So, you can... Now I feel silly. I need to start reading control instructions more closely. But the fact still remains, the free camera mode feels rather awkward. It seems silly for the default to be "free camera" when you're stuck in a grid.
Maybe a compass of some sort so you know which way your going if you're pressing "forward"?
I've had a few friends test it, too. Its kind of hard to tell which way you are actually pointing if you didn't play Gen II. and even then I takes so much practice if you have.