Freedom Fighters

In a sewer shaft deep under the streets, a makeshift raft floats towards a lean camp. Those aboard are soldiers, wounded from recent skirmishes with forces occupying their city -- these Freedom Fighters are what remains of the old America. It seems laughable that America was once as afraid of guys in fur hats as we are now of those in turbans, but it's true enough. But in this alternate future that fear never abated, as the Soviet Union threw its Iron Curtain over Europe, and now America. EA's Freedom Fighters is a squad-based action game that's as much Grand Theft Auto as Philip K Dick, and while it's fun, you'll wish for a deeper set of options by the time the war is over.

You're Chris, a hardworking American plumber armed with guns and a wrench and wearing a star-spangled bandanna wrapped around one thigh like a garter. As Soviets invade NYC, Chris and his brother are caught up in the resistance, which is lucky since Chris is a strong, charismatic guy. That charisma is what allows you to lead a squad, and you'll earn points to increase your influence. Opportunities to earn charisma points are scattered through each level; some (like mission objectives) are required, while actions like healing the wounded are optional. By game's end you might be well-liked enough to command nine or ten operatives -- that's a lot of firepower.

Sending a moving wall bristling with gun barrels into a room is the most appealing part of the game. Three basic commands are mapped onto the controller's face buttons, corresponding to follow, guard, and attack. The latter two may be issued generally in any spot, or you can specify locations by zooming in to pinpoint a location and issuing the command. A light tap on the button sends one man off, while fully pressing it commands everyone in the squad. There's a drawback -- commands can't be issued to specific soldiers. In a four-man squad, a sequence of four orders will be followed in turn by a new individual, but a fifth order will circle around and apply to your first in line.

With that in mind, it's still possible to manipulate a squad with some detail, and the AI follows orders well. Creating satisfying cross-fires and ambushes is easy, and also a lot of fun. Your squad AI isn't as hot when it comes to recognizing the enemy, however. While guarding, your force will destroy anything in a perimeter, but while following other orders enemies will be able to sneak through your squad. Because of this, I used the guard command most often, because it guaranteed the most kills. Once your squad builds to a certain size, it's possible to fire very few shots in a level, letting your men and women do the work.