Genre: First-Person Shooter
Developer: Community
Publisher: Independent

Like its Cube engine-based progenitors, Red Eclipse values function over aesthetics. Even the maps that put the muddled array of humdrum textures to good use look coarse, uneven, and lacking in character compared to the title's closest inspiration, Unreal Tournament. Fortunately, the HUD elements are wonderfully arranged, the weapons strewn throughout the maps are appropriately differentiated, and the ornamentation adorning rest of the user interface is intuitive and informative without being overwhelming.

Aside from a catchy but generic title ditty, Red Eclipse is completely devoid of music; it could certainly have used some to help define the game's personality. Fortunately, the weapon and player movement sounds perfectly suit their corresponding triggers, and the stylish, "retro" arcade-like sound effects that accompany events like multi-kills are wonderful, even if they contrast with the rest of the game's styling cues a bit.

Unlike the Quake series and other titles in this sub-genre, Red Eclipse shifts the emphasis from map route running and timing to skill in actual confrontations; it does this by eliminating the concept of ammo, almost perfectly balancing the weapons, and by adding unique player abilities, such as wall running and dashing. While something is lost in the fact that map design takes a bit of a back seat to the pure player mechanics, the changes are so finely balanced that the title breathes new life into the antiquated formula.

Red Eclipse is the best playing and most fun multiplayer shooter since Unreal Tournament. It hits upon its formula of brilliance via its map designs, its lovely player movement mechanics, and weapons that are satisfying to use and sublimely balanced. But style is just as important as substance, and for all its richness of mechanics, Red Eclipse feels far too generic to ultimately challenge titles like Unreal Tournament; a fresh set of textures and the addition of a soundtrack could help address the game's lack of character, and given the title's libre licensing, such improvements are not beyond the realm of possibility.