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The opening scene when starting the single-player mode shows the destruction of space station Freeport 7 by unknown forces. To prevent the player from amassing too much wealth and equipment on the side and making the key missions too easy, the current key mission must be completed before the player is allowed to advance a level. There are no time limits to complete these missions, and the player can ignore and "pause" the story to take on side missions instead. Freelancer's story, shown in two hours worth of in-game cut scenes, only exists in single-player mode.The story is linear without any branches and can only be advanced when the player takes on key missions one at a time.
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