Credits: Bandai Namco

PlayStation Vita once aimed to achieve broad commercial success but faced tough competition from other consoles. By 2014, the Vita era was already fading, but the integration of the portable console with PS4 Remote Play, allowing players to stream games from the PS4 to the Vita, and the release of the game Freedom Wars gave a glimmer of hope for the platform. This unique synergy between the hardware provided the console with a brief resurgence of interest.

Despite these efforts, the Vita's days were numbered, though Freedom Wars became a cult classic of that period. Now, with modern graphical advancements and an improved gameplay system, it’s no surprise that this game is being revived for a new generation to enjoy. Freedom Wars Remastered brings a cult-favorite action RPG back to life with enhanced visuals and gameplay improvements, inviting players to experience its thrilling battles and unique dystopian setting.

Freedom Wars Remastered is set in a bleak and fragmented future where humanity clings to survival within immense prison cities known as Panopticons. These sprawling, industrial metropolises are humanity's last refuge after the planet was ravaged by pollution and resource depletion. However, life itself is classified as a crime, and every individual born is condemned to serve a million-year sentence. Inside these Panopticons, resources are extremely scarce, and citizens known as “Sinners” are forced to work toward redeeming their sentences by taking on dangerous combat missions.

Players assume the role of a Sinner, an inmate who volunteers to fight for their Panopticon in exchange for reducing their imprisonment. Missions involve battling rival Panopticons over the planet's dwindling resources, rescuing citizens abducted by powerful adversaries, and combating mechanical foes determined to erode their community's survival. The narrative weaves a desperate fight for freedom, exploring themes of survival, sacrifice, and rebellion within a heavily oppressive social structure.

The game’s dynamic combat system allows players to use a range of advanced weapons alongside the distinctive Thorn tool, which acts as both a weapon and a movement device. Thorns allow players to grapple onto enemies, scale vertical structures, and traverse the battlefield in three dimensions with speed and agility. This system enables fluid, fast-paced gameplay that focuses on strategy and spatial awareness during battles.

Another core aspect of the game is the deeply integrated Panopticon system, where players interact with their controlled environment and earn Rights Points. These points can be spent to unlock simple privileges like increased mobility, better equipment access, or expanded personal freedoms. The prison becomes its character, shaping the player's resourcefulness and decisions throughout their progression.

Key Features

• Enhanced Graphics: Fully remastered with 4K resolution, improved textures, and 60 FPS for a smoother, more immersive experience.
• Modern Platform Support: Available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, optimized for current hardware capabilities.
• Improved Weapon Crafting: Collect resources from enemies to upgrade and customize your arsenal, tailoring strategies to your play style.
• Customizable Android Companions: Design your Warden, AI allies who support missions with strategic capabilities.
• Multiplayer Co-op: Join forces with up to four players online or with AI allies to tackle challenging missions and reduce your years of imprisonment.

Freedom Wars Remastered will launch on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam on January 10, 2025. Stay tuned for updates and experience refreshed classic or new games for both longtime fans and new players.