Freedom Force Review

By Martin Taylor Published 2 August, 2002

Review - Holy super hero action-strategy game, Batman

Version tested: PC

For Freedom!

'Freedom Force' Screenshot fforce01

Er... oops?

The Western world seems to experience an almost seasonal obsession with everything superhero, and you'd be hard pressed not to notice the enormous success of the new Spider-Man movie and all its associated merchandise at the start of the summer. It proves that the utterly fantastical powers of a supposedly everyday civilian versus an evil threat of some sort is still a highly profitable idea, and Irrational Games appear fully aware of this, having put a good couple of years work behind their comic book opus Freedom Force.

Taking place in the fictional Patriot City during the height of 1960's American superhero fanaticism, the game begins with the birth of a crack team of superheroes led by the Captain America spoof, Minute Man. An unknown and apparently unstoppable alien species has conquered every planet in existence, and all that stands in its way is Earth. The evil race's power lies in their ability to harness Energy X, a substance which imbues anything that comes into contact with it with great power.

Apparently the alien commander was feeling particularly creative when Earth's number was up, and so instead of just blowing it away he decided to release canisters of Energy X into the atmosphere, the plan being that humans are all so power hungry that they'd end up destroying themselves as they began to understand how to harness their new skills. As well as the miscreants of Patriot City getting their hands on this mysterious Energy X, so too did the power pass to some of the kinder souls, which is where our hero Minute Man comes in, and our quest to rid Patriot City of evil begins.

Power... Flowing... Through... Body...

'Freedom Force' Screenshot fforce02

I do hope they've got decent insurance

You're eased into the game smoothly by a tutorial system that informs you exactly how to control Minute Man, and how to utilise his skills and the environment as you proceed through the mission. The learning curve is very gentle and doesn't demand much from the player to start with, only pitching you up against a few enemies who put up a tiny amount of resistance. By the time this is over, though, you're pretty much set up for the rest of the game.

Your first set of missions take place in the streets of Patriot City and put you up against every day thugs on a crime spree. A Grand Theft Auto-style directional arrow ushers you towards your next target, which usually takes the form of a club-wielding goon. Your options of how to tackle each situation are varied even at the start of the game; you could either sidle up to the miscreant and bop him on the head with your fist, or if there's a couple of them you could use your "Strike For Freedom" move, which provides a sweeping attack on multiple enemies.

However, your approach can be a lot more creative with the utilisation of pieces of scenery - cars, trash cans, benches, tables, water towers, ventilation ducts and even lamp posts and traffic lights can be flung at enemies or used to club them round the head. Eventually it becomes clear that Minute Man isn't powerful enough to take on the evil forces alone though, and as the story progresses you meet more and more heroes who are able to join you in battle. Once a new character joins your team, you're treated to an animated comic book style back-story as to how they got their identity, soundtracked by a typically cheesy Batman-style voiceover.

There Goes The Neighbourhood

'Freedom Force' Screenshot fforce03

I would've preferred some Pows and Thwacks, but that'll do

Fights become increasingly busy later in the game, with up to four characters under your control against a legion of evildoers, ranging from common thugs to giant velociraptors and mutant ants. The consequences can be hilarious as your heroes charge through the streets and across the rooftops, flinging pieces of Patriot City around with reckless abandon. It's possible to virtually flatten the playing area, as pretty much everything, including buildings, can be knocked to the ground given enough punishment.

Of course, superheroes aren't superheroes without a collection of devastating powers under their belt, and there's definitely no shortage of these in Freedom Force. Each character starts off with a standard set of fairly weak attacks and defences, but new powers can be bought and upgraded with experience points gained during missions. This is where the RPG aspect of Freedom Force comes into play, as each character is hugely customisable, enabling you to form characters to serve specific purposes - bumping up Mentor's mind control attacks, for example, can render a crowd of adversaries defenceless and open to a large scale firebomb attack by El Diablo, taking care of multiple enemies quickly.

