Freedom Fighters (video game)

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Freedom Fighters
North American cover art for PC
Developer(s)	IO Interactive
Publisher(s)	Electronic Arts
Composer(s)	Jesper Kyd
Engine	Modified Glacier Engine
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows, Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox
Release date(s)	PAL September 26, 2003 NA October 1, 2003
Genre(s)	Third-person shooter
Mode(s)	Single-player, Multiplayer
Rating(s)	ESRB: T OFLC: M 15+ PEGI: 16+
Media	CD, DVD, Nintendo optical disc
System requirements	Microsoft Windows Microsoft Windows(r) 98/2000/ME/XP/Vista Pentium III 733MHz or comparable 128MB RAM 32MB Direct3D with Hardware T&L capable video card with DirectX 8.0 or higher video card 650MB HDD space 4 speed CD-ROM DirectX 8.1 compatible sound card DirectX 8.1 or higher
Input methods	Keyboard and mouse, Gamepad

Freedom Fighters, originally titled Freedom: The Battle For Liberty Island, is a 2003 third-person shooter video game available for the Playstation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox and Microsoft Windows that is set in an alternate history. The player takes the role of Christopher Stone, a plumber-turned American Resistance movement leader who fights against the Red Army that invades and occupies New York City. It was developed by IO Interactive, using a modified version of the Hitman 2: Silent Assassin game engine, and published by Electronic Arts. IO Interactive have mooted, but not confirmed, a sequel entitled Freedom Fighters 2.^{[citation needed]}

Contents 1 Premise 2 Plot summary 3 Gameplay 4 Multiplayer 5 Characters 6 Audio 7 Sequel 8 References 9 External links

[edit] Premise

In an alternate present time, the Soviet Union brings an end to World War II by dropping the first atomic bomb on Berlin, redefining history. As a result, the Soviet Union never collapsed, instead becoming the world superpower. All of Europe changed from democracy to communism with Great Britain as the last to join the communist bloc, albeit reluctantly. Plus, they extended the Iron Curtain all the way to most of Asia, the Middle East and South America. Now, they are sending in their army to "liberate" America.

[edit] Plot summary

Chris and Troy Stone, plumbers both, travel to meet with their next client- a resistance activist named Isabella Angelina. The Stones appear at her condominium only to find no one home, until Soviet soldiers and General Tatarin raid the condo, seizing Troy. Amidst the invasion, Chris escapes to the streets and into the underground sewers, allied with a man named Mr. Jones and resistance member Phil Bagzton. They plan a rescue for Isabella, who is being held at New York police precinct. Chris single-handedly rescues Isabella and shortly thereafter executes a successful rescue of Troy Stone, who is being held hostage at a mail station.

A couple of months after the rescues, Chris becomes known as the Freedom Phantom within the Soviet controlled media, SAFN. Chris, Troy, Phil, and Isabella sabotage key Soviet facilities and reclaim territories within New York City, while building a strong resistance group consisting of New York inhabitants and betrayed Soviet soldiers. Despite fierce resistance from the Soviet occupation, they manage serious headway against the Red Army. During this time, Troy is captured by the Soviet forces and made to reveal the true identity the Freedom Phantom to the media. He is later forced to make a public statement to Chris and the resistance group, reluctantly pleading them to cease their actions - moments later he tells Chris to keep fighting. For his actions, he is executed by General Tatarin on Governor's Island.

Mr. Jones reveals the grim news to Chris, suggesting retaliation in the form of the assassination of General Tatarin. Chris succeeds and escapes Governor's Island, only to return to find Isabella missing and the resistance main base controlled by the Soviets. Mr. Jones reveals himself to be Soviet Colonel Bulba, head of the KGB, explaining that this was how he managed to supply the resistance with information. Chris escapes with Phil Bagzton and The Kid to another underground base. SAFN later reports on the death of Tatarin, Colonel Bulba's promotion to General, and subsequent, supposed "destruction" of the resistance in New York- in reality, the resistance has been scattered and taken to hiding.

