Red Faction

"Red Faction Rules!"

- Introduction-
Red Faction is an awesome FPS on N-Gage. It is the first, so N-Gage is still figuring out a couple of things, but overall, I thought it was a really great game for a handheld.

- Gameplay- 9/10
The gameplay is solid and entertaining. With a vast assortment of levels and weapons, it makes for some fun shooting. There are only about 3 main types of enemies, but this doesn't take away from the game as much as you would think. The game actually has a plot too, so its not just mindless killing. The one thing I didn't like was the fact that when guards die, they don't drop any ammo or health or armor or anything. This can hurt you if you pump lead like crazy, but if you don't go around dispensing all your ammo over nothing, then you should be fine.

- Graphics- 10/10
The graphics for a handheld FPS are astounding. I know everyone is comparing it to its PS2 couterpart, but of course its not going to be up to par with a home console, it fits in the palm of your hand for god's sake. It definitly beats out anything GBA has to offer.

- Sound- 9/10
The sound is great. Everything from the blasting of a sub-machine gun to the dying cry of an Ultor Guard is done superbly. The soundtrack is great as well, it fits the gameplay perfectly. The tense, adrenaline pumping theme is enough of the music is enough to spur anyone to intense feats of FPS glory.

- Replayability- 8/10
I have beaten this game three times and i am still coming back to play it again. Once you've beaten it, it is fun to go back through, now that you've mastered the controls, and run through the levels creating chaos wherever you go. You'll definitly feel a need to pick up your N-Gage at least once a day to play this again and again.

- Packaging and Manual- 10/10
Red Faction comes on a standard N-Gage card. The box is the same format as all the other N-Gage games, a small, gray rectangle that opens up kind of like a DVD case, only on a smaller scale. The front holds the manual, which is very useful, if only to learn the controls, basic storyline and weapons and enemies. On the other side, an N-Gage case for up to 4 games comes along with the game card. I think it is an excellent setup.

- Overall- 9/10
This is definitly my favorite handheld FPS ever, the N-Gage really brings it to life. The only thing that made me give it a 9 was because of the fact that dead guards don't give any ammo, but, regardless, I love this game and I would definitly recommend even buying an N-Gage just to play it.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 02/09/04