Previewed: August 21, 2004
Previewed by: John Carswell
Publisher
Merscom
Developer
CITY Interactive
Release Date: Q2, 2004
Genre: Action
Players: TBD
ESRB: NA
View Screenshots (15 Images)
System Requirements:
Recommended System:
In City Interactive and Merscom’s upcoming, Space Interceptor: Project Freedom, galactic corporations are at war. You take on the role of a young pilot hired on to fly for a company named “Project Freedom.” What follows is an epic quest to keep yourself and your comrades alive.
Project Freedom features:
- Outstanding 3D graphics and special effects
- Space locations painstakingly rendered from actual real life data
- Simple, intuitive interface
- Standalone tutorial
- Original storyline with unexpected turns and surprises
- Research function enabling upgrades of the player's spaceship
- A campaign promotion system
- A variety of space combat missions including escort, strike, and rescue operations
- Many hours of exciting gameplay
The story, while light, is well told. There is no text in the game that does not come without an accompanying voiceover, and story elements unfold via over-the-air chatter during missions. The voice acting could be better but, considering the game’s cost, I was left stunned by Project Freedom’s level of polish.
Combat in Project Freedom is excellent if not a bit basic. There is no real locking system or physics to worry about. Instead, Project plays out more like a 360 degree first person shooter, and an intense one at that. You are swarmed by enemies and your job is to lob bombs, missiles, and energy weapons at them until you are rewarded with a satisfying explosion.
Your ship handles very much like those found in Rogue Squadron in so much as gravity having no discernable affect on you. Its HUD is workable, showing your shield rate and your weapon recharge levels as well as some basic information as to your enemy’s whereabouts.
Space missions are filled with nimble enemy fighters with more advanced A.I. than I would have expected. They will easily dodge your attacks and slip in behind you if you are not careful. There are also the lumbering space cruisers that are more sitting ducks that rely on wave after wave of fighters to defend them.
Ground missions are equally fun and frantic. Taking out shields, AA guns, ‘Mechs, and maneuvering through tight cannons are included. All of this, of course, while being hounded by those persistent and virtually ever-present fighters.
One mission finds you flying over a very hot zone, trying to knock out shields guarding your target while every vehicle under the sun fires flak and missiles at you. Zipping over this alien terrain, your ship shaking from enemy fire, and trying to keep the shield generators in your targeting reticule is alone an experience worth playing Project Freedom for.
Even before the game has been finalized, Project Freedom’s visuals are simply gorgeous. Excellent textures, sharp-looking models, a sexy little blur effect and some decent lighting help to create an attractive and engrossing environment. All of this purring along at a silky smooth frame rate on my 9700pro. Considering the budget price tag attached to this game, Space Interceptor: Project Freedom’s graphics are almost unbelievably good.
Although not yet complete, it seems very likely that City Interactive and Merscom have a winner on their hands. With intense combat, stunning graphics, and a degree of polish rarely seen in the budget isle, Space Interceptor: Project Freedom just entered my radar of games to watch closely.
While we wait for more details on this amazing new title, check out our collection of great screenshots in our Preview Gallery.