F.E.A.R. First Encounter Assault Recon Reviews

• Real FEAR?

  
  By A3GKOMCQTTWPUI on 2006-11-18
  Monsters I can do. Witches, bears, black magic, lunatics with machetes are fine by me. What I can't tolerate, no matter how comfortable my surroundings might be, is little girl ghosts. Worst still little girl ghosts with a massive cob on. Add a bright red dress and lank long black hair draped over a dreaded face - see The Ring - mixed with that little freak cloaked in a red rainmac from Don't Look Now and you've royally got me. Computer games are supposed to be about fun and full of joyousness, not grown men being obliterated by ghosts. What's the world coming to when a little girl craves to see such anguish in the faces of men? These are strange times, strange times indeed.
  
  Bearing all that in mind there is one job that I wouldn't do for all the women on the internet - be a member of F.E.A.R. For those unfamiliar with such an unnerving acronym it means: First Encounter Assault Recon. These bad boys don't muck about with terrorists or rescue hostages from jungles and all the rest of it. No. Members of F.E.A.R. are elite soldiers trained to deal with situations that normal people just wouldn't be able to handle. So if there's a mean supernatural force of gargantuan proportions posing a threat to national security, who you gonna call? F.E.A.R. I'm not talking Most Haunted here either - Derek Acorah would be splashing his pants within minutes of playing this - sadly so was I.
  
  Predictably you play the new kid on the block. You don't speak and your colleagues doubt you - although bizarrely despite being a part of a 'team' you spend the entire game fighting alone. They think you're not made of the right stuff, that under pressure you'll do a runner faster than Thierry Henry on speed. Very little about the plot is given away initially - you're a bit special - you're training results scored off the charts - there's some evilness to be dealt with and that's about it. Rather pleasingly one of F.E.A.R.'s strong points is the narrative, but more importantly how it is delivered to you. Where most FPS use cut scenes to move the plot forward F.E.A.R. is subtler. You'll hear whispers that suggest future events, characters will react to you in a certain way suggestion something isn't right. Messages on phones, note books and the occasional cut scene - however these never really feel traditional as they link seamlessly into the action, so much so that you barely notice that you're not in control anymore.
  
  Within minutes of starting you're running down corridor upon corridor while being treated to the kind of subtle psychological scare tactics usually found in far eastern horror movies - glimpses of people behind doors, flashes of gore and evil innuendo. Similar to the excellent Condemned in atmosphere, F.E.A.R. tightens the vice on your nerves and builds tension like the very best horror movies. While the physics engine pales compared to Half Life 2, the world you're a part of is tangible - objects can be manipulated and you'll often mess your pants as inane objects are placed in your path as you run down dimly lit corridors. Such is the tension that you'll scream when you bump into an empty drinks can and it goes flying.
  
  See through F.E.A.R.'s horror niche and you'll find a pretty decent shooter in there as well. Next-generation perhaps it isn't, but the lack of any slowdown despite the barrage of explosions and bodies flying mean that you can play a highly demanding PC game smoothly on the 360. F.E.A.R. has another trick up its sleeve in the slow mo feature - there is nothing original about it, Max Payne was doing the whole bullet time thing back in 2001. On the 360 however it's a different kettle of shrapnel - a visual spectacular that looks so good it could have been taken straight out of The Matrix. Bits of debris fly out, dust is thrown up and walls crumble as you blast your way through your enemy. The point being that when you're overwhelmed with enemies you can use your 'special abilities' to dish out the pain. The combat system is something to marvel at - going in guns blazing is going to get you capped and shooting from behind cover is equally perilous as the AI is such that they will flank you and pop you one before too long. In order to progress through the battlegrounds you have to combine the slow-mo feature with melee attacks as well unleashing a barrage of lead.
  
  For all the explosions and slow-mo arse whipping F.E.A.R. remains a generic FPS. The AI is superb and the scary bits are nothing short of cinematic, but there is an awful lot of running and gunning. While this might not be a negative factor for an hour or two, the similarity between weapons only illuminates the lack of diversity on offer. F.E.A.R. is also a short game, but with the said lack of variety this isn't necessarily a bad thing - imagine one big kaboom as opposed to a peppered drawn out series of explosions. These days longevity can usually be found online anyway - F.E.A.R. offers an array of game types all familiar to the genre: capture the flag, deathmatch, etc.
  
