Review of Chains of Freedom for PlayStation 5

Nordcurrent’s “Chains of Freedom” offers a tactical turn-based adventure on the PS5, drawing inspiration from classics like XCOM and Mutant Year Zero. When you dive into it, you’ll be transported to a dystopian Eastern European setting. The fabric of this world has been torn apart by the spread of an intimidating element known as EDEN. Your mission? Lead a squad of elite military operatives, backed by the Sovereignty, to untangle the mysteries threatening this chaotic place before it’s too late.

The intriguing backstory unfolds with a cataclysmic asteroid impact on Earth. This alone was devastating, but it brought with it crystals—EDEN—that infected people, transforming them into hostile, monstrous mutants. Thankfully, the Sovereignty emerged from chaos, restoring order with a serum promising immunity to these crystals. But not all are on board; some refuse this forced compliance, choosing instead to rebel, forming their own faction. Having previously delved into titles like Mutant Year Zero and Miasma Chronicles, I was eager to see what Chains of Freedom would bring to the table.

In Chains of Freedom, you’re given a choice between three difficulty modes: Story, Adventure, and Challenge. For those who wish to soak up the narrative without the stress, the Story setting makes enemies less formidable and resources more plentiful, with no turn limits on reviving fallen comrades. The Adventure setting introduces a more balanced experience, challenging but fair, with a 3-turn window for reviving allies. For seasoned gamers, the Challenge mode pushes the limits with harder-hitting, more accurate foes, and a stricter 2-turn revival limit.

As you navigate this world, controlling your team of characters involves using the left analog stick for movement and the right to adjust your view. Sprint with the R2 button and interact using the X button. Switch between characters with the L1 and R1 buttons, and manage your inventory with Circle. Here, you can equip your squad with extra gear or consumables like bandages to restore morale. Bandages heal 30% of health while halting any bleeding.

Food rations provide a more substantial health boost of 60% and grant a regenerative status. Strategically splitting your team to better position them or send someone ahead for reconnaissance can sometimes be advantageous. Use the Triangle button to separate the team and bring them back together. When you’re ready to dive into combat, initiating it with the Square button can give you a tactical upper hand.

Combat is all about strategy. Select your character and decide whether to move or execute actions using the D-Pad. Switch weapons with the up or down directions. Every move and action uses up Action Points (AP), but these refill at the start of each turn, encouraging bold usage of powerful skills.

Your team members boast unique abilities. For instance, Fidel has an Uppercut skill, a melee attack depleting AP to stagger and damage foes. However, due to its power, it comes with a cooldown. Corgan features an Overwatch skill, maintaining vigilance over a chosen battlefield area and attacking any foolish enough to enter it.

Utilizing cover is a necessity; it offers a significant evasion boost depending on the type. Be wary of red symbols, letting you know when you’re exposed to enemy attacks. Some battles may introduce reinforcements, so what seems like a secure position might quickly turn precarious.

Throughout the game, you’ll find materials to craft items. Access the crafting interface and ensure you have the necessary resources before holding X to create what you need. As you advance, more crafting options become available, allowing for ammunition and other items that prove invaluable in various scenarios.

Eventually, you will encounter EDEN Biocrystals, equippable items boosting stats and providing skills. However, they sometimes bring negative side effects, so weigh their pros and cons carefully. For example, the Maiming Thorn grants a passive skill reducing missed shot damage by converting it to partial damage, but at what cost?

In terms of achievements, Chains of Freedom comes packed with a full trophy list including a Platinum trophy. The game rewards you from the get-go with trophies for pivotal moments like rescuing the stranded pilot, or completing particular challenges such as defeating foes barehanded, solving puzzles, or mastering higher difficulty settings, offering gratifying side quests amidst the main storyline.

In conclusion, Chains of Freedom delivers a rich tactical experience on the PS5, with an engaging sci-fi twist. Set against the backdrop of a fictional Eastern European state, you’ll guide your elite squad through a world altered forever by EDEN. With its release today on PlayStation 5, you’ll find not just a challenge, but a captivating narrative waiting to be unraveled.

This review is based on a PS5 copy provided by Nordcurrent.