The unique aspect that distinguishes Freedom Force is the over the top humor and art style that pays homage to the Silver Age of Comic Books. The game was developed by Irrational Games and released in 2002.DevelopmentKen Levine & Irrational initially pitched the game as"Justice Squad", a tactical turn-based RPG (like X-Com) that was even closer to the Silver Age of comics. But early on in development, they noticed the waning popularity of the tactical RPG genre and switched to a hybrid real-time combat. Ken noted the Baldur's Gate series as a major inspiration for the hybrid "pause and play" combat in the final game that encouraged liberal use of the pause-in-combat feature.Gameplay Freedom Force plays as a strategy / RPG game were you get to control up to 4 members of Freedom Force on several missions. Each of the heroes has various moves and superpowers that can be used in the game. As you gain more experience points from completing missions, you can unlock new powers for the characters. Unlike an action RPG game like Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Freedom Force plays more like a tactical RPG, where you get to pause the action, plan your next move, and act accordingly.Hero CreationThe hero creation feature allowed players to create their own heroes by mixing and matching many stock powers. Players could also give these heroes their own origin stories, allowing people to role play as their own creation. Years after the release, this proved be one of the most popular features of the game.Plot Lord Dominion is an alien bent on world domination, and the only thing standing between him and achieving his goal is earth. He devises a diabolical scheme of endowing the criminals of earth with a super human power inducing substance known as energy X, and watching earth crumble from within. Before he can execute his plan, one of the alien citizens from his planet (known as Mentor) steals the canisters of energy X and heads to earth in the hope of giving the power to some good citizens who can stand against Lord Dominion's oppression. On his way to earth, Mentor's ship is shot down by Lord Dominion's forces and the canisters of energy X are dispersed all throughout Patriot City.Various people -some good and some evil- are exposed to the radiations of energy X and endowed with super human powers. The good ones join forces with Mentor and decide to form a group to fight the forces of evil, and defend Patriot City from all dangers. Each one of the heroes is granted a power that matches his or her personality. For example, Frank Stiles' patriotism translates to Minute Man, the righteous hero who fights for justice, and El-Diablo is a hot headed Latino whose fiery powers match his fiery personality. Together, this group of heroes is known as the Freedom Force.PowersHero powers are either offensive or defensive, with each group then dividing itself into sub-categories.Offensive PowersOffensive Powers can be divided into:Area PowersBeam PowersDirect PowersMelee PowersProjective PowersSpecial PowersAREA POWERSNameDescriptionAnnihilationA massive explosion that destroys the attacker and damages all targetsAloftPropel objects straight upwards with great strenghtArea EnergizeGeneric area attackBellowA primordial bellow with a ranged effect that causes PanicBind TrapGeneric binding powerCall of ConfusionAn echoing cry that causes Confusion in those that hear itCortical SupressionCauses Mental Blank on all enemies within the area of effectDisrupt ObjectGeneric disrupt object attackElectrical ExplosionGeneric electrical explosionElectrical FieldA powerful attack that damages all targets within a radiusEnergy LeechDraws energy points out of a targetExplosionGeneric explosionFire ExplosionGeneric fire explosionFire Explosion LargeGeneric large fire explosionIce ExplosionGeneric ice explosionIgnite ExplosionGeneric explosive ignition attackLethes SongHypnotizes within a radiusMolecular ExplosionExplosion that accompanies molecular excitationOrder In the CourtCauses Fear in anyone caught in rangePortal ExplosionExplosion that accompanies dimensional rupturesQuakeArea attack that deals heavy damage to any objects on the groundRally the TroopsTemporarily gives nearby heroes mental resistance and cures PanicReleaseAn attack that damages everything in a wide radiusRoaring DoomInduces Panic within a radiusSchoolyard TauntEnrages enemies and provokes them into attackingScreechCauses Panic within a radiusShockwaveGeneric shockwaveSnowstormConfuses opponentsSpace-Time RiftA very powerful attack; it has a long foreshadowing time, howeverTurret ExplosionGeneric turret explosionUltrasonic SquealStuns everyone, either friend or foe, within a radiusUnstable EnergyGeneric unstable energy attackVine TrapEntangles the enemy and places them in StasisWhirlpoolStrikes all in reach; similar effect to Water JetBEAM