  However any frustrations that you might have with this will be easily overshadowed by the emotions it invokes within you. F.E.A.R. made me react like no other game can - one particular nerve shredding point literally forced me to involuntarily throw the pad from my hands - the glorious thing about this is that very little happened on screen, it was all about suggestion and even the world's greatest horror movies would do well to learn from Monolith's creation.
  
  A game that fashions such primal fear and mixes it with an always-compulsive if a little generic shooter action can only be a positive thing for gaming. What's on offer here is sheer ingenuity in manufacturing an atmosphere that creeps right into the room you're sitting in - and that's playing it in broad daylight at three in the afternoon. If you like you shooting with a dollop of tangible fear, F.E.A.R. is for you.
  
  
  
  

• Nothing to fear but...

  
  By A3K91X9X2ARDOK on 2006-11-05
  Short review:
  
  Go out and buy this game right now, you will not be disappointed. You need this like you need blood in your body. Okay, maybe not that badly but still worth every cent.
  
  Review:
  
  The single player for this first person shooter is a tad repetitive but still tense and creepy as all hell. I wouldn't put this at the top of scariest games of all time but it's at least top ten. It's unsettling and unnerving at times but the emphasis is more on action in this game.
  
  The single player campaign is a lot of fun, with pretty nice graphics and effects. The rag doll physics are hilarious and it's always a blast to shoot someone and watch them fly back and over a railing to a six story drop. One of the things that makes the single player really stand out is the enemy soldier A.I., which you won't really appreciate until you experience it for yourself. They are very strategic in their methods and execute what seems like professional, real-world offensive maneuvers in washing you. Just don't be surprised when they keep you pinned down long enough to throw a grenade right where you're squatting and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it. There is also a nice little Max Payne style slow motion button that works wonders when you're going up against a squad of commandos with high powered machine guns and rocket launchers. Also, the 5.1 surround mix on this game is immaculate. This is a game to be played loud and in the dark for maximum effect.
  
  The multiplayer portion of the game is just downright gritty. Literally, it's the perfect game for those that just want to go online and shoot someone in the face with a shotgun or empty an entire clip from a machine gun into their jiggling bodies without having to think about it too much. The modes are your standard deathmatch, CTF, team based modes so there's really nothing innovative about the multiplayer game, save for the modes that allow one to use the slow-mo function. I'm actually surprised at how well it plays online and if there's one thing that I have to complain about, it's the lack of a lobby function. So basically, you'll get kicked out of the room once the session is over and everybody will have to start the process of starting up a new room over. It's a minor beef and I'm praying that they'll fix this with a patch, which I'm sure they will.
  
  Bottom line is, this game is damn good and a great port over from the PC version. Great graphics, fantastic surround sound, exciting multiplayer action and some spooky chills will make this worth your while.
  
  

• Solid FPS

  
  By AJW5X51Z4A5W2 on 2006-11-14
  One of the first things I noticed is that this game seems to be influenced alot by hollywood: movies like The Ring, John Woo shooters, and even star wars clones. The story really isnt that deep, but it keeps it interesting all the way.
  
  One of the most important things when playing a shooter for me is the feeling of the weapons. Even though the 360 is a powerful system some games just do not feel right(Perfect Dark Zero) This game is off the charts in this part.
  
  Althought looks arent everything, this game is one one of the best looking games on any system (I have a friend that bought this game for the pc and he couldnt play it on the highest setting, and he had just bought a new $4k computer!)
  
  Enemy A.I? its some of the best anywhere! on the average setting you dont really appreciate it. But on the harder setting enemies run for cover, flank you, one will cover or try to distract you while another hides for cover.. etc.. its fun! You never get the feeling that the computer is cheating. and it also never feels like the same fight twice.
  
  Arguably the most important thing about any game is the controls. The controls are very good, but they seem a bit complex at first. The reason I say this is because you are given more options for melee attacks, you can do some cool slow mo, peak around corners, focus your aim at the expense of moving slower. etc. It takes a while to get used to everything, but once you get the hang of it you will have a blast. especially in multiplayer.
  
  I guess some people complain about the game because they are hopeing for a halo type game with different vehicles, alien guns, extra ordinary story... etc.. But this game never even pretends to be that. Its just a shooter like Doom, Return to Castle Wolfenstein.. even Half Life.
  
  The only negative for me is that all the levels seem industrial.. so in a way it does get a bit repetive. But to me its very minor since everytime I started getting that feeling a new type of enemy would pop up.
  
