Freedom Planet Reviews
Freedom Planet's fast-paced thrills and challenging boss fights make for a joyous retro outing, but don't expect the same highs from its mediocre story.
While Freedom Planet isn't a perfect experience, it is still a very enjoyable and easily one of the best Sonic the Hedgehog-esque games I've played in years. If you were looking for something to scratch that 16-bit Sonic itch this might be it. Just don't say I didn't warn you about the questionable story, voice acting, and late game bosses.
While Freedom Planet doesn't hit the same dizzying heights as Sonic Mania, it is still an incredibly enjoyable platformer that just about manages to carve out its own identity. The great visual style really helps to build the world it is set in and the three playable characters help to give some replay value as you explore their abilities. By the end of the game Freedom Planet establishes its own way of doing things that puts it apart from its inspirations, it's just a shame that it doesn't do more to differentiate itself straight away.
Initially conceived as a Sonic fan-game, Freedom Planet is a lovingly made throwback to the 16-bit era — and a game that carves out a personality and appeal all of its own.
Freedom Planet is a wonderful Sonic the Hedgehog-esque game that mixes nostalgia with something new. The quirky characters, fantastic levels, and interesting story will make you not want to put the game down. Each character has their own advantages and disadvantages, encouraging you to test them all out. In the end, it's the whole package, and it's worth picking up.
What we end up with is a 16-bit throwback that's worth playing for the reasons that matter the most. The story isn't great and we encountered one or two glitches, but its shortcomings are nullified by excellent platforming and arcadey action. The lengthy levels are impressive, and the three playable characters all offer fun ways to get through them. If you're after a solid 2D platformer to tide you over until Sonic Mania, Freedom Planet will definitely scratch that itch.
One might feel tempted to mistake Freedom Planet for a copy of Sonic The Hedgehog but that would be tremendously unfair for this work from GalaxyTrail. Its fun and precise gameplay mechanics, along with a wide amount of content and very original levels will bring hours of 2D fun which will resonate particularly well with 16-bit platforming enthusiasts. Were the mixture between action and platforming be more balanced and the boss fights less burdensome on the player and this would become an instant landmark of indie games.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Freedom Planet provides a great mix of nostalgic aesthetics and fine-tuned platforming gameplay, resulting in a memorable indie title that should not be passed up.
If you have a hunger for retro 16-bit games, GalaxyTrail's Freedom Planet is the title for you. This colorful sci-fi platformer feels like a forgotten NES gem.
Small issues aside, Freedom Planet is a fun and worthwhile experience. Replay value is high due to the hectic nature of the stages (you won't see everything during your first playthrough because you'll be moving too fast) and the diverse experience of playing with different protagonists. Add in the fact that there'll be two new characters as free DLC, and there's plenty to keep you coming back for more. If you enjoy platformers but never got into Sonic games, give this one a shot – you might find yourself pleasantly surprised.
The Best Sega Genesis Game That Never Existed
Freedom Planet will immediately bring back memories of 16-bit platformers, namely with the Sonic series but it would be unfair to see this as a mere Sonic copy. Freedom Planet displays more than enough to tell itself apart from the supersonic blue hedgehog and the game's stunning visual presentation, its level of content and fun gameplay mechanics will satisfy Nintendo Switch players at a surprising level.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Freedom Planet may have started as a mere Sonic rip-off, but to view the game as nothing more would be an enormously reductive judgment. Despite its ho-hum story and occasional difficulty spikes, Freedom Planet manages to rise above and become more than the sum of its parts, imbuing a well-trodden gameplay style with fresh ideas and concepts. We'd recommend that you give Freedom Planet a try, even if you've sampled the superb Sonic Mania; it's clear that a substantial amount of care and work went into making this game, and it's an excellent love letter to fans of action platformers.
Freedom Planet does not introduce anything original to the genre, but it is incredibly playable. Fans of "furry" climates will be impressed.
Review in Polish | Read full review
A fun, if not challenging, game that'd be right at home in the SNES vs Genesis days with a great soundtrack and endearing characters.
Freedom Planet is a love letter to SEGA fans, and newcomers are in store for a special gaming experience that they won't experience elsewhere in this modern age.
When you're not hitting its walls, Freedom Planet is an exciting game that feels natural in both docked and portable mode. The different characters give it some flair, and the nostalgia certainly helps, too. And honestly, although SEGA has kind of found their way again with its iconic franchise, Freedom Planet often feels more like a Sonic game than many actual Sonic games did. One minute you'll wish Sonic games played more like this, and the next you'll be wishing Freedom Planet played more like Sonic. If you can handle that dichotomy, Freedom Planet is worth the run.
Retro-styled Indie games are all too common these days, almost as much as fan-made Sonic games.
Calling Freedom Planet a Sonic clone would be unfair. It has unique mechanics, huge levels, and a larger focus on combat. Sometimes I found myself missing the blistering speed of classic Sonic titles, but I deeply appreciate and respect that Freedom Planet has its own identity. I'm looking forward to any improvements the sequel can bring. For only $15, it's worth checking out.