Freedom Wars Remastered was a title originally launched in 2014 on PlayStation Vita, and stood out for its unique setting and addictive gameplay, gaining a cult following. With its remastering for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC, the game returns with improved graphics, new features and some technical adjustments. This edition aims to bring the original experience back to a modern audience, but does it really achieve today’s high expectations?
Graphics and Performance
The generational leap from the small screen of the PS Vita to the home television is evident from the first minutes. Freedom Wars Remastered comes with a Full HD (1080p) resolution and a frame rate of 60 fps which offers a smoother visual experience than the original. Urban environments, full of architectural details and futuristic atmospheres, have been enriched with sharper textures and improved lighting. This update makes the city-state settings – or “Panopticons” – even more beautiful to look at, accentuating the contrast between their modernity and the dystopian oppression that permeates the narrative.
However, some visuals reveal the game’s origins. The character animations, while functional, lack the fluidity and complexity you would expect from a modern title. Likewise, some textures, especially in the interior or in secondary details, seem not to have benefited from an equally in-depth update. Despite these small imperfections, the artistic direction and general atmosphere manage to compensate for any technical limitations, keeping the player involved in the game world.
Another significant improvement concerns loading times, which on the PS Vita were notoriously long. Thanks to the new consoles, this version of the game drastically reduces these times, allowing you to quickly move from one mission to another and keeping the pace of the experience high.
Gameplay and Game Mechanics
The beating heart of Freedom Wars Remastered is its frenetic and strategic gameplay, which mixes intense combat with a unique progression system based on reducing your “sentence”. In the game’s dystopian world, every citizen is sentenced to an initial sentence of one million years for simply “existing.” The missions they complete, often against colossal biomechanical enemies known as Abductors, serve to reduce this penalty and earn privileges.
The remaster doesn’t alter the basic formula, but introduces small improvements to refine the experience. The combat system, for example, is more fluid thanks to a more stable frame rate and a better balance of weapons. Each mission requires a mix of tactical skills and quick reflexes, with players able to customize their arsenal to suit their playstyle. From firearms to powerful glaives, there’s enough variety to keep battles interesting.
A distinctive element of the gameplay is the use of the “Thorn”, a multifunctional grappling hook that allows players to quickly move between structures, attach themselves to enemies or create defensive barriers. The creative use of this mechanic adds a level of depth that sets Freedom Wars apart from other similar action RPGs. On PlayStatuon the controls are even more responsive, making the use of the Thorn even more satisfying, even if you need to gain confidence to perform fluid and functional actions.
Despite the improvements, the game retains some rigidities of the original design. The missions, despite being varied in themes, can be repetitive in the long term, especially during the grinding phases necessary to progress through the story. Additionally, the difficulty isn’t always well balanced, with sudden spikes that can frustrate new players.
Multiplayer and Longevity modes
One of the pillars of the Freedom Wars experience is the multiplayer mode, which allows players to collaborate on cooperative missions or challenge each other in competitive modes. The remaster significantly improves connection stability, reducing waiting times for matches and increasing the fluidity of online sessions. This makes the multiplayer experience much more accessible than the original version.
Cooperation is especially rewarding during more difficult Abductor battles, where teamwork and coordination are essential. However, the competitive component, while interesting, lacks enough depth to become a central part of the game. Even so though, multiplayer adds a level of longevity that significantly extends the overall length of the experience.
An aspect to underline is the community that could form around this remastering. Veterans of the original game could mingle with newcomers, creating a welcoming environment for anyone wanting to explore the challenges the title offers.
Freedom Wars Remastered therefore manages to preserve the essence of the original, while offering technical improvements that make the experience more enjoyable on modern consoles. Despite some limitations from the source material, the game offers a unique mix of fast-paced action and engaging narrative that deserves the attention of both new players and longtime fans.
