Homefront (video game)

Did You Know?

• A tie-in novel, Homefront: The Voice of Freedom, written by John Milius and Raymond Benson, was released on January 25, 2011.
• The soundtrack was composed by Matthew Harwood.
• A promotional compilation album titled 'Homefront: Songs for the Resistance' was distributed digitally by Sumerian Records, featuring covers of protest songs by metalcore and deathcore bands.

Plot

Homefront is set in a near-future dystopic United States in 2027. The backstory begins in the 2010s with North Korean military aggression, including a successful nuclear test and the sinking of a South Korean ship. In 2013, after Kim Jong Il's death, Kim Jong Un led a peaceful reunification with South Korea, creating the Greater Korean Republic (GKR), a global power combining Northern military strength and Southern economic power. A 2015 war between Iran and Saudi Arabia, both nuclear-armed, devastated global oil supply, causing gas prices to reach $19.99 per gallon and triggering economic turmoil and social unrest in the United States.

By 2017, the U.S. military recalled much of its Pacific fleet, and Japan, weakened by the diminished U.S.-Japan Security Treaty, was conquered and annexed by the GKR. In 2022, the U.S. financial system collapsed and an Asian bird flu epidemic killed six million, prompting Mexico to close its northern border. By 2024, the GKR had annexed much of Southeast Asia. In 2025, the GKR launched a satellite that detonated a high-altitude nuclear device over the U.S., creating an electromagnetic pulse that wiped out much of the nation's electrical infrastructure.

The Korean People's Army then launched a massive amphibious invasion, seizing Hawaii and much of the Pacific Coast, deploying paratroopers over the Midwest, and launching a final offensive to control the remaining states.

Development

Homefront's gameplay was completely reworked from Frontlines: Fuel of War, focusing on a more cinematic, character-driven experience. Design director David Votypka stated the gameplay would be based on guerrilla-style tactics inspired by Half-Life 2, and that surroundings were designed to use real companies and brands to establish a connection with the user. Executive producer Frank Delise said the PC version would feature exclusive content, dedicated servers, clan support, DirectX 11 graphics, and first-person vehicle cockpits.

The antagonists were originally intended to be the People's Republic of China but were replaced by a unified Korea due to risk of backlash from the Chinese Ministry of Culture and the reality of economic interdependence between America and China, which made China 'not that scary,' according to former CIA field agent and consultant Tae Kim. Kim described a rigorous research process to ensure plausible steps. While the story was billed as written by John Milius, Gamasutra reported that most former employees credited Kaos writer C.J. Kershner with the script, claiming Milius consulted but wrote not a single word.

Reception

Homefront received mixed reviews across all platforms. Critics praised the atmosphere and story, while others panned those same aspects along with the short single-player campaign. The multiplayer was generally well received. GameRankings generated scores of 71.70% for Xbox 360, 69.33% for PlayStation 3, and 68.89% for Windows; Metacritic generated a score of 70 out of 100 across all platforms.

Play praised the campaign and multiplayer but criticized most other things. IGN praised the setting and presentation while criticizing the short campaign. GameSpot praised some memorable moments and the well-crafted multiplayer but criticized the short length and similarity to other first-person shooters. GameZone stated that with tweaks it would have been outstanding, but as released it was worth a playthrough with quality multiplayer. 1Up.com felt the story and multiplayer made up for the generic single-player mode.

As of May 3, 2011, it had shipped 2.6 million units to retail. The advertising simulated a declaration of war, creating confusion among non-gamers and concern after the ROKS Cheonan sinking and the North Korean artillery strike on Yeonpyeong Island. THQ denied piggybacking on tensions, calling the game speculative fiction.