  My favorite part about this game is the multiplayer, I havent had this much fun since halo 2. The games inovative controls really shine. So if playing multiplayer is your bag then this is your game.
  
  Overall this is arguably the best 360 first person shooter. So if your into these types of games you should check it out.
  
  
  
  

• Engaging and fun!

  
  By A1YD7886FY3XT8 on 2006-12-13
  This is probably some of the most fun I've ever had playing a game. Not to mention the most I've ever said 'Oh @$#%!!' while playing. There are some parts that really, really, made me jump.
  
  A few things:
  
  Most reviewers are saying that it's repetitive. I agree, but have to say that I seriously feel this was done intentionally to lull you into complacency before some bad guy or ghost or voice jumps out at you. Part of the scariness was due to unexpected things happening in the 'familiar' environments. Still, a bigger change from level to level would've been welcome.
  
  Also, I found the controls a bit jumpy and needed to be reworked through the options several times; but even still didn't quite get it for me. This could be because, 1. I am not good at FPS games (like 'em, just not good at 'em) or 2. our left stick is a big wiggy from another house member playing Dead Rising. From other reviews though, I think it was a combo of the aforementioned and design. Not enough to warrant more than minor irritation at the more precise points.
  
  Third, the plot IS there, but has to be gleaned from voice messages from office equipment and voice-overs. Everything comes together in the end, and the little girls story is disturbing.
  
  Last, these enemies are smart. You'll hear, "I hear him, he's behind the crate", see them hide behind a box, raise their arm up, and shoot you blind, or limping to hide once hit. The AI is sweet.
  
  This game is good on its own right... if you've just finished playing COD or Halo, you may be hard pressed NOT to find flaws. But get over yourself and have a good time, you won't regret it!!
  
  

• Not a Run and Gun Shooter!!

  
  By A3TS9IDXZMTOWW on 2006-11-02
  Okay let me go on record as saying I LOVE this game so far and I would have to agree with the before mentioned that it does remind you of Condemned or Half-Life 2 both of which I owned, loved though and got lots of hand cramps playing. First off let me say that this is not a run and gun type of game and if that is what you are looking for may I suggest Call of Duty 2? But if you are in the mood for something scary, methodical and fun I STRONGLY suggest this game. The game is meant to be slow and methodical because that adds to the F.E.A.R. factor. Let's face it running around shooting and blasting everything in sight does not a scary game make. On to the review:
  
  Graphics - 4.5 out of 5 - while it is not great in comparison to SC: DA or FN3 it does rank high in the Graphics category. I think they could be a Tad bit better in some areas though. I don't think anyone will be disappointed with the graphics though unless you were hoping to see Gears of War type graphics.
  
  Sound - 5 out of 5 - Scary! Scary! Scary! Really nuff said there...but voice acting and background music/sounds are some of the best I've heard.
  
  Controls - 5 out of 5 - Controls like your standard 1st person shooter nothing new here, except maybe the addition of the slow motion button which works great I might add.
  
  Gameplay - 5 out of 5 Okay this is where the game absolutely TAKES off!!! Like I stated before the Slow-Mo is a nice touch and will add to the Gameplay. But what really stands out is how challenging the enemies can be. They will duck in to rooms and behind cover to avoid you snuffing them out and some will even try to flank you while you are concentrating on a certain direction of fire. This by itself to me sets this game above the rest. No enemies are going to come charging you without one of his buddies laying down some suppressing fire. So be ready to use the SLOW-MO button.
  
  Story - 4 out of 5 I have just started this game about 25% thru I think but so far the story is just okay, I honestly hope it will get better, as I have never played this game on PC, so I don't know what to expect.
  
  I will now say that I am a big 1st person shooter fan anyway so this review may come off somewhat Bias. I tried to be as unbiased as possible, but I honestly can not imagine anyone NOT liking this game once they started playing (Esp. if you like a good FPS). Also let me say that I play my XBOX360 on a 32" Samsung HD TV so when I rate the graphics that is all I have to go by, so I cannot honestly tell anyone how good the graphics look on a regular TV. I can't imagine they would be that much worst though.
  
  Bottom Line: We are in the Holiday season and it is really starting to show, some of the best games we'll see this year are being released now and in the next couple of weeks to come and F.E.A.R. will stand proudly among them.
  
