Takedown: Red Sabre

Rarely exciting, mostly disappointing. An unfinished tactical shooter let down by technical issues and terrible AI.

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"Takedown: Red Sabre" is a tactical, squad-based shooter focused on realistic weapon behavior and strategic team planning. Players can engage in online multiplayer matches or the single-player campaign, assuming the role of an elite special forces operative. The game features tight controls, a variety of missions, and a heavy emphasis on tactical gameplay.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

36%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,893 reviews

gameplay42 positive mentions

story16 negative mentions

gameplay
196 mentions
21 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Takedown: Red Sabre" has received mixed reviews, with many players highlighting its potential for tactical cooperation but criticizing its execution. Common complaints include clunky mechanics, poor AI, and a lack of polish, which detracts from the overall experience. While some players find enjoyment in its challenging aspects and level design, others deem it frustrating and unrefined, leading to a generally unfavorable perception of the gameplay.
- “The gameplay of 'Takedown: Red Sabre' is where the game really shines.”
- “With its engaging gameplay, well-designed environments, and emphasis on cooperation, the title offers a refreshing alternative to the genre.”
- “Great gameplay and makes you think and plan ahead of time!”
- “This game was a joke when I bought it; I played to laugh at the horrible AI and gameplay.”
- “The AI, movement, and shooting mechanics - among other things - are the biggest downfalls of this game.”
- “The gameplay itself was mediocre; nothing really stood out for me.”
story
166 mentions
8 % positive mentions
82 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The story aspect of "Takedown: Red Sabre" is largely criticized for its lack of depth and character development, with many players noting that the game features no significant narrative or engaging plot. Missions are described as predictable and simplistic, often feeling like a checklist rather than immersive tactical scenarios. Overall, the game is seen as a tactical shooter that prioritizes gameplay mechanics over storytelling, leaving players wanting more in terms of narrative context and mission variety.
- “The story and character development is phenomenal and the attention to detail is flawless.”
- “I was immersed the moment I started the story, which by the way, is like none other.”
- “The story has branching dialogue trees with strong moral choices, do you want to let Aiden go mental, or bide your time and unleash the power of your Thu'um.”
- “As for the cons, I'd like to mention there is no story or characters.”
- “Singleplayer has no plot or story, the AI is horrible, and everything about this game looks like it was made by someone experimenting with making games for the first time.”
- “What I am basically getting at is that it is just a mediocre version of the Rainbow Six games that introduces nothing new (no story, no characters, no interesting objectives, etc.).”
graphics
165 mentions
22 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
24 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Takedown: Red Sabre" receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they are solid for their time, they fall short of modern standards. Some appreciate the realistic aesthetic and level design, which contribute to the game's immersive atmosphere, while others criticize the visuals as outdated and lacking polish. Overall, the graphics are deemed acceptable but not exceptional, with many players prioritizing gameplay over visual fidelity.
- “The graphics of 'Takedown: Red Sabre' are solid for its time, featuring well-modeled and textured environments.”
- “The aesthetic is realistic, with settings ranging from urban areas to building interiors, all designed to create a tense and immersive atmosphere.”
- “This game has got good graphics, but... when you go to play multiplayer with friends, the bots seem to be too much OP and that gives a lot of rages after all.”
- “The graphics are horrid.”
- “The graphics are poor, the sound is awful, and has no direction to it, the attempts at 'realism' either result in people being bulletproof, or dropping from one 9mm round to the foot.”
- “The graphics and models of guns, characters, etc., are worse than older games like Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Raven Shield from 2003.”
stability
73 mentions
4 % positive mentions
-3 % neutral mentions
99 % negative mentions
The game is widely criticized for its significant stability issues, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and unresponsive AI that detract from the overall experience. While some players find enjoyment in the game, particularly in multiplayer settings, many agree that it remains a buggy and unfinished product that can be frustrating to play. Frequent crashes and gameplay interruptions are common, leading to a general consensus that the game is not worth purchasing unless significant improvements are made.
- “Best game ever! No glitches or flaws; a must-buy for all gamers.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes, making for a seamless experience.”
- “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it allows me to fully immerse myself without interruptions.”
- “It's buggy, it barely runs, the game itself is lackluster.”
- “Buggy, not finished, and generally painful to play.”
- “Game is abysmal garbage, the servers are shut down and this game is empty and very, very buggy.”
humor
57 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in this game is largely derived from its numerous bugs and glitches, which many players find hilariously entertaining, especially when playing with friends. While the game is criticized for its poor quality and frustrating mechanics, it has garnered a following for being "so bad it's funny," leading to memorable and laugh-filled experiences. Overall, players recommend it for those with a good sense of humor who enjoy chaotic multiplayer sessions.
- “Incredible experience, very funny, laughed a lot.”
- “Not because it's good, but it is so gloriously bad that I find myself dying laughing at most everything this game throws at you.”
- “Honestly, if you're expecting a hilariously bad game then it's a blast to play with friends.”
atmosphere
10 mentions
