Freedom Wars Remastered
Release Date: January 10, 2025
RPG, TPP, science fiction, dystopia, remaster/remake, co-op, action RPG, jRPG, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
OpenCritic
Steam
A refreshed version of an action jRPG from PS Vita. In Freedom Wars Remastered we play as a convict living in an oppressive city of the future. We must fight mechanical monsters called Abductors to shorten our sentence and aside from guns we can also rely on a useful hook.
Freedom Wars Remastered is a refreshed version of the action RPG produced by Sony Interactive Entertainment, originally released for PS Vita in 2014. The game combines elements known the Monster Hunter with Thorn mechanics, evoking associations with Just Cause and Amazing Spider-Man series. Dimps Corporation is responsible for creating the remaster.
Plot
Freedom Wars presents a dystopian vision of the distant future in which people live in large walled cities known as the Panopticon. Our hero is sentenced to one million years in prison due to the oppressive actions of the Panopticon. To shorten his sentence, he undertakes dangerous missions to free citizens captured by giant mechanical monsters called Abductors. He also slowly uncovers the conspiracy.
Gameplay
After creating our character, we wake up in a cell, being under constant observation. Sleeping or running to the store are privileges that come at a price and add years to our sentence. To reduce it, we set out on missions to rescue citizens from the hands of large mechanical monsters, previously selecting equipment and four team members.
Weapons come in many types, allowing for shooting or engaging in hand-to-hand combat. Both in combat and when moving around, we are aided by the Thorn wrapped around our wrist, which acts similarly to a hook. We can attach it to buildings, containers, walls and enemies, as well as grab items and "revive" teammates.
The combat in Freedom Wars requires strategic thinking. Abductors appear in different forms and consist of separately treated elements - legs, arms, weapons, etc. We can deprive them of body parts and then upgrade our own weapon with them. The production time of items is shortened by assigning rescued citizens to this task. Apart from the Abductors, we face fast and agile convicts from other Panopticons.
The game also has stealth elements.
Compared to the original, Freedom Wars Remastered adds difficulty settings and improves the weapon crafting system.
Graphics
In Freedom Wars Remastered we are dealing with textures, models, and interface in higher resolution, including 4K.
Videos and Screens
[2:38] Freedom Wars Remastered - Launch Trailer
[5:26] Freedom Wars Remastered - System Trailer
TechRaptor: 7.5 / 10 by Austin Suther
Freedom Wars Remastered is a competent take on the Monster Hunter formula. It has a fun hook and an addicting rhythm to its gameplay; that is, if you can get past the loads of dialogue. All that said, it's a competent remaster for an adequate game.
Destructoid: 8 / 10 by Steven Mills
Even over a decade later, Freedom Wars Remastered is an extremely satisfying endeavor with the constant reward of seeing your million-year sentence drop lower and lower as you progress, a feeling that’s been a bit absent in this 10-year window since the original.
Daily Mirror: 3 / 5 by Aaron Potter
In the end, even over a decade on, Freedom Wars Remastered is still the same unique dystopian take on bite-sized co-op multiplayer it always was. Yet while the smoother framerate and upped resolution present it in its best ever light, I can’t help but feel like Freedom Wars needed the full remake treatment, or even a spiritual sequel, to help give it a proper chance at finding its place in the current era of live-service multiplayer. Thankfully, what is here is mightily fun in the moment to play either alone or with friends, and some appreciated systemic changes have been sprinkled in. Even still, it’s hard to see it holding its own in the modern landscape against something like the upcoming Monster Hunter Wilds. Freedom Wars continues to be a relative oddity in just about every sense, then, albeit one now made playable by the wider audience it always deserved.
The main pros of the game
- Nostalgia and Faithfulness: Many users appreciate that the remaster stays true to the original game, with nostalgic elements that evoke fond memories from the PS Vita version.
- Graphics and Performance Improvements: The game features improved graphics, running at 60 FPS with higher resolution textures, making it visually appealing compared to the original.
- Gameplay Enhancements: There are several quality-of-life improvements, such as streamlined weapon crafting, better controls, and a more intuitive UI.
- Expanded Features: The game includes new content, such as a "Deadly Sinner" difficulty mode, and restored features from the original Japanese release that enhance gameplay.
- Customization Options: Players appreciate the deep customization for characters and weapons, allowing for diverse playstyles.
- Multiplayer Capabilities: The inclusion of online co-op and PvP modes is a highlight for many, enhancing the social aspect of gameplay.
The main cons of the game
- Technical Issues: Many players report frequent crashes, especially on certain hardware configurations and Windows 11 versions. Performance issues, such as stuttering and frame drops, are also common.
- Voice Acting Criticism: The use of text-to-speech (TTS) for robotic characters has been criticized for poor pronunciation and delivery, leading to immersion-breaking moments.
- Control Issues: Some users find keyboard and mouse controls to be clunky, with dead zones that hinder gameplay. There are also complaints about the inability to fully customize controls.
- Lack of Features: Certain features from the original game, like free chat in multiplayer, are reportedly missing, disappointing some players.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Full Japanese Voice Acting: While Japanese voice acting is available, it is only accessible after completing certain parts of the game, which some players find inconvenient.
- Better Mouse and Keyboard Support: Users desire more refined controls for mouse and keyboard setups, as current configurations feel subpar compared to gamepad controls.
- Cross-Play: Players have noted the absence of cross-play features, making it harder to find multiplayer matches due to a dwindling player base across platforms.
- Improved Audio Options: There is a call for more flexibility in audio settings, particularly regarding the ability to switch TTS voices or improve the quality of the English dub.
Summary
- Overall, while FREEDOM WARS Remastered has received praise for its nostalgic value and improvements over the original, it also faces significant criticism for its technical issues and certain design choices that affect player experience.
Summary generated on:
Freedom Wars Remastered Summary
Game Series: Freedom Wars
Platforms:
PC Windows
PlayStation 4
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 5
Developer: Dimps Corporation
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Freedom Wars Remastered System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5-7600 / AMD Ryzen 3 3100, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 770 / 4 GB Radeon RX 470, 13 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i7-8700 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 6 GB GeForce GTX 1060 / 8 GB Radeon RX 570, 13 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit