History Main / FreelookButton

* ''VideoGame/OperationFlashpoint'' and the later ''VideoGame/{{ARMA}}'' games allow the player to look away from where his gun is pointing with the Alt key.
* ''Videogame/PlanetSide 2'' allows aircraft to freelook when the player holds down the middle mouse button, which locks them from using pitch and roll controls. The Liberator gunship's pilot-controlled gun used to be aimable in freelook for use against ground targets, but was removed on all but one gun because [[NotTheIntendedUse Liberators were murderizing the crap out of everything in the sky]].
* ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}}'': The first game allows you to go into first-person view by pressing down on the right control stick. This isn't handy for much more than getting a closer look at the minds you go through, though.
* ''[[Videogame/MechWarrior MechWarrior Living Legends]]'' and ''Mechwarrior Online'' have freelook buttons which disable control of the [[HumongousMecha BattleMech's]] torso and allow you to look around. When at maximum torso angle lock on a mech without an AbnormalLimbRotationRange, using the freelook is critical because it can be used to get a few extra degrees of weapon articulation to blast someone.

* ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}}'' The first game allows you to go into first-person view by pressing down on the right control stick. This isn't handy for much more than getting a closer look at the minds you go through, though.

* ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy'' has this feature,which provides excellent viewing for the game's outer-space SceneryPorn.

* World maps in ''VideoGame/MarioParty'' and ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBros'' have a button that enables the player to scan the board without moving his piece/character.

One solution to CameraScrew is a designated Freelook button which switches the player from their normal gameplay controls to a player-view perspective of the game world (from either a first-person or [[AlwaysOverTheShoulder over-the-shoulder]] view), allowing the player to look around using the same controls that would otherwise be used for their player movement.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Rodina}}'', holding the alt key while piloting your ship makes mouse movement rotate the camera without rotating your ship. Releasing alt makes the camera snap back to face the same direction your ship does.
* ''VideoGame/SpyroTheDragon'' gives an over-the-shoulder perspective.

* In the ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'' series, ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2'' and ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3'' added the ability to precision-aim firearms in this mode. It is also possible to engage this mode during some cutscenes.

One solution to CameraScrew is a designated Freelook button which switches the player from his normal gameplay controls to a player-view perspective of the game world (from either a first-person or [[AlwaysOverTheShoulder over-the-shoulder]] view), allowing him to look around using the same controls that would otherwise be used for his player movement.

This is not to be confused with games that allow simultaneous player movement and "free" camera control simultaneously via separate control sticks (which most FirstPersonShooter games, like ''VideoGame/{{Quake}}'', do by default). A Freelook button is a means of ''toggling between'' player movement and camera control, usually because simultaneous control over both is not always possible (depending on the game's control scheme).

Compare CameraLockOn, CameraCentering, FreeRotatingCamera.

While the inevitable Camera Screw makes this a common feature in 3D games, it actually predates the development of 3D: Some 2D games provide a dedicated "look" button that allows the player to scroll their view of the level in a given direction (often with an accompanying sprite animation), and [[SideView sidescrollers]] sometimes allow the player to hold Up or Down to scroll their view vertically (assuming the player is standing still first), as those directions are otherwise of little use in the sidescrolling genre.

* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'': Sonic could look Up or Down while standing in place.

* In the UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime'' titles, the R button provided this function, allowing the player to look/scan/shoot vertically, at the cost of Samus not being able to move around. ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM'' provides similar functionality by pointing the Wii Remote at the screen, allowing the player to look around (and shoot missiles) from a first-person perspective in a game that is otherwise played from a third-person camera.

** In ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Skyward Sword]]'', Link can maneuver in any direction in Freelook mode, as the freelook is handled exclusively by motion control.

One solution to CameraScrew is a designated FreelookButton which switches the player from their normal gameplay controls to a player-view perspective of the gameworld (from either a first-person or [[AlwaysOverTheShoulder over-the-shoulder]] view), allowing them to look around using the same controls that would otherwise be used for their player movement.

While the inevitable CameraScrew makes this a common feature in 3D games, it actually predates the development of 3D: Some 2D games provide a dedicated "look" button that allows the player to scroll their view of the level in a given direction (often with an accompanying sprite animation), and [[SideView sidescrollers]] sometimes allow the player to hold Up or Down to scroll their view vertically (assuming the player is standing still first), as those directions are otherwise of little use in the sidescrolling genre.

