Freedom Fighters

About

Freedom Fighters is a single player and multiplayer tactical shooter game with fantasy and historical themes. It was developed by IO Interactive A/S and was released on September 21, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

In Freedom Fighters, players lead a resistance group against Soviet occupation in an alternate 1960s New York. As protagonist Chris Stanley, they recruit fighters, complete missions, and use guerrilla tactics to turn the tide. The game features single-player and multiplayer modes, with strategies varying based on squad size and mission objectives.

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,102 reviews

story91 positive mentions

stability13 negative mentions

Freedom Fighters is a nostalgic classic that still holds up well today, offering engaging gameplay and a great soundtrack by Jesper Kyd.
The game features unique squad mechanics that allow players to command a growing team of fighters, adding depth to the combat experience.
The interconnected mission design encourages strategic thinking, as actions in one mission can affect the outcomes in others.

The aiming mechanics are often imprecise, making it frustrating to shoot accurately, especially at longer ranges.
The game lacks modern features such as controller support and has a dated save system that only allows saving at specific points.
The story and character development are minimal, with some plot points feeling rushed or underexplored.

story
305 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
66%
4%
The story of "Freedom Fighters" is generally engaging, set in an alternate history where the Soviet Union invades the United States, and players take on the role of a resistance leader. While the narrative features some compelling moments and mission interconnectivity that affects gameplay, it suffers from pacing issues, lack of character development, and a somewhat predictable plot. Overall, it provides a nostalgic experience with a mix of action and strategy, though it may not resonate deeply with all players due to its simplistic and sometimes clichéd storytelling.
- “The storyline is engaging, with a great narrative that draws you in and makes you invested in the characters.”
- “What sets Freedom Fighters apart is its mission structure: actions you take in one mission, like disabling a generator or a helipad, can affect later missions.”
- “The story is compelling and engaging even if there are a few plot alignment issues, and the semi-linear and systemic level design is brilliant… absolutely ahead of its time.”
- “The storytelling is weak, and the gameplay has a few rough edges.”
- “There are plot points that either just get left out, or disappear, very strange omissions at times, and the whole story presentation is a mess.”
- “The story is sadly its weakest point, which is shocking given the settings in which this game is set.”
gameplay
210 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
62%
2%
The gameplay of *Freedom Fighters* is often praised for its innovative squad-based mechanics and smooth execution, allowing players to command up to twelve allies in a tactical third-person shooter environment. While some reviewers note that the mechanics feel dated and the shooting can be imprecise, the overall experience remains enjoyable, bolstered by a compelling soundtrack and engaging mission design. Despite its age, many players find the gameplay to be a nostalgic and fun experience, highlighting its unique approach to squad management and action.
- “The gameplay is where Freedom Fighters truly shines.”
- “The squad mechanics in this game are very fun.”
- “The gameplay is deeper than it first seems but it still allows for a quick, arcade-style 'jump in and play' approach that is very user-friendly.”
- “The gameplay is absolutely barebones and downright archaic when it comes to third-person shooters.”
- “The gameplay gets repetitive real quick, and the gunplay is super basic.”
- “It's a good game for 2003, I got nostalgic feelings about it but gameplay is janky and boring, so be prepared for a lot of clunky unresponsive shooting.”
music
190 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
41%
2%
The music in "Freedom Fighters," composed by Jesper Kyd, is widely praised as one of the game's standout features, with many reviewers highlighting its epic and immersive quality that enhances the overall gameplay experience. While some players noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive, the majority agree that it effectively sets the mood and elevates the game's atmosphere, making it a memorable aspect of this classic title. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant reason to play the game, with many calling it one of the best in gaming history.
- “Paired with Jesper Kyd’s incredible soundtrack, it evoked chills then and continues to resonate with me now.”
- “The soundtrack is by far the most memorable aspect of the game; all the songs are great and are amazing tone setters.”
- “The music from Jesper Kyd elevates this game, and you simply owe it to yourself to experience this game for this reason if nothing else.”
- “The music stands out, but gets rather obnoxious as it keeps repeating all the time.”
- “The soundtrack is okay, but I expected more since it's by Jesper Kyd.”
- “Another problem I found is music just suddenly stopping out of nowhere, which also might be a problem based on Intel's card.”
graphics
105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
67%
5%
