Is it really the End?

Tags: Red Faction II (WIRE) Red Faction (PS2) Red Faction II (PS2) Red Faction (PC) Red Faction II (PC) Red Faction (NGA) Red Faction II (XBOX) Red Faction: Guerrilla (PC) Red Faction: Guerrilla (PS3) Red Faction: Guerrilla (XBOX 360) Red Faction Armageddon (PC) Red Faction Armageddon (PS3) Red Faction Armageddon (XBOX 360) Red Faction: Battlegrounds (PS3) Red Faction: Battlegrounds (XBOX 360)

So here we are again, with a slightly under whelming story, and a game that doesnt make good on its  previous outings.  While Armageddon is good its not the ramp up we had hoped to see after the last game.  It seem like they wanted to step back to the orginal game and attempt to spice it up without actually rebooting the series.  Dont get me wrong it is still worth a play (even with the weak sauce story and the typical RF graphics).  And though the game may have older graphics this is something we should all be able to live with since the game has so much going on and so much to offer (something had to suffer).  There are some pretty nice parts to the campaign that will make you say wow this is what i have been waiting for, and the co-op is lovely.  But as always the star of this show is the destruction.  Tearing things down (or rebuilding) is rather satisfying.  weapons arent as plentiful as before but there are several upgrades and abilities to customize yourself as you see fit.  The only real lulls come when there isnt enough emphasis on destroying things.  And unfortunately the third person shoot an alien in the face thing isnt enough to carry this game to greatness.  Vehicles and mechs (of various sizes) are back and help break up the some times tedious pacing of the game.  And what true gamer doesnt like destroying stuff in a mech?  Which brings to mind ruin mode.  Ruin mode is set up to allow you to get the most out of destroying buildings and such.  All the enemies have been removed and then its man vs enviornment (with a little help from you favorite toys).  Down side is its timed so it calls for fast thinking and serious know how to score big.  You get this mode with new copies, but it will have to be purchased seperately if you buy this as a trade in (honestly depending on the price you can do without it).  Then there is infestation mode.  This is a bit of a horde type mode which not only calls for your shooting skills but your team work and detection and rebuilding skills.  Enemies attack you and structures you are responsible for keeping whole.  This game is worth a play, but after you finish the single player the only reason to keep it will be the multiplayer.  Completeionists will find plenty of reasons to go back to the single player to collect and unlock all the modes, and cheats.  The average gamer will most likely play online until the next online experence catches there eye.  A rental worth the price of admission (if interested) or a buy when the price drops or if you just need a destruction fix buy it now.