Eric J. Moreels
Feb 20, 2002, 12:06 am
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/fflogo.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/fflogot.jpg" align=left alt="Freedom Force logo"></a>According to online e-tailer Amazon.com, Irrational Games' upcoming superhero role-playing game Freedom Force will arrive in stores on March 6.
For those of you anxiously awaiting the game's release, you can pre-order your copy now from Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005V8TW/ref=ase_xfan03/103-8651160-5025415).
For those unfamiliar with the game, here's a re-post of an article that originally ran at X-Fan v3.0 back in September of last year featuring some updated screen captures.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffpromo.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffpromot.jpg" align=right alt="Freedom Force promotional poster"></a>Comic book fans longing for a computer game in which they could assume the role of a super-hero in order to save the world will undoubtedly be looking forward to <b><i>Freedom Force</i></b>, a new 3D tactical role-playing game due for release on the PC soon from Crave Entertainment and Electronic Arts.
Created by Australian company Irrational Games, <b><i>Freedom Force</i></b> is set in the New York City of 1962 - the so-called "Silver Age" of super-heroes. The game features squad-based tactical game play, and casts players in the role of a super hero charged with the task of saving the Earth from destruction.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffconcept01.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffconcept01t.jpg" align=left alt="Freedom Force character concept art: The Ant"></a>Mechanically speaking, <b><i>Freedom Force</i></b> will play much like a real time strategy game fueled by a strong, mission-based narrative. The title's aesthetic values, however, are based on traditional comic book sensibilities of the early 1960s, the era which saw the creation of some of the industry's most popular characters, including the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, and the X-Men. Unlike modern comics, the early works of industry veterans like Stan Lee or Jack Kirby told simpler, more idealistic stories. Heroes were easily distinguishable from villains; dialogue and costumes were over-the-top and colourful; and characters were pure and all-American.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen01.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen01t.jpg" align=right alt="Freedom Force screen capture: Minuteman confronts a Mech Man"></a><b><i>Freedom Force</i></b> draws a fine line between honouring this cherished comic book era and parodying it. Many of the title's elements are presented in a rather tongue-in-cheek manner. Each of the game's twenty pre-generated characters - with names such as the Bullet, Minuteman, Alche-Miss, Sea Urchin, and the Ant - feature unique, often humorous origin stories delivered via animated cut scenes. These heroes, who have banded together as the Freedom Force, are based in New York City and as such players will be able to visit well-known locales such as Central Park and the Empire State Building.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffconcept02.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffconcept02t.jpg" align=left alt="Freedom Force character concept art: Microwave"></a>As the game begins, the player adopts the role of a single character who is built from scratch by selecting a custom appearance and abilities for the character. Heroes are created through a sophisticated point-based system. Points can be put towards various character abilities and attributes such as strength, speed, endurance, resistance, and energy. Players may also select flaws and weaknesses for their character. While this may cause problems for the character later in the game, it increases the number of character points at the player's disposal. As the game progresses, characters can be further developed through "Prestige Points", awarded for exceptional conduct during a mission.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen02.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen02t.jpg" align=right alt="Freedom Force screen capture: BLAM!"></a>Once the player is satisfied with their hero, they must begin their quest to discover like-minded heroes living in the city, or perhaps even pick up a sidekick to accompany them in their fight against evil. Approximately twenty pre-generated characters can be discovered, however, the player's squad can contain no more than four heroes at any one time. As with the Fantastic Four in their early days, characters do not always get along with each other. Arguments amongst party members will be frequent, putting the player's team management skills to the test.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen03.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen03t.jpg" align=left alt="Freedom Force screen capture: Man-bot throws a bus at Mr. Mechanical"></a><b><i>Freedom Force</i></b>'s intricate story will be told over a total of roughly thirty missions, with individual missions featuring objectives such as hostage rescue and civilian protection. The game is largely combat-oriented, pitting the player's characters against the bad guys. Combat will unfold predominately in real-time, though a pause feature will be available to allow the player time to make tactical decisions. The game world is interacted with via an action menu. Click on a bus, for example, and various action can be selected such as 'Pick-up', 'Attack', etc. What makes this interesting is the scale at which combat unfolds. Each level is fully destructible, with every object within the levels interactive so that players can use the environment to their tactical advantage. Vehicles can be lifted and thrown at enemies, entire buildings can be toppled, lamp posts can be uprooted and swung like a baseball bat, etc.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen04.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen04t.jpg" align=right alt="Freedom Force screen capture: Alche-Miss attacks Mech Men"></a>The innumerable physics and lighting calculations required to make such game play possible will be handled by the NetImmerse engine, licensed from NDL. The engine encompasses high polygon-count models, fluid character animation, continuous levels of detail, as well as an advanced deformable mesh system which allows any object within the game world to be recognizably damaged.