F.E.A.R.
When F.E.A.R. (First Encounter Assault Recon) was released back in 2005 for the PC critics everywhere heralded it as part of the second coming. Beautiful graphics, white knuckled gameplay, and fluid control came together in a way that was almost holy in some circles. Personally, I felt the game a well-developed experience but that it wasn't the greatest thing since sliced bread. Some things just don't live up to the hype that precedes it.
With the Xbox 360 version the title was taken to the home consoles and with the PlayStation 3 we once again take that same trip. As is the case with most releases the console version is not quite as good as the PC but in the PS3's case the experience is nearly so. The gameplay is solid, the atmosphere is rich, and more importantly, Alma (the creepy ghost girl), is just as freaky as ever.
In case you missed it the first time around, F.E.A.R. tells its story in events that unfold before your very eyes. You play as a new recruit for a specialized ops group that deals with paranormal activity. Think Mulder and Scully, but with more guns and explosions. The difference is that instead of chasing down aliens you're going after a possessed lunatic named Paxton Fettel who commands a battalion of telepathically controlled clone soldiers. During your mission to take down Fettel you're going to suffer from hallucinations about Alma and you'll witness all manner of paranormal crap hitting the fan.
The story here is reminiscent of some Japanese horror films and the manner with which it unfolds feels unique by game standards. There is a great sense of immersion that comes through the story elements but the best way to experience what F.E.A.R. has to offer is through the solid gameplay.
While F.E.A.R. may be a horror game it is first and foremost a first-person shooter. Because of that there are many things you can expect about the control scheme going in. Control is generally an issue in a title that makes the transition from PC to console but F.E.A.R. takes it in stride. Some of the layout may take a little getting used to for some but overall I couldn't really find a fault with the way it was set up.
Another nice thing about F.E.A.R. is that it seeks to enhance your experience by offering bullet time and a wide variety of unique weapons that are a hoot to use. Sure you still have the shotgun, pistol, and assault rifle that you'll find in every other FPS but F.E.A.R. truly does throw some fun tools into the mix. Going after clone troopers with a particle weapon that fries them to a crisp or spike gun that impales them plays well with the game's atmosphere.
Using these weapons against the swarm of enemies in your way is a lot of fun. Even better is the way they react to your presence. During gunfights you can expect to see opposing soldiers ducking behind cover, laying suppression fire, and leaping over rails to avoid your assault. This definitely added the element of a challenge to playing through F.E.A.R. and it turned every firefight into a life and death struggle. The one man army mentality just doesn't worth with most situations you'll come across here.
Then again, if you played the PC version of the game then you'll know that enemy soldiers aren't the only force to reckon with here. Walking down a hallway and seeing a shadow move up ahead will send a shiver down your spine. Having horrible visions flash in front of your eyes and seeing a little girl in your peripheral vision are other ways the game attacks you. Through this rich and creepy atmosphere the game creates a sense of immersion that few FPS titles can mimic. This was my favorite element to playing through F.E.A.R. because you truly never knew what was going to jump at you.
If multiplayer is your thing the PS3 version offers a few modes to play through but they are basically FPS standards. Capture the flag, Deathmatch, and Elimination are all that you'll find here. For what it's worth the online component is very functional and I experienced very little lag during matches. Overall the gameplay in F.E.A.R. is quite solid and it's essentially as good as the versions that came before it.
Where the PlayStation 3 version lacks the most is ironically the visual department. F.E.A.R. is, quite simply, awful to look at when you compare it to other titles released on the console. Heck, this edition of the game is worse looking than the Xbox 360 version which came out last year!
One of the biggest problems with the PS3 version is the fact that texture mapping is downright weak. Characters, environments, and objects in your surroundings are very low-res and look like something the PlayStation 2 could have almost handled. This is disappointing to say the least but when you add in minimal lighting, long load times, and graphical glitches you'll wonder why Monolith let their once rich title go sour. There are still elements throughout the game that do impress and as a whole the title is functional but this is the PS3 (the supposed superior console) and we expect better.
Fortunately, while F.E.A.R. doesn't please the eyes it will give your ears a lot to look forward to. All around, the sound direction in this game is phenomenal. From the soundtrack to the voice acting and even the little ambient effects in between you'll fall in love. If you have a surround system running full blast you'll be immersed in the action and creepy atmosphere in no time.
F.E.A.R. is a solid first-person shooter. The gameplay is rich, the AI is decent, the multiplayer is fun, and the sound direction is remarkable. Sadly the graphics are VERY disappointing which makes this version the one not to get if you have the option. The 360 and PC versions offer a smoother experience to be sure though the PS3 isn't bad by any stretch of the imagination; it's just not as good.