#Freedom Wars Remastered – Destructoid

I’ve fond reminiscences of the unique launch of Freedom Wars again in 2014 on the PlayStation Vita, because it felt like one of many extra distinctive exclusives on the platform. Quick ahead to at this time, over a decade later, and developer Dimps and writer Bandai Namco have introduced the motion RPG to the fashionable console and PC market within the type of Freedom Wars Remastered.

Relating to giving a title the remastered remedy, Freedom Wars could be the best candidate. Though over 700,000 copies of the unique have been offered, being unique to a handheld console nonetheless meant many by no means gave it a attempt, even when it appeared proper up their alley. It’s a recreation that even in over a decade in the past I felt it might doubtlessly really feel and play even higher on a console, so it’s nice to lastly have that chance.

Freedom Wars Remastered (PC, PS5 [reviewed], PS4, Change)
Developer: Dimps
Writer: Bandai Namco
Launched: January 10, 2025
MSRP: $39.99

When you didn’t have the privilege of taking part in the unique again in 2014, Freedom Wars Remastered takes place in a dystopian post-apocalyptic future the place all of humanity exists inside huge underground jail amenities referred to as Pantopicons. At beginning, each human is sentenced to 1 million years of imprisonment merely for current in a time the place sources are scarce and the floor of the planet is inhabitable. By finishing missions in your Panopticon—sometimes going out and slaying big monsters referred to as Abductors Monster Hunter-style—you’ll cut back your prolonged sentence and earn rewards for doing so to incentivize you to maintain chipping away at it.

In fact, you may simply add to your sentence, as nicely. Stand round too lengthy whereas you need to be actively finishing your mission? Right here’s an additional decade to your sentence. Have the audacity to waste your Panopticon’s time by failing a mission? Right here’s a couple of thousand years. Your sentence is generally simply dressing to the occasions occurring in Freedom Wars Remastered, however I’ve to confess the gameplay loop feels even higher whenever you see the fruits of your labor end in that sentence taking place.

I discovered the story of Freedom Wars Remastered to be fairly intriguing a decade in the past, and it in all probability holds up even higher at this time than it did then. In 2014, it appeared a bit too farfetched, however as we head into 2025 many features of the grim actuality of the title’s setting appear to hit residence only a bit tougher this time round; themes of presidency surveillance, a punishing social credit score system, and the worth of human life and freedom being lowered to a mere quantity are just a few that echoed with me extra.

The gameplay loop of Freedom Wars Remastered is just but attractive sufficient. Select a mission out of your Panopticon, then head to a preset map to finish mentioned mission with some simplistic however fluid motion RPG fight. You’ve gotten each ranged and melee weapons—which after all, being a Monster Hunter-like recreation, you’ll improve utilizing components you knock off the monsters you defeat—however can even soar round and likewise even rapidly traverse the battlefield via the usage of an merchandise referred to as a Thorn.

All Sinners (the identify for these serving a sentence to their Panopticon, so just about everybody) has a Thorn which is basically a lasso combined with a grappling hook. It permits you to try to convey down sure enemies however extra generally is used to rapidly sling across the space. There are even some reasonably distinctive aerial assaults you may pull off by utilizing your Thorn appropriately, which is each enjoyable and rewarding as they typically permit you to goal in any other case hard-to-reach components on the Abductors.

Freedom Wars Remastered can also be a totally practical multiplayer recreation in additional methods than one. Most significantly, you may crew up with and even do battle in opposition to as much as seven different gamers without delay, both working along with a crew of 4 to tackle Abductors, or in a PvPvE type setting in opposition to one other crew of 4.

One other cool multiplayer ingredient is that whenever you begin the sport, you select from considered one of many places because the Panopticon you symbolize. In the intervening time, it appears to be like like solely Japan’s 47 prefectures can be found, however I do know within the unique Freedom Wars there have been additionally some generalized Panopticons for numerous international locations, which would be the case when full launch hits. Your sentence serves as your “rating” and is in contrast in opposition to different gamers, each globally and in your Panopticon, within the type of a leaderboard. It’s a cool characteristic that additionally ties in nicely with the societal narratives of the story, which is enjoyable.

General the fight of Freedom Wars Remastered is fast-paced and fluid such as you’d count on from a recreation taking inspiration from Monster Hunter, but it surely’s a bit extra simplistic than MH. But it surely nonetheless manages to remain enjoyable and rewarding feeling all through your entire story and marketing campaign.

The primary improve of the remastered model is the visible enhancements, permitting for as much as 4K decision and 60 FPS on PlayStation and PC, in addition to upgraded textures. The enhancements are positively noticable—keep in mind, this was a Vita recreation initially, in spite of everything—however don’t count on something revolutionary. The upgraded textures make issues look extra fashionable and total crisp, however some graphical components corresponding to facial animations and numerous animations throughout cutscenes don’t appear to have acquired the identical quantity of affection and nonetheless present indicators of a previous era (or two).

My most important complaints after my roughly 30-hour journey via Freedom Wars Remastered echo the identical complaints I had over a decade in the past once I performed the unique on Vita. The story is intriguing and mysterious sufficient to have saved me hooked, however the finish result’s extraordinarily disappointing. It’s about as a lot of a cliffhanger because it will get, and definitely units issues up for a sequel that by no means occurred. Hopefully, the remastered remedy is a touch {that a} sequel is lastly coming, one I’d actually welcome with open arms.

Crafting and improve weapons have acquired a little bit of a rework in Freedom Wars Remastered, however among the greater flaws like only a few precise worthwhile stats price pursuing in your gear and a reasonably lackluster pool of end-game choices nonetheless exist for those who look to proceed their play after the credit have rolled.

Regardless of the problems, although, Freedom Wars Remastered is a enjoyable time, particularly for anybody trying to sink their tooth into an motion RPG with the loop of slaying huge monsters for components to improve their gear. The story is intriguing and fascinating, and total worthwhile to expertise even with the cliffhanger ending. The fight is partaking and enjoyable, and positive to scratch that Monster Hunter itch. Even over a decade later, Freedom Wars Remastered is an especially satisfying endeavor with the fixed reward of seeing your million-year sentence drop decrease and decrease as you progress, a sense that’s been a bit absent on this 10-year window because the unique.