The graphics of the game are generally considered dated, reflecting its 2003 origins, but many players find them acceptable and even charming, particularly for those nostalgic for early 2000s aesthetics. While some reviews note issues like glitches and graphical tearing, others appreciate the art style and overall presentation, suggesting that the visuals still hold up reasonably well given the game's age. Overall, the consensus is that while the graphics may not meet modern standards, they contribute to a fun and engaging experience, especially for fans of classic games.
- “The graphics are spectacular for the time the game came out.”
- “The graphics are a nostalgic throwback but still hold up pretty well.”
- “Despite the graphics looking a bit dated by today's standards, it still holds up and the soundtrack is arguably the best part of the game.”
- “It's very 2003, as in bland, muddy graphics and shoddy level designs.”
- “Despite the age of the graphics and blurry textures that felt outdated even for its release, the colors and lighting are still captivating.”
- “While the low price and adding the amazing Jesper Kyd score to the package as a bonus are both very appreciated, the game stumbles due to multiple graphical flaws that stem from taking a game meant for old 480p displays and slapping it onto modern, 2020 monitors.”
atmosphere
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
24%
13%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by a compelling soundtrack from Jesper Kyd and distinctive art direction. Reviewers highlight the balance between drama and humor, creating a memorable experience that evokes nostalgia while effectively conveying the game's themes of resistance and struggle. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest elements, contributing significantly to its charm and engagement.
- “The score is arguably the game's strongest aspect, adding atmosphere and tension to the missions.”
- “Oozing with style and atmosphere, thanks to great art direction and a fantastic soundtrack from Jesper Kyd.”
- “The atmosphere the game goes for is a notch above what you would expect from this old of a game, signs of the commie invasion are everywhere and in the first mission, you witness and have to contend with their brutality as they mercilessly mow down civilians in the streets.”
- “The atmosphere the game goes for is a notch above what you would expect from this old of a game; signs of the commie invasion are everywhere, and in the first mission, you witness and have to contend with their brutality as they mercilessly mow down civilians in the streets.”
- “So right from the get-go, the tone is notably tongue-in-cheek despite the dire circumstances, and it doesn’t change track throughout the story, giving a surprising balance between drama and light-hearted pulp, resulting in a very engrossing atmosphere all throughout.”
- “A sequel likely wouldn't be able to capture the atmosphere, feel, and charm this title did.”
optimization
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews. While many players report smooth performance and compatibility with modern resolutions, some have experienced minor issues, particularly in specific areas or when deviating from default settings. Generally, it is considered a solid port for its age, though some users note that it could benefit from further optimization, especially regarding controller settings.
- “The game doesn't have any performance issues and formats really well to modern day 16:9 resolutions. I was actually very surprised to see that it formatted to my 21:9 34" 1440p monitor with absolutely no problem.”
- “Performance-wise, this seems to be a great example of a PC port done right. I didn't have to do anything to get it to work perfectly except launch the game.”
- “Well optimized: it runs beautifully, with no FPS drops or other technical issues.”
- “Only complaint is the controller settings are not optimized; best to just use the mouse and keyboard.”
- “One last bit is this port; it's fine, it's not a remaster. I barely did anything except give it widescreen support and somewhat optimized it for newer PCs, but don't expect a smooth experience.”
- “The same game from 2003, but now you can buy it on Steam; it needs some optimization.”
stability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
76%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting occasional bugs and glitches, particularly related to aiming and camera issues. While many users have experienced minimal crashes and noted good performance on modern systems, the overall consensus indicates that the game can be buggy at times, which may affect gameplay but is generally considered playable.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck too!”
- “It runs great on AMD and RTX cards, and on Windows 11.”
- “Runs great, no problems.”
- “Good game but pretty buggy and dated.”
- “A little buggy when aiming near a wall, but other than that.”
- “Well, there is a good amount of posts about glitches or bugs with the PC port.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its cheesy narrative, amusing AI behavior, and entertaining ragdoll physics, which often lead to comical moments during gameplay. Players appreciate the nostalgic charm and funny squad commands, while the absurdity of enemy reactions adds to the overall enjoyment. Despite some persistent AI issues, the game is recommended for those who enjoy a lighthearted and humorous experience reminiscent of early 2000s titles.
- “And yeah, the narrative is hilariously all over the place.”
- “The enemies react in different ways in different areas of their bodies you shoot them in and it's hilarious to see them go flying from your shotgun and RPG.”
