The “Break it Down” Blog

As Red Faction: Guerrilla get’s alittle closer to release, THQ has opened up their multiplayer beta test to anyone lucky enough to get a key. Thankfully we were one of the chosen few to score one of these keys, here are our impressions on how the multiplayer component is shaping up.

First off, the action is fast and furious. As soon as you get into the game, you can expect to see buildings crashing onto anyone foolish to stand in their way. The new version of Geo-Mod, the engine used in both Red Faction I & II, really shines in this game. Buildings react realistically to the the damage done, it easily beats out Battlefield: Bad Company’s scripted damage. The fire effects are also worthy of praise, they’re some of the best Ive seen this gen.

Since this is a beta, content is a bit on the short side.

The beta has three maps, which aren’t very different from one another, and two gameplay modes. The two gameplay modes consist of Team Anarchy and Damage Control. Team Anarchy is basically team deathmatch, while Damage Control is a capture the control point game that takes advantage of the destructibility. Instead of just standing around you have to destroy the capture point then rebuild with the reconstruction gun it for your team.

The reconstruction gun, is one of the best ways to show off the engine. It can repair everything you’ve destroyed, all in real time. I found myself in awe of how absolutely amazing the repair effects looked.

The weapons are a mixed bag. The assault rifles and pistols in the game feel very underpowered and too much alike. In one game I found myself with both assault rifles and they felt exactly the same, I was sure I picked up two of the same gun somehow. Some of the better weapons include the saw blade launcher and the sledgehammer, which is the primary destruction weapon plus, the most satisfying melee weapon I’ve ever used.

One of the more innovative features are these backpacks which can give you special abilities that are really useful in combat. Each of them is activated by pressing the left bumper button, and has to recharge after they’re used, indicated by a little light on the back. These backpacks are:

• Fleetfoot – Increases your running speed for short bursts. This is a great one if you need to play defense and quickly get out of the line of fire. Combined this with the sledgehammer and you’re a forced to be reckoned with.
• Rhino – Ever wanted to be the juggernaut and just crash through everything? The rhino is exactly what you need. Time it just right and you’ll send nearby enemies flying to their death.
• Jet Pack – Fairly self explanatory, jet pack gives you the ability to fly in short bursts and get up to other areas that are normally unreachable.
• Firepower – Firepower gives you unlimited ammo for a breif period and increases your bullet damage.

Overall, we like the way the game is coming along. The multiplayer side of things is just pure fun, making it almost impossible to play this game without getting some sort of satisfaction out of it. Trust us, theres really nothing more satisfying then killing the emeny team by dropping a tower on them.