Freedom Fighters

Category:

Third Person Shooter

Platforms:

GC, PC, PS2, Xbox

Released:

2003

My Experience:

Multiple Completions on Very Hard

Rating:

Must Play

Overview

Soviet Russia invades the United States, New York City is their main target. You play as Chris, a plumber turned revolutionary who leads the gorilla-warfare campaign against the Soviets. Freedom Fighters isn't your typical linear shooter where you go from one simple level to the next, instead the game is broken into Chapters with multiple sections you can visit, in any order, multiple times. Each Chapter contains multiple Areas of enemy strongholds and targets of interest. In order to complete a Chapter, you must raise the flag in each of the Areas to progress.

Each Area's targets of interest effect all other areas in a Chapter. You do not always need to take out the targets, but doing so will earn you Charisma points and make all Areas easier to complete.

You may not be able to complete Area 1 easily because a Helicopter patrols a vital path.
Area 3 contains the helipad, if you destroy it you can complete Area 1. However enemy infantry are constantly resupplied by jeeps on the way to the helipad so you can't get through.
Area 2 contains a bridge, if you destroy it then the jeeps cannot resupply infantry to other areas.
Once the bridge in Area 2 is destroyed, go to Area 3 and destroy the helipad to remove helicopters from the chapter.
Now that the Helicopter is gone from Area 1, you can move to the complete the Area with ease.

Charisma points can be earned by destroying target areas and completing smaller tasks such as escorting freed prisoners or healing a wounded soldier. The more Charisma you earn, the more people you can command. Squad command is done easily with the options to: Follow, Attack, Defend/Move. If you hold down a command button, all units will act on it. If you tap a command button, one unit will act on it.

Overall the game's controls are 'Simplified' and easy to use. For example there is no reload button, instead you will automatically reload if not shooting. By default you have a nice auto-aim system which allows you to fire quickly on the run, you can also zoom in for more accurate shots. The simple use of basic controls allow you to focus on the atmosphere and action more than complex button-pressing precision.

As you progress through each chapter, you see the Soviets gain more control and transform the city along with your character. The city will undergo seasonal settings and contain an increased presence of the Soviets, while Chris turns from clean-cut citizen into strengthened rebel.

Offline multiplayer can have 2-4 players, each player fights for control of bases and controls a small squad.

Then

This game was incredible: great setup, great controls, great atmosphere.

Now

A few more 'US Invasion' games have been released, but Freedom Fighters holds its own in the department of gameplay and action. This game has lost almost nothing over time, you must play it!

The Good

Gameplay is action-packed, puzzling, and non-linear.
Squad utilization is fun, easy and useful!
Controls are intuitive and easy to implement.
A perfect soundtrack to match the setting composed by Jesper Kyd.

The Bad

Only a few weapons, but each weapon has a nice feel and the small selection should satisfy your needs.
The story of Chris may not be the most believable. It is hard to believe a plumber to become the 'Ultimate Soldier and Leader' instead of someone in say... the US Military? Don't think too much into it though, pay attention to the world around you and use your imagination to really dive into the story/setting of this game.

Quick Tips

If you are new to the series, stick to easier game modes to get the hang of it. Once you beat the game, put it on the hardest difficulty to give yourself a nice challenge.
Once you raise the flag in an area, you will not be able to return. Make sure to explore the map for all Charisma points before raising a flag.
Quick Save in the manholes so you don't lose much progress if you die.
If you are having a hard time progressing in one Area, find a manhole and try progressing in another Area.
Choose your squad members carefully, look at the weapons they hold in their hands before recruiting. Don't waste medic packs on soldiers that will quickly die again.
Once you beat the game, go into the Chapter Select to play the secret 'Final Chapter'.

I/O Interactive
Jesper Kyd
Kane and Lynch: Dead Men

Media

Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt4T4MjK8rw
My video of 1st hour with a couple comments - http://blip.tv/file/4730844
Short footage further into the game - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTL2TIV86GI