So another shot at a review, but for a game instead. This is one of my favorite games of all time so I said why the hell not
Released on October 1st, 2003 for the PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox and developed by IO Interactive, Freedom Fighters remains not only of of the best titles for sixth generation but is probably one of the best titles in video game history. It's announcement in 2002 initially saw the title named
Freedom: The Battle for Liberty Island while using a turn-based mode; this concept was later dropped for a more real-time based strategy concept
The game begins with the player brought to an under water screen panning out and text on the bottom of the screen detailing the first instance of a chain of alternative historical events, followed by music heavily influenced by that of the Soviet Union in our time
1945: Soviet Air Force drops the A-bomb on Berlin, ending WW2 in Europe
1953: Britain reluctantly joins the Communist Bloc, the last European country to do so
1961: Despite U.S protest, mid-range nuclear missiles are placed in Cuba
1976: The Soviet Union sends thousands of military "advisers" to Guatemala and Honduras
1996: Mexican Communist Party celebrates disputed victory in presidential elections
2001: Foiled assassination attempt on the U.S president (an unnamed foreign power is implicated)
Yesterday: Reports of low-flying drones from all over the U.S.A. Government dismisses sightings as weather balloons
As each message appears, the underwater scene transitions to a sunken fishing vessel and at the end of the final message, a fleet of submarines make their way through into New York Harbor, where fighter jets conduct sorties past the Statue of Liberty and the New York skyline and thus indicating at the communist arrival in America
Moments later, a transition is made to another cut-scene on what appears to be the Brooklyn Bridge. There we are introduced to a conversation by the main protagonist and playable character, a plumber by the name of Christopher Stone and his brother Troy Stone who are on there way to the apartment of known anti-communist protester and reporter, Isabella Angelina. As the two brothers arrive to the apartment they notice nobody home and the place in a mess and seconds later, Russian troops led by General Vasillj Tatarin question Troy on Isabella's whereabouts as Chris hides in the next room over. Without getting a answer, Troy is kidnapped and we take control of the main character and learn the controls of the game. After leaving the apartment we assist local residents by knocking out a Soviet soldier with a wrench and gain the help of a Mr. Johns as he leads us through the war-torn streets of New York with a cut-scene from a Russian news reporter stating how celebrities have been sent to reduction facilities in Alaska and the American people have been liberated from a corrupt government
The main story take the player on a quest through New York in a semi-linear fashion in order to liberate the people and build a resistance movement against the Reds. As an intermediary between each mission, a center-hub in the sewers of New York is established in order to coordinate the resistance. Here you are able to interact with a few individuals and select your next assignment. Each location is divided typically into two or three missions that can be completed in any order. But in order to make a mission easier to complete, a person can complete one mission before hand to change the outcome of another mission. This sense of a semi-open world makes Freedom Fighters have a open world feel that many other shooters simply don't have.
Each mission also allows for the completion of side tasks that help to increase Chris's charisma level which leads to the ability of leading more and more fighters all the up to twelve. Commanding these resistance fighters uses a simple system of attack, defend, and scout with the option of either giving command to one or your entire unit. Along the way, you will also encounter injured Soviet troops that have been left to die by their comrades and offer their support to the resistance.
Aside from the deep connection of the story, the player also creates a connection with each important NPC, which leads to shock and sadness as plot twists are nearly present in the game. A run down of each character is as followed:
Christopher Stone AKA "The Freedom Phantom" - The main protagonist and Co-leader of the Manhattan Resistance. Chris was a plumber before the Soviet invasion of the USA. He did not believe his brother's anti-communist rantings, nor did he take any interest in the signs that a long-planned Soviet invasion was imminent. Chris escapes the forces of the Red Army and General Tatarin, going underground on the first day of the occupation. He goes on to become a leader of the New York resistance.
Isabella Angelina - Co-leader of the Manhattan Resistance. Prior to the invasion, Isabella was a political activist, leader of the "Warning Against Reds" movement. She becomes a prominent leader in the New York resistance and plays a key role in its liberation from the Soviets.
Troy Stone - Manhattan Resistance member, brother of Chris Stone. Troy, formerly a plumber alongside his brother, is captured by General Tatarin as the Soviets invade. Rescued days later, Troy joins the resistance but soon leaves New York City, planning to find and aid resistance movements elsewhere. Captured again during a Soviet raid, Troy is forced to read a prepared statement, asking Chris and the resistance to surrender. As he is being led away, however, Troy abruptly commandeers the podium, yelling defiantly for his brother to never give up the fight. Furious with his actions, the Soviets take Troy to Governor's Island.
Phil Bagzton - Manhattan Resistance munitions expert. Phil joins the New York resistance on the day of the Soviet invasion, having been rescued by Chris and Mr. Jones after being shot by Red Army soldiers. He quickly proves to be little more than a cowardly braggart, but is dedicated to the resistance.
The Kid - Manhattan Resistance supporter, deals with information, logistics, and putting messages of freedom on walls with graffiti. He provides a valuable service to the resistance.
General Vasillj Tatarin - Commander of the Soviet Occupation Force in the US. Born in 1958 in the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic, General Tatarin is a field warrior, hailing from a long line of soldiers. Tatarin is a highly skilled and accomplished soldier, the subject of great loyalty and respect from the men under his command.
Tatiana Kempinski - Soviet propaganda newscaster. Kempinski is a news anchor at the Soviet Armed Forces Network (SAFN) studios in New York City.
The musical score of the game is also a deep and compelling track composed by Jesper Kyd, which won GameSpot's "Best Game Soundtrack of the Year 2003" and Game Reactor's "Best Game Music of the Year" awards. Kyd in preperation did a great amount of studying on by studying Russian/Soviet music history and the Cold War as influence. Seven of the tracks are also performed by the Hungarian Radio Choir
Freedom Fighters also offers a multiplayer mode where two to four players can play split-screen as they each capture bunkers in order to gain access to troops in order to command as they try to capture a flag
Old Game Review: Freedom Fighters