The story is silly, the language is crass, and the gameplay is undeniably entertaining: Freedom Finger, by Wide Right Games, is a rip-roaring, sidescrolling shooter game that you won’t soon forget. Players wield a wacky middle finger rocket ship through space, fighting through forty levels of action to protect an American space station on the moon. Best of all, the stunning visuals are matched with bold original music by Aesop Rock and other artists, elevating the game to a multi-sensory experience.
In terms of gameplay, intuitive controls and a variety of unique enemies keep the challenges fun and engaging long after the first round. Dodging and weaving is just as important as shooting a continuous stream of bullets, and the setting allows for ample movement and mobility. The only roadblock I stumbled on was staying focused on completing the objective; the game keeps track of how many enemies slip through your defense, and it’s honestly really fun to obliterate everything in your path. This incentivized me to go out of my way to shoot enemies down rather than avoid them in order to stay alive. As a result, I died way too many times before completing the stage, and it was only when I started avoiding enemies that I started to make progress. I also realized that I could let most of the enemies go by me without getting heavily penalized, and I was much more successful as a result.
Moving on to the design of the game, the artistic graphics and original music were actually the stars of the show for me. Each background is gorgeously illustrated in a cartoony, hand-drawn style, and the only pity is that the battles move so fast that the viewer can’t fully appreciate every little detail. Many of the stages also include intricate obstacle courses and trap doors, so the player has to think quickly and logically in order to progress while also fighting off a steady stream of enemies. Even the enemies possess incredibly unique designs and weapons, so every time the player faces a new challenge. I think one of the main reasons why shooter games get boring to me is that they get extremely repetitive over time, but this was not the case with Freedom Finger. I found myself playing again and again, eager to discover what I would face next.
Finally, the music is nothing short of spectacular. I am fan of this genre of music, so I really enjoyed rocking out to the soundtrack. While I did not particularly find myself engrossed in the game’s story or sense of humor, I was still able to fully enjoy myself simply by immersing myself in the music. Also, the combat itself is synced to the rhythm of the music, so it plays a crucial part in the game itself. It’s been a while since I’ve played a game that showcased its music that much, and it was a refreshing change.
In conclusion, Freedom Finger is a boost of energy and adrenaline with thrilling sights and sounds as well as adventure. In a time where a lot of us are stuck at home and craving something new to do, this game is a stellar recommendation.
Score: 8/10
Check Out the Freedom Finger Console Trailer:
Freedom Finger is available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam for $14.99. For more information, please visit: https://widerightgames.com/
Xbox One Review
From the moment I first played Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy on the original Xbox, I have always had an avid curiosity and enthusiasm for video games. I admire their ability to immerse us in completely different worlds, and I am always eager to see how they integrate the newest breakthroughs in digital technology to make virtual reality feel real. I am currently a senior at UC Berkeley, but when I'm not studying I always make time to play Xbox One with my younger brother.
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