POWERSNameDescriptionChronal ElectricityBeam that deals electrical damageChronal EnergyBeam that deals energy damageChronal RadiationBeam that deals radiation damageCold Fusion RayA focused beam of oscillating energyDensity MaxA ranged attack that increases the density of the targetDisruptionCauses inanimate objects to explodeElectron BeamA ranged attack with moderate damageEnergy X-RayA powerful, medium range energy beamFlame CannonA fiery ranged attackFlame GunA fiery short-ranged attackFocusA standard ranged attackFreeze RayCauses targets to FreezeIcicle BlastAn icy ranged attackIrradiateCauses the target to become radioactive, taking progressive damageMeltdownRanged beam attack that passes straight through to the targetMicrowave BeamA long range attackModulating BeamA penetrating beam attackRad PistolA powerful ranged radiation attackReminder RayA low-damage, short-range attackSacred BoltRanged electrical attackSeeking BeamBeam attack that ignores obstacles, dealing cold damageSonic ShriekPenetrating beam attack with a good chance of stunning opponentsStorm BoltA ranged projectile with moderate damageTongues of FlameEffective ranged beam attackTransferTransfers the user's own energy points to a target (useful to help allies)Water JetLow-damage, high Stun and Knockback attackDIRECT POWERSNameDescriptionAlterationRandomly inflicts primary states and removes secondary statesBalancePools hit points of user and target, then divides them equallyBinding VinesParalyzing attack that binds the target with vinesCerebral BalanceCure an ally of any special mental stateChrono CrushA ranged attack that causes its target to become slow or paralyzedCommuted SentenceRemoves secondary states like Blindness or IrradiatedDarkness PowerPowerful ranged explosive attackDirect 01Generic direct attackEnergizeAccelerate other character's energy regeneration, but with chance of stunEnergize OtherIncreases the target's energy regeneration, but causes unstable energyEntangling VinesEntangle foes with vinesGenetic DamageAlter the resistances of a targetIgnitionSet fire to objects, causing them to explode in a fireballInstinct DominanceCauses Rage in a single target, either enemy or allyMercyTransfer health points to other charactersMolecular ExcitationTurns any inanimate object it affects into a bombPower NullRemoves a randomly selected power from an enemy targetPurgatoryTemporarily banish an enemy from this plane of existenceRepulsionBatters an enemy against an object or removes them from melee rangeSwarm of LeavesSwarm of leaves appears to Blind the enemyThrow VoiceForces an enemy to use taunt, making his allies go berserkVengeance CurseA curse from the goddess to vex the unworthyMELEE POWERSNameDescriptionBiffA hefty punchBlinding ScratchCauses blindnessCloven KickA standard melee attackClubA standard melee attackCommie ClobberA standard melee attackCondemnationSpinning attack that strikes all within a short radiusDouble UppercutTwo quick strikesElectric ArcPowerful attack that hits everything within a short arcFist FlurryThree strikes in quick successionFist FusilladeDelivers six average punches in quick successionFlaming FistStrong, fiery melee attackFlaming SpearDeals heat damageFlip-KickPowerful attack that delivers good damage and knockbackFrost PunchA standard melee attackGoreAttack using jagged hornsHammer CarnageA series of reasonably fast, very damaging attacksHammer CrushA slow, yet very damaging attackHaymakerMelee attack that affects an area, knocking opponents up and awayHeadbuttMove quickly to a target and slam it with damageIcicle SlashAttack using razor-sharp iciclesInterferenceAttack with a semi-materialized hand, causing severe damageJabAttack that pierces through an opponent's defensesKickA standard melee attackMandible AssaultA triple attack that strikes everything in a short forward-facing arcMandible BiteA powerful melee attackMecha SmashUse this to smash any architectural ignoramusMecha StompStomp on the inferior structuresNature's KissAn attack that can cause hypnosisOne-Shot PunchHigh velocity jabPatriot Whirl360º spin that strikes everyhing in its arcPiercing PeckA basic melee attackPincer PunchA quick double attackPoison SpearVery potent attack that causes acid burnPressure PunchDelivers moderate damage and knockbackPsyche-SlashDelivers multiple strokes, but has a slow lead up timePunchA standard melee attackPunishmentShort, sharp whack with the hammer of punishmentRendA standard melee attackRiptideAn attack that strikes three times in quick successionScratchA standard melee attackShoveA high knockback that causes no damageSlamDelivers a blast of crushing damage to an areaSlapLow-damage attackSlashAttack with a wide arc, but lower damageSmashA slow but powerful melee attackSmite the WickedShort, sharp slap for the unworthySnap KickA very fast, low damage kickSpearA short-range melee