  
  
• Great Campaign, Even better Online
  By A1ER3FF6AI7VPE on 2006-11-07
  First let me start off by saying this is a great shooter. I played it a while ago when it came out on the PC. It was pretty solid on computer but nothing compaired to the 360. I like first person shooters better on the console but that's just me. Not only is the Campaign hard but it's freaky too! If you play in the dark at night, you will literally jump out of your seat.
  
  The other day i played it on Xbox Live and didn't put the controller down for 3 hours. It's really fast paced. No waiting after you die and the games are fun. It's a close second behind Halo for the best Online First Person Shooter IMO. A must have for any 360 fan.
  
  
• A HIGH FLYING, HARD HITTING, EXPLOSION ORIENTED, BLOODBATH! aaahh, just what the doctor ordered...............
  By A3NYGKAX06A4FS on 2006-11-28
  Since there isn't much that is actually wrong with this game why don't i start with what didn't work for me, the ending. I know, i know they where setting up for a sequel, but i just felt that there should have been more, however you will just have to see the ending for yourself because i am not saying anymore. With that being said, let us speak of what works in this game, almost, everything. The weaponry is great, from a missle launcher to a projectile beam cannon, to a couple of old fashioned, hard hitting uzies, how can one go wrong, and the story.............top notch, when it comes to scary movies i am a pretty tough critic, however this game makes you feel like you are right there, in the middle of a frightening, and desperate struggle for your survival. if you like first person shooters, horror flicks, and have always wanted to unload a couple of rounds in the face of that ugly chick from the ring, then this is the game for you, i'll tell you right now, you won't regret it.
  
  
• What a game!
  By A1J30HJM3YJSOA on 2006-11-06
  I have been looking forward to this game ever since it came out on PC, and this game is everything and more on the 360. Great action, graphics, pace and horror. It's freaky walking around in the dark and hearing the little demon girl whispering to you, or seeing her shadow run behind you. This game is going to be a classic.
  
  
• Nothing new
  By A3RMGKKJL950Z9 on 2007-07-10
  This game is not too bad. But for the experienced gamer, this game is pretty linear. In parts I found it did not hold my interest because of the repetitive nature. The environment is dark and gritty throughout that variation seemed to be nonexistant. There were parts in this game that had a "shock" value, but not enough for me to say this is one of the best games produced. Rainbow 6, Halo 2 (and soon 3) are games that I would highly recommend in comparison.
  
  I would rent it and if you like it - buy it.
  
  
• Save your money, rent it first before you buy into the hype
  By A2V8XFPYX8UUI0 on 2006-11-12
  My introduction to FEAR was via the Xbox 360 demo downloadable from Xbox Live. The demo was fairly solid and since I had heard so much about this game from different online and magazine ratings I decided I was pretty safe to buy it. I figured that my demo experience was only a taste and that I was in for a real treat. Unfortunately, this game has not impressed me. If you download the Xbox 360 demo basically you are getting the entire game. That's no exaggeration. The gameplay turned out to be ridiculously repetitive and almost all the weapons available in the game are represented in the demo. Here's a breakdown of why I rated this game so poorly.
  
  GOOD:
  Graphics - For the most part they are amazing. One only needs look at some of the screenshots posted online. They didn't do too well on faces: they look like plastic dolls, but everything else is stellar.
  
  MEDIOCRE:
  Gameplay - Gameplay was OK. An element that has been incorporated before but is still pretty interesting is a slow motion button. The slow mo even recharges after a while. The enemy AI is pretty good, also. FEAR doesn't really bring anything that new and exciting in terms of gameplay, though. Nothing new in terms of weapons, maneuvers, or overall gameplay. There are no open environments like in Halo or Half Life 2 and there are definitely no vehicles.
  
  BAD:
  Repetition - This is the number one offense of this game and it should be underscored more than anything else. I would say that if you play the Xbox Live demo over and over for about 10 hours you'll probably have the same level of enjoyment. I was astounded at how lacking this game was in terms of originality. You leave one room only to enter another to go the exact same thing again. Even the creepy scenes get repetitious and my own horror soon evolved into numbness.
  Storyline - For me, personally, this was a really stupid and overused storyline. I won't spoil it for anyone, but if you're a sci fi horror fan you can rest assured that this one has been played out a bit too much.
  Sound - No music, period. Only ambient sounds. In addition, at least the Xbox 360 version of this game has some weird sound dynamics. Even with the in-game menu speech volume turned all the way up I had to turn up the volume on my TV full blast whenever anyone spoke so I could hear them.
  Profanity - although this doesn't affect too many who play rated M games it should be mentioned for those who are concerned. The F word is prolific and I mean really, really prolific.
  
