In a plethora of remasters for any game that ever existed, Freedom Wars is joining the ranks of cult classics revitalized for new audiences. An original 2014 PlayStation Vita release, Freedom Wars had cultivated a dedicated fan base due to its mix of action-RPG gameplay, cooperative multiplayer, and dystopian plot thread. In 2024, it will make that long-expected return in the form of a remaster, promising improved graphics, better gameplayability, and more features so veterans and newcomers can join in.
The Appeal of the Original Game
Freedom Wars was developed by Japan Studio in collaboration with Shift and Dimps. With its dystopian premise and fast-moving action, it stood somewhat in contrast to many action RPGs at the time. It’s set in a world where overpopulation forced society into warring city-states called “Panopticons.” The citizens, aptly named “Sinners,” are put to work as a form of penance against their “crimes”-that is, the crime of merely existing. Players assume the role of a Sinner, fighting giant enemies, and performing large-scale operations in hopes of earning their freedom.
What set Freedom Wars apart, though, was its deep character customization, cooperative multiplayer, and large-scale battles against gigantic enemies, known as Abductors. It allowed for up to four players in cooperative PvE and eight players in PvP, with an emphasis on teamwork and strategy. With its interesting futuristic weaponry, grappling-hook mechanics, and tense rescue missions, it was a standout on the PS Vita, which at that time was struggling to find system-selling titles.
But despite that high reception, Freedom Wars never got the recognition it deserved. Being on the PlayStation Vita limited it to a small group of players, and since that platform is in decline, its success was curtailed. However, it did retain a very dedicated cult following that consistently requested the game get a remaster or even a sequel. Well, 2024 will finally see that call being answered.
What You Should Expect in the 2024 Remaster
Remastering Freedom Wars is all about bringing this great game to modern standards for all current platforms while retaining that charm. Early reports on the 2024 remaster reveal a game with updated graphics optimized for current-generation consoles, 4K resolution on supported devices, and 60 frames per second, making sure that the smoothness of the gameplay surpasses expectations. The remaster will also sport more advanced particle effects, lighting, and shadowing to further enhance the dystopian atmosphere of the game.
The new control scheme is another huge improvement. While Freedom Wars was very much designed to take advantage of the unique controls on the PlayStation Vita, this remaster is reworked for modern consoles like PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. Devs have promised more intuitive controls, making better use of dual analog sticks and adaptive triggers features many players have been hoping for since the release of the original version.
Multiplayer is another highly critical component of Freedom Wars, and even that’s receiving a bit of a rework. Alongside improved matchmaking and dedicated servers to make online play far less jerky, there’s a rumor of cross-platform functionality being involved with the remaster, allowing players across multiple systems to join forces. Co-op and competitive modes will return, along with the likelihood of some new missions, Abductors, and weapons, all to further flesh out the experience.
Among the exciting possible inclusions is a new single-player campaign or extended story elements. The original game had an engaging narrative, but it still left many questions unanswered, particularly when it came to everything outside of the Panopticons. This 2024 remaster might just add in new story content, side quests, or fleshed-out lore that will help deepen the dystopian universe fans have come to love.
Why Now?
It seems like Freedom Wars is coming out at an opportune time. Remasters and remakes of older titles have gained steam in the last few years, with Demon’s Souls and Resident Evil 4 critically and commercially successful. That means fans of action RPG titles are craving for more, which is where the revival of Freedom Wars comes in. In addition, the present generation of consoles houses the hardware to flesh out the grand vision of the game in an order unlike what was possible on the Vita.
Then there’s Sony’s revitalized push to revive PS Vita IPs that have long been forgotten on more current platforms. Many cult classics from that period, such as Gravity Rush and Tearaway, have found themselves re-releases or remasters for PlayStation consoles; Freedom Wars marks the next sensible beat in the aforementioned initiative.
The Fan Reaction
News of the remaster has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the earliest fans of the game. Social media is teeming with excitement as people are blown away by how this remaster will bring new life to the game. There is even hope that, if the remaster does well, it could maybe provide a path toward a full-fledged sequel that the fanbase has been highly demanding for many years.
While the said remastering is bound to thrill their fans, there is yet a degree of apprehension on whether this will retain its challenging gameplay or an enriching mechanical system that Freedom Wars had or whether it’s going to be watered down for a more mainstream audience. Of course, developer statements so far have indicated a sensitive balancing act between retaining the core identities of Freedom Wars and reimagining the game for today’s gaming environment.
Conclusion
Freedom Wars 2024 is shaping up to be one of the most highly-anticipated titles this year, particularly among action RPG enthusiasts who may have missed out on the original. Boasting polished graphics, refined controls, and smoother multiplayer, it’s bound to deliver a faithful experience while catering to a wider audience. It may be the revival of a hidden gem, which has been long overdue for both the old-time and the new players.
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