attackStrike for FreedomAn attack with the staff of patriotismSwift PunchA fast punchThe Ol' One-TwoQuick attack that strikes twice for low-damageThorax PunchA simple, fast jabThrustAn attack that delivers some good damageTrouncingDelivers three strong attacks in quick successionVanquishA quick double attackWallopA standard punching attackWhamSolid melee attackWrecking BallPowerful attack, good for smashing objects... and peoplePROJECTILE POWERSNameDescriptionAcid ArrowCauses progressive acid damageAcid BombAcid grenade that causes acid burn to a small radiusAcid SprayAttack that causes acid burnAnt SwarmHoming attack that causes Blind in the targetArcane BoltA small bolt of mystic energyArrowLow-damage, but accurate long-range attackBall LightningHard to target, but attacks large groups of enemies randomlyBermuda TriangleEntangling projectile attackBubble GumA bomb that puts Stasis on the targetBubble SwarmFires several weak projectiles that home in on the targetDarkness BombAn area effect bomb attack that causes BlindEnergy BulletPowerful ranged projectileEnergy GrenadeSolid ranged explosive attackFlame BurstAn attack that does heat damageGrenadeA low-power explosive grenade with an area effectHellfireA mighty explosion that releases other smaller explosionsIce BulletA short-range burst of medium-damage ice bulletsInfernoPowerful explosive projectileLiving ArrowHomes in on its targetMafioso Tommy GunRanged burst from the tommy gunMinute MissileA medium-damage projectile attack that strikes all those in rangePistol ShotLow-damage ranged attackPlasma RocketExplosive rockets; bad at short-range, but good over long distancesProjectile 1Generic projectile attackProjectile 2Generic projectile attackProximity GrenadeA bouncing bomb that will remain dormant until an enemy gets closeRad BoltsA projectile that spawns new copies of itself in flightShadow ShurikenLow-damage ranged attackSonic WingProjectile that releases a powerful concussive blast when it strikesStun GrenadeBouncing bomb that causes no damage, but inflicts StunSukhov's ShotStandard pistol attackSunday PunchThrows out a shockwave of damage to stun an opponentSwarm of ArrowsSplits into multiple arrows that seek out and strike random enemiesWhirlwindCarries opponents in the air before stunning and dropping themSPECIAL POWERSNameDescription300-PercenterCauses the next melee attack to do triple damageBlind JusticeAllows you to go Berserk at will, and adds a bonus to strenght; anyone within range will be attacked, thoughCloak of ShadowsSlip into the shadows, becoming invisibleClone SelfCreates a duplicate of the userDeja DuplicationCreates a duplicate deja-vu, with half hit pointsDisplace ImageUser becomes temporarily invulnerable, but cannot attackElectrifyProvides a burst of electricity to the userEmpathyAn active defense which causes enemies to share the damage they inflictSpeeding BulletKnocks back enemies at the end of a sprinting runSprintAllows you to move to a chosen spot nearly instantlyTeleport SelfMove to any point within visual rangeUncloakBecome visible againDefensive PowersDefensive Powers can be divided into:Active Defense PowersPassive Defense PowersACTIVE DEFENSENameDescriptionArms of the GoddessProtection against a variety of projectile and beam attacksBubble ShellA good defense that will absorb all attacks, but that has limited HPEnergy ShieldProvides protection from all attack typesFire it UpA powerful defense that burns enemy attacks before they can strikeHarmonyPrevents damage being taken from elemental forcesHyper SpinActive defense, but the character cannot move or attack while in useIce ShellA sturdy defense against all attacksIron JawActive defense that gives extra protection against mundane damageKinetic BarrierProtects against all physical attacksMagnetic HarborA defense useful against projectiles, energy and electricityNational GuardAn energy shield that redirects projectile attacks at a nearby enemyProton ShieldShield the user from pesky projectilesPASSIVE DEFENSENameDescriptionAbsorb HeatGain Energy Points from incoming heat damageBlessed AegisCompletely protect against mystical attacksCharge RedirectionAutomatically redirects electricity attacks onto the nearest enemyContain EnergyTurn damage from energy attacks into extra energy pointsCurrent BounceAutomatically redirects electricity attacks onto the nearest enemyDensity ControlAbsorbs all attacksEternal VigilanceGives a 50% chance to deflect projectilesFancy FootworkDefense against Crushing and Piercing attacksFluttering FeathersYou confound the enemy, making you harder to hitHeat SiphonGain energy points from incoming fire damageJusticeShields the user from many melee attacksKraken's ScalesDefense against crushing, piercing and energy attacksMental BarrierProtects against all mental attacksMetabolizeAbsorb acid and radiation damage from ranged