The strategy of effectively utilising your team's skills as a whole unit instead of concentrating on your favourite character becomes an integral part of the game later on as the enemies you come up against employ more devious tactics, forcing you to use multiple character skills in tandem. It can be tricky in stressful moments to really manage each team member simultaneously though, and so occasionally sheer luck and slightly faltering AI can have more to do with success than actual strategy.

Triumph!

'Freedom Force' Screenshot fforce04

Trust me, it's easier to understand than it looks

The wonderfully stylistic visual and sound design is what really makes the game stand out, almost distracting you to the point of ignoring the game's shortcomings. Patriot City is lovingly modelled in an unusual but not off-putting simplistic style, and character models and skins are wonderfully detailed. The icing on the cake is the deliciously over-the-top special effects, as enormous explosions, laser beams and energy waves tear the city apart around you. And if you're not happy with what's on offer, it's entirely possible to create your own superheroes, villains, super powers and a city for them to skirmish in from scratch with the downloadable editors.

I'd imagine that had Freedom Force lacked the variety of environments, characters and sheer possibilities for customisation, I would be giving it a far less enthusiastic appraisal. However, the relentlessly amusing missions, tongue-in-cheek humour and fabulous special effects are more than enough to keep you hooked, if only to see what else there is to be found and thrown at you.

Freedom Force manages to blend action, strategy and RPG elements fairly seamlessly into a consistently interesting and entertaining game. The future looks bright for the title with a burgeoning community behind it, and although it isn't really a factor in this conclusion, it will seal the future of an already enormously fun and deserving game. UK Release Date - now available

9 / 10

Read the Eurogamer.net scoring policy
Picture of Martin.

About Martin Taylor

Read more articles from Martin by visiting the Martin Taylor archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (73) Latest comment 10 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • sam_spade #1 10 years ago

    I have to agree that FF is an excellent game. But what does bother me, is why it took so long for it too arrive on European shores?

    Most of my friends have *obtained* a copy of the game and played it through to the end several months ago. Now while I don't advocate copying I can understand people taking the opportunity to take a copy if offered, especially when you have such a long period between releases. The same with Sim Golf really. I'd be surprised if either of these two hit the top ten.
    Edited by 1 at 02/08/02 @ 14:51

  • Khab #2 10 years ago

    Um, didn't this arrive, like, four months ago?

  • Nemesis #3 10 years ago

    Higher. Score. Than. Halo.

    Discuss.

  • mouse Verified Graphic designer, Eurogamer Network #4 10 years ago

    Completely. Different. Game. To. Halo.

    Get. Over. It.

  • Nemesis #5 10 years ago

    I. Dont. Give. A. Monkeys. Either.

    Go. To. Pub. Three. Days. Til. Monday.

  • mouse Verified Graphic designer, Eurogamer Network #6 10 years ago

    Oh, I'm planning on it after the couple of weeks I've had :)

  • Nemesis #7 10 years ago

    South coast beach area, toes in the warm sand, cool breeze coming in off the waves, sun setting, ice cold beer, condensation running down the glass, and a nice lady.

    And no loud w@nkers or mobile usage within a 5 mile radius.

  • sam_spade #8 10 years ago

    Going into rehab Nemesis?

  • ssuellid #9 10 years ago

    "And no loud w@nkers or mobile usage within a 5 mile radius."

    Mobile phone blocker for £20 with a 3 metre range:-

    http://www.iwant oneofthose.com/CGIBIN/PRIAMLNK.CGI?CNO=1&MP=PRDUPD^GIN132&ST NO=ST00772&WHAT=info



  • Nemesis #10 10 years ago

    Maybe after tonight ;-)

    Regrettably I'm not smoking any more and, as any reformed smoker will tell you, going for a beer is a killer.

  • Nemesis #11 10 years ago

    Ssuellid I want one of those!

  • Whizzo #12 10 years ago

    I must buy one of those! 20 quid for peace and quiet, that's a small price to pay! :-D

  • ssuellid #13 10 years ago

    Also worth getting from iwantoneofthose.com is their glow in the dark keyrings. They give out enough light to find the keyhole at night, they do not need charging, they last for ten years.

