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Post by Discoalucard on Oct 15, 2007 18:59:05 GMT -5
Kind of a rough draft, but here: hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/freedomfighters/freedomfighters.htmThis is one of those overly long reviews that not only details the mechanics, but also how the game fits as a criticism of American foreign policy after 9/11. It's a tricky dog like that. One of the FAQs out there actually states that any parallels between the game and real life are just "conspiracy theories", and that's just nuts. A lot of it is amusingly coincidental (and noted as such), but there's some definite satire in there. Also, Jesper Kyd soundtrack. Go go!
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Post by zzz on Oct 16, 2007 3:55:42 GMT -5
I have been planning a "topical" piece for a while, but figured that this wasn't the site for something like that. I guess this means something like that would be ok?
I don't really have anything to say about the piece itself, except for the final sentence of the eighth paragraph down:
"Only the looniest of loons would suggest that modern day America is out to dominate the whole world"
It may not be the best idea to call people crazy for their beliefs. Stating your own viewpoint, and even claiming that another is factually incorrect, is one thing, but calling people crazy for theirs is not really fair to the visitors of this, or any other, site who may hold those beliefs.
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Post by necromaniac on Oct 16, 2007 7:54:06 GMT -5
Just because your paranoid, it doesn't mean they're not out to get you And they should make a game based on Team America next.
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Post by Discoalucard on Oct 16, 2007 8:06:14 GMT -5
I have been planning a "topical" piece for a while, but figured that this wasn't the site for something like that. I guess this means something like that would be ok? If you can find an interesting game to cover, then sure. EDIT: I should clarify that it should be about critiquing a game from a certain perspective and not about using something as a springboard for one's personal beliefs. Anyway, political/cultural stuff tends to infuriate people regardless of high lightly you tread - I toned down my own comments here before posting. You could definitely argue that we're power hungry, but it's really only the paranoid types that would suggest America is actually bent on world domination, and I think it's safe to say that. And they should make a game based on Team America next. Good call, I should mention that as another example of a modern satire, though it's obviously far more tongue in cheek than Freedom Fighters.
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Post by dooz on Oct 16, 2007 11:51:02 GMT -5
The game really was heavy in the "America! FUCK YEAH!" department, but it was actually pretty fun, I thought.
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Post by daimakaimura on Oct 16, 2007 16:01:27 GMT -5
Look don't get me wrong but ...
LoL An EA game made the list xD
... euhm i really liked that game though
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Post by necromaniac on Oct 16, 2007 16:17:41 GMT -5
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Post by Haz on Oct 16, 2007 17:56:47 GMT -5
I loved to play this on PC. It was hard keeping track of everyone though.
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Post by zzz on Oct 16, 2007 19:09:33 GMT -5
I have been planning a "topical" piece for a while, but figured that this wasn't the site for something like that. I guess this means something like that would be ok? If you can find an interesting game to cover, then sure. EDIT: I should clarify that it should be about critiquing a game from a certain perspective and not about using something as a springboard for one's personal beliefs. That's also why I thought that comment of yours was inappropriate, but whatever. Anyway, the idea that I had was to examine a larger phenomenon that exists in video games with a specific game as a example. It wouldn't be opinionated - the point would be to contextualize the theme of the game. The game in question is very simplistic, very derivative, and very well executed. So it's definitely worth discussing for the site, but there really isn't much of anything to say about it. I believe this approach to the writing would be relevant because of my own experience with the game: Its theme initially kept me from giving the game a chance. When I found out that it was in a genre that I really like I was more willing to try it out. When I actually played the game I found that the theme is never actually relevant to the game. How casually a rather serious topic was applied to the game makes it seem like a perfect example of the larger phenomenon in question.
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Post by zzz on Oct 18, 2007 19:45:59 GMT -5
"Only the most ardent conspiracy theorist would suggest that modern day America is out to dominate the whole world"
That is infinitely more ridiculous and opinionated than the original statement was. I never should have said anything to begin with.