This is not to be confused with games that allow simultaneous player movement and "free" camera control simultaneously via separate control sticks (which most FirstPersonShooter games, like ''VideoGame/{{Quake}}'', do by default) -- a Freelook button is a means of ''toggling between'' player movement and camera control, usually because simultaneous control over both is not always possible (depending on the game's control scheme).

* ''AeroTheAcrobat'': Holding the X button enabled the player to look around in any direction while Aero stood in place, with accompanying sprite animation.

* ''SonicTheHedgehog'': Sonic could look Up or Down while standing in place.

* World maps in ''VideoGame/MarioParty'' and ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBros'' have a button that enables the player to scan the board without moving their piece/character.

* ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'', and ''VideoGame/SuperMarioSunshine'', the latter allowing the player to aim FLUDD's spray nozzle at targets.

* ''OperationFlashpoint'' and the later ''{{ARMA}}'' games allow the player to look away from where his gun is pointing with the Alt key.
* ''Videogame/PlanetSide 2'' allows aircraft to freelook when holding down the middle mouse button, which locks them from using pitch and roll controls. The Liberator gunship's pilot-controlled gun used to be aimable in freelook for use against ground targets, but was removed on all but one gun because [[NotTheIntendedUse Liberators were murderizing the crap out of everything in the sky]].

* ''EpicMickey'': A first-person perspective with greater precision for using Paint and Thinner.

* ''KingdomHearts'' offers a first-person perspective, but the player cannot move or attack while using it. In ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'' it was possible to move in the first person view, but certain attacks or magics returned the player to normal third-person view.

* In the UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube ''MetroidPrime'' titles, the R button provided this function, allowing the player to look/scan/shoot vertically, at the cost of Samus not being able to move around. ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM'' provides similar functionality by pointing the Wii Remote at the screen, allowing the player to look around (and shoot missiles) from a first-person perspective in a game that is otherwise played from a third-person camera.

* ''SpyroTheDragon'': Gives an over-the-shoulder perspective.

* In the UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube ''MetroidPrime'' titles, the R button provided this function, allowing the player to look/scan/shoot vertically, at the cost of Samus not being able to move around. ''MetroidOtherM'' provides similar functionality by pointing the Wii Remote at the screen, allowing the player to look around (and shoot missiles) from a first-person perspective in a game that is otherwise played from a third-person camera.

* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'', and all 3D ''Zelda'' [[MajorasMask games]] [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker since]] [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess then]], have had a freelook function that also doubles as a means of precision aiming for tools like the Bow or Hookshot. Holding the shoulder button at the same time allows Link to sidestep left or right without leaving the freelook mode.

* In the GameCube ''MetroidPrime'' titles, the R button provided this function, allowing the player to look/scan/shoot vertically, at the cost of Samus not being able to move around. ''MetroidOtherM'' provides similar functionality by pointing the Wii Remote at the screen, allowing the player to look around (and shoot missiles) from a first-person perspective in a game that is otherwise played from a third-person camera.

* In the trilogy of ''JakAndDaxter'' games, this doubles as a means of precision aiming for projectile attacks like Yellow Eco or the Blaster gun.

* ''PlanetSide 2'' allows aircraft to freelook when holding down the middle mouse button, which locks them from using pitch and roll controls. The Liberator gunship's pilot had an autocannon that could be aimed by freelook during the beta, though it was removed when Liberators were winning one-on-one fights with fighters.

* ''ResidentEvil4'' has an over the shoulder perspective but could also move the camera angle around fairly freely for a closer look. Worth noting is that Ashley reacts appropriately if you, the player, attempts to use the camera in this way to peek under her skirt, especially from below a ledge when she is standing near a ladder.

Engaging Freelook mode has one notable side effect: Since the player's normal movement controls are now adjusting the camera instead, the player character becomes essentially fixed in place until it is released, and they may be vulnerable to enemy attacks. Some games will switch back to normal control if the player takes damage during Freelook mode, or allow limited evasive maneuvers without interrupting the Freelook. Other games may even allow the player to use their weapons/attacks in Freelook mode, enabling this function to provide precision aiming with projectile weapons (like everyone's favorite, the SniperRifle).

This is not to be confused with games that allow simultaneous player movement and "free" camera control simultaneously via separate control sticks (which most FirstPersonShooter games, like VideoGame/{{Quake}}, do by default) -- a Freelook button is a means of ''toggling between'' player movement and camera control, usually because simultaneous control over both is not always possible (depending on the game's control scheme).