't terrible, but that wasn't good enough to be called a classic, nor a must-play.”
- “Gameplay starts off at a good pace however it starts to get very frantic and begins to lose some of the atmosphere.”
- “While the story isn’t groundbreaking, it’s bolstered by a strong atmosphere and enough twists to keep you hooked.”
humor
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mix of intentional and unintentional comedy, with players finding amusement in both genuinely funny dialogue and poorly executed cutscenes, animations, and voice acting. While some aspects, like boss fights and destructible environments, add to the humor, others, such as bugs and outdated graphics, contribute to a charm that can be entertainingly bad. Overall, the game offers a blend of hilarious moments that keep players engaged, despite its flaws.
- “Conversely, the mirrors in this game are hilariously bad to the point of being outright cursed.”
- “The other reason I kept playing is because the cutscenes are hilariously bad; the animations, the dialogue, and the voice acting are so poorly done it’s really quite entertaining.”
- “A loud, stylish, and frequently hilarious ride from start to finish.”
grinding
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players consistently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and frustrating, particularly in the latter half where pacing suffers due to repetitive stealth sections and challenging enemy mechanics. Many reviewers noted that the initial enjoyment diminishes as the game progresses, leading to a reliance on luck and trial-and-error gameplay that detracts from the overall experience. The combination of tedious design choices and punishing AI contributes to a sense of annoyance, making the latter parts of the game feel like a chore.
- “It played out as a good game at the beginning but later on became quite tedious.”
- “The second half, not content with simply being tedious, added in a great deal of annoyance to the experience - with most enemies able to one-hit-kill you (many through solid walls without line-of-sight) and no other way to engage them other than to run in and rely on blind luck.”
- “The final 'boss' in the game is also incredibly tedious and relies on a combination of trial and error and just pure luck.”
optimization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
The game's optimization is generally poor, particularly for modern systems, lacking support for contemporary display resolutions and requiring user-installed mods like "dash faction" to enhance performance and compatibility. While it can run on low-power CPUs, players report significant performance issues and bugs that detract from the experience, especially on Windows 10. Overall, while the game is enjoyable, it is not well-optimized for current hardware without additional modifications.
- “So downloading a dash faction mod will help you greatly with performance since this is an older game.”
- “Install dash faction fix to address original game bugs, improve compatibility with modern hardware and software, extend functionality, and enhance graphical quality and engine performance.”
- “Performance is pretty good (as is to be expected from a late 90s game), can even run on low power CPUs from modern laptops. There are a few tweaks you can use to enable widescreen and other features, which you can find on PCGamingWiki.”
- “Despite all that, I recommend the game, but you've been warned, it isn't optimized well for Windows 10.”
- “I loved this game in my younger days and was very excited to see it on sale; unfortunately, it has compatibility/performance issues that make this title a mess in its current state.”
- “Needlessly awkward stealth sections that are unfair, poorly optimized, and overly punishing; they feel out of place in the game.”
replayability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
Overall, the game's replayability is considered low, with many users noting a lack of compelling content and limited incentives to revisit after completion. While some appreciate the opportunity to explore alternative approaches in certain sections, the absence of collectibles and a short playtime contribute to a general consensus that it does not offer significant replay value. Multiplayer options are also criticized for being sparsely populated, further diminishing replay potential.
- “So I'd say it's got replay value.”
- “It adds a lot more functions and makes it a lot more playable.”
- “Post-completion, replayability is limited, yet the opportunity to revisit and explore alternative approaches to specific sections adds a small layer of variety.”
- “In the end, Red Faction is a fun game but a very short game. I completed it in under 3:30 on the highest difficulty; there are no collectibles or replay value for the single player.”
- “The bland atmosphere, lack of compelling story, and limited replayability gives one the sense of playing one of the old games that isn't terrible, but that wasn't good enough to be called a classic, nor a must-play.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users perceiving it as a cash grab capitalizing on nostalgia, while others appreciate the absence of microtransactions. Despite the game's promotional claims, players feel that the actual experience does not fully deliver on its promises, particularly regarding destructible terrain.
- “The graphics may feel a bit old school, but I really appreciate that there are no microtransactions!”
- “I love that the game offers a complete experience without pushing for in-game purchases.”
- “It's refreshing to see a game that doesn't rely on monetization tactics to keep players engaged.”
- “This seems to have been put on Steam as a nostalgia gouge, or just a cash grab to try to profit from abandonware.”
- “Advertising for the game claims that all terrain is destructible, and in theory, it is half true and half useless.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Character development in "Parker and the Faceless Masses" is minimal, with the narrative focusing more on world-building and themes of rebellion rather than on deep character arcs. The game prioritizes straightforward gameplay over intricate storytelling or character exploration.
- “While the narrative lacks deep character development, the world-building and themes of rebellion carry the experience.”
- “A straightforward first-person shooter that won't confuse your pretty little head with unnecessary additions such as intricate level design, pacing, suspense, story, or character development.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, reminiscing about nostalgic experiences and the joy it brought during their childhood. Despite some gameplay frustrations, the overall sentiment highlights the game's wholesome nature and memorable moments, evoking feelings of nostalgia and fun.
- “This is one of the most interesting and wholesome games from the early 2000s. The destruction, killer soundtrack, and it honestly flew under the radar. Outside of me and my brother, none of our friends or classmates heard of it or talked about it. If I remember correctly, my first experience with the game was on one of those old PlayStation demo disks, and I kept playing this game over and over again until I went out to GameStop and bought it. We didn't have a memory card, so you can imagine how that went.”
- “Almost made me feel like a kid again.”