In many cases, destroying buildings will leave behind salvage, the game's form of currency, which can be used along with salvage rewarded by completing missions to unlock and upgrade weaponry and technology at safehouses. This allows a degree of creativity in approaching a given objective, such as breaking or crashing through structures, or leveling multi-story buildings and large bridges or catwalks to thwart the enemy. However the game's GeoMod 2.0 engine allows for buildings, cover, and other structures to be destroyed. Unlike the previous Red Faction game, which used the GeoMod engine, Guerrilla does not allow for the destruction of terrain.
Developer Volition changed the camera perspective to help the player see and appreciate the surroundings as they are destroyed. The player takes the role of Alec Mason as he assists the Red Faction to overthrow the oppressive Earth Defense Force (EDF) on Mars. Red Faction: Guerrilla is a third-person shooter game set in an open world environment.