Freedom Wars that Don't Free You

From SCE Japan Studio Swift comes the action RPG known as 'Freedom Wars'! Don't be fooled by the exclamation point, because like the game itself, there's more to this game than meets the eye.

 

The premise catches the mind, though, with a dystopian world in which humanity is separated into city-states called Panopticons, and you commit a million years' worth of crime simply by being born. Why? Obviously it's because resources are few, so much that you grow up a warrior-prisoner sent to battle cybernetic monsters, other warrior-prisoners, and in some cases rescue elites that are noticeably smaller than...everyone else...for what is left. (And is it just me or are those the biggest fanny packs you've ever seen?) The more you fight, the more years you get shaved off your million-year sentence. If that's what you get for being born, let's not try to find out what murder and DUIs goes for in that world.

 

 

For those who have played God Eater Burst or the Monster Hunter series, proceeding through the game with missions and the ability to wield two weapons at once will be familiar. Then, once you're hooked by the CG prettiness and the familiarity, Freedom Wars will proceed to thunk your brain with a plethora of complications. The story is slow to move and the events grouped in bunches that make you wonder where all the other stuff went. Lackluster characters who vanish with equal randomness fail to keep the interest level perked, but fear not, dear gamers! Freedom Wars will keep the adrenaline pumping with its high difficulty level, much of it fueled by panic. By the time Chapter 7 rolls around, you'll STILL be trying to figure out how to upgrade your weapon, deal with a camera that needs constant adjustment, and possibly the mechanics of the Thorn whip while enemies pound you en masse.

 

And neither the plot nor the characters will be too interesting by then either.

 

 

Despite the hype given through previews, Freedom Wars is enough of a disappointment for developers to start working on a patch that lowers the difficulty level. Yes, it is that hard. On the other hand it's drool-worthy heaven for those who can't resist great graphics both in-game and during movie cutscenes. That much is impressive, and sadly that is the only thing that is impressive here.