When Freedom Wars originally launched on the PlayStation Vita about a decade ago, it stood out as a unique blend of dystopian narrative, high-speed combat, and cooperative multiplayer action. Now, with the release of Freedom Wars Remastered for PlayStation 5, the game gets a fresh coat of paint and some welcome updates. However, while the remaster enhances certain aspects, it also highlights some lingering issues that feel more apparent in today’s gaming landscape than they did in what was a game with an epic scope on Sony’s handheld.
Freedom Wars’ premise remains one of its most compelling features. The world it depicts is one where life is essentially a crime, and citizens are born into a one-million-year prison sentence. The only way to reduce this sentence is by participating in dangerous missions to protect your Panopticon, a colossal city-state, from rival factions and gigantic Abductors. This narrative framework provides a strong motivation for players to engage with the game’s missions, and the dystopian atmosphere is well-realized through the remaster’s improved visuals. The PlayStation 5’s enhanced graphics bring more detail to the environments and character models, making the world feel more immersive than ever before – and the reduced load times also help in this sense.
One of the defining gameplay mechanics of Freedom Wars is the use of the Thorn, a versatile tool that allows players to grapple onto enemies, scale buildings, and perform powerful attacks. The three-dimensional movement this affords remains satisfying, and the fast-paced combat still holds up well today. However, the game’s mission structure shows its age. Many missions feel repetitive, with objectives that rarely deviate from the formula of rescuing citizens or defeating Abductors – which can make that sentence feel like a massive grind. While the core gameplay loop can be enjoyable, the lack of mission variety may cause fatigue during longer play sessions.
The remaster introduces some changes to the weapon crafting system, making this part more streamlined and less grind-heavy. This is a welcome improvement that addresses one of the criticisms of the original release. Players can now craft and upgrade weapons more efficiently, reducing the time spent farming for materials. Additionally, the remaster includes an adjustable difficulty setting, making the game more accessible to newcomers while still providing a challenge for veterans. These quality-of-life improvements make the gameplay experience more enjoyable, though they don’t completely solve the game’s overall pacing issues.
Freedom Wars Remastered also retains its cooperative multiplayer mode, which was a highlight of the original game – to the point where people were playing it online right up until the servers were taken down somewhat recently. Playing with others remains a key part of the experience, as many missions are designed with teamwork in mind. Cross-platform multiplayer hopefully ensures that the player base remains active this time as well, and coordinating strategies with teammates to take down massive Abductors can be thrilling. However, the reliance on multiplayer (for your chances of success and some trophies) also exposes the game’s somewhat lacking AI for solo players. When playing alone, the AI-controlled Accessory companions can feel unreliable and clumsy, which can make certain missions more frustrating than they need to be.
Visually, the remaster’s upgrades are noticeable, especially when it comes to texture quality and resolution. The game supports 4K on PlayStation 5, and the added clarity makes the dystopian world of Freedom Wars more striking. Character designs and enemy models benefit greatly from the graphical enhancements, though some environments still feel somewhat barren and lacking in detail compared to modern standards. The audio design, including the voice acting and soundtrack, remains effective in setting the tone of the game, but it hasn’t seen significant updates in the remaster either.
Despite its improvements, Freedom Wars Remastered doesn’t fully escape the issues that plagued the original release. The repetitive mission design, limited mission variety, and occasionally frustrating AI are still present, which may deter players looking for a more modern gaming experience. However, for fans of the original or those seeking a unique blend of narrative and high-speed combat, the remaster offers a compelling package, especially when played with others.
In the end, Freedom Wars Remastered succeeds in bringing a Vita classic to a new audience, but it falls short of being a definitive update that’s not plagued by issues that show the game’s age. While the improved visuals, streamlined crafting system, and cross-platform multiplayer enhance the experience, the core gameplay loop remains largely unchanged. For newcomers, it’s a fascinating glimpse into one of the Vita’s standout titles, while returning fans will appreciate the graphical overhaul and quality-of-life improvements. However, it’s a game that feels firmly rooted in its past, which may not appeal to those expecting a more modernized experience deserving of the game’s intriguing premise.
Score: 7.6/10
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