User Rating: 7.5 | Freedom Fighters GC
Squad-based games tend to actually have a bit of "magic" in them which makes them great in some terms. They're fun to play, there are many things to do in games like these, and other stuff that makes the game good. Now, another squad-based game has been released, and it's EA's Freedom Fighters. If you don't already know, Freedom Fighters is a squad-based action game, where you are the Americans, trying to stop terrorist actions to a halt. You are given missions you must complete which also consists of areas within them. Most of the levels have you "capturing the flag" from certain points in the level. Capturing the flag will complete your mission. Though, within the level, you have the option of saving prisoners or something of the same thing to gain what is "charisma", which you need so that more "Freedom Fighters" will have a liking towards you. Speaking of "Freedom Fighters", they are the name of your team. When you move on later in the game, you will need to depend on your freedom fighters and control them or tell them where to go. You're more of a leader in the game than a follower. Everytime you raise your charisma, you're one step closer from another freedom fighter joining your team, eventually having a max of 12 freedom fighters in all. In the game, you are an American named Christopher Stone who must stop these terrorist acts from continuing. Again, you have the ability to control a team of freedom fighters to pass through levels and missions. Basically, well the game does have some interesting and twisting plots, it doesn't seem all too good, and also seemed that it needed much more polish. Let's get one major fault out of the way...the game is simply too short. You'll find yourself disappointed at the game's length, as the missions objectives aren't truly well thought-out. On the good side, the game controls very good. All of the controls are responsive and the layout of the button commands won't get you all-out confused. The only real problem with the controls is that some commands are two buttons (i.e. pressing one button then another button) and it gets confusing to figure out which one's which. Other than that, you shouldn't have a real problem with the controls. Freedom Fighters also has some styling music within the game, which gives it the upper-hand. Not only that, the sounds of the guns also throw in a little extra realistic feel to it. Graphically, the game looks great. Although there are some clipping issues in the game, they're only minor and not too many people will encounter them throughout the game. Characters are also detailed as they are, as well as the backgrounds of New York. Fire a rocket with your rocket launcher to a far building in New York, and see as you can spot the small explosion on the building. It's simple...the game looks realistic at times. Of course, Freedom Fighters isn't without it's problems. Sure, it has some nice enemy A.I., but at times, some enemies will actually just stand around waiting to be killed. At other times, some enemies will take cover as soon as possible, but actually never fire their weapon at you or any of your freedom fighters. If you can "survive" this problem, then it shouldn't be any trouble to you. The game also supports a multi-player mode, but fact is, it's simply not any fun to play. There isn't much replay value here for Freedom Fighters' multi-player, or it's single-player in particular. The multi-player mode has few levels, with only a Capture the Flag mode to boot. It's just not any fun to play, and it should of been revamped. Unfortunately, it doesn't, and hurts the game overall. Not only that, you have to compete with the game's very short length. If you actually spend time with the game, you can beat it in less than 3 hours, if not, 2 hours. There is absolutely no strategy involved, as the levels are pretty linear. Find the location of the flag, climb up to the highest part of the building where the flag is located by climbing stairs and/or ladders, and reach the flag to hoist it. Throw in some other objectives like rescue prisoners and planting C4 bombs and that's your level. You also have a stealth mission you must do, but it actually slows the pace of the game, and doesn't help it in any way. The short game length is a real problem, and too bad it wasn't improved. Overall, Freedom Fighters is a good game, but remember, it's not quite polished. Again, you will find clipping issues within the game, and add that to the unimpressive multi-player mode and short game length. It hurts the game, but certainly doesn't "destroy" the fun. Impressive sound and graphics, along with some fun single-player action truly are something to talk about. The best thing is to rent the game, finish it, and that's it. There is no need for the multi-player mode, and overall, Freedom Fighters could of definitely been improved.