attacksScram AbsorbTurn radiation into Energy Points, but releases rads periodicallyShrug OffDefense that protects against energy, fire and cold damageAttributesThere's a wide range of attributes for the player to choose from, but not all of them are good-- afterall, all heros should have a weakness :)These "bad attributes" are not just for fun, though, as they can be selected to buy back some "credits" in order to be able to buy more good ones. Choose carefully!Displayed in alphabetical order.NameDescriptionArmoredResistant to piercing. Speed reduced by 1BeautifulEnemies attempting melee attacks on character must make a successful resistance check against hypnosisBedeviledVulnerable to mystical damageBerserker10% chance of becoming enraged after taking damageBlindLowers accuracy on ranged attacks. Adds a penalty to the swiftness of melee attacks and dodge chancesBlitzkriegAdds 3 to the swiftness of all melee attacks, and extra damageChargedResistant to electricity. All melee attacks do 5 points of electrical damageClawsAdds 10 points of piercing damage to all melee attacksClumsyCan't pick up or wield objectsCold-BloodedIt makes you more vulnerable to cold damageCosmic ChumpIt makes you vulnerable to energy attacksCrack ShotIncreases accuracyCybernetic BrainResistant to: hypnosis, enrage, panic, mental blank. Increases accuracyDanger SenseAdds 1 speed bonus to dodge attemptsDensity ControlImmune to knock-back. Jumping abilities similar to Jumper attributeDisciplinedResistant to all mental attacks: hypnosis, mental blank, rage, panicEnergeticYour energy recharges twice as fast, but you only have half the normal maximum energyExtra HeroicYour character receives an extra hero pointFast HealingYour character will continously recover HP whenever they are damaged, up to a maximum of 100 HPFlierYou can... flyFluctuationYou are dangerously unpredictable; random damage of 0% to 300% of base damage amountFocusAttack area range is halved, damage is doubledGlass BonesYou're more vulnerable to crushing damage. Plus, you make rattling noises when you walk!Grim ResolveMore resistant to stun damageGroundedYou're more vulnerable to electrical damageHeat SensitiveYou're more vulnerable to heat attacksHeavy HitterThe damage of all wielded attacks is doubledHeavy LifterAdds strenght value to lifting and throwingHeroicGives one more hero pointHirsuteGreater resistance to cold damageHot TemperedRandomly uses higher intensity powersInvertebrateYou're more resistant to radiationJumperScales you effective jumping abilityLevel HeadedYou're resistant to mystical and mental damageLevitateYou fly with half the normal movement speed and doubles the EP costLight SpeedThe damage of all beam attacks is increased and it adds 3 to swiftnessMyopicDecreases accuracyNeutralizeYou're more resistant to acid damageNimbleCharacter gets 3 to agility, but has -10% HPPonderousCharacter can't dodge and gets a -2 penalty to the swiftness of melee attacksRadioactiveHighly resistant to radiationRapid MetabolismVulnerable to acid and radiationShake it OffThe duration of all prolonged damage states is halvedSlow MovingCharacter has a -3 penalty speed to dodge attempts, but gets 10% more HPSolid SkeletonResistant to crushing damageStrange VisitorYou're more resistant to energy damageTemperature ControlResistant to heat and coldThin SkinnedMore vulnerable to piercing damageTimid5% chance of becoming panicked after taking damageTough GuyAll resistances are increased by 50%UnbelieverMore resistant to all forms of mystical attackUnheroicYour character receives one less hero pointUnstable EnergyRandomly triggers energy release area attack when character takes damageUnstable MoleculesYour material type is randomly selected at the beginning of every mission, for the duration of that missionVolcanicResistant to heat damageWall ClimbingYou can... climb walls.Weak MindedYour resistance to mental damage is halvedFan CommunityFreedom Force has an active fan community at http://www.freedomfans.com/ that produces many mods and custom heroes on a regular basis.Steam ReleaseBoth the Freedom Force games were re-released on Steam on May 29, 2009 as part of "Freedom Pack".PC System RequirementsMinimumRecommendedOS: Windows XP/ME/2000/98 (95 and NT are not supported)Processor: 300 MHz Intel Pentium II or AMD K6-2RAM Memory: 96 MB RAMGraphics Card: 16 MB supported Direct3D capable video card with DirectX 8.1 compatible driverHard Drive Space: 31 MB, not including saved gamesSound Card: DirectX 8.1 compatible sound cardOS: Windows XP/VistaProcessor: 600 MHz or faster Intel Pentium III or AMD Athlon processorRAM Memory: 128 MB or moreGraphics Card: 32 MB or greater supported Direct3D capable video card with DirectX 8.1 compatible driverHard Drive Space: 570 MB or more free hard disk space plus space for saved gamesSound Card: Environmental Audio capable sound card