During the winter, Chris, Phil, and The Kid plan more occupational missions on Soviet controlled New York City, ending with a raid on the SAFN Studios. They use the station to send a broadcast encouraging the people of New York and beyond to bring an end to the hostile occupation. Chris, Phil, and The Kid plan a final strategy against the Soviet army- a full siege on Governor's Island consisting of the rest of New York's resistance members. After destroying and taking over multiple areas of the island including Fort Jay and rescuing Isabella, the resistance group celebrate their victory over the Soviets. Chris and Isabella talk about the future of the conflict, and they almost share a kiss, before being interrupted by Phil.

[edit] Gameplay

Freedom Fighters is a third-person shooter, in which the player navigates through the streets of New York while fighting the Soviet forces. Unlike other third-person shooters, the game also contains squad-based elements, having a charisma meter. The player gains charisma by performing heroic deeds in the resistance movement against the invading forces, like capturing a base or destroying vital supplies. The more charisma that is gained, the more squadmates the character can recruit, including leaderless guerrillas and wounded Russian soldiers, up to a maximum of twelve.

Freedom Fighters is often credited in game reviews as having brought squad games "to the masses", by introducing a simple method of controlling recruits in battle. In the game, the player can command recruits by giving them simple orders such as "follow", "attack", and "defend", but in most situations, they take care of themselves. Given the terrain of New York City after the initial invasion, the Resistance usually stations its soldiers in covered positions like craters and buildings. It is in positions like these that a player can find freedom fighters and wounded Russian soldiers.

On the lower difficulty levels it is possible to play the game much like other shooters, assaulting enemies directly. However on more difficult settings the player's squad will be easily overwhelmed by enemy checkpoints. The player will need to sneak around, find alternate infiltration routes, and generally act more like an urban guerilla to make any progress.

[edit] Multiplayer

Multiplayer revolves around securing flags and bunkers. The flag that a player needs to capture and hold is usually in the center of the map. Bunkers are positioned around the map, and spawn either Soviet soldiers or American freedom fighters. Players can know who the bunkers belong to because of a star above each one; a Soviet bunker is marked by a red star, while an American bunker is marked by a blue star. In each game, there can be up to four players, who can choose between the Soviet and American sides. Each side has a different set of weapons. The players can switch weapons in battle. In each map, there are several areas where weapons and ammunition are stored. Each bunker also has one medical kit and one ammunition can, so every bunker is vitally important. Each player also has their charisma meter set to eight, so each player can have a maximum of eight soldiers under their command; however, if it is a four-player battle, each player can control a maximum of four soldiers. The players can select a map to fight in: Greenwich Village, where there are four bunkers surrounding the flag; Brooklyn Rooftops, with four adjacent bunkers with the flag between the middle two bunkers on a building; and Fort Jay, a nighttime scene with four bunkers at the edge of the map with the flag in the middle.

[edit] Characters

• Christopher Stone AKA "Freedom Phantom" - Co-leader of the Manhattan Resistance

The main protagonist, born and raised in Brooklyn, Chris is a New York plumber. At 32, Chris' biggest influence in life is still his family. He soon becomes the New York resistance movement's most effective fighter and field commander against the Red invasion force.

• Isabella Angelina - Co-leader of the Manhattan Resistance

Born in the US, Isabella traveled extensively while studying ethnography and completing her thesis on Inuit people. Her studies took her through Canada and Greenland, all the way to the Arctic Soviet Union. Her experiences there turned her into a political activist protesting Soviet aggression worldwide. Isabella is a fast learner and a survivor quick to adapt to new conditions.

• Troy Stone - Manhattan Resistance member

At thirty, he still has not decided what he wants to do, but whatever it is he wants to do it fast. He builds custom cars with the local car club, the Brooklyn Rats, in his ample spare time. He often helps his brother with plumbing jobs. Troy is openly anti-communist, believing America will be invaded soon. After his rescue, he focuses on rallying resistance movements in other parts of New York and possibly beyond.

• Mr. Jones - Manhattan Resistance military and intelligence advisor

At 60 years of age, Mr. Jones is still nimble enough to train newcomers in the art of urban fighting. Years of military life have given him an exceptional understanding of strategy, along with a cynical edge. He never developed into a great soldier in the field, but his networking and planning skills make him a real asset to the resistance.

• Phil Bagzton - Manhattan Resistance munitions expert

Phil is another freedom fighter who claims that he has been fighting the Soviet army for "about 10 years" even though the occupation just started. After being wounded during the initial invasion of New York, Chris patched him up and helped him defeat some Soviet troops. Afterward, he led Chris through the back alleys to the nearest manhole, escaping into the sewers. He helps fight the Red Army alongside Chris.

