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For Liberty!

	Author: Craig Handler Article Type: PC Game Review Publication Date: 9/14/2006 Developer: Hussar Games Publisher: Battlefront Related Categories: American War of Independence, Turn-based, Strategic

IF THIS BE TREASON, MAKE THE MOST OF IT

Loading up For Liberty! for the first time is like being greeted by an old friend. After pushing beyond the Hussar Games and Battlefront splash, the main menu is presented in traditional no nonsense format. Choose between the American and Hungarian campaigns or alter game options such as, screen resolution, scroll speed and sound. There is no introduction video, but right from the beginning, For Liberty! gets players riled up for revolution with appropriate menu graphics and a period score.

The beauty of simplicity.

For Liberty! is broken down into multiple scenarios across the two available campaigns. Aside from the tutorial scenario (which is described as a campaign), the remaining play options really just break the ‘Grand Campaigns’ down into several smaller segments, permitting the player to pick up either revolution at a number of different time periods within the actual conflict.

Configure an American Revolution.	...or, a Hungarian revolt.

The tutorial scenario is the best place to start and is ultimately effective at familiarizing the player with the core game functions, mechanics and interface, but not without some frustration. Instructional data is presented in small font and is crammed into the bottom left corner of the main map screen. While the need for brevity is understandable, some players may need to strain in order to read the small text. Additionally, at times the tutorial explanations were confusing, and described features in a less than logical approach. In some instances, buttons were incorrectly described by the tutorial, such as referring players to the ‘List of Armies’ button, even though the actual button is labeled the ‘Army List.” These minor inconsistencies are likely the result of changes during the design and development process, and are little more than an inconvenience. For Liberty! is not an overly complex game, nor too difficult to learn. However, the tutorial format, combined with a less than optimal interface, increased the learning curve higher than it should have been. 

Squint…the small text in the bottom left corner is going to teach you how to play.

All game interface functions are located along the left side of the screen. The interface bar is loosely broken down into three sections. The top section contains pertinent strategic information such as the date and national resources available (men, small arms, horses, cannons, zeal and political influence; more on these resources later). The middle section contains information relevant to the currently selected army, including the ranking officer and his abilities, number of men, cavalry and cannon battery, levels of readiness, morale, experience and supply. The remaining items located in the middle section are critical for army command and management. Finally, in the bottom section, the player will find a graphic related to local terrain features. The scenario mini-map is also located on the left side of the screen, and displays prevailing weather conditions, in addition to allied and enemy town locations. Finally, a bar containing provincial details of friendly and enemy controlled towns, such as fortification level, resource income, loyalty and supply, is also found on the bottom left side of the screen.

Study the interface bar well; there is a lot to learn.

A tremendous amount of information is presented here, and it probably could have been organized more clearly. As it is, much of the information is cluttered and values sometimes appear jumbled. Many players like to obtain important data at a glance, but the presentation of the interface in For Liberty! prevents this, at least for beginning players who are trying to learn the system. Fortunately, For Liberty! utilizes a robust tool tip function that is of tremendous utility in determining what all the symbols and numbers represent.