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If you've ever wanted to be Superman for a day...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 19 / 20
Date: April 10, 2002
Author: Amazon User

If you took the classic superhero cartoons and comic books from the 50's and 60's and turned them into a PC game, you would have Freedom Force. In Freedom Force (FF), you begin with a mild-mannered citizen mysteriously given superhero powers and follow him as he joins other superheroes, learns about the mysterious origins of his superpowers and in true comic book fashion, defeats colorful super villains along the way.

FF is beautifully rendered with art that reminds a gamer of comic book drawings. The short movies in-between levels are fun to watch and the voice acting is a funny parody on comic book melodrama. Each level has a fully interactive environment as your super-strong hero can pick up cars, lamp posts, boulders and other items to throw at his enemies. Buildings can crumble, heroes can fly, villains can be "POW!" or "WHAM!" to your heart's desire. In short, FF captures all elements of comic book stories or campy superhero movies you grew up on.

The superheroes in FF have different powers and as you progress in the game, you can upgrade their abilities as your experience points increase. Depending on the prestige points you earn through completed objectives, you can recruit new heroes into your Freedom Force Headquarters or you can design your own.

FF is a fun and novel approach to PC gaming. It ends too soon though and the multi-player mode isn't much fun as it essentially just a death match against other online users with their own custom made mega-heroes. The real value of FF will be in the MOD community. Already, many gamers have designed skins and meshes based on classic comic book heroes (Superman, Wolverine, Spider-man, etc.) so that you play your favorite heroes. Another thing to keep in mind is your love of comic books will play a big role in deciding how much you enjoy this game.

ACTION FANS - 3 STARS - The engine in FF uses an aerial view much like the one in the game Black & White but it's not a first-person shooter and while some of the superhero powers make for fun fights it doesn't match up with non-stop speed and action seen in most FPS games.

STRATEGY FANS - 2 STARS - The game does require some strategy. It resembles a real-time strategy game like Warcraft in some ways but isn't nearly as complex. Once you figure out which powers are best, it's easy to clean house with custom made characters or some of the better heroes provided in the game. The entertainment value might please some hard-core strategy fans but most will only get a slight kick.

ADVENTURE/RPG FANS - 4 STARS - The scenes between levels are fun to watch and you will remember the colorful history of your hero and his arch rivals. You can upgrade an in-game hero or a custom character to play the game how you want so it does have RPG elements that will satisfy comic book fans wishing to follow the adventures of their favorite superhero.

X FACTOR - ONE OF THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL COMIC BOOK HERO GAMES - 5 STARS - FF is probably the only game to date that has made such a successful reenactment of comic books. Like I said before, if you cherish the memories of reading the X-Men or are still an avid comic book collector, you will probably enjoy this game and appreciate it more than other gamers.

BUGS - 5 STARS - Very few bugs. I only experienced one crash while playing.

REPLAY VALUE - 3 STARS - The MOD community will make or break this game. FF may be worth the temporary enjoyment but your decision to hold on to it and wait for the inevitable expansion pack will probably depend on what the gaming community invents. Already, skins for most comic book heroes and villains have been created by FF fans and are available for download on the internet. One problem though is if you would like to draw the designs on your custom hero instead of using the skins provided in the game, you'll need an expensive program such as Adobe Photoshop to do it. If you would like to create a different body shape (mesh) for your hero you will need an even more expensive program called 3D Studio Max. If your favorite heroes aren't on the internet and you don't have these programs, you're out of luck. The game's developers have promised to release an editor and different modes for the multi-player option. Unfortunately, because the maps are interactive (destroying buildings, picking up objects, etc.), gamers will only be allowed to switch objects such as villains, citizens, cars, etc. The maps, scenery and permanent structures can only be changed with the previously mentioned software, 3D Studio max, which costs roughly a thousand dollars. So unless you are in the computer business or have a lot of pocket change on the side, you will have to be content working with the maps and city structures already provided in the game and hope that some benevolent soul creates a great map. The original product is worth playing again as you can try it with different custom characters but because FF is lacking a fun multi-player option and the MOD community will be severely limited, FF might not last long on your shelves.

A Winner In Each Sense of the Word

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 16 / 16
Date: June 24, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Graphically, this game is beautiful, as are the sounds and music. It's definitely original with the superhero backdrop, and someone with more than a passing interest in comics and their history will appreciate the near perfect duplication they've done of the 60's era of comics with things such as...