  My recommendation to anyone thinking of purchasing this is to rent it first. I think it is a good rental game since you can probably get through it all in a rental period.
  
  
• Great Example of Horror Gameplay
  By A3V6Z4RCDGRC44 on 2007-02-10
  There are horror games that simply try to bombard you with gore and violence - and then there are horror games that are a complex interweaving of music, graphics and plotline. FEAR definitely falls into the psychological thriller category.
  
  First, the situation. A compound is taken over by a military group in full body gear, led by an apparent vampire. Normal attempts to retake the area have failed, so you are sent in alone. It's just you against groups of these quite intelligent enemies. They'll work together, move around to flank you, take cover.
  
  Graphics are very smooth - you can watch as an enemy walks towards you, crouches down to get beneath an overhang, and stands as he continues to seek you out. Peering around corners feels very natural, as does lurking in the shadows. There are dust motes in the air, shadows on the floors, holes shot out of walls.
  
  In addition to the "natural" events, there are also seamlessly built in unnatural ones. Was that a person who moved just out of the corner of your eye, or a ghost? Did you really glimpse something in the shadows or was it a vision? It ramps up the tension until you're jumping at the smallest of sounds, worried that it portends something nasty.
  
  The sound interweaves nicely with this. There are moments which are dead quiet, where every tiny footfall noise stands out. There are other moments when the bullets are flying and music is thrumming, that you know you have to shoot quick or be dead.
  
  Sometimes "bullet time" is awkward in a game, but it really worked in well in FEAR. It really gives the sense that you are caught up in the adrenaline and that your sense of time slows down. Anybody who's been in a real life adrenaline rush knows that feeling!
  
  There are some periods in the game which are just extended gun battles. I imagine that without these, some people would find the game "boring" - not enough shooting. Other people will find these long battles lose the tight-wrapped tension the rest of the game offers. I happen to be in the second camp, but I understand why game makers have to make these trade-offs.
  
  I especially like this being on the XBox 360 - with the combination of a large, widescreen TV and high end graphics. Play this late at night when the rest of the world is asleep, when you can pick out every small creak or strange noise. You can really get emotionally involved in the situation, which is the mark of any good drama.
  
  Be sure you understand this game is rated mature (there is a lot of nasty violence and swearing) and that it is meant to be very scary. This wasn't designed for little kids! If you're a mature gamer who enjoys horror games, definitely check this one out. It's very well done.
  
  
• You WILL learn the meaning of FEAR
  By A3PPXVR5J6U2JD on 2007-03-28
  Someone was most assuredly playing Halo one day and then, after watching The Ring, said, "You know what would be cool? If we combined Japanese horror with a first-person shooter!" And thus FEAR was born.
  
  FEAR (First Encounter Assault Recon) is Halo without the power suit and vehicles in tightly confined, spooky urban environments. Your character is anonymous behind his faceplate, like Master Chief, and you possess powers beyond mortal men, including the ability to slow down time in Matrix-esque fashion. The usual weapons of mass destruction are present as well: pistols, sniper rifles, shotguns, rocket launchers, and of course the obligatory futuristic energy rifle.
  
  What makes FEAR different is its adherence to a disturbing plotline. Project Origin has created a series of telepathically controlled clones (think clone troopers from Star Wars). They are the perfect warriors, led by their powerful telepathic commander, Paxton Fettel. Only Paxton has been driven mad by the ghost of a little girl, Alma, and transformed into a cannibalistic mass murderer. Cue our point man (that'd be the player) and the FEAR team.
  
  What ensues is a creepy romp through garbage-filled alleyways, poorly lit warehouses, abandoned office buildings, and weird underground laboratories. We learn the story through more than dialogue alone; there are various opportunities to overhear answering machine messages, slowly unspooling the plot.
  
  FEAR is an interesting experiment in horror. Horror is largely scripted, be it in a novel or script, thereby dictating when and where bad things happen. In FEAR, although events are scripted, they don't necessarily play out the way the creators probably intended. I was often looking the wrong way when a creepy ghost appeared, ruining the effect. Conversely, some creepy moments wear off quickly when you've died twelve times and have to replay the scene over and over again. Nevertheless, the game has its moments, not in the intentionally creepy horror but the subtle: a lone photocopy machine illuminated in the darkness as it photocopies nothing, the rattling of underground pipes ready to burst, and the accidental bumping of debris all kept my nerves frayed.
  
