Freedom Fighters

About

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,297 reviews

story106 positive mentions

stability14 negative mentions

Freedom Fighters offers a nostalgic experience for players, capturing the essence of early 2000s shooters with engaging gameplay and a compelling alternate history story.
The squad mechanics are simple yet effective, allowing players to command a growing number of fighters, which adds a layer of strategy to the gameplay.
The soundtrack by Jesper Kyd is highly praised, enhancing the overall atmosphere and enjoyment of the game.

The aiming mechanics are often criticized for being inaccurate, making it frustrating to shoot enemies effectively.
The game lacks modern features such as controller support and has a limited save system, requiring players to save at specific points, which can be inconvenient.
The story and character development are considered weak, with many characters being one-dimensional and the plot lacking depth.

story
372 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
67%
4%
The story of "Freedom Fighters" is generally viewed as straightforward and somewhat cliché, revolving around a Soviet invasion of the United States and the player's role as a resistance leader. While some players appreciate its nostalgic charm and engaging mission structure, many criticize the lack of character development and depth, describing it as a mix of campy humor and patriotic themes. Overall, the gameplay mechanics and mission interconnectivity are often highlighted as strengths that compensate for the story's weaknesses.
- “The storyline is engaging, with a great narrative that draws you in and makes you invested in the characters.”
- “The story is tight and evolves beautifully, the gunplay is satisfactory, the objectives are challenging, and the pseudo-open world offering different paths is great.”
- “The story is interesting where the Soviet Union takes over the United States and you are one of the leaders of the American resistance.”
- “The story is sadly its weakest point, which is shocking given the settings in which this game is set.”
- “Unfortunately, the story is the weakest part of the game, as it does not get enough attention, characters do not have proper development, and villains are just awful caricatures.”
- “The story is nothing special and honestly pretty bare bones but what the game lacks in writing it makes up for with its gameplay and mechanics.”
gameplay
257 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
63%
2%
The gameplay of "Freedom Fighters" is characterized by its engaging squad mechanics, allowing players to command a team of resistance fighters with simple yet effective commands. While some mechanics feel dated and the gunplay can be imprecise, the overall experience remains enjoyable and nostalgic, capturing the essence of early 2000s shooters. The game offers a mix of strategic elements and fast-paced action, making it a solid choice for fans of the genre despite its age.
- “The gameplay overall has really solid ideas.”
- “The mechanics are intuitive, the action is fast-paced, and the squad-based combat offers a level of strategy that’s surprisingly deep.”
- “It’s one of those rare gems that perfectly captures the essence of early 2000s shooters, with a gameplay experience that still holds up incredibly well today.”
- “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.”
- “The shooting mechanics and weapon handling are pretty awful and it has some horrible UI/quality of life choices such as losing your single quick save for the level when you hit 'restart location' after dying.”
music
219 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
41%
1%
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. The soundtrack effectively enhances the gameplay experience, evoking strong emotions and fitting the game's atmosphere, although some players noted that it can become repetitive. Overall, the music is considered a significant reason to play the game, with many calling it one of the best soundtracks in gaming history.
- “The music, the atmosphere, and the story felt just as captivating as ever.”
- “Every time I revisit it, I’m reminded of why it left such a deep mark on me, and the music remains one of its most unforgettable elements.”
- “The soundtrack is excellent, getting the player suitably pumped to infiltrate, battle, and win.”
- “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.”
- “There is an issue with some music tracks not being played during some events of the story.”
graphics
117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
68%
4%
The graphics of the game, originally released in 2003, are generally considered dated but still acceptable, with many players appreciating the nostalgic charm and stylized art style. While some reviews note issues like glitches and low-resolution textures, others highlight that the visuals hold up reasonably well for their time, especially when viewed through the lens of gameplay and storytelling. Overall, the graphics may not meet modern standards, but they contribute to a fun and engaging experience for those who enjoy classic titles.
- “The graphics are spectacular for the time the game came out.”
- “The graphics are a nostalgic throwback but still hold up pretty well.”
- “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.”
- “The graphics lack but you won't care with the amount of intricate levels, characters, soundtracks, and overall storyline.”
atmosphere
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
27%
12%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its captivating music, strong art direction, and immersive environmental design, which collectively enhance the storytelling and gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the unique blend of drama and light-heartedness, alongside a memorable soundtrack by Jesper Kyd, that creates a nostalgic yet engaging ambiance. Overall, the game is noted for its ability to evoke a strong sense of place and purpose, making players feel deeply connected to the narrative and setting.
- “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.”
- “A sequel likely wouldn't be able to capture the atmosphere, feel, and charm this title did.”
- “It definitely fits the atmosphere and makes you feel like you're fighting for something 'greater' while in a battle.”
optimization
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
55%
15%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback. While many players report solid performance and compatibility with modern resolutions, some have experienced minor issues, particularly with controller settings and performance dips in specific areas. Generally, it is considered well-optimized for its age, with no major technical problems reported.
- “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
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
78%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting various bugs and glitches, including game-breaking issues that necessitate map restarts. While some players experienced minimal problems and noted good performance on modern systems, others highlighted persistent aiming inconsistencies and occasional crashes. Overall, the game is considered playable but comes with a notable amount of technical issues.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck too!”
- “It runs great on AMD and RTX cards, and on Windows 11.”
- “Runs great, no problems.”
- “There's also a lot of bugs and glitches, even game-breaking bugs that required a restart of the map in order to continue.”
- “Good game but pretty buggy and dated.”
- “I love this game but the aiming is a buggy mess.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its cheesy writing and absurd scenarios, which many players find endearing and laugh-inducing. The AI's comically inept behavior and the exaggerated reactions of enemies contribute to the overall comedic experience, making it a nostalgic and entertaining choice for fans of early 2000s games. Players appreciate the blend of fun gunplay, humorous ragdoll physics, and a narrative that embraces its silliness rather than taking itself seriously.
- “This game is such a classic; the story and writing are so cheesy and stupid that it becomes good. It made me laugh over and over, definitely worth it when on sale.”
- “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, and the objectives are tense and satisfying.”
replayability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it infinitely replayable due to engaging mechanics and an epic soundtrack, others note a significant drop in replay value on the PC version due to the absence of multiplayer modes and limited content after completing the game. Many users express that once the main game is finished, there is little incentive to return, aside from a few secret missions.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “High replay value!”
- “A skirmish type game mode was included on original console releases but did not make it to the PC port, which means there is a lot less replayability.”
- “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.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly on harder difficulties, where repetitive missions and challenging mechanics, such as excessive bloom on weapons, contribute to a frustrating experience. Many users report feeling isolated in gameplay due to the difficulty of managing 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 provides minimal character development, leaving players feeling disconnected from the characters and their 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 world. The way characters adapt and change visually with the seasons enhances the overall experience.”
- “The character arcs are compelling, even if the story moves quickly. The transformations and growth of the characters throughout the game keep players engaged and 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.”