1) Word balloons like "WHAP!" and "BAM!"
2) Cheesy catch phrases like "For Freedom!" and "Moons of Riznor!"
3) Bright primary colors for heroes, as well as fairly cheesy origins

4) Heroes with idealized notions of being "do-gooders"
5) Likewise, half-baked villians with dreams of grandeur
6) Members still have their little spats, possible romances, etc.
7) Comic book cover artwork nearly identicaly to those from the 60's
8) Copying heroes from the past, like Captain America, Bucky, Aquaman, etc.

Strategy and tactics are required to win as you select and use up to a dozen pre-made characters OR CREATE YOUR OWN! The slow-motion effect (that you can adjust) makes this game possible and really shine. Camera control is incredibly easy. The physics engine they've built is superb (everything is destrucible, the more strength a char has, the more heavier objects he/she can lift, great collision detection, etc.) You've got various stats like speed, etc. And there are literally limitless variations of superpowers as you create and customize your own characters.

I've tried to think of some things I didn't like about it, but I honestly haven't enjoyed and respected a game this much since Half-Life. But if I had to pick some things, it'd be...

1) No mini-map. But not a big deal since levels aren't huge and double-clicking on a hero portrait takes you right to them.
2) Multi-player only allows players to fight one another, but not WITH each other. I'm not a MP person myself, so it doesn't bother me, but it appears this issue will be addressed.
3) The only real gripe I do have, is it's too short. However, it is SO FUN that I'm playing it a second time through, but I'll be hiring different heroes this time around.

But there is a very strong silver lining to number 3, and that is they have now made an editor for the game. So you can either create your own adventure, or because of the huge fan base for this game (already, 100's of hero skins have been made by fans -- from Superman to Greg Brady) the fans will be making multiple scenerios, one-time shots, heroes, villians, etc that are downloadable off the net.

One thing to note is that the demo is an excellent good representation of the game. So give that a whirl and if you like it, you'll love Freedom Force! And it's not just me -- if you look at any professional gaming community like Gamespot, etc, you will find VERY high ratings. So if you like strategy and tactics, or comics, or good clean fun, you'll LOVE this game. And if you like more than one of those, you'll be just like me and won't be able to wait for the sequel!

Clobberin' Time

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 16 / 17
Date: April 19, 2002
Author: Amazon User

FREEDOM FORCE hands down is one of the most wonderful games ever to hit the shelves. Combining the action and over-the-top adventure of the comic book with real-time strategy gameplay as well as an RPG, this PC game transports the player to another world and another time. Good and evil are painted in black and white. Nefarious villains abound in Patriot City, given amazing powers by the arrival of Energy X. However, as with any true comicbook plot, the same mysterious power that creates supervillains also creates and calls forth the superheroes that challenge those villains.

Crafted by Irrational Games, FREEDOM FORCE is the first true RPG that features superheroes and dastardly villains (complete with ringing challenges, threats, and pundits). Over the years, gamers have been promised such a venue but no one has ever been able to deliver. (Maybe the work of some unknown super-villain!?) Irrational Games also created the award-winning System Shock 2, the science-fiction based RPG, and the up-coming horror RPG, The Lost. All of the company's work so far has been in the RPG PC field, but efforts are being made to shift over into console gaming. Irrational Games has brought together creative talent that have been responsible for games such as: Thief: the Dark Project, Ultima Underworld, and System Shock.

One of the most appealing aspects of FREEDOM FORCE is the absolute ease of entering the gameplay. Even players unseasoned in the ways of RPGs and tactical strategy games can step into the world of Patriot City and begin battling supervillains and common crooks. Tips range throughout the early levels, allowing those new to the game playing system to learn how to use their powers as well as the best strategies to use against enemies. Aside from the gameplay, the sheer world of superheroes, super-villains, and Patriot City comes to life in the same bright colors of a comicbook. Minute Man's heroic speeches, Mentor's alien origin, and the pathos of Man-Bot--trapped in an armored shell--show influences from Jack Kirby and Stan Lee's creations at Marvel Comics. The cut-scenes that show those origins, as well as additional story materials, are absolutely the bomb. Maybe the gamer has just blasted, battled, and broken their way through enemy ranks, but the sense of wonder in this story-telling format is mesmerizing. The gamer feels as though he or she has somehow stepped into the all-in-color-for-a-dime pages of the traditional superhero comicbook. Maybe the gamer can lose the battles, but he or she knows in the end that victory will go to the hero if the proper strategies, powers, and teamwork are utilized. To add to the whole experience, a character-generator is built into the game, and downloading from various websites already in existence (or a little creative tinkering), can bring any hero a player has seen in heroic media or can imagine into his or her campaign as a force for good.