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Post by Discoalucard on Oct 18, 2007 21:28:45 GMT -5
The only type of person who would be offended by that kind of statement are lunatics, and really, who cares what they think?
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Post by zzz on Oct 18, 2007 23:41:15 GMT -5
What I was taking issue with to begin with was your calling people crazy. What you changed it to is much worse.
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Post by Neo Rasa on Oct 18, 2007 23:48:15 GMT -5
I don't understand why an opinionated statement is ridiculous in an article like this.
I took Freedom Fighters to be less a specific social commentary of "current" US relations and more a general commentary on perseverance against nasty odds. In Freedom Fighters it's channeled through a pastiche of various action movies, something IO Interactive excels at in all of their games thus far.
The concept in and of itself is timeless though. Despite the urban setting most would say it draws from Red Dawn in terms of how it's all about "America.......FUCK YEAH!" while also criticizing US behavior with the very blatant Vietnam comparisons and general bullheadedness. The themes Freedom Fighters deals with uses this as one of any number of settings
While Freedom Fighters was almost definitely rushed to be released in time for the holidays, there are some "rushed" aspects that I think you're reading into too much. The way you have to raise the flag to finish a mission is an example. This mechanic is built around the concept of building morale the same way the protagonist has to build charisma to attract more followers. The game is structured around the concept of basic blitzkrieg assaults meant to capture strategicially important buildings in each area. While these missions are "finished" once you raise the flag, the way it's presented in the game makes this simply seem realistic rather than a social commentary: The areas are still contested for by the Soviets, you simply have a massive advantage once the main forces are cleared out and you have everyone entrenched in each major building.
From what's been said Kane and Lynch will have very similar controls, though it's based more on channeling Michael Mann than John Milius.
I love every game IO Interactive has made so far. To the point where I consider their games artistically relevant, Freedom Fighters being no exception. It's always great to see people discussing them.
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Post by dooz on Oct 19, 2007 0:58:15 GMT -5
What I was taking issue with to begin with was your calling people crazy. What you changed it to is much worse. Thus making the article that much better. Honestly, a little offenciveness never hurt anybody. It creates discussion and intrest.
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Post by Discoalucard on Oct 19, 2007 7:39:20 GMT -5
While Freedom Fighters was almost definitely rushed to be released in time for the holidays, there are some "rushed" aspects that I think you're reading into too much. The way you have to raise the flag to finish a mission is an example. This mechanic is built around the concept of building morale the same way the protagonist has to build charisma to attract more followers. The game is structured around the concept of basic blitzkrieg assaults meant to capture strategicially important buildings in each area. While these missions are "finished" once you raise the flag, the way it's presented in the game makes this simply seem realistic rather than a social commentary: The areas are still contested for by the Soviets, you simply have a massive advantage once the main forces are cleared out and you have everyone entrenched in each major building. Oh yeah, it's definitely not intended...it's just kind of funny the way things work out given some of the themes presented. I originally had a line in there about the game not taking itself seriously enough to force you to hit up an extraction point a la Splinter Cell. But there is one mission later one (the assassination one) where you actually DO need to escape, although there's no flag raising in that one. Same with the health kit stuff I mentioned. I can't really imagine there was some level designers going "BWAHAHA Americans are lazy" when making you ferry some healing items to some wounded people like ten feet away, it just kind of worked out like that. That reminds me of something I forgot to add - people have been reading anti-Bush themes in a lot of modern movies/books that may or may not be intended, some of which seems like a bit of a stretch to me, like, say, Harry Potter. I think I need to make it clearer that, yeah, it's corresponding to some modern day themes, but the themes themselves are timeless and can be applied to any number of situations throughout history. Like Rambo First Blood Part II is very specifically related to Vietnam, but the "few vs many against impossible odds" can be applied pretty much anywhere.
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