Red Faction: Armageddon

62%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,421 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Red Faction: Armageddon Game Cover
RFA is basically one great momentdestroying buildings with a powerful weaponrepeated for a whole game.
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In Red Faction: Armageddon, players return to Mars to fight off alien invaders in a destroyed underground civilization. As Darius Mason, they'll utilize advanced weaponry and the Nano Forge to survive and protect the red planet. The game features both single-player and multiplayer modes, with the latter including infestation mode where players cooperatively fight off hordes of enemies.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

62%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,421 reviews
story272 positive mentions
stability28 negative mentions
  • Fun gameplay with a variety of weapons and mechanics like the magnet gun and nano forge.
  • Great graphics and destructible environments that enhance the experience.
  • Engaging action and combat, especially in vehicle sections.
  • Linear gameplay that lacks the open-world exploration of previous titles.
  • Frequent crashes and technical issues, particularly at checkpoints.
  • Weak story and character development, making it less memorable than its predecessor.
  • story1,104 mentions

    The story of "Red Faction: Armageddon" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it to be a significant step down from its predecessor, "Guerrilla." Critics often describe the narrative as linear, predictable, and filled with clichés, lacking the depth and engagement of previous entries in the series. While some appreciate the action and gameplay mechanics, they note that the story feels disjointed and fails to resonate, often overshadowed by the game's focus on combat and destruction rather than a compelling plot.

    • “As for the story, it's a solid sci-fi adventure that keeps you engaged throughout.”
    • “The game also has some interesting plot twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.”
    • “It's a game that's sure to provide hours of entertainment, with its smooth controls, impressive graphics, and engaging story.”
    • “The story is nonsense (yes, I even watched the Syfy original movie that tied this game to Guerrilla).”
    • “The story is what you would honestly expect from the lame Syfy channel partnering to make this.”
    • “The storyline was the main killer on this one along with how stupid they made the main character and some sub-cast act.”
  • gameplay470 mentions

    The gameplay of "Red Faction: Armageddon" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its mechanics, particularly the destructible environments and unique weapons like the magnet gun. However, the linear structure and repetitive nature of the gameplay have been criticized, especially in comparison to the more open-world experience of its predecessor, "Red Faction: Guerrilla." While some players find the combat enjoyable and the mechanics innovative, others feel that the game lacks depth and variety, leading to a less memorable experience overall.

    • “The gameplay is very solid; you have a bunch of very different weapons at your disposal (the magnet gun, you never grow tired of that), plus the destruction mechanics really let you solve the various challenges you have to face with different approaches, also boosting replay value.”
    • “The game's destructible environments add a new level of strategy to the gameplay, allowing you to create your own cover and use the terrain to your advantage.”
    • “Gameplay is a blast (literally), the plot is solid (except the end), and the weapon selection is great.”
    • “The campaign is okay, but the level design is messy and does not necessarily fit the destruction gameplay introduced by the geo-mod. It can often get confusing to navigate levels because you'll have destroyed the path you must go on; there is always a way to know where to go, and you'll use it often.”
    • “The gameplay is okay-ish but really does not do much more than not being bad. The loop of actions is neither satisfying nor unpleasant. That being said, some weapons are fun to use, but the gameplay rarely takes full advantage of the weapons' capacity to progress through levels.”
    • “Sadly, they didn't and the result is that this sequel was lackluster and mediocre at best, with little in terms of replay value and nothing worth noting in the gameplay department. The levels are sometimes almost mockingly linear, to the extent I sometimes felt I was simply along for a physics engine demonstration as opposed to the engaging gameplay of previous games.”
  • graphics240 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the impressive visuals, detailed environments, and polished effects, particularly for a title released in 2011. However, some users noted that the graphics do not fully meet the standards set by previous entries in the series, citing issues like blurriness during combat and technical glitches. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good and immersive, they are seen as a step down from the open-world experience of its predecessor, Red Faction: Guerrilla.

