Gameplay
Players do combat in space and atmospheric missions using one of nine spacecraft. Each starfighter carries a certain combination of weapons. The player earns money for killing enemy targets or completes missions, which vary from simple intercepts to escort mission. The money earned can be used to buy more advanced spacecraft and weapons. Although the spacecraft have a certain combination of weapons, the game introduces an upgrade system where players can insert new weapons and parts into a number of predetermined slots on the vehicle, but there are limitations: the player cannot install three of the same kind of laser. These parts can include scatter guns, subspace dampeners, and drones of various purposes. The velocity sight used in Vengeance also returns.
When fighting any large space vessels, the player is now given a chance to target individual parts of the ship, such as gun turrets.
Red Sun also breaks from the standard "Acts" mission system seen in the first two games. Since the player is a mercenary, a number of missions are arrayed in the Status Menu for the player to choose from, but only those marked with the letter P must be finished to advance the plot of the game.
Read more about this topic: Colony Wars: Red Sun