The Free Ones

The Free Ones is a 3D platforming game with parkour elements where you soar through the skies and traverse unique terrain to get from point A to point B. It draws some similarities to other parkour games but takes place in a much more cave-like environment where canyons tower above you on either side and simple vegetation can be seen dotted around you. The game plays similarly to Valley, although A Story About My Uncle is perhaps a better game to compare The Free Ones with as the two share a lot of the same core gameplay, including many of the same movement mechanics.

Soaring through the sky with the grappling mechanic

One of the best ways to get around the world in The Free Ones is through the grappling mechanic. It offers so much freedom of movement and allows you to traverse the environment with ease and in style. If you’ve ever played a game where grappling is a thing, you no doubt know how much fun it can be.

There are various surfaces you can grapple onto, so make the most of your surroundings and use your best judgment to navigate the world efficiently. If you build up enough momentum from swinging, you can use that to propel yourself forward quickly. After you progress a bit in the game, you even unlock a glider suit, which opens up a new way to travel around and is super fun to use.

The story of Theo and the mines

The movement mechanics aren't the only great thing about this game, as there's quite an interesting storyline involving the main character. Theo, a prisoner trapped in a slave mine, seemingly has no hope of escaping and living a normal life. However, through the acquisition of a new gadget, Theo finally has the chance to leave the hell he finds himself in once and for all.

The end goal is leaving the island, but you encounter all sorts of peculiar situations along the way. As well as grappling through the mines and riding on top of speeding trains, you encounter a group of refugees who also plan on leaving the island for good.

Will you all manage to make it out alive? You’ll have to download The Free Ones to find out.

Pros

• Fantastic movement mechanics that make up the core platforming gameplay
• The game is visually appealing and has a great soundtrack
• Collectibles are available for players looking for an extra challenge

Cons

• The story is quite good but can be a bit bland
• Floating boxes and platforms in the environment take away from the realism of the game
• Some sections of the game can be difficult to progress through and are a bit tedious to repeat if you constantly die halfway through them