Released in 2001, THQ and Volition's original Red Faction game was met with considerable acclaim. It delivered what it promised - a fine single and multi-player shoot-em-up with some of the most sophisticated gaming environments ever seen. Two years on, Red Faction 2 is upon us and developer Volition has upped the ante. For the last 15 years the corrupt dictator, Sopot, has oppressed the people of the Commonwealth. His relentless pursuit of unification with the neighbouring United Republic has left the country soaked in unnecessary bloodshed - a battle for power and control that leaves the people of the Commonwealth in poverty. As not so ordinary citizens, a squad of super soldiers injected with nano-technology is formed. Tired after years on the frontlines, each member vows to unify with the common goal of replacing the dictator. A first-person shooter at the core, Red Faction 2 prides itself largely on spectacular explosions and fully deformable environments. The geo-mod engine that makes destructible environments possible was a highly touted feature of the original and it has made an enhanced return for the sequel. Players are able to shoot almost any solid object, all of which then crumble or explode accordingly. Many players of Red Faction 2 will not appreciate the technology behind it, but Volition's efforts are admirable and should be respected. Weapons - that's another thing Red Faction 2 has in abundance. With your seemingly inexhaustible arsenal, it's quite easy to get carried away with blowing anything and everything to smithereens. By trial and error, you'll soon find whether your incendiary actions are a help or a hindrance. There are many puzzles to solve in Red Faction 2, and a great deal of them can be overcome with the help of something that makes a loud bang. The new, improved Geo-Mod engine rocks in every sense. Red Faction 2's array of weapons, including grenade launchers and rail drivers to name but two, its selection of controllable vehicles (hover flyers, submarines and tanks included) and a bunch of different game objectives leading to multiple game endings mean that, just as a single-player experience, Red Faction 2 will keep you occupied for a long while. Then consider the multi-player mode: accommodating up to four players simultaneously, the GameCube version makes light work of Red Faction 2.