Nordcurrent’s latest offering, “Chains of Freedom,” brings a turn-based tactical gaming experience to the PS5, drawing inspiration from classic titles like XCOM and Mutant Year Zero. Set in a dystopian Eastern European nation, this game transports players to a world altered by EDEN, mysterious crystals that emerged after an asteroid strike and have transformed people into crazed mutants. As the player, you command an elite military unit tasked with uncovering the secrets surrounding these events before chaos takes over.
The Sovereignty, a group that emerged post-disaster, has offered stability and developed a means to protect against the EDEN crystals. However, not everyone is on board with their methods, leading to rebellion and the formation of a competing regime. Having reviewed Nordcurrent’s past titles such as Mutant Year Zero and Miasma Chronicles, I was eager to dive into the complexities of “Chains of Freedom.”
Players can choose from three difficulty settings: Story, Adventure, and Challenge. The Story setting allows players to focus on the narrative with manageable combat, while Adventure provides a balanced gameplay experience. For those seeking a real test, the Challenge mode ups the ante with aggressive enemies and stricter combat constraints.
Throughout the game, you’ll navigate various environments, controlling your squad with intuitive controls. The left stick is used to move around, while the right stick adjusts the camera. Running, interacting with objects, and switching characters are a breeze with the R2, X, and L1/R1 buttons, respectively. Inventory management lets you equip your team with necessary items like bandages, which heal wounds, or food rations that restore health and grant healing over time.
Combat strategy is crucial. Players must tactfully position their squad, making use of available cover to boost evasion. Sometimes splitting your team is wise to gain tactical advantages. In battles, you’ll decide actions for each character, like moving, attacking, or using special skills, all of which consume valuable Action Points (AP). Make sure to utilize each character’s unique abilities to maximize their effectiveness during encounters.
Crafting plays a significant role, allowing players to create ammo, bandages, and other helpful items using collected resources. As the game progresses, the crafting menu expands with new options to aid your squad. Additionally, players will discover EDEN Biocrystals that can enhance characters’ skills and stats but beware of potential downsides.
The game boasts a comprehensive trophy list to engage completionists, rewarding a variety of achievements from storyline progression to mastering combat challenges. Noteworthy is the Platinum trophy, a testament to your dedication and skill in navigating the game’s complexities.
With its intriguing sci-fi setting and engaging tactical gameplay, “Chains of Freedom” offers both fans of the genre and newcomers a rich gaming experience on the PS5. It’s available for download starting today, promising hours of strategic engagement and storytelling.
This review was based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Nordcurrent.
