Freedom Planet

Freedom Planet is pretty much a love letter to Sega Genesis games. It looks an awful lot like Sonic and a large part of its level design is heavily inspired by that series. You have springs, loop-the-loops, and wide-open multi-route stages that encourage both more sedate exploration and speedrunning, depending on your personal preference. But go in hoping to play it like Sonic and you'll find it extremely unsatisfying. The characters don't have the smooth acceleration of Sonic and also seem to be unrealistically adept at strolling directly up walls. This is not a momentum-based platformer. However, take the time to get used to the illogical-but-consistent physics and there's a remarkably fun game here. Once you realize that the special moves and abilities of the characters can be used for very creative traversal of the environments (especially the way Lilac's pseudo-spindash can be triggered in the air, used diagonally, and bounces off of walls), the levels suddenly feel like they have opened up and there are a wealth of possibilities for navigating them. It feels very much like Rocket Knight Adventures. The boss fights are varied and very good, reminding me of Treasure's games, especially Gunstar Heroes. Not everything is good, mind you. I find the voice acting to be extremely grating. The story doesn't seem impressive, but I may just be soured on it because there is no way to turn off voice acting and get the plot told via text boxes. There IS a mode that lets you just play the game and ignore the plot entirely, but you still get the in-game vocal barks whether you want them or not. There's also no way to adjust sound levels - you can only adjust the volume of the music, so you're forced to use the Windows audio mixer if you find the sound effects too loud or too quiet. What kind of a game doesn't have volume controls in 2014? Really?

It might look like a Sonic clone, but Freedom Planet is closer to Shovel Knight than anything, in that it's a mash-up of the best elements of the best of the best Genesis platformers. The art and environments may be from Sonic, but the combat and special attacks are straight from Sparkster, and the bosses are Gunstar Heroes through and through. In short, it's really, really good.

Just got it today and I've been having a blast with this game! The gameplay is solid. Bosses and mini-bosses are challenging, but so far even when an opponent seems impossible at first, a few lives later I've found a pattern and just need a few more tries to refine it. If a platforming cross between Sonic and a beat-em-up sounds good to you, give this game a try! However, there are two flaws to keep this from being a five-star game (but I'd rate it 4.5 or 4.75 if I could): 1. No in-game manual means you may be ignorant of your moves early on if you just jump in and don't read the readme, but even then characters are pretty easy to figure out. 2. The dialogue in the Adventure mode cutscenes can be a bit inane sometimes, especially before things Get Serious. Other than that the voice acting is surprisingly good! The story isn't anything revolutionary, but you're here for the gameplay, this is a platformer not an RPG. The cutscenes can drag on sometimes, but if you close the game and reload your save you can skip them -- or just play in Classic mode. Get this game for sweet platforming action, and it won't disappoint!

(Trimmed and edited version of my review on Steam, itself a trimmed and edited version of the same on Sensible Gaming) Freedom Planet combines the speed and fluidity of the classic Sonic games, with the combat focus of Mega Man, and the frantic boss battles of Gunstar Heroes. There are three playable characters to choose between, each with their own unique style and abilities. Sash Lilac is the fastest runner, and her methods of attack are using her long hair as a whip, and her Dragon Boost ability, which sends her flying at speed across the screen, dealing devastation to any enemies in the way. Carol Tea runs slower, and hits with a wild flurry of claws and boots. She can also wall jump, and has access to a motorcycle that can ride up walls and along ceilings. Milla Basset can dig through dirt to find items and secrets, summon shields to deflect incoming attacks, flap her ears to fly short distances, and create green blocks that can be thrown at enemies and obstacles, or charged up to unleash a powerful Shield Blast. It’s easy to dismiss Freedom Planet as yet another Sonic clone, with no more reason to exist than Bubsy or Zool. But to do so is to dismiss a truly brilliant 2D platformer. Lilac, Carol and Milla are quirky, cute and lovable female leads, making a delightfully refreshing change from the male-dominated platformers new and old. Lord Brevon is a great villain, oozing evil with every word he says, and the supporting cast, along with the rich and detailed levels, give the world of Avalice real life and vibrancy. The story, told through animated cut-scenes in Adventure mode, is tightly scripted and well voiced. There is plenty of humour sprinkled throughout, along with some darker moments that only those with a metallic heart will be able to watch without feeling genuine sadness. It has its faults, but what game doesn't? It may not be perfect, but it sure comes close. Close enough for me anyway :)