We all need something to believe in or a cause to take an interest in if only but to feel as if we were part of something special . . . and sometimes its just good to join the revolution just for the hell of it.  There are plenty of games that put you directly into the people’s revolution (see Red Faction 2 and State of Emergency for the Xbox) but its Freedom Fighters that makes things very personal.  It’s time to take back America from an old-fashioned kind of threat--the red communist threat of Cold War Russia.

The game’s story is a what-if scenario that isn’t new to us (and those who have seen the 80s campy action film, Red Dawn, will know what I mean).  It seems that the nation’s worst fears have come to fruition and the losers of the Cold War just happen to be the USA.  Armies of the Soviet Union and their Communist friends find themselves on American soil and after the nation surrenders to this massive army; America finds itself ruled with an iron fist.  Yet there are those who will not sit idly by and allow this to go on any longer and soon New York City is the center of the biggest uprising seen since the Revolutionary War.

Here’s the best part of the story: you don’t assume the role of a seasoned Special Ops fighter.  Nope, you play a regular blue-collar New Yorker named Christopher who just happens to be a plumber that can fire a gun and rally others to fight back against the oppressive forces of the Communist red army.  As the revolution begins, your character becomes involved in the uprising and then quickly gains something of a reputation, which inevitably leads to his ability to recruit men and women prepared to die for this cause.  Recruiting is simply a question of walking up to a group or individual you’ll encounter and talk to them.  Thanks to your rising fame and Charisma Points (which determine the number of recruits that will follow you), you’ll find that these freedom fighters need little if no convincing to join you.

Control-wise, Freedom Fighters keeps things simple and smooth enough that your character can run, jump and shoot with no trouble at all.  Issuing commands to your recruited squad is also easy since the game thankfully doesn’t want to complicate things during combat.  The list of commands isn’t overwhelming either.  You can tell your squad to hold or follow or attack and you can even issue the command to one specific squad mate.  Many of them have the good sense to cover you and others are smart enough to get behind a gun turret when needed.  Much like a true squad-based game such as Brute Force, your strategic decisions play a big role in cutting the number of enemies down or keeping that gun turret from doing a lot of damage.

Your list of arsenal is also most impressive.  Since you go up against waves of enemies, manned gun turrets and even helicopters, it’s only fair to blow enemies with bazookas as well as Russian-made arms.  The best part about this is that you can pretty much switch weapons on the fly so this keeps the transition pretty smooth.  Believe me, there are many moments in this game were switching from a shotgun to a machine gun is essential to your survival.  There is many times where you’re required to blow up certain things or pick up a sniper rifle to eliminate a particular target.  Like most revolts, though, battles are chaotic and there are many moments where you’ll just wildly fire at patrols from the open window of an apartment building.

This is one impressive looking game and gamers will quickly see for themselves that it’s the details that really steal the show here.  It is not unusual to see a landscape like this in a game, but it is still a rare sight to see our world (the way we know it) filled with Red propaganda and sterile military outposts.  The nightmarish version of New York City looks great, though, as does the characters that are nicely detailed as those seen in Hitman 2.  The special effects look great too but it could have used a lot more damage effects.

Sound-wise, a great score punctuates the game’s action, more than decent voice work and excellent sound effects.  The score is very cinematic and very dramatic so it works perfectly with the story.  The voices found in the game are good, especially since you’ll be hearing a lot from your followers during the action.  The great sound effects of explosions and heavy gunfire are stellar enough to be appreciated with a great sound system.  In short, this is some excellent sound work.

Freedom Fighters is far from your usual third-person shooter, it’s a game with a lot of heart and a unique story that will have you cheerfully taking back America and loving every second of it.  With so many great elements in its possession--the clever use of squad tactics makes for battles that never end the same way--this is a game that won’t disappoint action fans everywhere.  A recommended buy for those that enjoy a good third-person shooter. 

Gameplay: 9.2
The game’s controls are very simplistic to begin with and whether you’re running, jumping or opening fire from an AK-47 the action comes off pretty smoothly.  Equally easy is issuing commands to your chosen squad so there’s no point in the game where you’re hindered by complex commands.  There is the occasional moment where one or two of your squad members get stuck somewhere but this thankfully doesn’t happen too much.

Graphics: 8.0
While not gorgeous, the game’s visuals will not fail to impress.  To begin with the landscape is composed of urban American backdrops that are saturated with Soviet propaganda.  The streets of New York practically cry out invasion and, thus, sets the right atmospheric mood.  The characters also look good and if you’ve played Hitman 2, the facial details will be very familiar. It’s also great watching a Molotov cocktail explode over an enemy transport.

Sound: 8.2
A wonderfully composed score keeps the dramatic cut scenes and action very cinematic.  Aside from this, the voice work is handled with plenty of emotion.  “We’re with you, man.  All the way,” says a new recruit as he stand with you as you both look down at a massive army marching down 5th Avenue.  The sound effects are also well done.  Toss a few grenades, open fire with a heavy machine gun and let freedom ring.

Difficulty: Medium
Even with a small army of freedom-loving Americans, it’s still quite a challenge taking on dozens of combat-ready enemies.  There are many times where you’re up against manned gun turrets, heavily armed patrols and armored vehicles.  Often times the mission objectives have you carrying out multiple tasks such as attempting to take the local post office while keeping an enemy transport from reaching a certain location.  My recommendation: save whenever you can.

Concept: 9.0
Take an Average Joe (and not some Special Forces guy) and put him in a what-if situation that’s quite extraordinary and you get a feel of what Freedom Fighters are all about.  Sure it’s a third-person shooter but it’s a third-person shooter that allows you to give orders to computer-controlled comrades that fights right along with you.  How you attack and command your squad is entirely up to you.

Multiplayer: 8.0
Up to four-players can play a split-screen multiplayer game that has each player fighting through levels inspired straight from the single player mode as players raise their flag over enemy territory.  While this is nothing really unique, the playing field is ripe with weapons, gun turrets and plenty of great places to make sneak attacks or pick up a sniper rifle and shoot enemies down. 

Overall: 8.5
You say you want a revolution?  Well this one will be sure to have you knee-deep in one of the most satisfying uprising seen in a game to date.  With a story that will have you cheering for the people’s revolution and action sequences that will have your adrenalin pumping, Freedom Fighters will hook you from the beginning to end.  Buy this one if you’re looking for something highly original and fun third-person shooter.