Red Faction: Battlegrounds
Red Faction: Battlegrounds is a 2011 twin-stick shooter vehicular combat game set in the Red Faction universe. Battlegrounds is a spin-off of the Red Faction series and was developed by THQ Digital Studios UK and published by THQ and Syfy Games for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, exclusively on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Store.
Gameplay
Battlegrounds focuses on fast-paced combat involving various vehicles and mechs from the Red Faction series; the majority of which come from Red Faction: Guerrilla, though DLC packs that add vehicles from both Red Faction: Armageddon and Red Faction: Origins are available. Players control their vehicles in a top-down perspective, navigating through compact arenas filled with hazards and power-ups.
The game's mechanics emphasize arcade-style action, with easy-to-learn controls but challenging gameplay. Players choose from a range of vehicles, each with unique weapons and abilities. The vehicle selection includes rovers, tanks, and walkers, all integral to the Red Faction lore.
Training Missions
Battlegrounds contains sixteen offline training missions, forming a kind of "pseudo-campaign." These training missions require the player to complete various types of challenges, with rankings of Bronze, Silver, or Gold. Completing these challenges awards the player with upgrades for their vehicles and achievements, with more rewards for higher rankings. Eight additional training missions were released as DLC.
Multiplayer
Battlegrounds features local and online multiplayer for up to four players. Multiplayer features deathmatch, capture the flag, and king of the hill style game types.
Connection to the Series
While Battlegrounds differs in gameplay style from the main entries in the Red Faction series, it maintains thematic consistency with its source material. The game is set in the same universe and includes references to significant events and technology from the series, particularly those related to the terraforming of Mars and the struggle between the Earth Defense Force (EDF) and the Red Faction.
Reception
Upon release, Battlegrounds received mixed reviews from critics. The game was praised for its fun, action-packed multiplayer and the inclusion of familiar elements from the Red Faction series. However, it was roundly criticized for its lack of depth and limited single-player content. Despite its shortcomings, Battlegrounds provided fans of the series with an alternative way to engage with the universe.
List of Vehicles
Miner ATV
EDF Scout
EDF Medium Tank
Light Walker
EDF Crusader (Armageddon Pack)
LAV (Armageddon Pack)
LEO Exo Suit (Armageddon Pack)
Marauder Buggy (Armageddon Pack)
Marauder Chomper (Origins Pack)
Marauder Stomper (Origins Pack)
APC (Origins Pack)
Staff Car (Origins Pack)
List of Gamemodes
Deathmatch
Team Deathmatch
King of The Hill
Capture the Flag
Flag Frenzy
Race (Origins Pack)
List of Maps
Ice Mine Eos | DM, TDM
The Fortress | DM, TDM, FF, Race
Chem-Zone | DM, TDM, CTF, FF
Parker Town | DM, TDM, FF
Particle Cannon 7 | DM, TDM, KoTH,
Wasteland | DM, TDM, CTF
Biohazard | DM, TDM, FF
Marauder Enclave | DM, TDM, KoTH,
Area 49 | DM, TDM
Magma Dock (Armageddon Pack) | DM, TDM, CTF, FF
Ice Chamber (Armageddon Pack) | DM, TDM, Race
White Faction Base (Origins Pack) | DM, TDM, KoTH, Race
Spill Site (Origins Pack) | DM, TDM
List of Training Missions
The Quick And The Dead
Gunslinger
Standoff
Metal-Storm
Badlands Bushwhack
Snatch And Grab
Hard Targets
The Briar Patch
Badlands Showdown
Wheels Of Fire
Toxic Takedown
Collateral Damage
Cold Day In Hell
Quick and Dirty
HotHouse
Final Fury
Frostbite (Armageddon Pack)
The Furnace (Armageddon Pack)
Red Ice (Armageddon Pack)
Boiling Point (Armageddon Pack)
Run And Gun (Origins Pack)
Blast From The Past (Origins Pack)
The Coffin (Origins Pack)
Riding Shotgun (Origins Pack)