• The Kid - Manhattan Resistance supporter.

The Kid is an orphan who serves as an informant of sorts. Since his boarding school was shut down due to the Soviets, The Kid is on a crusade along with the rest of the freedom fighters. He is first seen spray-painting a wall, and later leads Chris to a new hideout after after the first one is discovered.

• General Vasillj Tatarin - Commander of the Soviet Occupation Force in the US.

Born in 1958 in the Asian Soviet republic of Uzbekistan, General Tatarin is a field warrior of the highest echelon. He was brought up in the Soviet army by a family of soldiers. His father and grandfather both died in battle as war heroes, and he carried on the family tradition by graduating at the top of his class from military school. Tatarin was stationed in Guatemala in 1976 as a military adviser. He became the youngest Soviet general ever appointed in 1995, after establishing military bases in Mexico during his "recovery efforts" following a massive earthquake. Tatarin is extremely popular among the soldiers in his command. He led a successful US invasion and is the commander of the invasion force. He is the highest ranking Soviet officer in the Americas. Jones eventually sends Chris to assassinate him, believing Soviet forces in New York and the Americas will crumble without his leadership.

• Tatiana Kempinski - Soviet propaganda newscaster.

Tatiana was born in Krakow, where she studied journalism before transferring to the US to finish her degree. She developed fluency in American English during her time in the US, but remains a loyal member of the Communist party.

• Colonel Bulba - KGB Director/Commander of Soviet Occupation Force in the US.

A ruthless colonel in the Soviet military who is Tatarin's second-in-command and head of the KGB. Colonel Bulba is promoted to general following Tatarin's death. He vows to hunt down every single rebel.

• Freedom Fighters

There are two kinds of freedom fighters. Although formal combat training does not exist in the resistance, these American former-civilian freedom fighters have learned quickly through intense on-the-job training. Freedom Fighters are quick to duck for cover when shots are heard, and they never question orders. The second type are the highly trained Soviet infantry. These soldiers, badly wounded and disillusioned with the war, are often left to die by their comrades. The resistance fighters meet many of them along the way, giving them medical aid, an act of kindness which often causes them to switch allegiances and aid the New Yorkers in their quest to take back their city from their former comrades.

• Civilians

Seen very little in most areas after the game begins, civilians hold little hope after the Soviet attack but some will give information to the fighters.

[edit] Audio

The Freedom Fighters original soundtrack was composed by Jesper Kyd and released on September 29, 2003 by Sumthing Else and Nano Studios. It was Gamespot's "Best Game Soundtrack of the Year 2003" and Game Reactor Magazine's "Best Game Music of the Year". Tracks 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 14 and 16 are performed by The Hungarian Radio Choir.^[1][2] The music has grand, Soviet-style, choral arrangements and the synth parts bring Vangelis to mind, indeed one reviewer referred to it as "Vangelis on steroids".^[3]

He describes his thinking behind the score thus:

“

I researched Russian music scales and specifically what makes Russian music so unique. The history of the Soviet Union and the Cold War conflict were also major contributing influences. Not many people know this but I wrote the Freedom Fighters score in Manhattan right after 9/11. It was quite a strange time writing music for a story about a foreign power invading Manhattan. I spent a lot of my time just playing the game to get a real, in-depth sense of the experiences that I needed to dramatize. I probably spent way too much time playing the game, but I just loved the fact that you could become a freedom fighter and help free New York City from an invading army.

”

[edit] Sequel

On April 6, 2004 Eidos UK revealed plans for the sequel.^[4] Eidos announced it would distribute the sequel in the first half of its financial year 2006, which would mean the latter part of 2005. However IO Interactive has announced development of a new intellectual property, Kane & Lynch: Dead Men, casting the future of a Freedom Fighters sequel in doubt.^[5] In late 2007 a representative of IO said in an interview about the upcoming Kane & Lynch: Dead Men that a sequel for Freedom Fighters was still on the company's 'to-do' list.

Gamespot's website put the game as "Working Title" for the Xbox and PC version.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• EA Games webpage
• Freedom Fighters at MobyGames
• Freedom Fighters at the Internet Movie Database
• Information page for PC at Gamespot.com