Thundercast Game Club - 10.08 - Freedom Fighters

[PTCoakley]

This month we're gonna be playing Freedom Fighters, which was on the PS2, Xbox, and PC. It's a cool 3rd person shoooter that did a lot of great things, but sadly went pretty unnoticed. We'll have our first discusssion on Oct 2nd's podcast, so make sure that you pick the game up by then if you wanna participate.

[RudeAnimat0r]

Also if you're planning on participating go ahead and let us know in the the thread so we have some kind of feeling how many people are playing along.

I'm obviously since I kind of co-host the show, ordered a used eBay copy for $10 including shipping.

[RudeAnimat0r]

Question for anyone that already has this on PS2 and has a PS3. Does Freedom Fighters run properly on an 80gig? Just curious, I have my PS2 still but not hooked up.

[PTCoakley]

I've only played a bit so far, but I'll save that for the podcast. I will say that my memory must be foggy since I thought this game was a lot better.... Maybe it was on the Xbox?

[Lantern]

I've been playing too, dudes. Gotta admit that my opinion hasn't changed much over time... i still think it's highly over-rated. Ridiculous frame-rate issues aside, which i'm pretty sure is as a result of playing it on a PS3, the game just doesn't control well at all. I'll write more when i have it finished... pretty sure i'm on the last mission.

I do like the idea of the story however, and the music is still fantastic.

[RudeAnimat0r]

Ha Lantern, taking your time I see. My copy still hasn't arrived yet in the mail, so I won't be able to start discussing it until next week.

[PTCoakley]

I've been playing too, dudes. Gotta admit that my opinion hasn't changed much over time... i still think it's highly over-rated. Ridiculous frame-rate issues aside, which i'm pretty sure is as a result of playing it on a PS3, the game just doesn't control well at all. I'll write more when i have it finished... pretty sure i'm on the last mission.

I do like the idea of the story however, and the music is still fantastic.

The story is the main appeal, actually. It's not deep, but it's an interesting look at what the US has done to other countries, and what it would be like if it happened to us.

Anyways, since Sean doesn't have it yet, I'll keep my discussion brief for this episode, but next week we should be in full swing. I think for the last week we'll make a poll and see how everyone liked the game. I'm interested in hearing what people have to say.

[Benny]

The story is the main appeal, actually. It's not deep, but it's an interesting look at what the US has done to other countries, and what it would be like if it happened to us.
Seriously? I got none of that. It was just an IF COMMUNISTS INVADED with some of the silliest Russian stereotypes.

There was actually little 'story' in FF, it's just the atmosphere that makes it feel like there's something going on. For most of the game, after the intro of course, it's just "Reds are here, we should do this".

[Lantern]

The story is the main appeal, actually. It's not deep, but it's an interesting look at what the US has done to other countries, and what it would be like if it happened to us.


I wouldn't say it's the main appeal... i just liked the idea of it. I generally enjoy stories that play out 'what if' scenarios, when it comes to worldwide conflicts. Like the book, "Fatherland"! =D

[PTCoakley]

Seriously? I got none of that. It was just an IF COMMUNISTS INVADED with some of the silliest Russian stereotypes.

There was actually little 'story' in FF, it's just the atmosphere that makes it feel like there's something going on. For most of the game, after the intro of course, it's just "Reds are here, we should do this".

That's what I got out of it anyways :). To each his own. I'm sure I read a lot more into it than others, but I don't think this game is particularly THAT great, but the story is what interests me the most.

[RudeAnimat0r]

Finally got my copy in the mail, so I'll be diving in today. Talk some initial impressions on the next Thundercast as well as post some here.

[RudeAnimat0r]

Talked a fair amount with Pat and my own initial impressions on Freedom Fighters on the current podcast (episode 6). Thought I'd post a short rundown of my pros and cons so far:

Pros:


Simple squad controls, no need to have too many commands but what is there works fairly well
Interesting setup with the Soviets invading North America after spreading communism after the War
Multiple routes to the same objective, almost always a low road and a high road
Rewarded for exploration, most games have trinkets to find that really don't end up helping you out at all, find people and heal them and you get more charisma which leads to a bigger squad


Cons:


L3 manual aiming system is terrible, no reason you should have to depress L3 while aiming instead of toggling manual aim on/off
No cover system, if your teammates can hide and pop out seems like you should as well
Not having necessary equipment, arriving at a bridge to blow up and not having the required C4


As I said on the show, in the beginning I was getting extremely annoyed with the game. When you are alone or with only a couple of squad mates there is a larger emphasis on you in the action which makes the aiming that much more apparent. However, as you begin to build a larger squad and do more play calling then gunning you don't have to worry about that stuff as much and the game becomes a lot more fun.

I'm through the first 6 missions so far, currently in the first Manhattan hub area.

[RudeAnimat0r]

Cons


Quick save system, needs an actual in game system. Also when you die the default menu choice is Restart Location rather then Quick Load, terrible idea as I've chosen the wrong menu option and lost 20 minutes of progress since the quick save erases not being a true save option
Stealth missions in games that aren't designed for it, no cover, no prone, Chris is not meant to sneak


Have beaten the first 3 Manhattan missions and am now on the Governor's Island assassination mission.

[RudeAnimat0r]

Well this never really got off the ground but I'm going to try another game and take a different approach.

To wrap up Freedom Fighters however, I really for the most part enjoyed the game. It has a number of shortcomings but the core game is simple and enjoyable. All in all I'd give it a 7.