> Freedom Fighters: Written by:
Adam Keller
Publisher: EA Games Price: 49.99 Genre: Action T for Teen
In an alternate universe, the Soviet
Union defeated Nazi Germany, ending the war in Europe. By the late 50s, all of Europe is apart of the Communist block. Advisors
are sent into Latin America, and in 1996, the Communist party takes control of Mexico. This is how Freedom Fighters starts,
and it gives you a very eerie feeling. You play as Chris Stone, a plumber and regular ‘average Joe’. It just so
happens that today is the day of the Soviet invasion, and he is fixing the sink of one of the most important figures in New
York’s anti-Communist movement. The war has begun…
Almost
immediately you are thrown into action. Running through the streets of New York City, you hear the sounds of civilians screaming
and explosions everywhere. This game’s style and presentation is top-notch and exactly what we’ve come to expect
from EA. Urban guerrilla warfare is recreated perfectly as you fight street by street, block by block. Little things like
only being able to carry one large weapon at a time really add to the feel and atmosphere of the game.
One unique feature of FF is the ‘recruit and command’ system. By performing various tasks, such
as simply completing a mission or healing injured civilians in hidden alleyways, you gain charisma points. The more charisma
you have, the more fighters you can recruit. This neat feature really makes you want to explore every nook and cranny of each
level. It’s a nice addition that I hope to see in more games of this genre.
The strategy elements in Freedom Fighters work well. The command system uses only
three buttons, one for attack, one for defend, and one to call back. While simple, it is perfectly suited for the intense,
close-quarters combat you’ll find yourselves engaged in. The A.I. of your squad works relatively well and you’ll
rarely have any problems. My only complaint is the fact that the A button (‘X’ button for PS2) also functions
as the main action button in addition to calling back your fighters. This can be frustrating when you have strategically placed
men at machine gun nests and sniping spots. Overall though, the simple and easy command system is exactly what you would want
for this game.
As for the missions themselves, everything
is connected. For example, you might have to go to one area and pick up some explosives, then go back and destroy a sniper’s
nest, and then go back to the original level. It really gives an open-ended feel to the game, unlike many shooters that feel
too linear.
While Freedom Fighters might not feature
a super complex command menu like Socom, it does feature intense gun-battles and loads of fun. You will be drawn to Freedom
Fighters because it’s just so darn fun. The longer you play, the more you will like it. Even after beating it, I wanted
more. FF seems shorter than it really is, because as the old saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun.
The graphics
are very well done, and go along with the overall slick presentation. The elaborate environments are very impressive. Minor
flaws aside, attractive visuals paired with intricate detailing make you feel as if you are occupied in New York City.
The
superb sound really helps to create an excellent atmosphere. From the faint sound of distant battle in the background to the
mood setting soundtrack, everything is top-quality.
