Freedom Force

 PC
  • Publisher: Crave
  • Release Date: Mar 24, 2002
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    The best superhero-themed game to ever crash through the screen of your PC. [10 May 2002, p.84]
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  2. Computer Gaming World
    100
    The most pure fun you'll have with a strategy or RPG game this year. [June 2002, p.80]
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  3. Four Fat Chicks
    100
    In an age where you thought everything has been done before, along comes Freedom Force, shattering genre lines, daring to do something different, and instilling fun for all ages into a game—you can't ask for anything more.
  5. Media and Games Online Network
    95
    The game features one of the most intuitive camera control systems yet seen in this style of game. While it doesn't grant the player complete freedom, it does establish a delicate balance between ease of use and flexibility.
  6. PC Gamer
    94
    The most amazing, spectacular, ultimate superhero game ever made. [May 2002, p.58]
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  7. IGN
    93
    The game's clever design and meticulously well-thought out, considerate presentation are accentuated by innovative gameplay that professionally melds the genres of RPG and strategy into a completely interactive and lively world.
  8. ActionTrip
    93
    It is the total package. It has excellent gameplay, lighthearted humor, and flawless graphic and audio execution.
  9. Gamers' Temple
    91
    Multiplayer aside, Freedom Force is a thoroughly enjoyable game. You'll often find yourself wanting to play the next mission just to gain one more hero, or see what happens next.
  10. Adrenaline Vault
    90
    Freedom Force oozes polish and personality from every pixel.
  11. netjak
    90
    The game is refreshingly light, yet fully satisfying. Those looking to fulfill that RPG-RTS itch; should look no further.
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  12. All Game Guide
    90
    The meticulous planning may discourage the action fan, and the exorbitant storyline may initially dissuade the die-hard role-player, but both will find familiar elements and enjoyable new challenges in this well-built game.
  13. Pregaming
    90
    While the designers did an OUTSTANDING job of allowing you to create the powers of practically any superhero, they seem to have left out a lot of animations for those powers.
  14. Games Radar
    90
    The best comic book game ever, but a bit too structured. [PC Format]
  15. GameSpot
    90
    Freedom Force has a winning personality and a developed style that's as good as PC gaming has ever offered--it joins the ranks of games like "Interstate '76" and "Grim Fandango."
  16. GamePro
    90
    The game lives up to its lofty goals, providing a tight, smart tactical game along the lines of the combat in Baldur’s Gate.
  17. GameSpy
    89
    From the somber motif for the frozen Russian villain ("nooo-cleee-ur-WIN-ter!") to El Diablo's sassy salsa beat and Alchemiss' raucous beach blanket/surf punk riffs, Freedom Force's musical stylings are every bit as lively as its graphics and storyline.
  18. GameZone
    89
    The stability woes, a few clipping problems, and finite game boards do present some drawbacks to the game. The good news is that this game is so good you can forgive all that.
  19. Gamer's Pulse
    88
    A satisfying single-player campaign along with an incredibly engaging character creation system, however, makes this one a heartily recommended buy.
  20. Game Informer
    88
    I seriously doubt that anyone could spoof a superhero/comic book game any better than this. [May 2002, p.92]
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  21. Armchair Empire
    88
    An excellent game, one that has restored my enthusiasm for the comic characters of old and their exciting, ideologically simple-minded pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.
  22. Gamer.tv
    87
    Captures the epic corniness of classic old-style comic books without ever scrimping on the gameplay.
  23. Game Over Online
    86
    One of the best games of 2002 (it was released way back in March), and it’s even better now that it’s seen two patches and Electronic Arts has lowered its price to under $15.
  24. G4 TV
    80
    Throughout the entire campaign, you can't help but feel that this is a comic book come to life.
  25. Total Video Games
    80
    A great title for strategy fans, offering a near perfect blend of strategy and action.
  26. Yahoo!
    80
    The game is a romp through 60s superhero cliches, mixed with excellent gameplay and a flexible character development system. Fantastic stuff.
  27. GamePen
    80
    The single player campaign alone makes it worth buying, and the powerful fanbase that already existed before the game was even released is a definite plus.
  28. Maxim Online
    60
    Like the comic books that inspired it, Freedom Force features slick animation and plenty of boffo, whiz-bang special effects.

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best PC Game of 2002
38
#38 Most Discussed PC Game of 2002
23
#23 Most Shared PC Game of 2002

User Reviews

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User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 90 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 90
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 90
  3. Negative: 10 out of 90
  1. Mononon
    May 16, 2012
    3
    The game is pretty terrible. I love the art and the over-the-top comic book-esque voice acting, and the atmosphere really captures that comicThe game is pretty terrible. I love the art and the over-the-top comic book-esque voice acting, and the atmosphere really captures that comic book feel, but the gameplay is awful.

    Though the basics are in place, click something to interact with it, it's the extras that just flat out fail. There are pseudo-stealth elements to the game, and they just do not work. Enemies can see you no matter where you stand, your character is too slow and inaccurate to react accordingly. In fact, the slow pace is very obvious throughout. The characters seem to wade through water, and though your character is noticeably faster when running (at least compared to enemies) he manages to have the attacking speed of an epileptic sloth, and, on the rare occasion when a projectile based attack hits, you have basically wasted your time because of the sheer slowness of the game.

    The earliest (and best) example of this, that I noticed, was the second mission. Though this is supposed to be a tutorial mission, unfortunately focused on the aforementioned stealth elements, the overall goal, especially the secondary mission goals, seem to be outright impossible with the guide of the game. Admittedly, if you're clever, you can get around this by ignoring the tutorial, but the point is that it seems to me to be a huge oversight when a tutorial doesn't actually lead to success, at least when it's intention is supposed to be success.

    Though the game technically works, it has not aged well. The game is slow and plodding and the action is pretty underwhelming. Damage seems completely randomized, ranging from one hit kills (for no apparent reason) to barely scratching the enemy with the same attack an instant later, and, though you can technically react to the situations that play out, I never found anything more useful than letting my character auto-beat the hell out of the enemy with my only input being to tell him which enemy. Though there are many skills to choose, and many characters, it all just seems pointless.

    This game just suffers from age. The mechanics are either boring or don't work, and, though it has a fantastic setting and voice acting (that really captures that comic book world) it doesn't manage to deliver on the action that should accompany that. It's just overall a disappointing game.    … Full Review »
  2. nilsy
    Nov 25, 2015
    10
    The first game ive given 10 out of 10 to on this site, find most are much to generous with their 10s.
    If you can find any part of the game    The first game ive given 10 out of 10 to on this site, find most are much to generous with their 10s.
    If you can find any part of the game your not happy with its not a 10, and even if you cant find any obvious faults with a game its still not necessarily a 10 it needs that little bit extra that makes it exceptional.
    For this game the extra is charm, Oh boy does this game have charm!

    This game was so much fun and it just kept on going not losing pace even at the end, wont claim that this game is for everyone but youd be hard pressed to find a similar game that did what this game does better.    … Full Review »
  3. namDa65
    Mar 11, 2012
    6
    By modern standards, this rpg/linear rpg thingy feels bland and not fun. The graphics and art style are great, as well as the voice acting. IBy modern standards, this rpg/linear rpg thingy feels bland and not fun. The graphics and art style are great, as well as the voice acting. I just can't continue playing. This game has not aged to well in the gameplay department.… Full Review »
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