Update: Shortly after it was posted on PEGI's site, "Freedom Fighters" was digitally re-released on GOG.

Original Story In 2003, in between assassination plots, IO Interactive, the developer of Hitman, released Freedom Fighters, a squad-based shooter set in an alternate universe where the Soviet Union nuked Berlin to end World War II and turned the world red was released. Like Hitman, it was well received, but was never made into a series and so far has not been digitally re-released. That may change.

Today, a new rating for Freedom Fighters was posted on the PEGI website; IO Interactive had not mentioned the game for years, but the rating hounds documented its arrival and shared it on Reddit and ResetEra.

The rating is for the PC version only, and it is unclear whether this is just a digital re-release, an HD update, or something else; it definitely is not a remake or sequel, as it includes a description of the original 2003 game.

The magazine review gave it a 79, saying it was interesting but not particularly deep, and most reviews were very positive, but IO Interactive never returned to the series. At one point a sequel was planned, but the studio announced "Kane & Lynch" instead.

"Freedom Fighters" was originally published by Electronic Arts, but IO Interactive retained the rights after the studio was acquired by Eidos Interactive and then by Square Enix; in 2017, IO Interactive went independent and took Freedom Fighters with them, although after 17 years I never thought I would see it again.

IO Interactive is currently working on Hitman 3, but also opened a second studio last year to "expand our muscle to create brand new and exciting endeavors, new universes and new franchises. While "Freedom Fighters" is not a new franchise, after so many years, there is certainly a lot of new things IO Interactive can do.

While this rating is for the original game, it is possible that IO Interactive is testing the waters for a remake or sequel. It would not be the first time that a digital re-release would herald something a bit more meaty.