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Homefront

Amazing campaign that deals with morals as well as the reality of war and the multiplayer just adds to the games greatness, with 32 player online capability inviting a new kind of first-person shooter into the world of gaming.
63%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
stability, optimization
57% User Score Based on 5,701 reviews
Critic Score 73%Based on 6 reviews

Platforms

PCXboxPlaystation 3WindowsPlayStationXbox 360
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About

"Homefront is a warfare shooter game with both single-player and multi-player modes. The story, written by John Milius, takes place in 2027 where a fallen America is occupied by the Greater Korean Republic. The game boasts fantastic visuals and a spectacular soundtrack, but lacks optimization and is full of bugs. The single-player campaign is emotionally gripping and wholesome, but not very replayable."

Genres & Tags
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Homefront screenshot
Homefront screenshot
Homefront screenshot
Homefront screenshot
Homefront screenshot
Homefront screenshot
Homefront screenshot
Homefront screenshot
Homefront screenshot
Homefront screenshot
Homefront screenshot
+29

57%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,701 reviews
story947 positive mentions
stability149 negative mentions
  • The game has an interesting premise of a North Korean invasion of the United States, which adds a unique twist to the typical military shooter narrative.
  • The campaign, while short, is engaging and features some memorable moments that highlight the brutality of war.
  • The gunplay is generally satisfying, with a variety of weapons available that can be fun to use.
  • The campaign is very short, taking only about 3-5 hours to complete, which leaves little room for character development or a deeper story.
  • The AI, both friendly and enemy, can be frustratingly unhelpful, often getting stuck or failing to engage effectively in combat.
  • The game suffers from numerous bugs and technical issues, including poor hit detection and clunky controls, which detract from the overall experience.
  • story
    3,085 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Homefront" presents a dystopian narrative where North Korea invades and occupies the United States, exploring themes of resistance and survival. While the premise is intriguing and offers moments of emotional weight, many players find the execution lacking, with a short campaign lasting around 3-5 hours, predictable plot points, and underdeveloped characters that fail to create a strong emotional connection. Overall, the game is seen as a mixed bag, with some appreciating its unique setting and story, while others criticize its linearity and lack of depth.

    • “The game's strongest attribute is its powerful storytelling, presenting a dark and immersive vision of a North Korean invasion of the United States that feels both provocative and emotionally engaging.”
    • “While the single-player campaign is notably short—around three hours—it packs an incredible amount of cinematic storytelling and atmospheric world-building into its brief runtime, with each level feeling like a meticulously crafted painting that captures the brutal reality of occupation.”
    • “Its willingness to explore darker themes of war and occupation, combined with its innovative storytelling approach, makes it a memorable—if flawed—entry in the first-person shooter genre.”
    • “The main plot is about a pilot (the player) being rescued by the Colorado resistance to pull off a plan to steal fuel tanks to be delivered to the US Army (who are still being active after the Korean invasion?) to be able to take back San Francisco.”
    • “The story is so weak and full of cliches at the start of the game things are looking good but then it's just shooting and running but with no fun.”
    • “The story is incredibly stupid and the gameplay is very generic.”
  • gameplay
    1,059 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Homefront" has received mixed to negative reviews, with many players criticizing its linearity, dated mechanics, and poor AI. While some appreciate the solid shooting mechanics and variety of weapons, others find the overall experience bland and repetitive, often comparing it unfavorably to more polished titles like Call of Duty. The campaign is notably short, averaging around 4-5 hours, which further detracts from its appeal, leaving players wanting more depth and innovation in gameplay.

    • “The gameplay, though familiar, provides solid shooting mechanics and an interesting variety of weapons that become progressively more interesting as players advance through the campaign.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics are solid and intuitive, making it easy for both newcomers and seasoned players to jump in and enjoy.”
    • “The gameplay keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time, whether you're fighting fierce firefights or working with your fellow rebels to outwit the enemy.”
    • “The gameplay is riddled with bugs and ridiculous limitations; the AI works poorly (both friendly and enemy), the damage seems unbalanced, and I'd venture to say that the missions are boring.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive and offers nothing new or exciting.”
    • “The gameplay is linear, though not as linear as in Call of Duty.”
  • graphics
    767 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Homefront" have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they were decent for a 2011 release, they have aged poorly compared to contemporary titles. Some reviewers appreciated the atmospheric design and detail, while others criticized the visuals as outdated and lacking polish, often likening them to games from earlier generations. Overall, the graphics are seen as a weak point, but they still manage to contribute to the game's immersive experience in certain contexts.

    • “Its innovative mechanics, combined with a gripping narrative and top-notch graphics, create an unforgettable gaming experience.”
    • “The graphics and attention to detail in Homefront are nothing short of impressive.”
    • “The game's visuals contribute significantly to the immersive atmosphere, drawing players into a world that feels both haunting and beautiful in its own way.”
    • “The graphics are awful even by 2011 standards.”
    • “The graphics look like something that came out of a telltale game, but with better details and smoother edges instead of the brush-stroke edges in telltale ones.”
    • “The graphics are terrible, the AI is dumb as all f*cks on both sides and every gun feels like a paintball gun, but I am not sure if those wouldn't feel stronger than these toy guns which constantly run out of ammo and a pain in the ass to chase down the right kind.”
  • stability
    155 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of bugs, glitches, and performance issues that significantly hinder gameplay. Common problems include game-breaking glitches, frequent freezes, and awkward AI behavior, leading to frustrating experiences and the need for frequent restarts. While some players noted that the game runs well on high-end systems, the overall consensus is that it remains a buggy mess, detracting from its potential enjoyment.

