Freedom Force (2002 video game)

{{Distinguish|Freedom Fighters (video game)|Freedom Force (1988 video game)|Freedom Wars}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox video game | title = Freedom Force | image = Freedom Force.jpg | developer = Irrational Games (Windows) The Omni Group (OS X) | publisher = Crave Entertainment and Electronic Arts {{small|(Windows)}} MacPlay (OS X) 2K Games {{small|(Steam)}} | designer = | engine = NetImmerse | released = {{collapsible list|title=March 26, 2002|'''Windows''' {{vgrelease|NA|March 26, 2002<ref name=IGN/>|EU|July 12, 2002}}'''OS X''' {{vgrelease|WW|December 21, 2002}}}} | genre = Real-time tactical role-playing | modes = Single-player, multiplayer | platforms = Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X }}

'''''Freedom Force''''' is a real-time tactical role-playing game<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.taktikzone.de/index.php?GameID=18&content=faq |title=Freedom Force FAQ |publisher=Taktikzone}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=GameSpot staff |date=July 17, 2000 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/freedom-force-qanda/1100-2604600/ |title=Freedom Force Q&A |website=GameSpot |access-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Allman |first=Mark |date=October 22, 2000 |url=http://www.rpgplanet.com/features/firstlooks/freedomforce/ |title=First Looks: Freedom Force |publisher=RPGPlanet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217232640/http://www.rpgplanet.com/features/firstlooks/freedomforce/ |archive-date=December 17, 2007 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 26, 2007 }}</ref> developed by Irrational Games and published by Electronic Arts and Crave Entertainment in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Freedom Force|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/freedom-force/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|access-date=2022-01-28|website=Metacritic|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Freedom Force Review|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/freedom-force-review/1900-2859351/|access-date=2022-01-28|website=GameSpot|language=en-US}}</ref> The player guides a team of superheroes as they defend Patriot City from a variety of villains, monsters, and other menaces. The game's budget was around $2 million.<ref>{{cite web |last=Grant |first=Christopher |date=May 8, 2009 |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/ken-levine-next-project-will-cost-a-fair-amount-of-money/ |title=Ken Levine: Next project will cost 'a fair amount of money' |publisher=Engadget (Joystiq) |access-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> A sequel, ''Freedom Force vs The 3rd Reich'', was self-published in early March 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Freedom Force vs The 3rd Reich|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/freedom-force-vs-the-3rd-reich/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|access-date=2022-01-28|website=Metacritic|language=en}}</ref> The games were made available on Steam on May 29, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://store.steampowered.com/news/2550/ |title=Freedom Force - Now on Steam - Save 10% for one week! |publisher=Steam |date=May 29, 2009}}</ref>

==Story== Set in Patriot City, a generic American city, circa the late 50s/early 60s, the game sees a range of ordinary citizens imbued with super-powers after being struck by beams of Energy X. First among these is Frank Stiles, an elderly veteran of the Manhattan Project, who becomes Minute Man. He is quickly joined by Mentor, a member of the alien species, the Domain, who are responsible for the Energy X striking Earth. Together with El Diablo and Manbot, they create Freedom Force, which rapidly expands to include other heroes while taking on a variety of Energy X powered villains. Stories are broken down into issues, with each issue containing multiple individual missions.

The game is a homage to the Silver Age of comics, with most of the cast being analogues to one or two Marvel or DC characters.

==Gameplay==

The player controls a group of up to four members of Freedom Force, guiding them in real time to complete objectives, mostly combat based. Each character's actions are limited by individual stamina meters, with different actions requiring varying amounts of stamina, relative to their power. Characters level up with XP gained from participating in missions which then gives CP. This is used to improve existing abilities or add new ones.

The game offers the ability to create custom characters, especially through the use of mods. These can be recruited in the main story, as well as used in multiplayer. Characters, including customs, are given a rating in Prestige based on the amount of and strength of their abilities, preventing players from recruiting overpowered custom characters at the start of the story campaign and allowing for multiplayer balance.

