:The Red Star (video game)
{{For|the graphic novel providing the setting of the game|The Red Star}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = The Red Star
| image = The Red Star Coverart.jpg
| caption =
| developer = Acclaim Studios Austin
Archangel Studios
| publisher = XS Games
| designer = Stephen Dupree
Peter Ong
Ara Shirinian
| series =
| engine =
| released = PlayStation 2
{{vgrelease|PAL|April 20, 2007|NA|April 23, 2007}}PlayStation Portable
{{vgrelease|NA|March 17, 2010|EU|January 5, 2011}}iOS
June 22, 2010
| genre = Action
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| platforms = PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, iOS
| composer = Nelson Everhart
}}
The Red Star is a third-person action video game, based on The Red Star graphic novel.
Plot
The story is based on a graphic novel of the same name. It is set in a futuristic, magic-using Soviet Union, which uses floating Skyfurnaces (magical ships) and Warkasters (sorcerers) to conquer its enemies.
Gameplay
The Red Star is a mix of several video game genres like beat'em up and shooter.{{ref|thenextlevel}} The action is seen from the isometric perspective, with the goal of walking around and fighting enemies along the way.{{cite web |last=Freeman |first=Will |date=May 13, 2007 |url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/the-red-star-review |title=The Red Star Review |website=VideoGamer.com |publisher=Resero Network |access-date=January 4, 2020}} RPG elements are also apparent as players have the option of upgrading certain attributes of a character depending on how well levels are completed. The players can choose between three characters: Makita who relies on speed and fast movements, Kyuzo who is slow but resistant and strong and Maya with a balanced approach of speed and power.{{cite web |last=Freeman |first=Will |date=May 13, 2007 |url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00007599-the-red-star-test.htm |title=Test: The Red star |language=French |website=Jeuxvideo.com |publisher=Webedia |access-date=January 4, 2020 |archive-date=May 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501211152/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00007599-the-red-star-test.htm |url-status=live }} Maya is unlocked by beating the game once. Losing a life at any point will force a reset to the beginning of the current stage.{{cite magazine |last=Kohler |first=Chris |date=June 15, 2007 |url=https://www.wired.com/2007/06/playstation-2-games-bring-the-pain/ |title=PlayStation 2 Games Bring The Pain |magazine=Wired |publisher=Condé Nast |access-date=January 4, 2020}}
Development and release
In 2003, Acclaim Entertainment signed an exclusive agreement with Archangel Studios to develop a video game based on The Red Star. At the time, it was in development at Acclaim Studios Austin with a scheduled release date in 2004.{{cite web |last=Calvert |first=Justin |date=June 10, 2003 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/acclaim-signs-the-red-star/1100-6029767/ |title=Acclaim signs The Red Star |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=January 4, 2020}} Ray Peña and Stephen Dupree were given the roles of art and design team leads respectively. Acclaim used an in-house level editor, which allowed them to create a Smash TV-like prototype by using the existing assets from Vexx and Turok Evolution.{{cite web |last=Suckley |first=Matt |date=March 8, 2018 |url=https://www.kotaku.co.uk/2018/03/08/following-the-red-star-acclaims-last-stab-at-making-a-masterpiece |title=Following The Red Star - Acclaim's Last Stab at Making a Masterpiece |website=Kotaku UK |publisher=Future plc |access-date=January 4, 2020 |archive-date=June 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609205028/https://www.kotaku.co.uk/2018/03/08/following-the-red-star-acclaims-last-stab-at-making-a-masterpiece |url-status=live }}
The Red Star was originally scheduled for release for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox on September 4, 2004. The first time that gamers could get their hands on The Red Star was in August 2004 on the Official PlayStation Magazine Demo. Game Informer made an early review on both the PS2 and Xbox versions.{{cite magazine |last=Juba |first=Joe |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/A0D87571-C698-4656-B01B-19C0C9C375B6.htm?CS_pid=280991 |title=The Red Star (PS2, Xbox) |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |issue=138 |date=October 2004 |page=124 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060108083518/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/A0D87571-C698-4656-B01B-19C0C9C375B6.htm?CS_pid=280991 |archive-date=January 8, 2006 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 28, 2019}} The Xbox version was made in parallel with the PlayStation 2 version. It was completed with a press review copy circulating among gaming publications, including Game Informer, but was never commercially released.
