Like the 2D Sonic games that inspired it, Freedom Planet's stages are split across two parts, but the separation between them isn't heavily signposted, instead pushing you from one section to the next as soon as a boss is defeated. The routes are generally easy to navigate with brief platforming challenges that keep you moving from one pathway to the next. There's a ton of pleasure to be had zipping to and fro across the varied multi-lane pathways of each stage, which feature a wealth of loops to pass and well-placed hazards to avoid. Where Freedom Planet is likely to hook you is in its level design. While this benefits the experience as a whole, you simply wouldn't know this to be the best way to play the game without having experienced the mediocrity of its writing and presentation first. It is possible to play the game in Classic Mode, which removes all the story cutscenes. What's worse is the main cast's painfully overacted performances, which results in a litany of cringeworthy moments in both funny and serious scenes.

Unfortunately, none of this development ever amounts to anything remarkable or intriguing, often relying on a bevy of tropes to push the narrative forward. There's a great amount of detail written into the world and surrounding lore with characters and locations given more background than you'd expect. Despite sounding rudimentary, the story makes a big show of itself with lengthy cutscenes interspersed between each of its 10 stages.

There's great ambition in what Freedom Planet manages to blend together, and while some of its highest moments are accompanied by a few blemishes that are difficult to look past, it's still a joy to play.įreedom Planet's story starts out simple: when an alien force invades the peaceful planet of anthropomorphic protagonists Lilac, Carol, and Milla, the three are called upon to help thwart the tyrannical ambitions of its evil leader, Lord Brevon. Challenging large-scale boss fights typically reserved for 2D side-scrolling shoot 'em ups, such as Gunstar Heroes and Contra, are frequent and satisfying. The game exhibits a riveting sense of speed, lively retro visuals and music, and clever level design packed with exciting touches. As a 2D platformer, Freedom Planet draws much of its inspiration from classic Sonic the Hedgehog.

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