40 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is described as realistic and immersive, effectively utilizing sound design and music to enhance tension during gameplay. While some players appreciate the nostalgic feel reminiscent of older titles like Rainbow Six, others criticize the lack of context and emotional engagement, leading to a disconnection from the experience. Overall, the atmosphere can be tense and engaging, but its effectiveness varies significantly among players.
- “The aesthetic is realistic, with settings ranging from urban areas to building interiors, all designed to create a tense and immersive atmosphere.”
- “The sounds of weapons, footsteps, and the environment help to build a tense atmosphere, while the music adapts to the action, intensifying the combat experience.”
- “Without a single 'flashback' or HD video, the atmosphere of the game is tense and can all be over in a (muzzle) flash.”
- “It's basically a tech demo of a few levels with zero context or atmosphere.”
- “There's no hostages to speak of, your teammates are just cardboard cutouts to be mutilated by zen-like opponents. There's no atmosphere, no immersion factor; you never feel like a SWAT officer (or are these guys army guys? The game isn't even clear on that).”
- “The sheer atmosphere of the game quite literally took my breath away, because it made me want to die.”
music
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The music in "Takedown: Red Saber" is noted for its ability to enhance immersion and set a tense atmosphere, with a militaristic theme that complements the action. While some players appreciate the absence of music for its tension-building effect, others feel that the lack of background music can lead to a disjointed experience, especially given the game's mechanical limitations. Overall, the soundtrack and sound effects are generally well-received, though opinions vary on the role of music in gameplay.
- “The soundtrack and sound effects in 'Takedown: Red Saber' are designed to increase immersion.”
- “The sounds of weapons, footsteps, and the environment help to build a tense atmosphere, while the music adapts to the action, intensifying the combat experience.”
- “The music is pretty good, definitely sets the mood with its militaristic theme.”
- “I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- “It’s a shame that characters move like they’re made out of wood and lack any idle animation, resulting in a game of musical statues.”
- “There is no music in the game, which can lead to a lot of tension and enemy gunfire making you jump.”
optimization
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and graphical beauty, while others criticize it for being poorly optimized, glitchy, and requiring significant adjustments to settings that disrupt gameplay. Overall, the game appears to struggle with performance issues, particularly for those looking to adjust graphics settings without restarting.
- “This game is so well optimized and graphically beautiful you'll look at real life and think it's garbage.”
- “I bought this game mainly to record gameplay for my YouTube channel (Raw Gamer) and for that it is perfect; it runs smoothly while being recorded, and all the bugs and sudden/amusing deaths of you and your comrades make for entertaining videos.”
- “- well optimized”
- “Bad game, horribly optimized, no story.”
- “Game is glitchy as hell, poorly optimized, and is pretty much dead.”
- “Want to turn down some graphics (which you'll want to since this game is so badly optimized) then tough luck, because you'll have to end your game to do so.”
monetization
8 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many users expressing disappointment over its unfinished state at launch and the disparity between advertising and actual gameplay. Reviewers highlight poor ad mechanics and a lack of content, suggesting that the game prioritizes profit over quality.
- “This game was launched before it was anywhere near completed, by the company's own admission, in a cash grab by the publisher.”
- “This game is a bad joke, cash grab.”
- “Shameless cash grab.”
replayability
7 mentions
29 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
Overall, the replayability of the game is mixed; while some players appreciate the larger maps and tactical depth that enhance replay value, others find it lacking compared to similar titles like Rainbow Six. Many users note that the game offers enjoyable multiplayer experiences, but it may not sustain long-term interest for all players.
- “A lot of the atmosphere and replay value of Rogue Spear came from the relatively larger maps and stretched-out spaces.”
- “Most missions are playable.”
- “No replay value or anything else.”
- “It's an eight-year-old game with more replay value, realism, fear, tension, and tactical thought than anything this game has to offer.”
- “I enjoyed playing each level online with a friend, but there is not as much replay value as Rainbow Six games.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by poignant storytelling that resonates deeply with players, evoking strong feelings of nostalgia and reflection on personal relationships. The narrative effectively captures moments of vulnerability and the stakes involved in familial connections, leaving players with a sense of gratitude and fulfillment.
- “I was about 10 years old when my mother said to him, 'If you ever want to see your grandchildren graduate, you have to stop immediately.' Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
- “Also included is a heart-touching story mode that will grip you from the very start.”
- “But make no mistake: it made me feel good for not having many dreams, and for that I am truly grateful.”
grinding
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a double-edged sword; while some appreciate the tension created by lengthy searches for objectives, others view it as tedious and outdated, suggesting that modern games have improved this mechanic by making objectives more engaging.
- “Some of the levels are huge and hunting down the final terrorist can take ages; this can be described as either a) adding to the tension as the onscreen clock ticks away the seconds, 'will you find him in time to complete the mission?' or b) highly tedious and an issue that other games have overcome by making the last terrorist come looking for you.”
character development
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Character development is praised for its exceptional quality, with reviewers highlighting the phenomenal storytelling and meticulous attention to detail that enhances the overall experience.
- “The story and character development are phenomenal, and the attention to detail is flawless.”
- “The character arcs are incredibly well-written, making each character feel unique and relatable.”
- “I love how the choices I make influence the characters' growth and relationships throughout the game.”