Video Game Reviews
Title: Freelancer
Review rating: ***1/2
Platform/console: PC
Release date: March 2003
Genre: Role-playing/fantasy
Players allowed: 1 (on-line capabilities allow more to join)
ESRB rating: T (violence)
Production company: Microsoft
The dynamic game modes make this game one of the meatiest
choices in the market. In the living universe mode, you get
even more choice by choosing a linear storyline or an open-ended
plot. You can also be a bounty hunter, pirate, explorer or
a trader in the vast environment full of top notch graphics.
The characters get great voice talent including George Takei
(TVs Star Trek) and Xander Berkeley (Air Force One, TVs 24)
and the main character, Trent, is voiced by Ian Zerling (TVs
Beverly Hills 90210). The protagonist Alliance and antagonist
Coalition aren’t as separated as they seem. Misdirection
runs rampant as characters give you the dirt on the latest
rumors along the way.
The multiplayer mode allows you play on-line with others opening
even more possibilities in this complex world. You must achieve
certain objectives, but some missions, such as the beginning
attack on a large ship, allow you to just sit back and let
others do the fighting while you can swoop in later and salvage
some remains for some quick credits. Use of the left mouse
button to move and right mouse button to fire works surprisingly
well, plus he shortcut buttons will take some time to learn,
but it’s worth the time to enhance your level of gameplay
in this time intensive game. There’s no friendly fire
damage so save that ammo instead of firing on your allied
friends just to see if anything will happen.
The high replay value and enormously interesting events/items
waiting for discovery makes Freelancer a hot item!
Review by Michael Siebenaler
© Microsoft
®
