Colony Wars III: Red Sun review (PlayStation)

Unlike Vengeance's, Red Sun's game balance makes sense. Mission difficulty increases as you progress, but never past the line where luck overtakes skill as the deciding factor. Furthermore, friendly AI doesn't suck for a change. There's nothing more aggravating than having to take on an entire mission by yourself. This time around, wingmen can defend themselves. Red Sun's pilots are no Einsteins, but they don't ride the short bus to the space station anymore.

Where Colony Wars: Red Sun further succeeds is in presentation. The overall plot is expertly paced, highlighting the push-pull struggle faced by both sides while executing more than a few twists in the meantime. Since Valdemar is an independent mercenary, you'll be engaging in missions for both sides and your allegiances will change frequently. Several full motion video sequences are also present, showcasing the psychological changes occurring within Valdemar's mind and regaling gamers with plenty of giant explosions and gorgeous interstellar visuals. In-game graphics, while exhibiting some polygon dropout and texture tearing, really push the envelope in terms of speed and detail. Enemy ships are colorful and intricate, right down to fluctuating thrusters and cockpit design. Majestic, Star Wars-style music rounds out Red Sun's sensory presentation - offering a great deal of pomp and circumstance - despite its tendency toward being just a little too orchestral.

Thanks to a greater focus on plot development and presentation, Psygnosis delivers with Red Sun what is arguably the best Colony Wars title to date. Difficulty increases gradually over time, friendly AI is improved, and non-linear mission selection continues to be the series' strong point. Just like in previous releases, the game's 50-plus missions can be tackled in a variety of ways, leaving room for more than one possible outcome. Unless you've become fatigued by the genre, Colony Wars: Red Sun offers a great deal of bang for one's buck.