    • “The shooting mechanics work well and the game is relatively bug free.”
    • “Game ran great for me in 4K with no glitches except when you start the game up; you need to get the proper resolution.”
    • “That being said, the animations are not buggy and are actually really smooth and consistent.”
    • “Took a lot of troubleshooting to even get the game started and almost gave up at some point.”
    • “The game is quite buggy; I ended up running into a game-breaking glitch that caused me to not be able to continue.”
    • “This game is completely messed up; it freezes constantly, and I really wish I hadn't bought it.”
  • emotional
    121 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game "Homefront" elicits mixed responses from players, with many praising its powerful storytelling and hauntingly impactful moments, particularly in its opening sequence. However, criticisms arise regarding the lack of character depth and emotional connection, leading to feelings of forced sentimentality in key scenes. Overall, while the game attempts to deliver an emotionally charged experience through its narrative and atmosphere, it often falls short in execution, leaving some players feeling disconnected from the story and characters.

    • “The game's strongest attribute is its powerful storytelling, presenting a dark and immersive vision of a North Korean invasion of the United States that feels both provocative and emotionally engaging.”
    • “The soundtrack complements the narrative perfectly, enhancing the emotional impact of key moments and adding to the overall cinematic feel of the game.”
    • “Homefront's portrayal of an occupied America is hauntingly realistic, featuring heart-wrenching moments that drive home the gravity of the situation.”
    • “Bad controls, unbelievably boring story, textbook characters about as deep as a puddle.”
    • “The singleplayer campaign has a predictable and boring storyline.”
    • “Shooting is stale, story is boring, and it makes you watch its boring story at every opportunity.”
  • music
    115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its emotional depth and ability to enhance key moments, while others criticize it as generic and repetitive. Many players noted that the soundtrack, although occasionally effective, often lacks variety and memorability, leading to a sense of monotony throughout gameplay. Overall, while some tracks are appreciated for their orchestral quality, many feel the music does not stand out significantly in the gaming experience.

    • “The soundtrack complements the narrative perfectly, enhancing the emotional impact of key moments and adding to the overall cinematic feel of the game.”
    • “The game's sound design further enhances the emotional impact, featuring a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that captures the despair and hope of the resistance.”
    • “Despite not having household names for it, the team manages to produce a heart-pumping soundtrack with an excellent combination of rock, epic orchestra, and ambient sounds.”
    • “The sound design is mediocre, with forgettable music and lackluster sound effects.”
    • “The music is unbelievably generic.”
    • “The music isn't memorable.”
  • humor
    90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is largely unintentional, stemming from its absurd premise and poorly executed dialogue, which often leads to laughable moments rather than genuine comedy. Players find amusement in the game's ridiculous scenarios, awkward character interactions, and numerous bugs, making it a "so bad it's good" experience. While the serious themes are overshadowed by the game's comedic failures, the overall charm lies in its ability to provoke laughter through its sheer absurdity and janky execution.

    • “Genuinely laughing at the fact that this game predicted the death of Kim Jong Il in 2011.”
    • “The game tries to convince you of a world where North Korea is a worldwide threat, stamping out Japan and taking control of America. I'm sorry, but honestly, I spent the entire intro laughing at how ridiculous the concept was.”
    • “It's a dumb, fun, 'Murica f*** yeah cinematic set piece shooter that gets unintentionally hilarious when it attempts to be serious.”
    • “The humor in the game falls flat, relying on tired stereotypes and awkward racial quips that miss the mark entirely.”
    • “Instead of clever jokes, the game offers a series of cringe-worthy attempts at humor that feel forced and out of place.”
    • “The comedic elements are so poorly executed that they detract from the overall experience, leaving players more uncomfortable than amused.”
  • atmosphere
    77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "Homefront" is widely praised for its immersive and gritty portrayal of a war-torn America, drawing comparisons to the Metro series and effectively capturing the emotional weight of its narrative. Players appreciate the game's strong visual design and world-building, which create a haunting yet beautiful environment, although some feel that the experience diminishes towards the end due to a shift to more conventional gameplay. Overall, while the atmosphere is compelling and well-executed, it is often noted that the game's short campaign limits the depth of engagement with its setting and story.

