Red Faction

Red Faction Cover

Red Faction is the first game in the Red Faction series developed by Volition Inc. and published by THQ Inc.

Introduction

Red Faction takes place on Mars in the 22nd century, more specifically around the year 2158. Earth’s minerals are being depleted and humans need more of them to survive. The vast Ultor Corporation runs the Noachite mining operation on Mars. The living conditions are deplorable, human rights for the miners are few, and a disease called "The Plague" is running rampant throughout the colony, predominantly within the confines of the mine complex, with no known antidote available. You play the role of Parker, a downtrodden miner taken in by the promises and advantages Ultor has to offer in the mines of Mars. After a routine day in the mine with the typical aggression toward miners and cramped living conditions and poor nutrition, he witnesses the spark that starts a rebellion. When a security guard abuses a miner at the end of his shift he heartlessly kills him. Parker takes up arms, with the help of Hendrix, a rebellious Ultor technician who guides Parker through the complex. Hendrix tries to get Parker to join up with a group of miners who are about to steal a supply ship and escape the complex. Parker arrives too late. The ship takes off but is destroyed by missiles.

Parker traverses through the Ultor complex, eliminating any resistance Ultor throws at him, and even kidnapping a high-ranking Ultor administrator, Gryphon, for Eos, leader of the Red Faction. Parker learns from Gryphon about Dr. Capek, who created "The Plague". Capek has been experimenting with nanotechnology, and "The Plague" is a side-effect. Hendrix directs Parker to Capek's secret underground laboratory, where he and Eos meet up and take down Capek. Before Capek dies, he tells Eos how to cure "The Plague". After sending a distress call to the Earth Defense Force, Parker stows away on a shuttle to an Ultor space station in Martian orbit to deactivate a laser defense system.

After destroying the space station, Parker lands back on Mars via an escape pod, Ultor brings out its reserve of mercenaries to help them in their fight against the miners. Hendrix tells Parker that the mercenaries have orders to destroy the mining complex, covering up any proof of Ultor's wrongdoing. After fighting his way through the mercenary base, Parker confronts Masako, the mercenary leader. After he kills Masako, Parker sees that Eos is tied up and sitting on the floor next to the bomb, which has been set to explode. After deactivating it, the Earth Defense Force arrives just in time to save Parker and Eos from an Aesir. Eos tells Parker that an antidote for The Plague has been made and it is being given to any sick miners. She also tells him she is leaving Mars, and that he should enjoy his new status as a hero.

Sequels

Red Faction II and Red Faction: Guerrilla are the only two known sequels in the Red Faction series.