Free Running

{{Infobox video game

| title = Free Running

| image = File:Free_Running_PlayStation_2_Cover_Art.jpg

| caption =

| developer = Rebellion Developments (PS2, Wii)
Core Design (PSP)

| publisher = Ubisoft, Reef Entertainment, Graffiti Entertainment

| composer = Martin Iveson

| released = {{vgrelease|AU|19 April 2007{{Cite web |last=Jastrzab |first=Jeremy |date=March 19, 2007 |title=Updated Australian release list, 19/03/07 |url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?title=Updated+Australian+release+list%2C+19%2F03%2F07&id=7015&sid=5f3a4e4f9ced38f80ec67da8267b8031 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070324120516/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?title=Updated+Australian+release+list%2C+19%2F03%2F07&id=7015&sid=5f3a4e4f9ced38f80ec67da8267b8031 |archive-date=March 24, 2007 |access-date=November 29, 2024 |website=PALGN}}|EU|20 April 2007}}Wii, Windows
{{vgrelease|EU|1 October 2009|NA|28 April 2010 (Wii)|NA|3 December 2019 (PC)}}

| genre = Sports, platforming

| modes = Single-player, multiplayer

| platforms = Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii

}}

Free Running is a 2007 video game for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii and Microsoft Windows, developed by Rebellion Developments and Core Design and published by Ubisoft,{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/free-running-review |title=Free Running (PlayStation 2) |author=Dan Whitehead |date=10 April 2007 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=6 July 2010 |quote=Free Running is a noble effort to apply the platform game template to a seemingly appropriate real world pastime, but it's hamstrung from the start by gameplay that is neither agile nor fluid enough to deliver an engaging experience, and by a concept that is considerably less unique on a joypad as it is in reality.}} Reef Entertainment, and Graffiti Entertainment. A Nintendo DS version was planned, but cancelled.{{cite web |title=Free Running – Release Details |url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ds/997391-free-running/data |website=GameFAQs |publisher=GameSpot |access-date=18 January 2021}} The game was originally due for release in 2005 but was delayed due to apathy from its original publisher, Eidos.{{Cite journal |date=January 2007 |title=Free Running Preview |url=https://archive.org/details/edge-020/Edge-171/page/32/mode/2up |journal=Edge Magazine |issue=171 |pages=32}}{{Cite journal |date=February 2007 |title=Free Running Review |url=https://archive.org/details/edge-020/Edge-172/page/82/mode/2up |journal=Edge Magazine |issue=172 |pages=82}}

Gameplay

Free Running is a freerunning sports game, with mechanics similar to those found in skateboarding titles such as the Tony Hawk's series. The objective of the game is a representation of freerunning, and players must demonstrate speed alongside flamboyance. The player is required to navigate their character through an urban environment by climbing, leaping, wall-running and other acrobatic maneuvers. Points are earned by performing combinations of such moves, and completing mini-challenges such as checkpoint races. Sébastien Foucan, the inventor of freerunning, is your mentor and guides you through the game's tutorial in the PS2 version. He was removed in later ports. The Wii port is played with either the Wii Remote and Nunchuk or the Classic Controller.

Reception

{{Video game reviews

| MC = (PSP) 65/100{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/psp/freerunning |title=Free Running (psp: 2007): Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913094256/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/psp/freerunning |archive-date=13 September 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=7 June 2018}}
(PS2) 61/100{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/freerunning |title=Free Running (ps2: 2007): Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913121849/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/freerunning |archive-date=13 September 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=7 June 2018}}
(Wii) 51/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/free-running/critic-reviews/?platform=wii |title=Free Running for Wii Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=7 June 2018}}

| Edge = 7/10{{cite magazine |title=Free Running (PS2) |magazine=Edge |issue=172 |date=February 2007 |page=82}}

| EuroG = 5/10

| GMaster = 75%{{cite magazine |title=Free Running (PS2) |magazine=GamesMaster |date=May 2007 |page=71}}

| OPMUK = 6/10{{cite magazine |title=Free Running (PS2) |magazine=PlayStation Official Magazine – UK |issue=5 |date=April 2007 |page=96}}
(OPS2) 5/10{{cite magazine |title=Free Running (PS2) |magazine=Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine |issue=82 |date=February 2007 |page=75}}

| PSM3 = 70%{{cite magazine |title=Review: Free Running (PS2) |magazine=PSM3 |date=June 2007 |page=78}}

| VG = 5/10{{cite web |url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/free-running-review |title=Free Running Review (PS2) |author=Will Freeman |date=22 April 2007 |website=VideoGamer.com |publisher=Resero Network |access-date=7 June 2018}}

| rev1 = The Sydney Morning Herald

| rev1Score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/game-reviews/free-running/2007/05/12/1178899166995.html |title=Free Running (PS2) |author=Eliot Fish |date=14 May 2007 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=7 June 2018}}

}}

The game received "mixed" reviews on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. Eurogamer criticized the PlayStation 2 version's stiff controls and camera, leading to unease in performing tricks and combinations. It did not compare favourably to the fluid movement in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and Crackdown – titles that were deemed to be better free running games than Free Running.