We all need something to
believe in or a cause to take an interest in if only but to feel as if we were
part of something special . . . and sometimes its just good to join the
revolution just for the hell of it. There are plenty of games that put you
directly into the people’s revolution (see Red Faction 2 and State of
Emergency
for the Xbox) but its Freedom Fighters that makes things very personal. It’s
time to take back America from an old-fashioned kind of threat–the red
communist threat of Cold War Russia.
The game’s story is a
what-if scenario that isn’t new to us (and those who have seen the 80s campy
action film, Red Dawn, will know what I mean). It seems that the nation’s worst
fears have come to fruition and the losers of the Cold War just happen to be the
USA. Armies of the Soviet Union and their Communist friends find themselves on
American soil and after the nation surrenders to this massive army; America
finds itself ruled with an iron fist. Yet there are those who will not sit idly
by and allow this to go on any longer and soon New York City is the center of
the biggest uprising seen since the Revolutionary War.
Here’s the best part of
the story: you don’t assume the role of a seasoned Special Ops fighter. Nope,
you play a regular blue-collar New Yorker named Christopher who just happens to
be a plumber that can fire a gun and rally others to fight back against the
oppressive forces of the Communist red army. As the revolution begins, your
character becomes involved in the uprising and then quickly gains something of a
reputation, which inevitably leads to his ability to recruit men and women
prepared to die for this cause. Recruiting is simply a question of walking up
to a group or individual you’ll encounter and talk to them. Thanks to your
rising fame and Charisma Points (which determine the number of recruits that
will follow you), you’ll find that these freedom fighters need little if no
convincing to join you.
Control-wise, Freedom
Fighters keeps things simple and smooth enough that your character can run, jump
and shoot with no trouble at all. Issuing commands to your recruited squad is
also easy since the game thankfully doesn’t want to complicate things during
combat. The list of commands isn’t overwhelming either. You can tell your
squad to hold or follow or attack and you can even issue the command to one
specific squad mate. Many of them have the good sense to cover you and others
are smart enough to get behind a gun turret when needed. Much like a true
squad-based game such as Brute Force, your strategic decisions play a big
role in cutting the number of enemies down or keeping that gun turret from doing
a lot of damage.
Your list of arsenal is
also most impressive. Since you go up against waves of enemies, manned gun
turrets and even helicopters, it’s only fair to blow enemies with bazookas as
well as Russian-made arms. The best part about this is that you can pretty much
switch weapons on the fly so this keeps the transition pretty smooth. Believe
me, there are many moments in this game were switching from a shotgun to a
machine gun is essential to your survival. There is many times where you’re
required to blow up certain things or pick up a sniper rifle to eliminate a
particular target. Like most revolts, though, battles are chaotic and there are
many moments where you’ll just wildly fire at patrols from the open window of an
apartment building.
This is one impressive
looking game and gamers will quickly see for themselves that it’s the details
that really steal the show here. It is not unusual to see a landscape like this
in a game, but it is still a rare sight to see our world (the way we know it)
filled with Red propaganda and sterile military outposts. The nightmarish
version of New York City looks great, though, as does the characters that are
nicely detailed as those seen in Hitman 2. The special effects look
great too but it could have used a lot more damage effects.
Sound-wise, a great score
punctuates the game’s action, more than decent voice work and excellent sound
effects. The score is very cinematic and very dramatic so it works perfectly
with the story. The voices found in the game are good, especially since you’ll
be hearing a lot from your followers during the action. The great sound effects
of explosions and heavy gunfire are stellar enough to be appreciated with a
great sound system. In short, this is some excellent sound work.
Freedom Fighters is far
from your usual third-person shooter, it’s a game with a lot of heart and a
unique story that will have you cheerfully taking back America and loving every
second of it. With so many great elements in its possession–the clever use of
squad tactics makes for battles that never end the same way–this is a game that
won’t disappoint action fans everywhere. A recommended buy for those that enjoy
a good third-person shooter.
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#Reviewer’s |
Gameplay: 9.2
The game’s controls are very
simplistic to begin with and whether you’re running, jumping or opening fire
from an AK-47 the action comes off pretty smoothly. Equally easy is issuing
commands to your chosen squad so there’s no point in the game where you’re
hindered by complex commands. There is the occasional moment where one or two
of your squad members get stuck somewhere but this thankfully doesn’t happen too
much.
Graphics: 8.0
While not gorgeous, the game’s
visuals will not fail to impress. To begin with the landscape is composed of
urban American backdrops that are saturated with Soviet propaganda. The streets
of New York practically cry out invasion and, thus, sets the right atmospheric
mood. The characters also look good and if you’ve played Hitman 2, the
facial details will be very familiar. It’s also great watching a Molotov
cocktail explode over an enemy transport.
Sound: 8.2
A wonderfully composed score keeps
the dramatic cut scenes and action very cinematic. Aside from this, the voice
work is handled with plenty of emotion. “We’re with you, man. All the way,”
says a new recruit as he stand with you as you both look down at a massive army
marching down 5th Avenue. The sound effects are also well done. Toss a few
grenades, open fire with a heavy machine gun and let freedom ring.
Difficulty: Medium
Even with a small army of
freedom-loving Americans, it’s still quite a challenge taking on dozens of
combat-ready enemies. There are many times where you’re up against manned gun
turrets, heavily armed patrols and armored vehicles. Often times the mission
objectives have you carrying out multiple tasks such as attempting to take the
local post office while keeping an enemy transport from reaching a certain
location. My recommendation: save whenever you can.
Concept: 9.0
Take an Average Joe (and not some
Special Forces guy) and put him in a what-if situation that’s quite
extraordinary and you get a feel of what Freedom Fighters are all about. Sure
it’s a third-person shooter but it’s a third-person shooter that allows you to
give orders to computer-controlled comrades that fights right along with you.
How you attack and command your squad is entirely up to you.
Multiplayer: 8.0
Up to four-players can play a
split-screen multiplayer game that has each player fighting through levels
inspired straight from the single player mode as players raise their flag over
enemy territory. While this is nothing really unique, the playing field is ripe
with weapons, gun turrets and plenty of great places to make sneak attacks or
pick up a sniper rifle and shoot enemies down.
Overall: 8.5
You say you want a revolution? Well
this one will be sure to have you knee-deep in one of the most satisfying
uprising seen in a game to date. With a story that will have you cheering for
the people’s revolution and action sequences that will have your adrenalin
pumping, Freedom Fighters will hook you from the beginning to end. Buy this one
if you’re looking for something highly original and fun third-person shooter.
