There are literally thousands of different weapons and pieces of armor. And if that's not enough, you can craft your own. Many of these resources can be combined to create new hybrids, or entirely unique weapons or tools. You'll have a farm where you can take, store, and craft these items. The farm frees up your inventory so you can grab more stuff on your next outing, while providing you with a safe location to experiment and produce your crafts. Weapons range from hammers to swords to electrical traps. It seems as though there is no limit to the amount of combinations that you can create. It's addictive to see what you'll come up with next, and then see what you can do with it in the field.

Unite has more weapons, armor, monsters, and missions than Freedom 2. There are more than 70 new missions spread over a mix of old and new maps. The Felynes are back, and this time they not only cook for you but fight with you. You can take them into battle with you, and while they may be a little weak with attacks and strategy, they do provide excellent distraction. Having the monsters divert their attention can give you the advantage you need to attack them where they are most vulnerable. The Felynes can be trained and also upgraded with weapons and armor. But, they still don't take the place of a team of human players. The four-player co-op mode is fantastic. It's like another game altogether. Unfortunately, you're going to have to find three other players that have a PSP, a copy of the game, and live in close proximity. But it's worth it to track them down. Strategy takes on a whole new dimension within a group. Another great feature is that you can import your character from Freedom 2 - cool!

Graphically the game is identical to Freedom 2. It even includes the same cutscenes. There's nothing wrong with the graphics in the first place. The animation is smooth and the character models are stunning. There are some nice voiceovers, but there could have been more. Despite the great soundtrack and sound effects, it's a fairly silent game. The camera is a huge pain. Like Freedom 2 it's difficult to maneuver, requiring you to contort your hand so that your fingers are covering the shoulder buttons and working the D-pad at the same time - awkward.

Unite is an excellent game for those that haven't played Freedom 2. Otherwise, it's just a fun and addictive addition to an otherwise excellent game that already exists.

By Cole Smith
CCC Senior Writer