    • “While the single-player campaign is notably short—around three hours—it packs an incredible amount of cinematic storytelling and atmospheric world-building into its brief runtime, with each level feeling like a meticulously crafted painting that captures the brutal reality of occupation.”
    • “The atmosphere of a war-torn, degraded but not apocalyptic U.S. is very unique, and the art style really vibes well with the setting.”
    • “This game is dripping with atmosphere thanks to its well thought out and executed graphical design and the game's excellent pacing.”
    • “If the atmosphere is right at the beginning of the game, the campaign degenerates into a Call of Duty clone, especially towards the end.”
    • “Again that is an issue with moving from combat to combat without any rest periods to see the world, which leads to players feeling just separated from the game rather than engrossed by the story or atmosphere.”
    • “Ancient graphics, clipping issues, vocal samples out of sync with lips, cut-offs on voice clips, and a lack of character development and atmosphere created in the style of a mediocre Steven Seagal movie.”
  • optimization
    77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting poor frame rates, frequent stuttering, and crashes, particularly on various hardware setups. While some users noted that the game runs smoothly on modern PCs, the overall consensus is that it is poorly optimized, with significant performance issues that detract from the gameplay experience. Despite a few positive remarks about specific aspects of performance, the majority of reviews highlight a frustratingly unoptimized experience.

    • “The game runs smoothly overall.”
    • “This game is optimized much better for PC than I thought it would be.”
    • “The performance is decent in general but it has too many drops, modelings are weird and the AI is quite weird....it's not smart enough to give you a tough challenge but it is still trying through some direct hits which are definitely dumb and annoying.”
    • “Poor frame-rate, capped at 60fps with constant stuttering making it almost nauseating to play.”
    • “Horrible optimization and gameplay.”
    • “The game is the most poorly-optimized garbage I've ever played in my life.”
  • replayability
    47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game is criticized for its low replayability, with many reviewers noting the short campaign length and lack of engaging content that would encourage multiple playthroughs. While some players may find limited replay value in collecting achievements or playing on harder difficulties, the consensus is that the game offers little incentive for repeated play, especially at its full price.

    • “This game, while slightly short, covers almost all the bases for what I would expect of a game its age, and it's very replayable with a collectibles system if you're into that.”
    • “Though it does have some replay value for someone like me that likes to play games on easy, beat the game, and then advance to the harder difficulties.”
    • “There are a fair few campaign-related achievements too, if you care, that could offer more replayability.”
    • “At its normal price of $20, it's a complete ripoff. I beat the game in about 3 hours and don't see much replay value that will make me go back to play it.”
    • “The campaign is pretty short, only 4-10 hours long with little to no replay value, unless you want to get all the collectibles, and the gameplay is really generic, as it's a typical linear first-person shooter.”
    • “The single player campaign is painfully short with very little replay value, and although the engine is serviceable, I never really felt drawn into the action, making it not a title to play multiplayer.”
  • monetization
    41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy of the game has been heavily criticized, with many reviewers labeling it a "cash grab" due to the pervasive in-game advertisements for real-world brands, which detract from the overall experience. While there are no microtransactions or pay-to-win elements, the intrusive ads and lack of options to manage them have left players feeling frustrated and disappointed. Overall, the game's reliance on advertising feels rushed and poorly integrated, overshadowing any potential enjoyment from the gameplay.

    • “Pay to win: no (no loot boxes, no microtransactions).”
    • “As for the microtransactions, since this is an older game, it doesn't drain your wallet.”
    • “The whole game feels rushed and thrown together for a quick cash grab on a unique idea.”
    • “This game is just a shameless cash grab with awful AI and poor gunplay overall.”
    • “Almost everything about this game screams 'rushed cash grab.' Don't bother with it.”
  • grinding
    31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of time akin to having a "second life." Many reviews highlight the repetitive nature of gameplay, with long waits and frustrating mechanics contributing to a sense of boredom and frustration. While some moments are enjoyable, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grinding detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a chore than a rewarding challenge.

    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “There is not even a single part of this game that is not tedious, boring, or both.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The gameplay is as tedious as it gets.”
    • “The story line is really its only plus; the gameplay itself is boring, tedious, and full of bugs and glitches that just annoy you too much.”
  • character development
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is widely criticized for its lack of depth and engagement, with many players feeling disconnected from the characters due to minimal backstory and rushed narratives. While some characters, like Connor, leave a lasting impression, the majority, including Hopper and Rianna, are sidelined with little to no development, resulting in a flat and generic experience. Overall, the short campaign fails to provide sufficient time for meaningful character growth, leaving players wanting more investment in the story and its characters.

    • “Short but satisfying shooter with a good back story, interesting character development, a lot of action.”
    • “In the story dialogues, their roles and mutual relations are quickly confirmed, though there are few moments when they appear to go through mental changes and some minor character development.”
    • “It's a shame because the theme of this 2011 game is almost a prophetic depiction of an alternative future that's not too far from ours, but like I mentioned, it got overshadowed by its generic game design and bland character development.”
    • “The lack of depth in character development and design left me feeling disconnected from the gameplay experience.”
    • “The other two main characters, Hopper and Rianna, get pushed to the side after a few missions and had absolutely no character development.”
    • “Character deaths are played up to be a shocking, tragic event but there's not much character development to get the player invested in them, so they just feel cheap.”

73%Critics’ scoreBased on 6 critic reviews

Buy Homefront

4h Median play time
4h Average play time
4h Main story
9h Completionist
3-5h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 70 analyzed playthroughs

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