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen05.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen05t.jpg" align=left alt="Freedom Force screen capture: El Diablo sizzles a Raptor"></a>Although <b><i>Freedom Force</i></b> is described as "action oriented", combat is not the be-all and end-all of the game. A between-mission management mode will be available, returning characters to their headquarters where players can manage and upgrade their team. For those who prefer to play with friends, <b><i>Freedom Force</i></b> offers a multiplayer mode, during which players can control both heroes and villains. Game modes include free-for-all death matches, as well as team death matches. Other modes may involve team hostage rescues, or possibly a cooperative game in which players may tackle the single player campaign together. Multiplayer matches are kept balanced through the game's character points system. Before a skirmish begins, the host player sets a team point limit which no player's team may exceed.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen06.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen06t.jpg" align=right alt="Freedom Force screen capture: Raptors on the rampage in Washington Square Park!"></a><b><i>Freedom Force</i></b>'s online presence does not end with standard multiplayer, either. Players will be provided with various development tools which can be used to generate additional content for the game. A proprietary power generation system will be distributed, making it possible to create custom hero abilities. Similar editors are hoped to be released, including a map editor for customized mission creation. Unique skins and character models can be created as well, allowing for players to import all of their favourite existing comic book super-heroes and villains into the game. Even character sound effects, such as voices, can be customized.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen07.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen07t.jpg" align=left alt="Freedom Force screen capture: Mech Men atop the Empire State Building"></a>In fact, several sites - such as <a href="http://www.freedomforcecenter.com/" target="_blank">Freedom Force Center</a> and <a href="http://www.skindex.net/ff/ffmain.htm" target="_blank">The Skindex</a> - have already begun offering customized skins, created via a Character Tool that has been made available for download from the official <a href="http://www.myfreedomforce.com/" target="_blank">Freedom Force</a> Web site. Already such classic heroes as the Hulk, Superman, Wolverine, Batman, and Spider-Man have sprung forth from the creativity of fans anxiously awaiting the games' debut.
<b><i>Freedom Force</i></b> will be the first in a series of three games which will follow the transition of comic books from the Silver Age through to the supernatural 1970's and finally the 'dark' post-<b><i>Watchmen</i></b>-style era of the late '80s and early '90s.
And now that you know what Freedom Force is all about, you too can pre-order your copy now from Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005V8TW/xfan03)!
For those of you anxiously awaiting the game's release, you can pre-order your copy now from Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005V8TW/ref=ase_xfan03/103-8651160-5025415).
For those unfamiliar with the game, here's a re-post of an article that originally ran at X-Fan v3.0 back in September of last year featuring some updated screen captures.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffpromo.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffpromot.jpg" align=right alt="Freedom Force promotional poster"></a>Comic book fans longing for a computer game in which they could assume the role of a super-hero in order to save the world will undoubtedly be looking forward to <b><i>Freedom Force</i></b>, a new 3D tactical role-playing game due for release on the PC soon from Crave Entertainment and Electronic Arts.
Created by Australian company Irrational Games, <b><i>Freedom Force</i></b> is set in the New York City of 1962 - the so-called "Silver Age" of super-heroes. The game features squad-based tactical game play, and casts players in the role of a super hero charged with the task of saving the Earth from destruction.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffconcept01.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffconcept01t.jpg" align=left alt="Freedom Force character concept art: The Ant"></a>Mechanically speaking, <b><i>Freedom Force</i></b> will play much like a real time strategy game fueled by a strong, mission-based narrative. The title's aesthetic values, however, are based on traditional comic book sensibilities of the early 1960s, the era which saw the creation of some of the industry's most popular characters, including the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, and the X-Men. Unlike modern comics, the early works of industry veterans like Stan Lee or Jack Kirby told simpler, more idealistic stories. Heroes were easily distinguishable from villains; dialogue and costumes were over-the-top and colourful; and characters were pure and all-American.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen01.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen01t.jpg" align=right alt="Freedom Force screen capture: Minuteman confronts a Mech Man"></a><b><i>Freedom Force</i></b> draws a fine line between honouring this cherished comic book era and parodying it. Many of the title's elements are presented in a rather tongue-in-cheek manner. Each of the game's twenty pre-generated characters - with names such as the Bullet, Minuteman, Alche-Miss, Sea Urchin, and the Ant - feature unique, often humorous origin stories delivered via animated cut scenes. These heroes, who have banded together as the Freedom Force, are based in New York City and as such players will be able to visit well-known locales such as Central Park and the Empire State Building.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffconcept02.