PS2 Review: Freedom Fighters (2003)

To my mind, atmosphere counts for a lot in a game. I need to feel as if the world I temporarily inhabit has a certain authenticity -- you might say verisimilitude to avoid the trap of "realism" -- that immerses and unifies gameplay with setting. Freedom Fighters has more pure atmosphere and art direction than almost any other video game to date, from beautifully detailed environments to an outstanding orchestral score. And all that atmosphere serves to enhance one of the best tactical shooters on the PS2. Similar to my comments on Rise to Honor, I find that the story of Freedom Fighters is just the right kind of kitsch, combining equal parts Escape from New York and Red Dawn for a story about an alternative history in which New York is invaded and occupied by Soviets, and the revolution of New Yorkers against their oppressors. Yet, as in Rise to Honor, the derivative narrative and cheesy voice-acting meet the generic expectations of the aforementioned films. In terms of gameplay, Freedom Fighters is very much like the Hitman series crossed with Rainbow Six. Players fill up a "charisma" meter (representing the faith of your fellow revolutionaries in your leadership abilities) by completing mission objectives; more objectives completed means you can command a larger squad, starting with two and ultimately culminating with a militia of 12. Leading these soldiers into battle is surprisingly uncomplicated, avoiding the perpetual babysitting of other squad-based shooters. Players use one of three face buttons to command troops to follow, hold, or attack; pressing the button instructs one, holding the button instructs them all. Simple though it sounds, this system is nonetheless complex and precise. Completing missions with your burgeoning squad is a blast, especially when coupled with the amazing atmosphere I mentioned previously. Of particular note is the musical score, which plays ambiently throughout your clandestine operations and highlights the mechanical nature of the Soviet machine by mixing opera with synth. This score changes dynamically when tasks are completed; one common occurrence are the angelic voices that follow the destruction of helipads or bridges or the assassination of prominent Soviet leaders. Freedom Fighters does seem somewhat too short, however. Multiplayer does alleviate this to some degree, but its deathmatches are only truly entertaining when played by four players simultaneously, and this is further limited by the paltry selection of maps and customizable options. This, though, is simply icing on a delicious cake. Freedom Fighters is one of the most complete and compelling games available for the PS2. It gets my strongest recommendation.