Review of “Chains of Freedom” for PlayStation 5

Chains of Freedom from Nordcurrent is a fascinating dive into the world of turn-based strategy, drawing inspiration from iconic titles like XCOM and Mutant Year Zero. Available on PS5, this game places you in a dystopian Eastern European state besieged by the chaotic spread of EDEN. It’s your mission to lead a specialized military squad for the Sovereignty, navigating through a myriad of challenges to solve an unfolding mystery swiftly. Flashback a few years, an asteroid crashed into Earth, creating mayhem. But the real trouble came from the crystals it carried—yes, EDEN—which are notorious for morphing people into bloodthirsty mutants.

On the brighter side, the Sovereignty established some semblance of order and even managed to concoct a cure to shield individuals from the EDEN crystals. However, not everyone is ready to follow their rules, leading to rebellions and new regimes. Having previously reviewed games like Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden and Miasma Chronicles, I was eager to delve into what Chains of Freedom had in store.

You can tackle Chains of Freedom at varying difficulty levels: Story, Adventure, and Challenge. Dive into the Story difficulty if you want to focus on the narrative with a gentler combat experience where enemies pose less of a threat, and resources come more frequently. With Adventure, brace yourself for a balanced confrontation where you have three turns to rescue downed comrades. The daunting Challenge setting is reserved for veteran gamers willing to face aggressive foes and limited time to revive allies, bringing an extra flair of intensity to each encounter.

In exploring each area, you’re granted complete control over your happenings. Move your characters using the left analog stick, adjusting the view with the right analog stick for optimal perspective. Sprint by pressing the R2 button, and interact with the world using the X button. Switching characters requires the L1 or R1 button, while the Circle button opens the inventory. Here, you’ll ready your team with additional gear or essentials like bandages—essential for healing and stopping bleeding—or even field rations for a health boost.

Survival often means taking a strategic approach. Split your team to explore or strategically position them using the Triangle button, or regroup them rapidly with the same button press. When the time calls for a tactical advantage, start combat on your terms with the Square button.

Once battle commences, select your character and choose between moving or executing available actions using the D-Pad. You can also switch weapons here. Remember, all actions and movements come at the cost of Action Points (AP), so deploy them wisely! You can add focus to your shot by using additional AP, which increases your hit probability. Don’t worry; your AP refreshes every turn, freeing you to employ powerful skills often.

Every squad member wields unique skills vital for enduring the campaign. Take Fidel’s Uppercut, a hefty melee attack using AP to potentially stunt foes. Yet, this powerful move has a delay before it can be reused. Meanwhile, Corgan’s Overwatch skill keeps him vigilant across a specified battlefield zone, deterring any enemy advancements.

In survival scenarios, leveraging cover is crucial. It enhances evasion based on whether you’re in half or full cover. But beware of enemies who exploit cover similarly; a red cover indicator signals a flanked position, leaving you dangerously exposed. Add to this, reinforcements may appear unexpectedly, disrupting even the best-laid plans!

Crafting is integral to your survival as you collect items during exploration to craft various resources. Access the crafting menu and fabricate what you need, granted you have sufficient materials. This mechanic opens up new crafting options as you advance, starting from handgun and rifle ammo to bandages.

Later, discover EDEN Biocrystals, priceless relics that equip squad members with new skills and stat boosts, albeit sometimes with negative trade-offs. Equip skills like the Graze passive skill for another squad member, allowing some damage even when shots miss. Each choice shapes your strategy, balancing risk and reward.

For trophy hunters, Chains of Freedom is a trove of achievements, including a Platinum Trophy. Players earn trophies for milestone achievements, such as locating the missing pilot or completing battles, alongside other challenges like bare-handed victories, puzzle-solving, and strategic combat feats.

Chains of Freedom promises an enthralling turn-based strategy blend inspired by XCOM and Mutant Year Zero. Your journey unfolds in a dystopian land reeling from the EDEN crisis, thrusting you into a gripping tale of sovereignty and rebellion. Mark your calendars because Chains of Freedom is available now on PlayStation 5.

This review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Nordcurrent.