==Development== The game used the NetImmerse game engine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndl.com/freedom2.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010204225900/http://www.ndl.com/freedom2.htm|title=A Freedom Force Update|website=ndl.com|archivedate=February 4, 2001|date=September 2000|accessdate=January 29, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Comic book tie-in==  right|thumb|150px|Cover of the first issue From January to June 2005, the story of the first ''Freedom Force'' game was retold in a six-issue comic book miniseries published by Image Comics.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Freedom Force (Volume)|url=https://comicvine.gamespot.com/freedom-force/4050-22698/|access-date=2022-01-28|website=Comic Vine|language=en}}</ref> This series was scripted by Eric Dieter<ref>{{Cite web|title=GCD :: Issue :: Freedom Force #6|url=https://www.comics.org/issue/369744/|access-date=2022-01-28|website=www.comics.org}}</ref> and featured Jack Kirby<ref>{{Cite web|title=On the Irrationality of 'Freedom Force', Gaming's Forgotten Superhero Series|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/on-the-irrationality-of-freedom-force-gamings-forgotten-superhero-series-145/|access-date=2022-01-28|website=Vice.com|date=June 23, 2015 |language=en}}</ref> influenced artwork by Tom Scioli.<ref>{{Cite web|title=GCD :: Issue :: Freedom Force #1|url=https://www.comics.org/issue/273266/|access-date=2022-01-28|website=www.comics.org}}</ref> Dieter also wrote the series "Bible" and served as community manager for the official website's forum, "''Freedom Fans''".{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}}

==Reception== {{Video game reviews | MC = 90/100<ref name="mc">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/freedom-force/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Freedom Force for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> | Allgame = 4.5/5<ref>{{cite web |last=Deci |first=T.J. |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=31418&tab=review |title=Freedom Force - Review |publisher=AllGame |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114232841/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=31418&tab=review |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> | CGW = 5/5<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Coffey |first=Robert |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_215.pdf |title=Freedom Force |magazine=Computer Gaming World |issue=215 |date=June 2002 |pages=80–81 |access-date=July 2, 2017}}</ref> | Edge = 7/10<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Edge staff |title=Freedom Force |magazine=Edge |issue=110 |date=May 2002}}</ref> | EuroG = 9/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Martin |date=August 2, 2002 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_fforce |title=Freedom Force |website=Eurogamer |access-date=July 2, 2017}}</ref> | GI = 8.75/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Brogger |first=Kristian |url=http://www.gameinformer.com:80/Games/Review/200205/R03.0731.1540.44264.htm |title=Freedom Force |magazine=Game Informer |issue=109 |date=May 2002 |page=92 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050225214912/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200205/R03.0731.1540.44264.htm |archive-date=February 25, 2005 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> | GamePro = 4.5/5<ref>{{cite magazine |author=The D-Pad Destroyer |date=March 27, 2002 |url=http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/22040.shtml |title=Freedom Force Review for PC on GamePro.com |magazine=GamePro |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050207044750/http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/22040.shtml |archive-date=February 7, 2005 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 2, 2017}}</ref> | GSpot = 9/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Dulin |first=Ron |date=March 29, 2002 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/freedom-force-review/1900-2859351/ |title=Freedom Force Review |website=GameSpot |access-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> | GSpy = 4.5/5<ref>{{cite web |last=Chick |first=Tom |date=March 15, 2002 |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/freedom-force/548642p1.html |title=GameSpy: Freedom Force |publisher=GameSpy |access-date=July 2, 2017}}</ref> | GameZone = 8.9/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Lafferty |first=Michael |date=April 10, 2002 |url=http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r15847.htm |title=Freedom Force Review |publisher=GameZone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231224448/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r15847.htm |archive-date=December 31, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 2, 2017}}</ref> | IGN = 9.3/10<ref name=IGN>{{cite web |last=Sulic |first=Ivan |date=March 26, 2002 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/03/26/freedom-force |title=Freedom Force |website=IGN |access-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> | PCGUS = 94%<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Osborn |first=Chuck |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/freedom_force.html |title=Freedom Force |magazine=PC Gamer |date=May 2002 |page=58 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060315140456/http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/freedom_force.html |archive-date=March 15, 2006 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 2, 2017}}</ref> | rev1 = ''Entertainment Weekly'' | rev1Score = A<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Brooks |first=Mark |url=http://ew.com/article/2002/05/10/freedom-force/ |title=Freedom Force |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |issue=653 |date=May 10, 2002 |page=84 |access-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Maxim'' | rev2Score = 6/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Steinberg |first=Scott |date=March 26, 2002 |url=http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_2948.html |title=Freedom Force |magazine=Maxim |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020606014637/http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_2948.html |archive-date=June 6, 2002 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> }}