  • otto #14 10 years ago

    glow in the dark keyrings. They give out enough light to find the keyhole at night, they do not need charging, they last for ten years.

    You keep one of those in your trouser pocket, don't come bleating to me about infertility problems...

  • ssuellid #15 10 years ago

    It is a worry when the keyrings are marked "Cannot to be sold in the US" - saying that the yanks feed arsenic to their chickens.

  • Nemesis #16 10 years ago

    Still, if from prolonged pocket storage, it makes Mr Percy glow in the dark..........

    101 uses. Never miss again! Works in any sitation! Worried about retina burnout from switching toilet lights on at 2am? Worry not? New Improved GlowWorm! Never buy another toilet carpet ever again!

  • otto #17 10 years ago

    Isn't this where Gestalt comes in with his "that's quite enough" line?

  • Nemesis #18 10 years ago

    I'm surprised they haven't had a superhero with one yet...

    (pulls it back on topic)

  • Whizzo #19 10 years ago

    it makes Mr Percy glow in the dark
    There's a comedy film from a while back where fluorescent condoms had just been launched, ends up with two light sabre like objects in total darkness when a bloke finds his wife's lover hiding in a closet when he comes home early and feels frisky.

  • Nemesis #20 10 years ago

    I could tell you an amusing story regarding those, but I'll get told off so I won't!

  • ssuellid #21 10 years ago

    The film with the fluorescent condoms is called Skin Deep. Apart from that scene its pretty crap.

  • [Alt][F4] #22 10 years ago

    Hmm, you know I was considering to flame like mad here those people who read comic books and day dream about being Cpt. America. Dragons, elves and Gandalfs might be geeky, but this game is in the race all by itself as the nerdiest concept yet. I guess I was one of those who skipped that childhood phase of comics altogether, picked up a book and never looked back.
    But hell.
    Live and let live I guess. Could be worse.
    People could be playing a mob cab driver game that lets you beat the shit out of defenceless old women on the sidewalks. Now that would be scary..
    So if you're into cartoony one dimensional superheroes characters, this one is well worth your time (if you can get past the cheesey lines that is, I had a problem with that myself). I hear its a fantastic multi experience as well, so enjoy.

  • mal #23 10 years ago

    [[Alt][F4]] - Can you honestly tell me you've seen Blade and didn't want to be Wes afterwards?

  • Nemesis #24 10 years ago

    I kinda liked being Spidey after seeing the film, but that's purely from the snogging Dunst angle and nipping past all the traffic in NY. As a kid we used to re-enact some of the Batman stuff (from the TV series) and the rich kids were given Batman outfits (no corsets oddly enough).

    But I never read the comics. In my day it was Dandy/Beano and war comics when we were kids. No Marvel/2000AD/JD style stuff where we were, it was exposure to the TV stuff that got our attention.

    EDIT : Typos. Again.
    Edited by 1 at 02/08/02 @ 16:49

  • otto #25 10 years ago

    No Marvel/2001/JD style stuff where we were

    You mean 2000AD & Judge Dredd? Please, do not utter their holy names in the same breath as Marvel!! The stuff produced by 2000AD over the years has nothing in common with the tacky superhero crap churned out by Marvel & DC - imho :). Now I know a lot of people are going to disagree with me over this but I don't put the two on the same level at all. The only superhero worth his/her salt is Zenith.

  • Nemesis #26 10 years ago

    Hmmm, well I can't really comment at any great length on this.

    As I say, my exposure to Superman/Batman/Spidey/Fantastic4 and that sort of thing was all via the TV, be-it cartoons or movies. Comics I really missed out on, but the 2000AD stuff I got to read was fantastic, but I always felt I'd walked into a film 2/3rds of the way through. I know of Rogue Trooper/ABC Warriors and coffee, but I know no background. Which is a shame, I'd liked to of known...

  • otto #27 10 years ago

    Never too late to jump on board

    http://www.2000adonline.com/index.php3?page=subscribe ;)

  • Nemesis #28 10 years ago

    /wipes away small tear/

    LookMEEEEEEEEEEE

    ...and I never knew....