The FREEDOM FORCE package is put together extremely well, and there are a couple of things that would have been nice to see. 1) a full-color map of Patriot City and the surrounding environs just for coolness effect. 2) the ability to switch off the tips when starting a new campaign because they can be distracting. 3) secondary prestige points on ALL missions, which would have only necessitated a little tweaking.

Overall, FREEDOM FORCE is an excellent addition to any gamer's collection, or for the comic fan that wants to play in the world that he or she has only dreamed about. Needing a gift for the young, budding superhero hanging upside down in the closet at home? FREEDOM FORCE's gameplay system can easily be learned by even the little guys, although some of the solutions may need parental involvement. But hey, every hero needs a sidekick even if it is Mom or Dad. So grab a towel and knot it around your neck, then sit down to discover what superpowers you've gotten from Energy X and go out to battle Evil. The neighbors will never know, because you have a Secret Identity.

Much better then I expected

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 14 / 14
Date: March 28, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is great. I almost never make purchases without reading reviews first, but their was somewhat of a gaming drought, and I suspected this would be good, so I got it. It has surpassed my expectations. This game is beautiful- the polygon count isn't as high as many games, but its so colorful, crisp, and clear you can't tell. This game has great presentation- it feels like a living, breathing, comic book, complete with over the top narrating, evil communist plots, and invaders from other planets. The Charecter Creation system is great, and lets you custom tailor the looks, powers, attacks, strenghts, weaknesses, and stats of a hero. The game itself is very fun, and is just the right difficulty- always challenging, never impossible. The cutscenes are presented in both comic book form and in in-game engine. The voice acting is way over the top, but good, as thats what it is aiming for, and the sounds are great. Also, the enviroment is fully interactive, so your charecter can pick up and roll fuel barrals, throw cars, swing traffic lights, and destroy buildings. In between mission, you hang out at the Freedom Fortress(your base) and check enemies, minons, and heroes in your database, oversee your heroes training, and get breifings. This game is definitly more then the sum of its parts, and its a blast to play.

Oustanding!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 10
Date: April 05, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Freedom Force is one of the best games I have purchased in a very long time. The animation is excellent, the interface easy to use and efficent and the storyline and characters are an absolute blast. Yes it's cheesy, but that's like watching Space Balls and saying it wasn't as cool as Star Wars!

You get to tackle a horde of villans from a street thug to giant robots to the notoriious Time Master in over 20 missions some of which are comproised os a few sub-missions. Your team of heros has a core of about 9 or 10 and you have the option to recruit several more as the game goes on. For those that are wondering, Yes you can create your own hero. Want to see Batman fight along side Minute Man and Man-Bot? Just download a skin (available at several sites on the web) and assign powers and stats.

As you play the game, your team earns prestige points. The more objectives you complete the more points you get. Each character has a power rating (cost) expressed in prestige points. once you have that many points or more you can recruit that hero. this applies to those you make yourself and a few built in heros that do not automatically join you outright. This balancing act is very effective. As an example, I created the DC hero Green Lantern and gave him the powers and stats I felt he deserved. His final point cost was enough to recruit three of the games built in heros. Imagine the foolishness of being able to use a fully powered up Superman against bat wielding thugs in the first few missions of the game!

As stated previously by others the game world is fully interactive and the terrain is damageable. Cars can be thrown and blown up etc...

Overall, this game is an excellent value for the price. BUY IT!

Good Gravy! A Superhero game that doesn't stink!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 10
Date: April 22, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Let me begin by noting you don't have to be a fan of comics or superheroes to enjoy this game, but for those of you that are, this is the game you've been waiting for. While Freedom Force is obviously based on the works of Jack Kirby and to a lesser degree Stan Lee, it manages to capture the feel of the silver age of comics. It captures the tone, the powers, the corny origins, the melodramatic dialogue, and best of all those flashy costumes in a way that borrows from but pays homage to all those familiar characters we know and love. What's funny is that it doesn't glaze over some of the stereotypes from the era either....

Freedom Force is a squad based tactical RPG, or so it's been called. In PC game terms, studio's seem to add "RPG" to any game that allows you to create characters or update them through experience. Either way this game is a lot less Fallout or Baldur's Gate, and a lot more Fallout: Tactics and X-Com. Controlling up to four characters (I would have been a lot happier with five or six) at a time, all with various strengths and weaknesses, you guide your hero's on a variety of missions with specific goals that must be accomplished to move on to the next episode. You might be required to save structures or people or capture a bad guy, but there is a definite mission that must be accomplished.