  And there is a LOT of debris. Everything in the game can be hit, bumped, knocked over, moved, and blown up. Except for the cast of characters. This is a bit of a let down when some key cast members (who we just know are BAD (tm)) cannot be harmed with a pistol to the forehead, yet you can accidentally blow yourself to bits by shooting a fire extinguisher from a distance. The game chooses when to be realistic at its creators' whim.
  
  FEAR has one of the most realistic artificial intelligences in recent FPS memory. The clone soldiers work together, throwing grenades at the right moment, looping back around to catch you by surprise, and running and gunning when under heavy fire. They leap over barriers and duck under cover, scream for backup and loudly declare their intentions over their walkie-talkies. In fact they act a lot like...
  
  People. It's so strange that a game fixated on the terror of cloning has the most human-like enemies ever to grace the Xbox 360. The panic in a clone soldier's voice is almost pathetic when you eliminate his entire team: "I can't stop him!" When a soldier thinks he has the drop on you, he swears like a sailor.
  
  FEAR is bloody, violent, and foul-mouthed. Sometimes the cursing seems a little egregious; sometimes it makes you wonder who taught the clones these potty words. But the blood, especially in slow-mo mode, is glorious to behold, especially when a shotgun blast at point blank range tears through a clone soldier and the bookshelf behind him.
  
  FEAR has its flaws. The collision detection isn't always right, snagging your character on strange parts of the board. Bad guys fall all over in rag doll fashion thanks to the Havok engine, but they also sometimes fall in weird poses (on several occasions, a clone soldier fell and hung in mid-air). And the voice acting is so-so.
  
  But FEAR does one thing right, and that was enough to make me play it obsessively until I beat it. You WILL learn the meaning of FEAR.
  
  
  
  
• Awesome FPS
  By AK4NBAU41ODBO on 2006-11-24
  I now see why this game is such a system requirements nag after playing this on the 360. I've had my eye on this game for a while but my comp wouldn't have been able to handle the game even though I've upgraded the graphics card.
  
  Anyhoo, on to my review. This is a great FPS, anyone saying it isn't scary is lying through their teeth. There are several instances (I don't want to spoil them for others) where you'll be jumping up and saying, "Oh, S#%^*!" I still prefer FPS'ers on the PC, you just can't beat the accuracy of a mouse, but that's to be understood beforehand with console versions.
  
  My biggest complaint and reason for removing a star is the lack of subtitles, or at least the option to have them. Many complain that subtitles get in the way but for Deaf and Hard of Hearing gamers it's a real pain not knowing everything that's going on, especially with a game that uses dialogue and such to set the mood. Video games are like crack-- the real money is made by returning customers and word of mouth. When a company doesn't set up something to meet the needs of its gamers they're losing out on potential buyers. I, for example, don't recommend this game for those who can't hear what's going on-- being in a university with over 2,000 Deaf or Hard of Hearing students the company has chosen not to tap into a viable market. Similarly, those that play late at night and need to turn the volume down so as not to disturb others will have the same problem.
  
  I really wish game reviews included whether or not a game has subtitles (or the option to turn them on), it is just as important as the quality of sound/music for a vast majority of people. Considering 25% of the country has some degree of hearing loss (of that I can't say how many are gamers) but it's something that should be taken into account.
  
  I'll end my political diatribe. This is a great game, sure to keep you busy for hours and have you on the edge of your seat.
  
  
• Pretty good, but it's no Gears of War.
  By A1A89LQ8C1AYV1 on 2006-12-28
  I think I got totally spoiled by Gears. I played Gears first and then purchased FEAR. I'll admit that FEAR has been a mild let down. I do enjoy most of the game play and the "bullet time" is a lot of fun. I really enjoy watching bodies fly apart in slow motion after getting decimated by a shotgun blast. The graphics are better than average but do not compare to Gears. The horror element is a little weak, but some of the atmospherics do give me the creeps. I have jumped a couple of times. However, I think Turok: Dinosaur Hunter on N64 actually scared me more than this game. I don't know if I would recommend the average Joe go out and purchase this game. If you are a shooter nut like me you will probably enjoy it as it does have some novelty. Otherwise, just borrow it from a friend.
  