  • otto #29 10 years ago

    Drawn by Bisley

    and so we come full circle

  • Nemesis #30 10 years ago

    What's the difference between the weekly and the Megazine monthly?

  • otto #31 10 years ago

    The Megazine monthly contains reprint material (a good place to start in fact). It also tends to run more 'experimental' stuff alongside the tried & tested favourites. I think they're both pretty much indispensible. You could start buying the weeklies now, they've just recently had one of their regular 'relaunches' aimed at attracting new readers. They usually do this two or three times a year, starting off a bunch of new stories all at once to avoid putting off people like you who think they've hopped on 2/3 of the way through something.

  • Nemesis #32 10 years ago

    Append...

    Drawn by Bisley

    Hold on one second there chaps. Tim's surname is Bisley in Spaced.......intentional ?

  • Nemesis #33 10 years ago

    Cheers Otto; there's a comic shop down in Maidstone I can check out, or Bluewater as I'm there tomorrow to watch MIB2 (wish me luck).

    As per pure bad luck, I managed to miss a free T-Shirt in the subs page :-( by one day!

    Could do with reading something a little different..weekly 2000AD might just fit that gap. Better than buying gaming mags, they're useless, don't know why I bother.

  • Killerbee #34 10 years ago

    Hold on one second there chaps. Tim's surname is Bisley in Spaced.......intentional ?

    Given all the movie and popular culture references in Spaced, it wouldn't surprise me. Incidentally I love that programme - I own both series on DVD and would really recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it. Here's hoping for a third series soon! :-)

  • otto #35 10 years ago

    Nem, there's always a 'freebie' offer of some sort on, now they're doing a Judge Death keyring. :) Also, you could try phoning their subs people who are a nice bunch, they sent me a free t-shirt even though I already has a sub... ;)

    Definitely worth buying it for a few weeks just to see how you like it. Why not eh? And would you need a comics specialist - doesn't your local Smiths stock it?

  • otto #36 10 years ago

    Never heard of Spaced - what is it?

  • Nemesis #37 10 years ago

    Otto, I guess I could go to Smiths, but I prefer the local comic shops; I guess that goes back to my RPG days, I like to support the little guy. Also, they seem pretty helpful, I've been given advice on where to start on some series as it can be a little confusing.

    Spaced is a C4 series now available on DVD for Series 1+2. If you are into SF/Fantasy/Comics/Star Wars/Consoles, basically if you're a gamer, this will hit the mark. It's superb start to finish and highly recommended.

    I think I will give them a ring Otto, but I'll still snoot about that comic shop, it'd be criminal not to.

  • Killerbee #38 10 years ago

    Never heard of Spaced - what is it?

    The semi-official web-site is <A HREF="http://www.spaced-out.o rg.uk/">here</A>. Ignore the pop-up - I don't know what's wrong there.

    Basically if you're into films, comics, sci-fi and comedy you'll love it. It's my favourite sitcom after Red Dwarf. :-)

    Edit - glad to see Nem and I are on about the same show!
    Edited by 1 at 02/08/02 @ 17:27

  • otto #39 10 years ago

    Nemesis - you could also invest in one or two Titan graphic novels to get some back story on some of the main characters (Waterstones usually have a few in the sci-fi section, otherwise try a Forbidden Planet). An afternoon spent webtrawling would also fill gaps in your education. :)

  • Nemesis #40 10 years ago

    I'll check out 2000AD if you check out Spaced!

    Hometime for me! Have a good one all!

    Nem

  • otto #41 10 years ago

    I'll still snoot about that comic shop, it'd be criminal not to

    Fair enough & good on yer. :)

    Thanks for the heads up about Spaced, it's a real shame we don't get Ch4 on cable over here, it's something which the expats regularly moan about but to no avail. I'd most gladly lose MSNBC & their televangelists to make way for it. Oh well.

  • ssuellid #42 10 years ago

    "If you are into SF/Fantasy/Comics/Star Wars/"
    - that line puts me off.

    If you like good comedy buy Spaced series 1 and 2 they are available from play, who do not post to belgium, in the special offers area for TV series.