The game received "universal acclaim" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.<ref name="mc"/> ''GameSpot'' named it the best computer game of March 2002.<ref name=gotm>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020603043131/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/gotm/040502/index.html | url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/gotm/040502/index.html | title=PC Game of the Month, March 2002 | author=((The Editors of ''GameSpot PC'')) | date=April 5, 2002 | work=GameSpot | archive-date=June 3, 2002 | url-status=dead | access-date=December 8, 2020 }}</ref>

''Freedom Force'' won ''Computer Gaming World''{{'}}s 2002 "Strategy Game of the Year" award.<ref name=cgwpremier2002>{{cite magazine | author=Staff | magazine=Computer Gaming World | title=''Computer Gaming World''{{'}}s 2002 Games of the Year |date=April 2003 | issue=225 | pages=83–86, 88, 89, 92–97}}</ref> The editors of ''Computer Games Magazine'' named it the ninth-best computer game of 2002 and called it "the superhero game fans have been waiting for". It also received the magazine's "Best Voice Acting" award.<ref name=cgm12th>{{cite journal | author=Staff | journal=Computer Games Magazine | title=Best of the Year 2002; 12th Annual ''Computer Games'' Awards |date=March 2003 | issue=148 | pages=58–61}}</ref> ''GameSpot'' presented it with its annual "Best Story on PC" prize.<ref name=bestworst2002 /> ''Freedom Force'' was also nominated for ''PC Gamer US''{{'}}s "2002 Best Roleplaying Game",<ref name=pcgamerusawards2003>{{cite journal | date=March 2003 | title=The Ninth Annual ''PC Gamer'' Awards | volume=10 | number=3 | pages=48–50, 54, 58, 60, 66, 68, 70 | journal=PC Gamer US | author=Smith, Rob}}</ref> ''The Electric Playground''{{'}}s 2002 "Best Strategy Game for PC" and ''GameSpot''{{'}}s "Best Music on PC", "Biggest Surprise on PC" and "Best Graphics (Artistic) on PC" awards.<ref name=bestworst2002>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030207155400/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ | url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ | title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Best and Worst of 2002 | author=''GameSpot'' Staff | date=December 30, 2002 | work=GameSpot | archive-date=February 7, 2003 | url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=blister2002>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030308163735/http://elecplay.com/feature.html?article=10626#mr_toppy | url=http://elecplay.com:80/feature.html?article=10626#mr_toppy | title=Blister Awards 2002 | archive-date=March 8, 2003 | author=Staff | work=The Electric Playground | url-status=dead | access-date=December 21, 2019}}</ref> During the 6th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, ''Freedom Force'' was nominated for "Computer Role-Playing Game of the Year" by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2003&idGame=465 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Freedom Force |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |website=interactive.org |access-date=26 July 2023}}</ref>

==Sequel== ''Freedom Force'' was followed by a sequel, ''Freedom Force vs. the Third Reich'', which was released three years after the original game.

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Wikiquote}} * {{moby game|id=/freedom-force}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Freedom Force (2002 Video Game)}} Category:2002 video games Category:2K games Category:Crave Entertainment games Category:Electronic Arts games Category:Irrational Games Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games Category:NetImmerse engine games Category:MacOS games Category:Python (programming language)-scripted video games Category:Real-time tactics video games Category:Superhero video games Category:Cold War video games Category:Tactical role-playing video games Category:Take-Two Interactive franchises Category:Video games about parallel universes Category:Video games adapted into comics Category:Video games set in the United States Category:Windows games Category:Video games developed in the United States