One of the coolest features of the game is the ability to interact with EVERYTHING on the screen. Want to pick up a car and toss it at some baddies? No problem. Want to pull a light pole out of the ground and use it like a baseball bat? Simple, and one of my favorite tactics I might add. On the downside, damage to buildings and civilians can hurt your prestige. Get trigger happy with grenades or area attacks and buildings will collapse all around you. On the other hand, walking into a super-villains fortress gives you an open licence to go nuts. Blow it all up if you want to, and you can.

When the mission is over, characters gain experience, adding the subtle RPG element, and when they've gotten enough they are given character points you can use to upgrade powers, buy new powers and generally improve them. In addition to experience points, the team gets prestige points you can use to add new team-members to your roster. XP's are usually set, but you can pick up additional PP's by completing secondary missions, beating up bad guys etc.

The characters themselves are awesome. I had a hard time deciding which ones I wanted to use, because of the coolness factor, but tactics usually made the decision for me. Most of the characters will join your team without using prestige points. You start with Minute Man, an obvious Homage to Captain America, and from there you come into contact with more and more heroes, most of whom want to join your team, some who have to be coerced with prestige (I advise picking up Man O' War ASAP. He sounds like Sean Connery and he generally kicks butt.) The origins are hysterical, and made me laugh out loud with their charming corniness.

If you want to really mix things up, you can make up your own character and use prestige points to get them into the game. You'll also probably want to do this for the multiplayer games anyway. You can use the skins that are already on the game, or you can make your own. There are several sights that have thousands of pre-generated skins based on pre-existing heroes from DC, Marvel and other comics. If you want to make your own, you're going to need to download the mesh editor at the official web site. You can even make your own powers.

I had a blast playing this game. It's the most fun I've had with a PC game since Baldur's Gate 2 which was probably the best game I've ever played. I loved the characters, the missions were fun and multi-player with custom characters rules. The only two complaints Ican muster is that the single player is a little too short and I wish the squads were a little bigger. Hopefully the flexibility of the engine means that there are further expansions and episodes on the way (you hear that Irrational? Let the saga continue).

Cool note to parents: this thing has a "Teen" rating, but to me, this thing is a lot less violent than an actual comic book and deserves a lower rating. No one dies, there's no blood, and the goal is to protect life not destroy it. For those parents out there concerned about letting their kids participate in first person blood baths should consider getting this game for them instead. It's good, clean, wholesome promotes family values and the American way. How can you say anything bad about that?

Only Pinko Commies Refuse to play "Freedom Force"

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 12
Date: June 10, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Are you or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party? If so, then you probably have never played "Freedom Force", the great new game from Electronic Arts that captures the feel of the 60's Silver Age comics, when Russkies were the bad guys and every other hero was born from some sort of super ray or atomic accident. Equal parts nostalga and camp, "Freedom Force" is an accomplished video game that is entertaining for both comic book fans and those just looking for a fun game to idle away the hours.

The game is commendable for being the first video game to really and truly capture the spirit of superhero comics. Absent any licenses, EA created a number of generic, but terribly familiar, templates that joyfully embody the best, worst, and most silly of any comic book hero. That guy dressed in red, white, and blue dispensing justice in the name of "freedom"? Minute Man. That streak of flame who's half-hero/half-heartthrob? El Diablo, of course. You didn't see him, but the supersonic Bullet just ran by. Archetypes of every variety are here. No familiarity with comics is needed, and even if you are the fan of some of the most obscure heroes in the genre, there's probably something in this game that will invoke images of them. Completing the wonderful atmosphere are comic book page interludes, hero origins of high and glorious camp, and a narration that is one-third Gary Owens, one-third Stan Lee, and one-third 1950's federal government inforeel.

Best of all, "Freedom Force" finally crushes the previous limitations of superhero games. Gone are the side-scrollers and platform jumpers dating back to the Atari 2600 "Superman". Gone are the occasionally fun, but oh so terribly shallow fighting games that dominated the 90's. Finally, after all these years, it's your turn to be a superhero. Always wanted to leap tall buildings with a single bound? Now you can. Always wanted to take a car and throw it mercilessly at your evil opponent? Go for it. Always wanted to be that superhero that happens upon a mundane crime like a mugging, and gives the criminals a lesson they'll never forget? It's all here on the streets of Liberty City, the ubiquitous everytown home of our heroes.

The gameplay of "Freedom Force" is varied and basic. The linear, straightforward story does not lend itself to high replay value. But then again, how many times have we gone back to watch "Superman", "X-Men", "Batman", or various tv shows inspired by comics? "Freedom Force" is a worthwhile purchase and playthrough for any gamer looking for a good time, but for anyone who grew up reading Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, or whoever, the true joy of "Freedom Force" is seeing your youthful imaginings of fighting side by side with your heroes come into being.