    Also worth getting is Black Books series 1. IMHO this is the best TV comedy I have ever seen.
    Edited by 1 at 02/08/02 @ 17:30

  • otto #43 10 years ago

    Is that the one with Bill Bailey & the bookshop?

    Bill Bailey - one VERY funny bloke.

  • DocX #44 10 years ago

    Otto: cheers for the link, I've been too lazy for months now to find it myself, but I'm signed up now :-)

  • ssuellid #45 10 years ago

    Yes, there is a Bill Bailey DVD available as well with an excellent shed game to play.

  • Killerbee #46 10 years ago

    Bill Bailey - one VERY funny bloke.

    And he's also in Spaced! :-)

  • ssuellid #47 10 years ago

    The funniest thing Bill Bailey has done was when he was presenting the Fringe Festival. He was in a piano shop doing various impressions including a top notch Richard Clayderman(?).

  • Pirotic #48 10 years ago

    I hate to be the one who brings it back to subject, but i read the review and it sounded good but i wasn't to sure, anyway, i found a demo.. so to save you guys time download it <A HREF="http://www.irrationalgames.com/ff/files/Freedom %20Force%20Demo%20(sm).exe">Here</A>

  • DocX #49 10 years ago

    I watched Bill Bailey doing a live routine on video the other night & it was hilarious. Especially his Dutch jazz man impression :)

  • ssuellid #50 10 years ago

    The funniest bit of stand up that I've seen was the "what if donkeys had discovered cocaine?" routine. And the "what I want to do now" bit.

  • mouse Verified Graphic designer, Eurogamer Network #51 10 years ago

    "Darn you took a long time reviewing this great game."

    I didn't, It's been on my hard drive for approximately 10 days. However, it did take a long time actually to get to us but that's just the way it is round these parts, sadly.

  • Gestalt #52 10 years ago

    Yeah, the game wasn't even released in Europe until about three weeks ago, and we got our review copy just after that. It's been out in the US for ages IIRC.

  • mouse Verified Graphic designer, Eurogamer Network #53 10 years ago

    Pirotic: unfortunately the demo doesn't really give that great an impression of the game, as you only get the first tutorial level and the crappy aircraft carrier scene - I'll never understand why they chose that level for the demo.

    In fact, I'd played the demo a while ago, and when the review copy landed on the mat I wasn't really looking forward to playing it because the demo was kind of underwhelming imo.

  • Henk #54 10 years ago

    Bill Bailey - one VERY funny bloke.

    Definitely. I had a chance to see one ep of black books one an mindnumbingly long plane voyage last year. Absolutely fantastic.
    "..yes..but by the same token..the more expensive the wine..the gooder it tis.."

    classic.

    Shame we don't have it on dutch telly.
    Edited by 1 at 02/08/02 @ 22:26

  • Pirotic #55 10 years ago

    ok mouse, thanks for the warning. but it still lets me see how it runs performance wise which is nice to know ;)

  • #56 10 years ago

    ah.. a damn fine game this is, damn fine i say!


    also.. the only good american comicbook out today :
    Erik Larsen's Savage Dragon - CHECK IT OUT!

  • otto #57 10 years ago

    I'd have said he was better known for Halo Jones, DR & Quinch and the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, but hey...

    Don't know of anything by him called 'Minuteman', sure you're not thinking of 'Marvelman' (called 'Miracleman' in the US)?

  • otto #58 10 years ago

    I agree, I wasn't really into the Marvel/DC comics in a big way but Spidey/Batman were always my favourite while Superman was just too 'nice' (we were probably ruined by the Christopher Reeve version).

    I confess I've never read the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen though I hear they're making a film of it, I know Alan Moore basically from the stuff he did for 2000AD which was absolutely superb - Halo Jones is my all-time favourite strip I think.

  • mechamonkey #59 10 years ago

    This is one the most fun games I've ever played, it seriously gets the atmosphere spot on. I think I spent the whole time playing it with the biggest cheesy grin on my face.

