Status:
- Complete in Box
- Play Tested
Homefront for the PS3 is a first-person shooter developed by Kaos Studios and published by THQ in 2011. While the game garnered attention for its unique premise and emotional marketing, its execution left some mixed impressions. Heres a detailed review:
Premise and Story
Homefront is set in a near-future America where a unified Korea has invaded and occupied the United States. Players step into the role of Robert Jacobs, a former U.S. Marine pilot turned resistance fighter, as he joins a group of rebels to fight against the oppressive regime.
Pros:
- Unique Setting: The idea of a dystopian, occupied America is intriguing and offers a different narrative angle compared to most military shooters.
- Emotional Impact: Certain scenes, like witnessing civilian executions and the plight of refugees, attempt to tug at the players emotions, adding weight to the story.
- Environmental Storytelling: The game effectively uses its environments to convey the despair and tension of a country under occupation.
Cons:
- Underdeveloped Narrative: While the premise is strong, the story doesnt delve deeply into its characters or themes, leaving it feeling superficial.
- Short Campaign: The single-player story is disappointingly brief, clocking in at about 45 hours, which limits its ability to fully explore its potential.
Gameplay
Homefront is a traditional FPS with mechanics that feel familiar to fans of the genre. It incorporates standard elements like shooting, cover systems, and vehicular segments.
Pros:
- Variety in Combat: The game mixes on-foot firefights with vehicle-based action, including a memorable drone segment.
- Accessible Gameplay: Controls are intuitive and easy to pick up, making it approachable for newcomers.
Cons:
- Generic Gameplay: The mechanics lack innovation, feeling like a blend of elements from other shooters without adding anything new.
- AI Issues: Both enemy and friendly AI can be inconsistent, with allies occasionally failing to help effectively and enemies acting predictably.
- Linear Levels: The games level design is highly linear, offering little room for exploration or creativity in how objectives are approached.
Graphics and Sound
Graphics:
- The visuals are serviceable but dated, even for the PS3 era, with textures and character models that fail to impress.
- Environments effectively convey a bleak, war-torn America but lack variety.
Sound:
- The soundtrack is forgettable, though sound effects like gunfire and explosions are solid.
- Voice acting is decent but doesnt elevate the story or characters significantly.
Multiplayer
Homefront shines more in its multiplayer mode, which supports up to 32 players and features a unique Battle Points system. Players earn points during matches that can be spent on upgrades, vehicles, and special equipment within the same game.
Pros:
- Battle Points System: This adds a strategic layer to gameplay, as players must decide whether to spend points immediately or save for bigger rewards.
- Large-Scale Maps: Maps are well-designed for the games scale, offering a good mix of vehicular and infantry combat.
Cons:
- Server Issues: At launch, connectivity problems hindered the multiplayer experience, though these were improved over time.
- Limited Longevity: The multiplayer, while fun, struggled to compete with genre titans like Call of Duty and Battlefield.
Verdict
Homefront delivers an intriguing premise but falls short of fully realizing its potential. Its short campaign and generic gameplay are offset by an emotionally charged setting and a solid multiplayer mode. For FPS fans looking for something different, it might be worth a playthrough, but it struggles to stand out in a crowded genre.
Overall Rating:
- Story: 6/10
- Gameplay: 6/10
- Graphics and Sound: 6/10
- Multiplayer: 7/10
- Overall: 6.5/10
While Homefront doesnt quite live up to its ambitious concept, it remains a notable attempt to explore a unique narrative in the FPS genre.
