Deep Silver's rebellion-inspired game, Homefront: The Revolution, was subjected on a short gameplay during the 2015 EGX. Participants then discovered its unique propaganda story line, while a brief interview with designer C.J. Kirshner focused on what he called "Guerilla Fantasy".
Set in 2029, the game's story starts with a propaganda video which introduces a player to a fictional setting. Protagonists take up arms in an attempt restore the sovereignty of the once glorious United States from North Korean Occupation. From the start, Flickering Myth already commented that controls felt loose. It noticed that aiming was imprecise where players might find themselves struggling for the target. Weapons also seem to be disappointing for a first-person shooter for its lack of weight and power. Despite the control issues, the game paid off with its plot, having the idea of influencing the citizens to rise up and liberate the nation.
In an exclusive interview of TSA with Senior Narrative Designer, C.J. Kirshner, the latter emphasized what he called "Guerilla Fantasy" of the game. Such fantasy is the feeling of vulnerability that one needs to take up arms despite minimal resources in a heavily patrolled ruined city. Conforming to it are the game's unique features like the rebel's ability to attach a Molotov to a vehicle, gathering objects for the Guerilla toolkit, and sneaking through the area while hiding from patrolling KPAs. Kirshner further stresses that another unique feature of the game is that it does not let free reign on players. Enemies are very attentive and would even hunt you down if you made the mistake of doing noticeable things. Furthermore, Kirshner also talks about the artistic depiction of the city which is very realistic and natural, pointing out how war historically reshapes a city.
Through a 15-minute gameplay and a brief interview with Kirshner in EGX 2015, N3RDABL3 was able to prune out some interesting information about how the game was developed. To begin with, Kirshner clarified that Homefront: The Revolution is not a direct sequel of the Homefront. One is not to expect even a little similarity between the two, and that there is no continuing of a story or bringing back of characters.
The Revolution involves a new developer, new publisher, and new gameplay style and system. He also explained that despite being set in a not too distant future, the game never gone full future soldier as they want players to experience the guerilla feeling. A guerilla has gone backwards in time, without much access to technology and a player got most things in his own disposal, as some weapons are improvised and homemade.
With an impressive storyline and a unique feeling of a "guerilla fantasy", Deep Silver's Homefront: The Revolution is set to rise up on 2016, available for PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
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