bit-tech Shopping: Electronic Arts Freedom Fighters (Xbox)

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1 Months

Strengths: Above average graphics. Great audio. Multiplayer!!!

Weaknesses: Very difficult. Clunky controls

Summary: Freedom Fighters is a run-n-gun third person shooter from the makers of the Hitman series. The game in a nutshell is Red Dawn set in New York. The graphics are pretty much flawless as is the audio. One problem I had with the game is that the control setup is wacky, especially in the Xbox version. There is also the matter of difficulty. Even on the easiest difficult setting, the game is a real challenge. You do get help later on in the form of allies but they usually get killed just as easily as you do. There are cheat codes for this game but most are pretty much useless. My advice would be to buy this game for the PS2 because you can use a Gameshark, plus it has better controls.

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Easy to pick up. Squad action for beginners. 720 res is awesome.

Weaknesses: AI can be dumb at times. Linear as a ruler.

Summary: FF is a bit of a shooter, bit of an action game. Russia has overtaken the US and somehow youre in the middle of it all. Time to be a hero. You progress from spot to spot gaining new teammates as you go. Missions are pretty straightforward and mostly linear but thats not too bad. Your guys take directions well but can get themselves killed by doing very stupid things at times. All in all a very good game. Worthy of a buy. Expect only one playthrough though.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2

Strengths: Nice graphics, good sound, team combat system

Weaknesses: Control setup seems a little strange and can be really touchy, should have implemented a co-op mode

Summary: Freedom Fighters is a third-person shooter that is set in a New York City that has been overtaken be communist Soviets. You start out as a plumber that joins the revolution to overthrow the Soviets and return freedom to the city. In the beginning of the game you are just a lone man running and gunning his way through the levels, but as you earn charisma you get to have a team of fighters to accompany you.The gameplay is good, but I think the controls could have been better. The precise aiming is brought up by clicking in the left analog stick and then it is pretty difficult to be that precise with your aiming. The game generally auto-aims for you in normal shooting mode, but this takes away some of the satisfaction of actually aiming at specific enemies.There is a nice assortment of weapons and the team aspect works well later in the game. There are also opportunites to use the environment to your advantage by ducking behind cover and also by blowing up objects near enemies.The game is relatively short, but it's an enjoyable romp while it lasts.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 1 Year

Strengths: Story and sound, Artifical Intelligence

Weaknesses: No online play, Length of game, Multi-Player

Summary: Electronic Arts Freedom Fighters for the Xbox is an enjoyable action game. Set in a "Red Dawn" type of scenario whereby the Russians won the Cold War, you lead a recruit and command squad into battle. This 3rd person shooter has a nice array of weapons to aid your team in the revolution. The game has a very patriotic feeling to it (if you're American anyway) that will get you cheering as the game goes on. The lack of online play and length of the game is a downer, but for a budget third person action title, this is a solid game.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 3 Months

Strengths: Unique third person game, good graphics and sound, commanding others in your squad.

Weaknesses: Short, not a lot of depth, multiplayer modes are lacking, no co-op missions.

Summary: This game is an interesting take on the GTA formula. The Soviets have invaded the US and it's up to you to liberate old glory. I really liked how this third person game played - there area lot of action elements but not all of it is mindless because there is a lot strategy aspects involved. You get to command your squad with various button placements but I wish it could have been deeper. This game was destined to have multiplayer aspects in the main storyline but it wasn't meant to be - the death matches aren't all that fun. This game would have really benefited from having a multiplayer mode in the main game (online or offline) but instead the game loses a lot of replay value due to this omission. I believe you will enjoy this game, especially now that the price has plummeted.