Review of Chains of Freedom on PlayStation 5

Chains of Freedom, a captivating turn-based tactical game from Nordcurrent, has made its way to the PS5, drawing inspiration from notable titles like XCOM and Mutant Year Zero. Set in a dystopian Eastern European state severely impacted by a mysterious substance known as EDEN, the game presents an enticing narrative. As the leader of an elite military squad under the authority of the Sovereignty, players are tasked with unveiling the secrets behind this new reality. The catalyst for this chaos, an asteroid impact, brought with it destructive crystals that turned people into monstrous mutants.

However, amid the chaos, the Sovereignty surfaced, working to restore order and concocting a solution to prevent EDEN’s infection. Yet, not everyone agreed with mandatory immunity, leading to rebellion and the rise of factions with their own ideals. My interest was piqued due to my past experiences with Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden and Miasma Chronicles, making me eager to dive into Chains of Freedom.

Chains of Freedom offers three difficulty modes – Story, Adventure, and Challenge. Story mode lets you absorb the narrative with a lighter difficulty, where enemies are less threatening and resources are more plentiful. Adventure offers a balanced experience, with the added challenge of a 3-turn limit to revive fallen allies. Challenge mode is for seasoned gamers, raising enemy accuracy and aggression, while demanding quick revivals and imposing strict turn limits on battles.

Gameplay involves navigating each area by maneuvering your characters with the controller’s left stick and adjusting your view using the right stick. Running is activated with the R2 button, while interacting with the environment or characters uses the X button. To manage your squad, switch between them using L1 and R1, and access your inventory with the Circle button. Equipping weapons and essential items like bandages or field rations is crucial for survival, with bandages healing injuries and stopping bleeding.

Field rations, pivotal for restoring health and applying regeneration effects, add another layer to your tactical decisions. You might opt to strategically split your team to gain a positional advantage or scout ahead, regrouping with the Triangle button. Initiating combat strategically is as simple as pressing Square, potentially giving you the upper hand in battles.

Combat involves careful decision-making, where you allocate action points (AP) for movement and various skills. Decisions like shooting with focused aim to enhance hit chances or using special skills can turn the tide. Characters possess unique abilities, such as Fidel’s Uppercut for melee attacks, requiring strategic use, as these skills enter cooldown periods after use. Similarly, Corgan’s Overwatch skill keeps him alert, ready to neutralize enemies venturing into his area of vigilance.

Utilizing cover effectively, depending on its level, can enhance evasion, but be wary of enemy positions that might leave you vulnerable. Reinforcements can arrive mid-battle, adding complexity to engagements.

Throughout exploration, you’ll gather resources for crafting. Access the crafting interface to create items like handgun and rifle ammo, or healing bandages. As you progress, more crafting options become available.

Chains of Freedom introduces the intriguing EDEN Biocrystals, granting passive and active skill boosts, although some come with drawbacks. Choosing when and how to equip these crystals can significantly impact your strategy and survival chances.

For trophy hunters, Chains of Freedom doesn’t disappoint, offering a Platinum trophy and a plethora of objectives to achieve, each adding layers to the gameplay experience.

Ultimately, Chains of Freedom delivers a robust turn-based tactical experience on PS5, blending strategy with a gripping sci-fi storyline. Set in an Eastern European dystopia reshaped by EDEN, it presents an engaging challenge for those commanding an elite military squad under Sovereignty’s orders. The nuanced narrative and strategic gameplay ensure it’s a title worth exploring for fans of the genre.

This review was conducted with a PS5 copy provided by Nordcurrent.