- “The music is 10/10, the AI is hilariously stupid, the objectives are tense and satisfying.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it infinitely replayable due to its engaging mechanics and soundtrack, others feel it offers little replay value after completing the main story, with limited content beyond secret missions. The multiplayer experience on console enhances replayability, but the single-player PC version lacks additional incentives for replay.
- “Freedom Fighter is a TPS that makes you feel like a leader with easy-to-understand game mechanics, infinitely replayable, and an epic soundtrack. This game is worthy.”
- “High replay value!”
- “The game can be cleared relatively quickly and offers little replay value.”
- “Zero replay value: once you beat the game, there is nothing else for you unless you want to do the secret mission.”
- “The console versions included extremely fun multiplayer that the PC version never got (single player only for us), but the replay value will come with just the overall satisfaction the style, music, and gameplay offers.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, especially on harder difficulties, where repetitive missions and frustrating mechanics, like excessive bloom on guns, contribute to a lack of enjoyment. Many users report feeling isolated in gameplay due to the vulnerability of AI companions, further exacerbating the grind.
- “Cookie cutter plot, graphics, dialogue... played on the harder difficulties and it got way too tedious.”
- “The bloom on the guns is absolutely insane too, making longer range fights tedious and annoying.”
- “In the end, I found myself fighting most of the missions alone because it was just too tedious looking after my oh so vulnerable freedom fighters.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report that the game evokes strong emotions, often serving as a nostalgic experience that brings back fond memories, enhanced by its perfect soundtrack. The narrative is described as unique and deeply emotional, complemented by simple yet enjoyable gameplay mechanics.
- “Now this is like my first time playing it again, and it was such an emotional rollercoaster for me. This game brought back good memories, and the music is just perfect.”
- “Overall, the game tells a unique and emotional story with rather simple yet overly enjoyable game mechanics.”
- “I have felt very emotional after a long time.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
Character development in the game is noted for its gradual visual evolution of the main characters and NPCs, reflecting seasonal changes. However, the narrative suffers from a lack of depth, with a basic story that rushes through plot points and offers minimal character growth, leaving players feeling disconnected from the characters' journeys.
- “I really appreciate the gradual character design changes. The main character starts looking like Chris Redfield, then transitions to Jack from The Last Stand, and finally resembles a prince for some reason at the end. The NPCs and recruitable fighters also change with the seasons, which adds depth to the character development.”
- “The character development is intriguing, as it reflects the evolving circumstances of the game. The way characters adapt and change visually with the seasons enhances the overall experience.”
- “The character arcs are engaging, even if the story moves quickly. The transformations and growth of the characters throughout the game keep players invested in their journeys.”
- “Pretty basic story to follow - while the story is nothing special, and in many cases jumps ahead or zooms right through plot points without any character development or build-up - the whole Soviet invasion is the core premise of the game.”
- “As mentioned before, the story moves forward fast, with minimal character development, so it's a little jarring - there's pretty much no information about what happens in events between each level, or even how much time has passed.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that the monetization strategy of the game is perceived as a cash grab, with some users expressing hope for future improvements. While the port functions well overall, concerns about its value compared to the original game persist.
- “Hopefully this will get patched in the future, assuming IOI have released this as a fan service rather than a cash grab.”
- “As it stands, it seems to be a cash grab rehash that doesn't even stand up to the original.”

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70%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews

Freedom Fighters
Eurogamer.net
70%

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8h Median play time

7h Average play time

8h Main story

12h Completionist

5-8h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Freedom Fighters is a tactical shooter game with fantasy and historical themes.

Freedom Fighters is available on PC, Windows, PlayStation 2, Nintendo Gamecube and others.

The main story can be completed in around 8 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 12 hours to finish. On average players spend around 7 hours playing Freedom Fighters.

Freedom Fighters was released on September 21, 2020.

Freedom Fighters was developed by IO Interactive A/S.

Freedom Fighters has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Freedom Fighters is a single player game with multiplayer support.

Similar games include Star Wars: Republic Commando, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Gun, Call of Duty, Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders and others.

Freedom Fighters

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