Freedom Fighters

"Liberating a City hasn't been this much fun for quite some time."

Freedom Fighters.
A game I'll be remembering for quite some time!
I always did enjoy squad-based games; and this is no exception. They planned this game out so well, I almost played this game non stop! Talk about addictive!

Story 9/10:
Set in a 'fictional history', this game's story plays out in a way I have never seen before. It's like this:
World War II. The USSR got the upper hand by developing the hydrogen bomb faster then the U.S.A., and they used it; ending World War II in their favor. They 'took over', in their words ''liberating'' Europe, and they had their eyes fixed on the U.S of A.

On what seemed to be a normal day for Christopher Stone and Troy Stone, things took a turn for the worst. They had to do a plumbing job for a girl named Isabella Angelina; but when they arrived they found the apartment empty. While looking around, the Soviet army under the command of General Tatarin barged in. They suspected Isabella was Troy's girlfriend, and took him away; while Chris was hiding in the bathroom. And this is where it all begins...

Graphics 9/10:
Ever played Hitman 2? You'll instantly recognize it's graphics from the opening cut-scene in the game. I loved this game's graphics, it puts so many things on the screen it's hard to imagine how the hell IO Interactive ever pulled this off! Everything is really flashy, with high note of the TV station in one of the later levels in the game. God, that looks so amazing.

The character models look really amazing too, especially Chris; how he evolves during the game. He'll look pretty 'new' in the beginning of the game, but when you're near the end of the game he'll look like a hardcore resistance leader; determined and courageous.

The game's ''ragdoll physics'' as I heard some people call them, are extremely impressive-- but not if you played Hitman 2, you'll be used to them in that case, but you'll love them non the less! If you toss a grenade to an enemy soldier, or shoot them with a Shotgun-- be prepared to see them fly! Seriously, this might not be much reading it like this, but I promise you when you'll see it you'll laugh your guts out. It's so cool to see! They fly lifelessly through the air , landing on any obstacle possible; and all very realistically. You'll find out yourself when you play it! ;)

The scenery is also just too amazing to see, from road-blocks to look-out towers with lots of buildings you can enter (without loading!) and exit through the other side to surprise your enemies! Amazing!

Gameplay 10/10:
This is where the game shines. It's possible to have 12 people in your resistance group: Which you do by earning 'Charisma Points'. You get these by performing heroic actions, such as saving civilians on the streets or in buildings (by giving them Medkits) or by completing your mission objectives.

The 'real' purpose of the mission is always raising the U.S flag on a building to signal your victory.
With plenty of secondary objectives to help you out; and you'll end up doing them first!
Most of the Secondary objectives is doing things like taking out the enemy helipad or taking over an ammunitions depot to give some good equipment to your resistance group. Or by taking out, say, the enemy reinforcements building from which they operate, reinforcements will be cut off in the other sections of the mission, which you can travel through by going through the sewer system. Taking out the helipad for example will take out the Helicopter support for the Soviets. It has a very strategic effect, and god; I love it!

Ordering your team around around could not have been any simpler. By pressing the Triangle button you will order your team to attack all near enemies in your sight. By pushing circle they'll defend the area you're currently in, and they'll take cover from wherever they can. And by pushing Square they'll follow you around! Effective when you run into an enemy ambush and want to pull out!

The enemy and team-mates' A.I are very bright to say the least, they'll take cover wherever they can find cover! Behind buildings, crates, outposts or buildings. They'll give you cover, and the enemy will give their own people cover. They'll take over mounted machine guns, and starting laying the hurt on you and your team. So press that Square button and pull out! :)

Sound & Music 10/10:
The gun-fire, to the screams of your people and that of the Soviets are impressive. But not as impressive as the music! I give that part a 100/10 if I could, cause it's just amazing. From the 'Russian' Choirs to the drums in the background, and once in a while a very calm piano in the background. It all ties in very well and that's really necessary if you want to be 'in' the game. I loved the soundtrack, and I think you will too.

Controls 8/10:
The game uses dual analogue control, but you can change that in the options menu. As far as I have seen, you can't customize your own controls.

The game has an auto-aim function, (the same as Hitman 2), but you can go into a cool over-the-shoulder view by pressing L3. It's awkward 'cause you gotta hold that button down for the entire duration. I would've preferred if it was a one-tap thing, same with R3: The inventory. But that's easily compensated 'cause you can pick your items out by pressing the directional buttons too.

As I already explained, square, triangle and circle are used to issue commands to your squad. X is used to enter locations on the map.

L1 makes you climb obstacles as well as Jump. L2 makes you crouch, and R1 is shoot. R2 is used to Melee your opponents. Very handy. :)

Lasting Value 7/10:
The lowest score. The game is pretty short, however, it still is pretty fun to do it again, because the shootouts are so friggin' amazing! It has no unlockables except when you finish the game you got a mission select.

The game has a multiplayer mode, but alas, no Co-Op.
It's a capture the flag kind of thing, you have a few bunkers you can take over and that'll spawn friendly soldiers. With those solders you'll be hoisting the flag and defending it! And the other player(s) (up to 4 split-screen) will attempt to do the same.

Rent, or Buy?:
I love this game, and I will forever just because it sucks you in and does not let go! The atmosphere and action scenes are so amazing I'll be replaying them forever.
If you love action games in where you lead a squad against a seeming to be force that cannot be defeated: Buy this game! The satisfaction from winning a battle and heading head-first into battle is amazing.

Peace out. Hope you enjoy the game as much as I have!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/07/03, Updated 10/08/03