Nordcurrent’s latest offering, Chains of Freedom for the PS5, delivers a gripping turn-based tactical journey. Drawing inspiration from iconic games like XCOM and Mutant Year Zero, this game transports players to a dystopian Eastern European setting forever altered by the mysterious EDEN. In Chains of Freedom, you’re tasked with guiding an elite military team under the Sovereignty’s command, navigating through the enigma that must be solved against a ticking clock. Years back, an asteroid strike introduced Earth to the EDEN crystals, which had the horrific effect of transforming humans into monstrous mutants.
Amidst the chaos, the Sovereignty emerged, offering a semblance of order and developing a formula to provide immunity against these harmful crystals. However, not everyone was on board with being mandated to take this immunity. Some folks decided to push back and establish their own rebellious regime. Personally, having reviewed games like Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden and Miasma Chronicles, my curiosity was piqued to see what Chains of Freedom brings to the table.
The game accommodates players with varying skill levels through its three difficulty modes: Story, Adventure, and Challenge. The Story mode allows players to concentrate more on the plot and less on combat difficulty, whilst enemies pose less of a threat, and resource drops are generous. In contrast, the Adventure mode strikes a balance, offering a standard tactical experience with a three-turn limit to revive fallen comrades. For those who relish a stiff challenge, the aptly named Challenge mode ups the ante, with more formidable foes, stricter revival conditions, and harsher combat scenarios.
As you venture through different locales, control is maintained through navigating your characters with the left analog stick and adjusting your view with the right stick. Sprinting can be done by pressing R2, and interactions are handled with the X button. Characters can be alternated using L1 and R1, while inventory management is accessed via the Circle button. Tactically equip your team with various weapons and supplies such as bandages, which not only heal but halt bleeding.
Strategically valuable food rations offer substantial health recovery along with regeneration. Occasionally, splitting your team can provide a tactical vantage, allowing one to scout ahead or strategically position others. Use the Triangle button for ungrouping and regrouping your team. For proactive strategies, start combat on your terms with the Square button.
Combat requires smart allocation of Action Points (AP), involving movement, attacking, or using skills, with options made accessible through the D-Pad. Focused attacks, which consume additional AP, may prove invaluable when precision is crucial. AP is refreshed each turn, so fear not in utilizing them for potent abilities.
Each unit in your squad is armed with distinct skills. For example, Fidel’s Uppercut packs a punch capable of stumbling adversaries, albeit with a cooldown. Corgan harnesses Overwatch to vigilantly guard areas, striking unwary enemies who venture too close.
Optimal cover use enhances evasion, and recognizing red cover symbols alerts you to flanking danger, making understanding the battlefield dynamic essential. Expect enemy reinforcements, adding another layer to strategic planning.
As you progress, you’ll gather crafting materials, essential for making necessities like handgun ammo and health bandages. New crafting options will unlock, in conjunction with your in-game advancement.
Additionally, you’ll uncover EDEN Biocrystals, powerful augmentations with both beneficial and potential adverse effects. They can, for example, modify a character’s traits and skills, like offering a constant chance of minor damage from missed shots, thanks to the Graze skill.
Chains of Freedom also presents a full trophy list, capped by a prestigious Platinum Trophy. Achievements range from engaging new game mechanics, achieving combat-specific outcomes, and experiencing key story milestones. Completing the game on Adventure mode, and meeting various character-specific and combat-related challenges, are but a few of the accolades available.
As a richly detailed, strategy-driven experience, Chains of Freedom stands tall among its inspirations. It’s a tale of survival, resistance, and discovery, punctuated by a deep tactical foundation. Whether battling enemies or navigating the complexities of your squad and their equipment, the game offers a challenging yet rewarding experience, charting new territory in the realm of tactical gaming, launching today on PlayStation 5.
