I Played Chains of Freedom So You Don’t Have To

I went into Chains of Freedom expecting another XCOM clone, but what I got was something… different. Not necessarily worse, but definitely rougher around the edges. The kind of game that makes you nod approvingly at some clever mechanics one moment, then groan at baffling design choices the next. After about 20 hours with it, here’s the real talk – just honest impressions from someone who’s played way too many tactical games.

The Good Stuff (And There’s Plenty)

Let’s start with what works, because when Chains of Freedom clicks, it really clicks. The combat system is surprisingly deep – none of that “move once, shoot once” nonsense. Here, every action costs AP, meaning you can squeeze in multiple moves if you plan carefully. I loved setting up these beautiful chain reactions – my sniper would take a high-percentage shot, my assault guy would dash into cover, and my medic would still have enough juice left to patch someone up. It’s the kind of tactical freedom that makes you feel like a genius when you pull off a perfect turn.

The biocrystal system is another highlight. These weird mutation upgrades let you customize your squad in interesting ways. My favorite was giving my medic a crystal that let him heal AND poison enemies with the same ability. That said, about half the crystals feel useless – why would I ever use the “10% chance to dodge” crystal when I could just take flat damage reduction? Still, when you find a combo that works, it’s incredibly satisfying.

Exploration is simple but effective. Maps are linear but packed with hidden supplies – I found myself checking every nook and cranny, and the game actually rewards this behavior with useful loot. It’s a nice change from games where exploration feels like busywork.

The Not-So-Good Stuff (And There’s Plenty of This Too)

Now for the rough parts. The stealth mechanics are… well, they exist. That’s about the nicest thing I can say. Trying to sneak past enemies feels like playing a bad Splinter Cell mod – sightlines are unclear, detection makes no sense, and the payoff isn’t worth the hassle. By mid-game, I stopped bothering entirely and just went in guns blazing every time.

The difficulty balancing is all over the place. The hardest mode isn’t just challenging – it’s downright sadistic, with turn limits that force you to rush through carefully planned tactics. I lasted about five missions before switching to normal, which actually plays much better.

But my biggest gripe? The story. It starts strong with that cool dystopian vibe, but quickly devolves into predictable tropes. The “shocking twists” are telegraphed hours in advance, and the promised moral dilemmas never materialize. Worst of all, your squad members might as well be cardboard cutouts – I couldn’t tell you a single personality trait about any of them by the end.

How It Stacks Up

If XCOM is a gourmet steak dinner, Chains of Freedom is a solid burger joint – satisfying in the moment, but you won’t remember it next week. It’s better than bargain bin tactics games, but doesn’t reach the heights of the genre greats.

The closest comparison is probably Phoenix Point, but without the strategic layer. Or imagine Mutant Year Zero with less personality but better gunplay.

Final Verdict: Wait For a Sale

Here’s the deal: If you’re a tactics junkie starving for a new fix, Chains of Freedom will scratch that itch. The combat is genuinely great, and there’s enough content to justify the price. But if you’re looking for the next genre-defining masterpiece, you’ll be disappointed.

Play it for:

• Deep, rewarding tactical combat
• Fun (if uneven) customization options
• That satisfying “just one more mission” feeling

Avoid it if:

• You care about story or characters
• You hate artificial difficulty spikes
• You expect replayability

Bottom line: 

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go yell at my sniper for missing another 95% shot…