After Acclaim went bankrupt in 2004, XS Games took the publishing rights to the game. The PlayStation Portable port was released in March 2010, through PlayStation Network. An iOS version of The Red Star was released in June the same year.{{cite web |last=Mosley |first=Jason |date=March 8, 2010 |url=https://toucharcade.com/2010/03/08/coming-soon-%E2%80%98the-red-star%E2%80%99-%E2%80%93-both-a-top-down-shooter-and-beat-%E2%80%98em-up-game/ |title=Coming Soon: 'The Red Star' – Both a Top Down Shooter and Beat 'Em Up Game |website=TouchArcade |publisher=MacRumors.com, LLC |access-date=March 8, 2010 |archive-date=March 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311183602/http://toucharcade.com/2010/03/08/coming-soon-%E2%80%98the-red-star%E2%80%99-%E2%80%93-both-a-top-down-shooter-and-beat-%E2%80%98em-up-game/ |url-status=live }}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| iOS = true
| PS2 = true
| PSP = true
| XBOX = true
| na = true
| 1UP_PS2 = B{{cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Sam |date=April 24, 2007 |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/the-red-star |title=The Red Star (PS2) |website=1Up.com |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618133159/http://www.1up.com/reviews/the-red-star |archive-date=June 18, 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 30, 2019}}
| Destruct_iOS = 4/10{{cite web |last=Carey |first=Sean |date=July 8, 2010 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-the-red-star-iphone--178148.phtml |title=Review: The Red Star (iPhone) |website=Destructoid |publisher=Enthusiast Gaming |access-date=January 29, 2019 |archive-date=October 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030103416/https://www.destructoid.com/review-the-red-star-iphone--178148.phtml |url-status=live }}
| Edge_PS2 = 6/10{{cite magazine |author=Edge staff |title=The Red Star (PS2) |magazine=Edge |publisher=Future plc |issue=175 |date=May 2007 |page=95}}
| EuroG_PS2 = 7/10{{cite web |last=Lyon |first=James |date=April 29, 2007 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/the-red-star-review |title=The Red Star (PlayStation 2) |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=January 30, 2019 |archive-date=January 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130110550/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/the-red-star-review |url-status=live }}
| GamePro_PS2 = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Glasser |first=AJ |date=June 11, 2007 |url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/116348.shtml |title=Review: The Red Star (PS2) |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071207022929/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/116348.shtml |archive-date=December 7, 2007 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 30, 2019}}
| GSpot_PS2 = 8.1/10{{cite web |last=Davis |first=Ryan |date=May 4, 2007 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-red-star-review/1900-6170183/ |title=The Red Star Review (PS2) |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=January 29, 2019 |archive-date=January 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130110142/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-red-star-review/1900-6170183/ |url-status=live }}
| GSpy_PS2 = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web |last=Joynt |first=Patrick |date=May 14, 2007 |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/the-red-star/788067p1.html |title=GameSpy: The Red Star (PS2) |website=GameSpy |publisher=IGN Entertainment |access-date=January 30, 2019 |archive-date=March 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317212300/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/the-red-star/788067p1.html |url-status=live }}
| IGN_PS2 = 6.9/10{{cite web |last=Seff |first=Micah |date=June 7, 2007 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/06/08/the-red-star-review-2 |title=The Red Star Review (PS2) |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=January 29, 2019 |archive-date=January 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130053343/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/06/08/the-red-star-review-2 |url-status=live }}
| OPMUK_PS2 = (OPS2) 6/10{{cite magazine |title=The Red Star (PS2) |magazine=Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine |publisher=Future plc |issue=84 |date=April 2007 |page=77}}
3/10{{cite magazine |title=The Red Star (PS2) |magazine=PlayStation Official Magazine – UK |publisher=Future plc |issue=7 |date=June 2007 |page=101}}
| OPMUK_PSP = 8/10{{cite magazine |title=The Red Star (PSP) |magazine=PlayStation Official Magazine – UK |publisher=Future plc |date=June 2010 |page=117}}
| PG_iOS = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web |last=McFerran |first=Damien |date=July 2, 2010 |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/021912/red-star/ |title=Red Star |website=Pocket Gamer |publisher=Steel Media Ltd |access-date=August 10, 2020 |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101014506/https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/021912/red-star/ |url-status=live }}
| PSM_PS2 = 6/10{{cite magazine |title=Review: The Red Star |magazine=PSM |publisher=Future US |date=July 2007 |page=85}}
| GR_iOS = 76%{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/iphone/997999-red-star/index.html |title=Red Star for iOS (iPhone/iPad) |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531010717/https://www.gamerankings.com/iphone/997999-red-star/index.html |archive-date=May 31, 2019 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 30, 2019}}
| MC_iOS = 66/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-red-star/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad |title=Red Star for iPhone/iPad Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=January 29, 2019 |archive-date=February 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214124548/https://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/red-star |url-status=live }}
}}
The game received "average" reviews on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.
Notes
- {{note|thenextlevel}} {{cite web |last=Vo |first=Long |date=October 6, 2006 |url=http://www.the-nextlevel.com/review/ps2/the-red-star/ |title=The Red Star Review (PS2) |website=The Next Level |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080728060404/http://www.the-nextlevel.com/review/ps2/the-red-star/ |archive-date=July 28, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 29, 2019}}
References
{{reflist}}
- Halverson, Dave. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20070928131456/http://www.playmagazine.com/index.php?fuseaction=SiteMain.showGamePage&Game_ID=432 The Red Star Review]". Play Magazine. October 2006.
External links
- [http://www.redstar-us.com/ Official The Red Star site]
- {{moby game|id=/red-star}}
{{Iguana Entertainment}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Red Star, The}}
Category:Acclaim Entertainment games
Category:Acclaim Studios Austin games
Category:Alternate history video games
Category:PlayStation Network games
Category:PlayStation Portable games
Category:Cooperative video games
Category:Science fantasy video games
Category:Video games based on comics
Category:Video games based on Image Comics