It’s been over ten years since Rogue Trooper launched on Xbox and PlayStation 2, giving us our first taste of Nu-Earth and the chaotic warfare that our Genetic Infantrymen must withstand. Now, we can go back to Nu-Earth and get the revenge we want in Rogue Trooper Redux, a brand new update to the classic third person shooter that’ll see it launch on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
The first port of call for Rebellion and TickTock Games when remaking Rogue Trooper was ensuring that the graphics looked modern. Not just a simple enhancement of textures and geometry from several generations ago, but a complete update, with brand new textures, lighting and effects work throughout, bringing Rogue Trooper firmly into the modern generation.
More than just graphics have changed in the last ten years though, of course. Rogue Trooper Redux features some brand new control methods - cover-based shooters were in their infancy when Rogue Trooper hit the market, and the landscape has changed quite a bit since then. Creature-comforts such as snapping to cover and new controls when in cover have updated the game and made it much more natural to play for modern gamers.
The plain blue Genetic Infantryman might not be the most exciting hero, but the mission he must undertake is anything but unimpressive. Dropping down from orbit, crashing into the crust of the planet and then shooting down some trigger-happy enemies that have our side pinned down. Of course, they’ll be back - Genetic Infantry may die, but they can’t escape from war.
Admittedly, modern sensibilities might’ve dulled Rogue Trooper Redux’s presentation somewhat - back in 2006, some of the set pieces were the highest quality AAA action, a high-octane Call of Duty campaign of its time. These days, well, they don’t have quite the same impact - even though shooting down foes feels just as good as ever.
And of course, for the first time ever, Rogue Trooper is making its way to a handheld device in the form of a Nintendo Switch version. The game here might run at a lower framerate than its big-console cousins, but this is the full game, in a handheld form factor.
Rogue Trooper Redux is a welcome way to return to a classic console shooter - don’t expect it to keep up with modern shooters, but this a great way to get some refreshed nostalgia. And it’s portable now, too!
The game will launch on PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on October 17th, while Nintendo Switch will have to wait a little more. Also, don't forget to read our interview with Rebellion's Rich May.