    • “The graphics in the game are impressive, and the environments are highly detailed.”
    • “The game's graphics are impressive, with the environments on Mars being beautifully rendered, with lots of intricate details that add to the overall immersion of the game.”
    • “It was a visually stunning game with some amazing graphics.”
    • “Poor quality graphics for the time of release.”
    • “The physics and environmental destruction are copy-pasted from the original, but for some reason the graphics are much worse than the previous.”
    • “Graphics: did not stand the test of time, vintage gaming it is.”
  • atmosphere44 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is a blend of horror and tension, enhanced by impressive lighting effects and ambient sounds that create a sense of dread and anticipation. Players appreciate the art style and the immersive environments, which evoke comparisons to titles like Dead Space, although some find certain areas lacking in interest. Overall, the atmosphere is pivotal to the gameplay experience, contributing to both the narrative and the emotional engagement of players.

    • “The game also features some impressive lighting effects that add to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
    • “Great atmosphere that reminds me of Dead Space.”
    • “The atmosphere is supposed to be creepy, with scary ambient noises coupled with moments of dead silence that build the 'what is going to happen to me next' mindset.”
    • “The atmosphere is supposed to be creepy; there are scary ambient noises, coupled with moments of dead silence that are supposed to build the 'what is going to happen to me next' mindset.”
    • “And the game relies a lot on atmosphere to make the game, but I feel like I am invincible.”
    • “A mysterious cult destroys the terraformer, thus destabilizing Mars' atmosphere and driving most inhabitants on the planet underground.”
  • replayability43 mentions

    The game's replayability is primarily enhanced by the New Game Plus mode, which allows players to retain upgrades and unlock cheats after completing the story. While some players find enjoyment in the linear gameplay and destruction mechanics, others feel that the overall replay value is limited, with many stating that once the story is completed, there isn't much incentive to replay. Additional modes like co-op horde and freeroam destruction offer some variety, but opinions vary widely on the game's overall replayability.

    • “Good replay value; you get a game plus on finishing the story where you keep your upgrades and get extra weapons, cheats, and the possibility to buy more extra stuff with in-game currency.”
    • “The gameplay is very solid; you have a bunch of very different weapons at your disposal (the magnet gun, you never grow tired of that), plus the destruction mechanics (I think it's the best I've seen in a game so far) really let you solve the various challenges you have to face with different approaches, also boosting replay value.”
    • “Once you complete the amazingly fun and action-packed story, not only is there additional DLC, but this game's campaign has such awesome replayability that you don't get bored!”
    • “There's not a lot of replayability outside of ng+ which gives you two new weapons, but can't really speak on that matter.”
    • “Replay value: none at all.”
    • “If you liked the original Red Faction titles because of their open worlds, faction system, and replayability; skip this at all costs!!”
  • music36 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its chill techno vibe that enhances relaxation, while others find it repetitive and uninspired. The soundtrack is noted for its improved clarity and a blend of tracks from previous entries, contributing to an immersive experience, especially during intense gameplay moments. Overall, while the music is generally considered decent, it lacks standout moments that would elevate it further.

    • “The audio is also improved, being much sharper and clearer. The soundtrack is a crazy mix of Red Faction 1, 2, and Guerrilla combined with new stuff.”
    • “The soundtrack is also pretty good, especially in some of the horror-lite sections of the game.”
    • “A special place holds the music in my mind; it's not only a new style for the franchise, but a very well-made artistic move that revolves around a more claustrophobic environment - like the first and second Red Faction games to a degree.”
    • “From the very bad port programming (you can't even run the game unless you check the forums for various fixes) to the boring background music and dull character design, this game does not deserve a single penny.”
    • “Music plays some chill techno music the whole time, just to keep you relaxed... or sleepy - depends on what time you play this game.”
    • “The soundtrack gets a bit repetitive.”
  • humor34 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it genuinely funny and entertaining, particularly through well-written dialogue and absurd gameplay mechanics like the magnetic gun. However, others criticize the humor as inconsistent, with some jokes falling flat and characters lacking depth. Overall, the game balances action and humor effectively, appealing to those who enjoy a blend of sarcasm and chaotic fun.

