| System: PS3, PC, Xbox 360 |  |
| Dev: Kaos Studios | |
| Pub: THQ | |
| Release: March 15 2011 | |
| Players: 1, 2-24 | |
| Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p |
These loadouts can be anything from improved guns to access to vehicles or even enemy-seeking drones. The longer you save your battle points, the better your loadout options will be, which makes for a nice short-term goal system. The intrinsic "spend-or-save" strategy that the game introduces is engaging, and trying out the multitude of loadout options adds to the multiplayer's replay value. It's not uncommon to find yourself completing certain objectives just to earn loadouts so you can help your team to victory, and trying all the loadouts does take some time (and some skill, as many of the premium loadouts take some gumption to earn). The game also awards you with access to more content as you level up, so there is definitely an incentive to stay with the multiplayer. Though it isn't the most revolutionary thing you've ever encountered, the multiplayer gets points for being fun and for doing things a little bit differently.
Clearly, a lot of care went into the game's design, and the way that everyday locations like an elementary school or a supermarket are portrayed in the context of a war-torn society is nothing short of brilliant. However, on the technical side, Homefront falters. During my time with the game I encountered numerous technical issues, including framerate slowdowns and jumping animation. The game also features some repetitive character animations; it's frustrating to see the same animations over and over throughout the game's five-hour campaign.
What upsets me most about Homefront is that it is such a missed opportunity. The game is by no means bad, and if you go into it expecting a generic shooter, then you'll come out of the experience satisfied. However, with all the hype surrounding the game and all the pre-release excitement, I expected something more than a technically proficient shooter. Nothing about this game is really terrible, but nothing about it makes you want to grab your best friend and tell him to check it out either.
Homefront is a game that will please most people. It features plenty of enemies, some pretty awesome locations, and a killer premise. Though the story falls flat about halfway through, and the game needs at least five more chapters to feel complete, you will have lots of fun in the short amount of time that you do have with the single player. And with an above-average multiplayer mode, you'll have no trouble racking up some fairly good supplemental time with Homefront. Just don't expect an epic experience, and you won't be disappointed. And if you don't like multiplayer, do not purchase this game under any circumstances, as $60 for a five-hour campaign is just too much.
By
Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Senior Staff Contributor
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