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffconcept02t.jpg" align=left alt="Freedom Force character concept art: Microwave"></a>As the game begins, the player adopts the role of a single character who is built from scratch by selecting a custom appearance and abilities for the character. Heroes are created through a sophisticated point-based system. Points can be put towards various character abilities and attributes such as strength, speed, endurance, resistance, and energy. Players may also select flaws and weaknesses for their character. While this may cause problems for the character later in the game, it increases the number of character points at the player's disposal. As the game progresses, characters can be further developed through "Prestige Points", awarded for exceptional conduct during a mission.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen02.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen02t.jpg" align=right alt="Freedom Force screen capture: BLAM!"></a>Once the player is satisfied with their hero, they must begin their quest to discover like-minded heroes living in the city, or perhaps even pick up a sidekick to accompany them in their fight against evil. Approximately twenty pre-generated characters can be discovered, however, the player's squad can contain no more than four heroes at any one time. As with the Fantastic Four in their early days, characters do not always get along with each other. Arguments amongst party members will be frequent, putting the player's team management skills to the test.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen03.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen03t.jpg" align=left alt="Freedom Force screen capture: Man-bot throws a bus at Mr. Mechanical"></a><b><i>Freedom Force</i></b>'s intricate story will be told over a total of roughly thirty missions, with individual missions featuring objectives such as hostage rescue and civilian protection. The game is largely combat-oriented, pitting the player's characters against the bad guys. Combat will unfold predominately in real-time, though a pause feature will be available to allow the player time to make tactical decisions. The game world is interacted with via an action menu. Click on a bus, for example, and various action can be selected such as 'Pick-up', 'Attack', etc. What makes this interesting is the scale at which combat unfolds. Each level is fully destructible, with every object within the levels interactive so that players can use the environment to their tactical advantage. Vehicles can be lifted and thrown at enemies, entire buildings can be toppled, lamp posts can be uprooted and swung like a baseball bat, etc.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen04.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen04t.jpg" align=right alt="Freedom Force screen capture: Alche-Miss attacks Mech Men"></a>The innumerable physics and lighting calculations required to make such game play possible will be handled by the NetImmerse engine, licensed from NDL. The engine encompasses high polygon-count models, fluid character animation, continuous levels of detail, as well as an advanced deformable mesh system which allows any object within the game world to be recognizably damaged.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen05.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen05t.jpg" align=left alt="Freedom Force screen capture: El Diablo sizzles a Raptor"></a>Although <b><i>Freedom Force</i></b> is described as "action oriented", combat is not the be-all and end-all of the game. A between-mission management mode will be available, returning characters to their headquarters where players can manage and upgrade their team. For those who prefer to play with friends, <b><i>Freedom Force</i></b> offers a multiplayer mode, during which players can control both heroes and villains. Game modes include free-for-all death matches, as well as team death matches. Other modes may involve team hostage rescues, or possibly a cooperative game in which players may tackle the single player campaign together. Multiplayer matches are kept balanced through the game's character points system. Before a skirmish begins, the host player sets a team point limit which no player's team may exceed.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen06.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen06t.jpg" align=right alt="Freedom Force screen capture: Raptors on the rampage in Washington Square Park!"></a><b><i>Freedom Force</i></b>'s online presence does not end with standard multiplayer, either. Players will be provided with various development tools which can be used to generate additional content for the game. A proprietary power generation system will be distributed, making it possible to create custom hero abilities. Similar editors are hoped to be released, including a map editor for customized mission creation. Unique skins and character models can be created as well, allowing for players to import all of their favourite existing comic book super-heroes and villains into the game. Even character sound effects, such as voices, can be customized.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen07.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/games/ffscreen07t.jpg" align=left alt="Freedom Force screen capture: Mech Men atop the Empire State Building"></a>In fact, several sites - such as <a href="http://www.freedomforcecenter.com/" target="_blank">Freedom Force Center</a> and <a href="http://www.skindex.net/ff/ffmain.htm" target="_blank">The Skindex</a> - have already begun offering customized skins, created via a Character Tool that has been made available for download from the official <a href="http://www.myfreedomforce.com/" target="_blank">Freedom Force</a> Web site. Already such classic heroes as the Hulk, Superman, Wolverine, Batman, and Spider-Man have sprung forth from the creativity of fans anxiously awaiting the games' debut.
<b><i>Freedom Force</i></b> will be the first in a series of three games which will follow the transition of comic books from the Silver Age through to the supernatural 1970's and finally the 'dark' post-<b><i>Watchmen</i></b>-style era of the late '80s and early '90s.
And now that you know what Freedom Force is all about, you too can pre-order your copy now from Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005V8TW/xfan03)!