REview- Freedome Fighters- xbox

[Killirbob.Exe]

Although this title has undergone more name changes than Michael Jackson has faces, Freedom Fighters could have just easily been called "Action Packed". Set originally for a March 2003 release, FF shows up in stores today, 7 months late and definitely the better for it. The last third person action shooter that EA tinkered with was the disappointing PS2 launch title, X-Squad and it's clear the moment you start playing Freedom Fighters that this will be an entirely enjoyable experience from beginning to end.

In a nod to videogame plumbers everywhere, Chris and Tony Stone are two blue collar dudes just trying to make a living fixing people's toilets and unclogging their sinks. One particular day they make a service call to Isabella Angelina's New York City apartment to fix her pipes, literally - no Wah Wah funk guitar background music or cheesy moustaches here - only to discover that she left quite abruptly. That wouldn't be forshadowing anything too evil except that in this alternate reality, Russia never backed out of the Cold War with it's red tail betwixt it's hairy legs. Considering that Angelina just happens to be communist watchdog who is responsible for informing the underground of the Russian movement, this could only mean trouble. Chris and Tony discover just how much when the Russians begin invading America and start with Angelina's apartment. Tony is captured leaving his brother to fend for himself. He makes contact with the underground and thus, the game begins. It's up to you now to make this plumber a man, but hey, anyone who can stick his hand down a strangers toilet is more of a man than I'll ever be.

Like any action game worthy of mention, FF starts off with the obligatory and necessary training missions which Chris will have to complete on his own. As the game progresses and he becomes more seasoned and experienced, Chris' charisma level will increase and he will be allowed to command others in his fight against the Red Menace, eventually culminating in the ability to command up to 12 squad members under his excellent leadership.

Commanding a ragtag squad of fighting men isn't new when it comes to videogame conventions - Rogue Spear, SWAT and other action shooters have attempted this compelling gameplay device for years now. Thankfully Freedom Fighters has the necessary Artificial Intelligence programming to pull it off extremely well aside from the odd time you might question why one of your members isn't using common sense. Just pretend he's the one guy from the farm and you'll be okay. Hey, every teams got one of those guys. In the heat of battle, controlling your team members is intuitive and responsive thanks to the 3 button command configuration, which allows the game to filter in real time strategy elements without removing the player from the reality of the situation. In short, this ability works extremely well and you'll be hooked on it immediately. The 3 commands Attack, Recall and Defend are all you will need to lead the US to victory and you have the ability to assign these instructions in real time to a single individual or your entire squad. Once you reach the later stages of the game and have 12 men under your supervision, Freedom Fighters really kicks into high gear and will give you a few of those pure videogame "moments" that don't seem to come around as much anymore. I defy anyone not to be blown away by the intense firefights that take place around this futuristic wartorn New York. It's what videogames are all about baby.

Generally each mission centers around one main campaign objective, but you'll have to use your noodle on how to successfully complete it. It's never as simple as it seems. If you need to get into a building, you'll have to deal with the hordes of troops surrounding it. Of course, it's up to you on how you'll accomplish this without losing all of your men. Remember, their lives are in your hands and you'll lose points if you start sending men out to the slaughter.

Having played the three console versions (only completing the Xbox version at press time) graphically the game holds up best on the Xbox, which is getting tiresome to write already. For those who own multiple systems the Xbox version is the sweetest although I have the seen the PC and it puts the Xbox to shame if you're running a kickass gaming rig. If you aren't looking at each version side by side, you'll be pleased as punch when it comes to visuals on your TV whether you are playing this on the PS2 or Cube.

Control is fantastic across the board although one of the grunts from Sector 7-G has been raving about the mouse/keyboard config on the PC. Having recently fumbled with Dino Crisis 3's ADHD camera, Freedom Force is a welcome friend. You won't be losing lives due to unseen and unfair enemies. You'll die because you are outnumbered, strategically challenged or just plain stupid. I enjoy when a game gives me a fighting chance to prove I'm a levelheaded dude when the crap hits the fan and Freedom Fighters allows me that in spades. When you call off a maneuver that saves the day and you complete the level with all of your men still breathing, you'll know what I speak of.

If the visuals are it's ice cream base, than the sound is it's sweet chocolate topping. Crank this one through your home theater and prepare to be right in the middle of hell. Explosions, gunfire and a majestic orchestral soundtrack engulf the game in a high quality movie production gloss. It's to die for. Literally. The voice acting is topnotch and not played for yuks aside from the Russian newscasts that forshadow the events of the Resistance.

Some of my colleague's have complained that Freedom Fighters is too short. Depending on the level of difficulty you choose, that could certainly be the case. Playing on the easiest difficulty will net you The End screen in about 8 - 10 hours. Anything above and beyond that is all dependent on your skill level and the choices you make. Once you beat the game you have the option to replay any missions with your amassed 13 man army which can notch up the replay value. The game doesn't feature any online play which is seriously an oversight of the highest magnitude considering that it would have been cool to play with 12 other mavericks. However, doing so would have instantly removed the ability to command your team and guess what? Everyone going online would have wanted to be the leader and no one would have listened to the other guy and nothing would have been accomplished. Still at least a mulitplayer coop mode would have been cool, if not expected. Maybe the sequel will feature this mode and judging by the quality of this title and the sales that it will most likely produce, expect it sometime next year.

Freedom Fighters is one of the most engrossing action games on the market today and if you think the concept is cool, wait until you are in the thick of battle. The length may be an issue, but as I've been told, it's not the length it's how you use it. In this case, FF uses it better than anyone. I'd rather play a fantastic short game than a really bad long one any day. Buy it. This is definitely Game of The Year material.

[Laguna Loire]

*Cough* Copy and Paste *Cough* :D

Freedom Fighters is a class game though.

[Killirbob.Exe]

i only copy and pasted part anyway copy and paste are my friends

[Laguna Loire]

Lol. Everyone loves copy and paste. :D

[BloodRunsCold]

*cough* how long did this take you *cough* :D

[Vipershark]

sorry but i played freedom fighters and it was BAD! camera problems galore, confusing controls,AAH! that's not even a billionth of the problems in this game. (it was for XBOX.)

[Vipershark]

*cough* i bet not even 1 minute. *cough* :D

[BloodRunsCold]

*cough* i bet even longer *cough* :D

[Killirbob.Exe]

hey vipershark you are a loser if you dont like this game.

*cough* LOSER *cough*
and it took about 30 minutes
but the copy paste part took like 2

[Vipershark]

You can call me a loser if you want but the game sucked.

[BloodRunsCold]

30 minutes it would take me about that much time to do it to :D

[Vipershark]

a lot longer for me.

[BloodRunsCold]

well im a fast typer

[Killirbob.Exe]

same here but hey i will be writing a review so gimme sume suggestions for games to write a review on....

[BloodRunsCold]

well... what kind of games do you like (ex. action, rpg, adventure) :D