I hope everyone reading has enjoyed their summer. I had a chance to check out Homefront.

Review: Homefront

Release Date: Out Now

Developer: Kaos Studios Publisher: THQ

Console(s): PS3/Xbox 360

Format: Xbox 360 DVD / Blu-Ray disc

ESRB rating: M

Price: (less than $40)

Disclaimer: Only the single player portion of the game was reviewed for the Xbox 360.

Homefront takes place in the near future, where North Korea has taken over the USA by launching an EMP on our country.

The game starts with your player/character on a prison bus and being liberated by some rebels after another vehicle crashes into said bus. The game establishes that ammo is very limited (since you’re a part of a small resistance group, not a well-funded military unit), and enforces that theme by swapping weapons when you get low on ammo.

There are some other things, such as hiding from the North Korean forces in one of the later missions, which help develop the harsh world of Homefront; but to mention some of them in this review would spoil some of these events.

The story is actually pretty good. It establishes who you’re fighting, why you’re fighting and even manages to give you a glimpse of how these rebels live outside of combat. You can also collect newspapers that give better back story to the game.

Gameplay is similar to your typical Call Of Duty inspired shooter, with its “look-down-the-barrel-of-your-gun-to-snap-to-your-target” (herein iron sights), which is not a bad thing.

The problem is that iron-sights-like mechanic will sometimes bug out and doesn’t snap to the enemy properly. Later in the game, you’re given access to a remote controlled tank called “Goliath.”

You control Goliath by locking on a target, pressing the fire button, and watch Goliath rockets upon your foes. The game does switch up the gameplay through well-placed (and short) on-rails turret sections and even a level where you pilot a helicopter.

Unfortunately, this game is very short. You can beat the main campaign mode on a weekend, with only the multiplayer offering any sort of replay value.

The graphics aren’t bad, but they’re not a visual masterpiece either. The audio does fair better with good sound affects (i.e. explosions sound powerful, and weapons don’t sound over or underpowered) and voice acting (all of the actors stay in character while not sounding cheesy.)

Overall, unless you’re looking for some team-based multiplayer action, you may want to just give Homefront a rental.

3.5/5.0 (GOOD)

+ Good story, atmosphere, and voice acting

+ Turret sections aren’t too long

− Single player campaign is very short

− No replay value outside of multiplayer

− Some bugs and (slightly) annoying gameplay issues