"Freedom Force" is a sublime masterpiece of American pop culture.

May be a cliche, but an amazingly well done one!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 12
Date: October 11, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Let's see - this computer game involves 2 plumbers who get wrapped up in world-changing plots. There's an evil group out to destroy things as we know it, and a beautiful girl in trouble. Sound familiar?

Nope, it's not Super Mario X. Instead, this is the start for Freedom Fighters, set in an alternate reality of New York City. In this version, the Russians are taking over the world and have just reached your metropolis home.

The graphics on this game are simply amazing. It's more of a cel shaded high-end cartoon feel than a realistic one, but the facial expressions and movements are dead on. You move through various areas of New York - Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the landscapes and buildings are very well done. You move through movie theaters, churches and more, and as the game progresses they turn into more and more of a war zone. Escape from New York was just the beginning.

The gameplay is great. You start out as an 'average Joe' - but as your search for your brother continues, and you get involved in the resistance movement, your character wears more gear, knows the ins-and-outs more, and draws more followers. At first you only have 2 people believing in you, but as you prove yourself you can recruit more and more followers to help you out.

The sound effects and music are excellent. The ambient noise are right on, giving you a sense that you really are under fire in a dirty New York street. The music is rich, Russian epic, giving you the sense that a gigantic empire is rolling across the world, and you are a mere toothpick in its path.

The AI and gamplay is superb. Your teammages take cover, peer around corners, provide covering fire, take over machine guns when they're available. You can tell them to advance to a given point, or 'scout an area', or follow behind you, so depending on your gameplay style you can be as specific as general as you wish.

There are helicopters that chase you down, APCs that bring reinforcements, buildings to run around in, streets to terrorize. There are turned-over cars, barbed wire fences and everything inbetween. The in-game maps are incredible and the physics are very realistic. Having been in New York many times and having a boyfriend who grew up there, the atmosphere is dead on.

Highly recommended for any strategy-war fan who really enjoys a game that envelops you. This isn't an arcade blood-and-guts fest. The game lets you heal your teammates, build a reputation and make a stand to protect your home and your family. Just about the only thing this is missing is multiplayer. We can only hope that a future release will add that in, and make this a true gaming classic.

Excellent tactical RPG

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 9
Date: February 02, 2005
Author: Amazon User

** Update: the SP2 patch is out, as promised. It is at http://www.freedomfans.com/news.php?id=37 **

Other reviews here and in numerous gamezines cover the game itself well, but it should be noted that the review posted by "Your average computer geek" is factually incorrect. The developer is working to fix the SP2 problem. According to the developer (which has been active in supporting the game since its release):

Freedom Force and Windows XP Service Pack 2

There is a known compatibility issue with Freedom Force and the
new Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2. We are working on a
solution and will post it here. We thank you for your patience.

Unofficially, the developer notes that work on the fix has been slowed by the scramble to get other new games ready for publication, but March is a likely release date.

One of my favorite games ever!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: October 20, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I had heard a lot of good things about this game, but it wasn't until I saw it on clearance one day that I could pick it up. I was expecting a lot and I wasn't let down.

Freedom Force plays off the Silver Age of comics full of stereotyped villains, goody-two-shoes heroes, and cheesy dialogue. It's like digital prozac! I got so much amusement out of classic little gems like:

Minuteman: Now to track down that pesky Ruskie and see what's what.

El Diablo: Giant robots?! That does it, I'm goin' back to the barrio where it's safe.

Ice Soldier 1: I can't stand being in this capitalist country. But I got a great deal on this coat.
Ice Soldier 2: In Motherland, you have to wait for hours in line for noe like this...
IS1: And it falls apart before you even get it home!
IS2: At least we have the glorious struggle of the worker to sustain us!
IS1: To be honest, I'm not too crazy about that either.

Pure gold. The gameplay was great too. Fully interactive environments and challenging opponents. The only time I felt a little disappointment was how easily I beat Nuclear Winter. The rest of the bosses, however, provided ample challenge and I had to carefully strategize and choose my team. Not always easy.

The diversity of missions and enemies was great. Some needed you to be stealthy, others needed fast and furious firepower. From mutants, to dinosaurs, to common thugs, there was no shortage of enemies to take down. And each one needed a different strategy to beat.

Let's not forget the character editor. I created so many custom heroes with that. You could make just about any power you wanted since there was no shortage of graphics effects and the abilities of each power were so easily altered to make each one unique.

I was unbelievably excited to hear the sequel announced not long ago and is supposed to be out sometime next year. I look forward to it and can't wait to buy it.

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