FEAR Review

Introduction

FEAR is a FPS game with a heavy emphasis on scaring the player. It’s not only relatively scary, but it has some of the best gameplay in a FPS that I’ve seen yet.

Gameplay 19/20

The gameplay is quite good. Level design is decent, though it does get a bit repetitive by the end of the game. A little too much emphasis on tight corridors; it would have been nice to have some more open, outside areas.

There is not much variation in the enemies, however, the AI and the amount of enemies makes up for that. You and the computer have the same amount of health, so the game can be quite difficult. In order to make the game a bit easier, you can slow time down significantly (think matrix), giving you a bit of an edge. Even with that edge, it’s still quite challenging. The AI itself is decent, it flanks, calls for backups, retreats, uses grenades and so on.

The guns are great. They all feel right, and they all are relatively balanced, with the possible exception of the G2. I’m not that much of a fan of the games sniper rifle, it’s not very accurate, and is outclassed by the Penetrator in most respects. The guns range from real-world weapons like shotguns and machineguns to more scifi weapons like laser guns.

The game is suitably scary as well. Parts of the game use surprise to scare you, while other parts use massive amounts of suspense, and creepy sounds.

Graphics 8/10

The graphics are fairly impressive. They are not quite up to Half Life 2 standards, but they are still good. The shadows and light effects are a bit nicer than Half Life 2’s in my opinion, while the models are better in Half Life 2.

Sound 4/5

The sound is good, suitably scary/eerie when it needs to be. Guns sound good as well, perhaps not as boomy as they could be, but it’s ok on the whole.

Bugs 5/5

Didn’t run into any bugs.

Controls 5/5

Controls are good, and fully customizable.

Appropriateness

This is where the game falls flat on it’s face for most people. There is a ton of violence in the game. Not only that, there is a ton of blood and gore. You can shoot limbs and heads off of the enemies, and cause them to explode into a bloody mist. Obviously, there are blood splatters on the wall. In some parts of the game, the rooms are literally coated in dripping blood. There is a fair amount of language in the game as well. The f word is used fairly often. In addition the above, one of the main female enemies is shown naked, however it is all shimmered and blurry so you can’t make anything out.

Conclusion

This is one of the best games that I’ve played this year, if the violence/language doesn’t bother you. Highly recommended.