While the story, atmosphere, and set pieces are fun, what it lacks is its undoing.
One thing I can't comment on here is the multiplayer, which may be the sole purpose of this game for some. But with the plethora of multiplayer driven FPS games out there, and with how bare bones this game is in the mechanics department, I find it hard to recommend for MP. Instead, I will focus on the single player campaign, which paints a grim and fascinating picture of an America which has had war come to it's shores.
The story opens with a tour on a bus of the new America: one under the domination of a United Korea, and one that is brutal towards the country it has invaded. There are some fairly shocking moments early on that quickly grab your attention, while at the same time setting the tone for the game. The story is suitably epic and demonstrates what you might anticipate, a Red Dawn approach to the war, with the focus on a small group of guerillas on a mission to aid the U.S. Army on the west coast. Throughout, you encounter several set pieces that demonstrate the shape America is in, from a crazy group of "sportsman" to a flight in a chopper. It makes for a game with plenty of variety in terms of gameplay.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of potential squandered here. The game looks and feels just a little old and can hardly compare to the top shooters of today. Gameplay is simplistic, with the only variety coming in terms of the variety of set pieces, such as flying the helicopter. There is little in the way of a HUD, but enough to let you know it's there. And really, there is little in just about everything. Your allies get very little exposition and the game is pretty straight forward. Not to say that that's a bad thing, but a lot of potential to show more of the U.S. in it's state during the game would have been nice. It would have added some much needed length to the game, as well as adding more story. It really is also a shame that the game skimps on gameplay, as this is a game that really deserved a COD or Killzone level feel to it in terms of depicting your character in a war.
That isn't to say it's a bad game. Rather, it has quite a bit of excitement to it. There are a few firefights that feel repetitive, but good use is made of a variety of stage types, from the aforementioned helicopter fight to a stealth mission inside a compound. And the climactic battle is suitably epic, although it does end in a bit of a hard cut. Suffice to say, the real issue here is that there simply isn't enough. It feels more like a tour than a grand mission. There's simply not enough game here to capitalize on what it proposes. One can only hope that there is a sequel, and that the sequel brings a much better game with it, including a game that is quite a bit longer.
Homefront is a good game, but it's purchase will be based on the quality of the multiplayer and not the single player. While the campaign is good for a play through, it leaves little desire to go back and replay it. While it is a good story filled with several exciting moments, it leaves quite a bit to be desired.