To start out this review, I just need to say that Freedom Fighters is the best GameCube game I own, and definitely the best shooter I have ever played. The premise of the game is that the Soviet Union actually won the Cold war, and in 2003, they launched a major invasion of the United States. your job as Chris Stone, the “Freedom Phantom” is to retake New York City for the US and repel the enemy invasion forces.

Freedom Fighter’s graphics are perfect for the game. Unlike other shooters(like Time Splitters), FF uses a realistic, dark and depressing set of graphics. However, certain elements are meant to stick out and really improve the mood (like American flags, the freedom fighters, etc) The landscape is excellent and is exactly what you would imagine a war torn city would look like. The main difference between FF and other games is that throughout the city, there are multiple “skirmishes” going on between the Freedom Fighters and the enemy, and the outcome depends on how quick you get there. The audio, also unlike other games in the genre, is great. It really sets the mood, and simply sounds great. In my opinion, good enough to be in a movie.

FF is not simply a shooter, it is a tactical shooter. This part of the game is really important, as you will quickly die unless you take hold of the more strategic elements of the game. At any time you can control from 1 to 12 soldiers and have them follow you, defend an area or scout ahead. The controls are really simple, easy enough to get used to if you’re not used to tactical games. One of the other really great aspect in the game is level order. You can choose from a certain number of levels at a time, and the order you play them in affects the other levels (a la Mega Man X (for example, destroying a helipad in one level will take out the airborne reinforcements in another). Also, you can play through half a level, completing only half of the objectives, and make your way to another level, leaving the first for any other time. This is great as it allows you to complete secondary objectives without actually having to beat the level. The main objective of the game is to recapture the enemy strongholds for the Americans by clearing out the enemies and raising the American flag.

The game, alas, is very short. Maybe 7 or 8 hours. However, at least in my case, the replayability is rather high, with 4 difficulties and many ways to complete the levels, not to mention many different combinations in which to complete the levels. Also, one fun thing to do is try a Solo playthough. The game was more than worth the 15 dollars I payed for it, and after the sixth or so playthough I still love the game.