    Its worth mentioning the bevvy of fan sites featuring enormous amounts of mods and models like

    http://www. raventg.com/ff.nsf/All/Recipes

    http:/ /irlheat.bhmotorsports.com/FF/index.html

  • DocX #60 10 years ago

    "havent read League of Extraordinary Gentlemen yet, is it any good?"

    Yes, get it, it's excellent. The Invisible Man, Dr Jeckyll & Captain Nemo versus Fu Manchu & Moriarty in a steampunk British Empire.

  • DrCongo #61 10 years ago

    Oh man. I've forgotten Nemesis the Warlock.

    How could I have forgotten Nemesis the Warlock? I MUST go dust off those old albums and read everything once again.

    Nemesis the Warlock is, was and ever will be the coolest comic book character anywhere ever. Damn, now I feel all apocalypse-y, science fiction-y and no future-y inside.

  • otto #62 10 years ago

    Be pure. Be vigilant. Behave. :)

  • Whizzo #63 10 years ago

    Nemesis the Warlock is, was and ever will be the coolest comic book character anywhere ever
    It's a pity Pat Mills hasn't actually written a good story for bloody ages though, the recent ABC Warriors on Mars story was bloody awful.

    Perhaps one day he'll go back to writing a decent story without all the eco and chaos crap polluting it, I have my doubts that'll happen though...

  • Pirotic #64 10 years ago

    i did get freedom force in the end, didnt like it at all.. i guess im spoilt with Warcraft III atm tho

  • otto #65 10 years ago

    There's been a frightening tendency recently to resurrect old characters and give them rubbish stories. Did you read that AWFUL Bad Company story recently? Shocking. Still, high hopes for the resurrected VCs.

  • DocX #66 10 years ago

    Jeez Otto, you only sold me on a subscription last week & now you tell me 2000AD has gone crap :)

  • Nemesis #67 10 years ago

    He tried to sell me a sub too!

    I purchased the weekly and the Megazine, but Fellowship stuff comes first !

  • Whizzo #68 10 years ago

    Still, high hopes for the resurrected VCs
    It's been good so far.

    Rogue Trooper is back in his Nu Earth guise (thank god it's not Friday hehe!) and Strontium Dog is just as good as it ever was. Even Bison which is so full of cliches isn't too bad.
    Edited by 1 at 07/08/02 @ 16:22

  • otto #69 10 years ago

    No no no!! It hasn't gone crap! Honest!! :)

    I was a bit disappointed with their Bad Company revival but the Megazine has just finished rerunning the *stupendous* original stories and the weekly is currently red-hot with an excellent Strontium Dog and Rogue Trooper revivals as well as the resurrected VCs, also some very strong new stories. Ditto Megazine - the Bendatti Vendetta and Lenny Zero are superb and you've just missed the incredible Hellboy!

    /otto backpedals frantically
    Edited by 1 at 07/08/02 @ 16:32

  • Whizzo #70 10 years ago

    I was a bit disappointed with their Bad Company revival
    So was I, one story that really didn't need a sequel was Bad Company and to have done it in such a ham-fisted pointless way just makes it worse.

    The aftermath of Sin City is looking like it could be some classic Dredd..

  • otto #71 10 years ago

    Yeah, agreed on both. Dunno why they did that to Bad Company, it also looks as if they heard the criticism and canned the story early, its ending was very sudden. Usually the current editorial team seems fairly sensitive to the need to avoid devaluing major characters (the current Rogue Trooper & Strontium Dog stories being a case in point - they're so 'classic' it hurts). But they do make mistakes.

  • DocX #72 10 years ago

    I seem to remember the first follow up to Bad Company (not too long after the original) was pretty disappointing too. Kano off with some imaginary fairy IIRC.

  • otto #73 10 years ago

    ? must confess I don't remember that. Sounds as though I should though. :)

    The next megazine is going to reprint some of the original Bad Company material by Ezquerra that never actually made it into print. Should be interesting.

  • mechamonkey #74 10 years ago

    Just worth mentioning that the patch has added some fantastic add-on's into the game chiefly the 'Danger Room' instant pick up and play modes.

    Top stuff.