Freedom Wars: For those of you who want Monster Hunter, without all that darn hunting!
Gameplay
Herein lies what is certainly the game's biggest strength. There is a lot to talk about, and plenty I won't get to cover. There are multiple types of enemies (humans, little robots), but the game shines the most when you're fighting the huge robotic-organic looking monsters called abductors. The abductors are built upon one of several templates, which come decked out in various rocket launchers, machine guns etc.. with differing amounts of health and variable resistances depending on the mission. The combat is very well done, with lots of flashy moves, and a grappling hook type thing (called the thorn) that allows you perform a few different actions, all of which look great in the third-person view the game has adopted. The thorn can function like a hookshot, letting you fly around the small-to-medium sized maps (think Lost Planet). It will also allow you to pull the abductors over and let you send yourself up to attach onto them. Once attached, you can cut off the monster's slicable-looking parts, deal damage or fly off in huff in an attempt to dodge the more intricate attacks the monster will throw at you. The parts have different abilities (shields, damage-type stuff) that will be negated upon removal (think Monster Hunter, except rocket Launchers instead of tails and spikes).
Each monster has critical points, and different types of weapon damage (both elemental and physical types) will do more or less damage, depending on the type of enemy, and the type of the part. The large variety of weapon options ("genre-ized" into melee weapons and ranged weapons, with further sub-genres like heavy weapons, pole-arms, assault, sniper...) gives you a different way to play if your current play style feels a little stale. Thorns with differing abilities can also be equipped (if you're one of those people that actually likes being a healer, this is for you). Your team will be big (4 people, each with an extra helper) always, whether you're playing with friends, playing online, or playing offline. The AI is acceptable, I don't know how they could be better. They'll heal you and they'll heal each other, which is, in truth, all that really matters anyways. The game gives you some options to control direct behavior on the fly, which I recommend you take advantage of. Your team can be told to attack as they see fit, attack your target, or play the objective (among other things, and commands can be customized).
(PLAY THE OBJECTIVE, YA STUPID AI CONTROLLED PEOPLE!)
I'd also like to mention that missions do vary quite a bit, mainly due to the differences in combat with humans and abductors, and how the two are combined, along with the fast paced, dodging, hookshot-ing type combat. You won't always be asked to kill the big monsters. For example, I was rather surprised when the game asked me to defend an abductor in transport, as multiple human enemies came after me in force. I had a lot of fun blowing the crap out of them with my team, flying up onto ledges to get a good shot, and hanging off my abductor as it moved, raining heavy machine gun fire from the skies. The game includes more standard TDM and zone control type modes... except with big robots (TITANFALL?! No, no, just kidding). Also, Since the enemies are abductors, they often have someone inside of them that you are expected to rescue, adding another level of depth to conflict. They can even abduct your accessory (your accessory is sort of like your personal assistant; your "little helper" if you will) prompting you to go on a mission to rescue that particular accessory. (I got really attached to mine; I swore to avenge him should he be killed!)
If truth be told, the game is very different from Monster Hunter. Freedom Wars is more action based (though very strategic when the going gets tough). There is no real "hunting" (Thank God). When you are fighting the big monsters (most of the time), your objective will be to kill, not to find AND THEN kill. The beginning the game will feel very easy, and the difficulty will rise appropriately, till you're seething with frustration with the endgame monsters.
I never had to "grind" throughout the course of the game (until the end of course; once you've finished the story, you're gonna be grindin' for stuff to make weapons, perks, combat items and various other things to fight the big bad bosses) New missions are provided readily throughout the 25 hours you (might) spend here.
As far as the controls go, I personally think they are very responsive. You'll be moving far quicker than you would in Monster Hunter, and I had no trouble moving in and out of attacks, as well as launching my own (I know this is a point of some contention.) I will of course admit that the controls are fairly intricate and come with a learning curve, but they can be changed and it shouldn't take you very long to get used to them.
As to the maps you'll be playing in, they are fairly standard. You'll be fighting it out in trashed city-settings, oil platformy-type places and deserts among others. Most are well designed, with lots of crevices, walls to hide behind and a second level from which to shoot or drop on some of the more difficult enemies.
Plot
Fairly unimportant, but it should be mentioned that it is there. The plot isn't all that great, but it is entertaining, and it may be enough to get you to the end (and come on, who even cares? I haven't seen any Monster Hunter fans complaining about the lack of story in their game). Some of the characters are well done, others will feel hollow. Many interactions will be satisfying, and some will leave you wanting. I'd say that the most irritating part is the amount of walking the game will make you do, especially towards the beginning. You'll have to slog through that if you are bored with the story which, strangely, I wasn't.
Most importantly (as far as I'm concerned) the game is localized beautifully. I haven't noticed one of the awkward phrasings or strange translations (you know, the ones that look like they just stuck the text into google translate) that seem to plague many of the foreign games that come our way. This is a triple-a title through and through.
Basically, you are born a prisoner inside what's known as a panopticon. Your sentence is a million years, and completion of missions will drive that down by the thousands. Your story will mostly take place in your panopticon, and isn't related to the panopticon you choose (you can choose from several cities worldwide, such as Hong Kong, Chicago etc.)
Graphics
Excellent! Though the world is harsh and unforgiving, the graphics are soft and delightful. The maps don't really take advantage of this, but they are well-designed at least. The game runs smoothly for the most part. The vita seems to have had some serious issues with several of its previous games, with both input and graphical lag, but Freedom Wars tends to run very well. Of course, when you have 2 abductors, your 7 buddies along with some robots and humans running around, the game will drop a few frames. At no point did it become unplayable, nor even difficult to play.
Replay Value
Plenty. It's a monster hunting game with lots of customization options, both aesthetic and gameplay-changing. You'll have weapons to make, big targets to kill, hard missions to complete, perks to create and equip, lots of rpg stuff to swim in, along with excellent PVP. The game even ranks your penopticon among others, and lets invade and control your enemies' penopticons (sort of). There is a lot to do here.
One major irritation is the amount of RNG present; quite a bit. However, the RNG mainly appears in some less important ways of upgrading your weapon. When it comes to these types of games, I rarely get to a point wherein that sort of thing REALLY matters (aka the super-hard endgame stuff), so I'm not going to take off for it. However, if you want to get and/or do everything, be wary. There is the promise of DLC with Freedom Wars, with seemingly easy implementation for the devs.
Sound/Music
Works just fine! Lots of electric tracks, exactly what you would expect. The sound effects are your run of the mill, "stuff blew up" sound, your good ole, "shooting a gun" sound and that classic, "die, you crazy sumb*tch robot!" sound.
Overall, you're looking at an excellent mobile game, with good graphics, good sound, good gameplay and crazy fun multiplayer (that is, if any of your friends actually own a vita). If you have a vita, please pick this one up (if only because killing big robots with rocket launchers is fun). Though the story is imperfect, you will certainly appreciate almost everything else. And if you're angry because it's similar to Monster Hunter, think of it this way: Monster Hunter is a great game... and so is this one! They can be both similar and good. It's nice to finally get to say that.
Approach the game optimistically, and you'll certainly be happy with it!