Freedom Fighters: A Forgotten Masterpiece
What do you get when you mix the mechanics of Rainbow Six, the storytelling of Metal Gear Solid, and the setting of Red Dawn? Freedom Fighters, a forgotten masterpiece that deserves a remake.
“Freedom Fighters was an incredible game.”
That’s the opening line to my original Freedom Fighters review on this very site. Published by Konami in 2005, Freedom Fighters was met with rave reviews. But, like so many games, it was forgotten over time. In a world where remakes are seemingly the norm, I think Freedom Fighters is a game that deserves a second chance. Let’s bring back this forgotten masterpiece, and introduce a new generation of gamers to its immersive world and engaging gameplay.
Why Freedom Fighters Should Rise Again
Freedom Fighters had it all. Solid mechanics. A compelling story. And a unique multiplayer mode that was light years ahead of its time. If a Freedom Fighters remake was done right, it’d be an instant buy for me, and I’m sure many of you as well. So let’s break down why Freedom Fighters should rise again.
The AI in Freedom Fighters was truly ahead of its time. I played the game again recently on the Xbox and PC, and I can confidently say that the soldiers’ reactions and overall movement still hold up today. The AI wasn’t perfect, but it was actually competent, and that made for a very challenging and immersive experience.
The different chapters, with multiple maps and objectives, were a standout feature as well. Not only did they help to keep the game fresh and engaging, but they also added to the sense of progression. You started as a lone insurgent, and through your actions and leadership skills, you became the leader of a squad. The game’s cover-based mechanics were also very solid, and the shooting and gunplay were above average.
The multiplayer mode on the original Xbox was a standout experience as well. I can’t speak for the 360 version, but on the original Xbox, it was top-notch. On other consoles, multiplayer options were limited, and the games weren’t as solid. While Freedom Fighters’ single-player campaign had its flaws, including cheesy voice acting and the need for a PC remake with improved mechanics, it had a captivating story and setting.
The sense of being able to lead a group of soldiers and keep everyone alive was a memorable and enjoyable aspect as well. Yes, this was possible in other tactical shooters before Freedom Fighters, but the way it was executed here was very well done. Despite being 20 years old, Freedom Fighters still holds up. If you haven’t played it in a while, give it another go on your Xbox or PC. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Freedom Fighters Deserves a Remake
Freedom Fighters was a fun game to play, but it also had a lot of great elements as well. The cheesy voice acting and the need for a PC remake with improved mechanics would be the biggest hurdles for a new Freedom Fighters game, but there are a lot of aspects that would translate well to today’s gaming industry.
The nostalgia factor of playing this on the Xbox (or the OG Xbox emulator) and PC brings back some very fond memories for me. I spent many hours playing multiplayer matches with friends and family. The game received rave reviews upon release, but unfortunately, it was forgotten over time.
There are a lot of reasons for this, but the lack of a sequel is certainly a big one. Some even blame the failure of Kane and Lynch for its cancellation. One thing’s for sure, a lot of people would be excited to see Freedom Fighters rise again. If a remake was done right, I’d be an instant buyer.
In Freedom Fighters, you play as CIA agent John Baker alongside his resistance group, the ‘New York Liberation Front’. Your mission is to liberate New York from Soviet occupiers. Along the way, you’ll meet some intriguing characters, such as wounded Soviet soldiers who join your ranks and abandoned collaborators who can be recruited to assist your group.
The game also features some unique elements, such as wounded Soviet soldiers who join your squad, and abandoned collaborators who can be recruited to assist your group. It’s a shame that a sequel never came to fruition, with some blaming the failure of Kane and Lynch for its cancellation.
Freedom Fighters also had its fair share of flaws. The story was cheesy at times and the voice acting was very hit or miss, but I still found it entertaining. The gameplay was also a mixed bag as well, with some weapons and mechanics feeling outdated. A PC remake is definitely needed in this case.
Despite the flaws, I still think Freedom Fighters is a game that deserves a second chance.
