Svoboda 1945: Liberation is a truly incredible educational videogame that I, as a history teacher, can recommend for use in the classroom. In addition to its experiential and play value, it proves that educational titles can be captivating without losing their pedagogical mission, and I’m glad that this genre continues to deliver high quality projects and evolves consistently with the efforts of talented teams like this one. Plus, the serious way in which Svoboda 1945: Liberation treats the historical facts and the compassionate way in which it presents the people are a beautiful tribute to the memory of those who survived World War II. This is an especially important gesture, as the last survivors are now nearing their final days, and with them, the knowledge of what really happened. Let’s not lose this and be doomed to repeat it.
Svoboda 1945 can do it all - thrill, move, teach and entertain. That it manages to do all of it against the background of an infinitely complex topic, that of the bloody and chaotic post-war years in Czechoslovakian borderlands, is so, so impressive. The only shame is that the central mystery doesn’t work as well as it could.
Svoboda 1945: Liberation is a fascinating deep dive into post-war Czechia that asks players to consider if everything is worth saving or if some things are better left in the past. Its use of mixed media, including FMV, historical footage, comics, and mini-games provides a unique approach to learning that I hope is replicated in many more educational games. Although the sheer amount of information can be a bit to take in for those completely unaware of the topic, it’s an educational experience everyone would be richer for having. If you love history and are ready for an emotionally impactful title that asks tough questions and dives headfirst into controversial conversations, be sure to check out Svoboda 1945: Liberation.
Svoboda 1945: Liberation is a game which explores how looking back at the past means different things for different groups of people. It’s a story about the difference between those who benefit from the act of looking back, and those who are punished and aggrieved instead.
SummarySvoboda 1945: Liberation takes place in a small village in the Czech borderlands. Locals witnessed the horrors of World War 2 only to face the chaotic and violent events that came after. You arrive to decide what to do with the local school. But shortly, the mundane trip reveals that the scars of the past still run deep in the village.
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