    • “The story is unintentionally hilarious, but it's earnest and entertaining.”
    • “Other strengths of Armageddon are its well-directed cutscenes, likable characters (who deliver some quite funny dialogue and humor that Red Faction desperately needed after the overly serious predecessors), and its solid gunplay.”
    • “Good game, great graphics, interesting story... the best part, and this is just my opinion, is the commentary; there is a lot of sarcasm and darker humor.”
    • “And how boring, generic, and unfunny do you want your main character to be?”
    • “From unfunny jokes to constant complaining, chances are you won't end up liking any of the characters.”
    • “From unfunny jokes to constant complaining, chances are you won't end up liking any of the characters.”
  • stability32 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with many players reporting frequent glitches, crashes, and random freezes, particularly when using vehicles or certain graphics settings. While some users managed to play through the main campaign and DLC with minor issues, the overall experience is marred by significant technical problems that make it frustrating and often unplayable. Despite its age, the game's stability issues have led to disappointment among players, especially those expecting a smoother experience on PC.

    • “The game is linear, not very buggy, and pretty solidly entertaining all the way through.”
    • “All the Red Faction games are well done, with no glitches and a lot of fun blowing things up.”
    • “It's a broken, buggy mess.”
    • “Shame on Steam for allowing a buggy game like this to be bought, knowing it's flawed.”
    • “I have tried playing it on three different computers, and it glitches out at the same points every time to the point of madness.”
  • grinding28 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be largely tedious and repetitive, particularly in modes like Infestation, where achieving milestones requires excessive playtime. While the upgrade system is seen as refreshing, the process of obtaining materials is often described as dull and luck-based. Overall, the gameplay can feel monotonous, especially in the later stages of the campaign, leading to a sense of boredom despite some enjoyable moments.

    • “Infestation mode is tedious for the achievements (you will have to play 73 waves to get 4 achievements).”
    • “Upgrade system is refreshing, but the way to obtain upgrade material is tedious and draws away from the game.”
    • “All the enemies are the same after killing tons of bugs or cultists, which just became tedious.”
  • optimization20 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with many users reporting smooth performance even at high settings, including 4K resolution. While some minor issues like mouse sensitivity and cutscene frequency were noted, the game runs well on a variety of hardware, including lower-end systems. Many reviewers rated the optimization as excellent, highlighting its fluid controls and impressive visuals.

    • “Good optimization, got 30+ fps all the time on Intel HD iGPU.”
    • “Optimization - 10/10 (very smooth)”
    • “It doesn't hurt that the game is absolutely gorgeous and superbly optimized.”
    • “Really, I can write only a few negative things about it at the moment: too many cutscenes and the mouse sensitivity is highly different in aiming mode, optimized for console and controller.”
    • “Red Faction: Armageddon is a surprisingly good game that unfortunately saw only tepid performance in the marketplace.”
    • “The mouse sensitivity is highly different in aiming mode, which makes it frustrating for players who prefer precision.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with users feeling that it lacks originality and value for the price. While some defend the pricing in light of development costs, the overall sentiment leans towards disappointment in the game's perceived quality relative to its cost.

    • “This game was a cash grab, shameless, boring, and generic.”
    • “This game was a cash grab, shameless, boring, and generic.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The emotional impact of the game is considered weaker than its predecessor, with some reviewers finding the story repetitive and lacking depth. While it may not evoke strong feelings like other titles, it still offers a complete narrative that can motivate players to engage with the game.

    • “The game has a compelling story that draws you in and keeps you emotionally invested throughout.”
    • “The characters are well-developed, making their journeys resonate on a personal level.”
    • “The emotional depth of the narrative adds a layer of complexity that enhances the overall experience.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in this game is criticized for being lackluster, with dull character design and a failure to engage players, contributing to an overall negative experience. The poor port programming further detracts from the enjoyment, making it difficult for players to even access the game.

    • “The character development is painfully shallow, leaving players with little to no emotional connection to the characters.”
    • “The lack of meaningful choices in character progression makes the experience feel monotonous and uninspired.”
    • “Characters feel one-dimensional and fail to evolve throughout the game, resulting in a lack of investment in their stories.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

Buy Red Faction: Armageddon

Play time

9hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
8hMain story
20hCompletionist
3-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 22 analyzed playthroughs

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