Nordcurrent’s Chains of Freedom is a turn-based tactical game on the PS5, drawing inspiration from classics like XCOM and Mutant Year Zero. Let’s dive deeper into this intriguing game in our review of Chains of Freedom!
Situated in a fictional dystopian Eastern European country, Chains of Freedom unfolds in a world transformed by the spread of EDEN. You’ll command a top-notch military team under the Sovereignty’s orders as you work to unravel the intricate mystery before time runs out. The chaos began years ago when an asteroid crash-landed on Earth. Worse still, it brought along crystals called EDEN, which have the sinister ability to infect humans and turn them into bloodthirsty mutant monsters.
On the upside, the Sovereignty emerged to reinstate order and stability, even concocting a potion to make people immune to the EDEN crystals. However, not everyone wants to be told what to do. Some folks reject this immunity and instead launch a revolt, aiming to establish a regime of their own. Having reviewed both Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden on PlayStation 4 back in 2018 and Miasma Chronicles on PS5 in 2023, I was curious and eager to experience what Chains of Freedom had to offer.
This game offers three difficulty levels: Story, Adventure, and Challenge. Opting for the Story mode lets you immerse yourself in the narrative while keeping combat relatively easy. Enemies pose less of a threat, and you’ll find resources more plentiful, with no turn limit for reviving fallen allies. The Adventure setting strikes a balance, featuring a moderate challenge that doesn’t overwhelm, and includes a 3-turn cap for reviving teammates. Challenge mode is tailored for seasoned players; here, foes hit harder, shoot with precision, and aggressively pursue you. You’ll need to revive any downed allies within 2 turns, as every battle has a strict time limit.
As you journey through each area, move your characters using the left analog stick and manipulate the camera with the right stick for a better perspective. Hit the R2 button to run, and press X to interact with objects or other characters. Swap between your team members using the L1 and R1 buttons. Access the inventory with the Circle button, where you can equip your characters with extra weapons or provide them with items like bandages or field rations to aid in their missions. Bandages can heal 30% of HP and stop bleeding.
Food rations are game-changers as they restore 60% HP and apply the regeneration status. At times, it’s strategic to divide your team and control each character individually for optimal positioning in potential battles or to scout ahead with caution. You can separate the team by pressing the Triangle button and regroup them swiftly with the same button. Ready to take the offensive to gain an advantage? Press the Square button to start the combat under your terms.
In combat, you select each character individually, choosing to move or perform actions using the D-Pad. Switch weapons with the D-Pad’s up and down buttons. Every move and action consumes Action Points (AP), which replenish at the start of your turn, so don’t hesitate to use them for powerful skills! Employing focused aim with extra AP increases your chances of hitting a target.
Your team members possess unique skills crucial for survival. For example, Fidel’s powerful Uppercut requires some AP but delivers a melee attack capable of damaging and stunning an enemy. It goes on cooldown after use due to its potency. Similarly, Corgan’s Overwatch keeps him vigilant over a designated battlefield area, instantly striking any enemy that dares to cross it.
Utilize cover smartly; it offers an evasion boost depending on whether you’re behind half or full cover. Always watch out for enemies who use cover as well. A red symbol indicates your position is compromised, leaving you exposed to attacks. Some encounters also feature enemy reinforcements at various intervals, challenging your positions’ security.
Explore each area to gather crafting materials. From the crafting menu, pick an item you wish to create, ensuring you have the necessary resources, and hold the X button to craft. As you progress further into Chains of Freedom, new crafting options unlock. Initially, you can make handgun and rifle ammo, along with bandages to heal and recover from bleeding, conveniently appearing just before you obtain a rifle.
EDEN Biocrystals are powerful artifacts that enhance your squad members with passive and active skills while boosting stats. Exercise caution, as some Biocrystals may have adverse effects. Equipping a Maiming Thorn imparts the Graze skill, ensuring a character never misses a shot; even ‘missed’ shots inflict 25-50% damage, a significant advantage. Would you use an EDEN Biocrystal that risks instant death for an ally when their HP hits zero but grants 5 extra AP in combat?
Chains of Freedom features a full trophy list, crowned with a Platinum trophy for completionists. Your first trophies commemorate finding the missing pilot from the game’s prologue and winning your initial battle. Additional objectives await, such as finding graveyard loot, defeating foes with bare knuckles, triumphing in key battles, equipping an EDEN crystal for the first time, solving puzzles, finishing the Adventure difficulty, thwarting 25 foes with Corban’s Overwatch, stunning foes with Fidel’s Uppercut, upgrading a character’s health with MedPacks, and winning a fight with a downed ally.
Chains of Freedom is a captivating turn-based tactical title on PS5, clearly inspired by established games like XCOM and Mutant Year Zero. It unfolds in a dystopian Eastern European realm reshaped by EDEN. Lead your elite squad under the Sovereignty’s directive to solve the emerging mystery. In the wake of an asteroid’s impact, EDEN crystals unleashed chaos, mutating humans into merciless monsters. Thankfully, the Sovereignty emerged to restore order and craft a defense against the crystal’s effects. Yet, resistance and revolt brewed as factions rejected enforced immunity, seeking autonomy. As Chains of Freedom launches on PlayStation 5, it invites players to explore and conquer its intriguing, dangerous world.
This review of Chains of Freedom is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Nordcurrent.
