Introduction

The year is 2027. A unified Korea has risen to power under Kim Jong-un and annexed much of south-east Asia, including Japan. With the United States in disarray amid continued economic hardships and a new flu pandemic, the Greater Korean Republic strikes: a thermo-nuclear device hidden aboard a communications satellite is detonated above Kansas, wiping out the US power grid and most electronic devices with the resulting EMP. The Korean People’s Army seizes footholds in Hawaii and California, while paratroopers are dropped further inland. For the first time in history, a foreign power occupies American soil…

Such is the controversial backdrop for Homefront a first-person shooter from THQ and Kaos Studios. If you’re wondering why it sounds so familiar, you’re not alone; the1980s film “Red Dawn” depicted pretty much the same scenario, except with communist forces from Russia and Cuba doing the invading, and writer/director John Milius wrote the script for this game. They both even take place in Colorado and share the same focus on guerilla resistance against the occupational force. How Korea came to be the aggressor is explained in the game’s introductory cutscene, which was released online last summer:



It’s actually quite well done -- in such a way that reminded me of the full-motion video Command & Conquer cutscenes that try to somewhat plausibly tie themselves to reality-- but unfortunately, that’s the only one. It would’ve been nice to have a few more of those spread throughout the game, but alas, it appears they didn’t put much effort into Homefront’s single-player campaign… They start off strong, depicting a disheartening scene of war-time oppression with people being shackled and marched through a town square, beaten mercilessly for trying to escape, or even summarily executed in front of their terrified and confused toddler. By the time you get a weapon, you have a pretty clear idea of what you’re supposed to be fighting for, but is that really enough to get you through?