  
• I " F.E.A.R." any sequel to this game.
  By AIQOVD9FIKFKX on 2006-12-12
  I wanted to like this game. Believe me i did, i wanted to play it originaly on the pc, but due to the crappiness of my pc, i waited for the port.
  Let's start with the story...or lack there of, at no part in the game do you feel connected to the character or feel that the story is taking place around you. There is no overall plot, no rememberable characters, nothing that truly constitutes a great game. As to the "scary" moments...sigh. Nothing really happens thats jump out of your seat, and these "moments" are well too far in between. If you're indeed looking for a scare turn out all the lights and put in Doom 3.
  GRAPHICS...after games like GEARS and Rainbow Six, the graphics are nothing to call home about. Every stage looks about the same. HOW many office buildings can you really go through in a game? Check out Prey and you'll realize how important variation of stages can and should with a great game. The absolute most HORRIBLE thing about this game is the inability to save anywhere. I think it should become a next gen game requirement, you'll definately learn to hate it. And the game has a weird way of sometimes oversupplying weapons and ammo at some points and at others the EXACT opposite. Mix that together with the checkpoint saving theme and its frustration all night. Please rent it if possible. At 59.99 a pop it's really not worth it.
  
  
• couldn't get into it...
  By A2FOZVHA7922QG on 2007-01-23
  let me first say i made a big mistake. i played rainbow six vegas before i started playing this one, which made this game unplayable since rainbow six is the best console shooter of this generation and everything else pales in comparison. trust me. try RSV if you don't believe me. it'll cure you.
  another that turned me off is the bullet time. i thought that was ok the first max payne, but i don't want to see it again. it's played out.
  
  
• Decent, but not great
  By A2UN5UY8Q6YMOF on 2006-11-02
  I was looking forward to this game, but so far it has underwhelmed me. Maybe its a case of high expectations, but the game is a bit boring. It is like a cross between Half-Life 2 and Condemned, neither of which impressed me. The environment is repetitive and so are the enemy soldiers. Graphics are just OK. I thought I would like this more from the PC reviews and the Live demo. I'd like it more at $40, $60 is way too much for what feels like an old game.
  
  
• Must own 360 title
  By A361U4SXK7FCQE on 2006-11-02
  This game was a 9/10 on the pc, so I went into it thinking it was going to not live up to pc quality. WRONG! On my hd set, it looks soooo nice, its scary, and speaking of scary... play with the lights off and the 5.1 sound up! This game will scare you.
  
  Multiplayer on live is great as well.
  
  
• FEAR is right
  By A2582KMXLK2P06 on 2006-11-10
  I can see why it's called F.E.A.R.- you will be scared!
  
  It's strange how the music doesn't seem to be there, anywhere. I guess I can hear quiet notes in the background. Trying to control the character is pretty easy, except when it comes to aiming at certain things. This is when a problem will be presented.
  
  I love all the gunfire that takes place. The action looks really good and the way the guns fire constantly really makes a believer out of me that this game is the REAL deal. I want you to buy this game. This game was just a magnificent experience.
  
  
• Don't Forget To Check That Answering Machine!
  By A38DQCCC64K4W on 2006-12-21
  I really wanted to love this game. There is nothing wrong with the visuals or the gameplay. The bullet time was awesome(first time in a first person shooter?), and when the action happened, it was a great gaming experience. It's just that there seems so little of it. The hallucination stuff was very cool, and the game started off with a bang. But the further I went along(after cruising the endless parade of office hallways and checking countless answering machines and computers), I just got bored. I can think of a dozen first person shooters that are better than this...maybe two dozen. Sure, it looks 'prettier' than some, and it does pick up some near the end, but by that time it was too little too late.
  
  
  
  
• Awesome Game
  By AVOM58PIV77OC on 2007-01-08
  Incredible AI great single person shooter with a good story. Warning Horror storyline / gory.
  
  
• Good game. I wasn't scared.
  By AMXE382DCAMQO on 2006-12-12
  Graphics: Excellent.
  Sound: Good. Some explosions gave my dd5.1 system some distortion problems. Some buddy-characters hard to hear, enemies easy to hear and swear like sailors (funny). Score/Music not really much of one -- but was good.
  AI: Excellent (duck-and-cover, hide, etc.)
  Physics: Excellent (ragdoll, slo-mo, bullet trails, destructible items, etc.)
  Maps: Good (a lot of industrial building repetition). All interiors.
  Gameplay: Great. No frame-rate drops. Excellent load time. I was never lost or trapped to the point where I had to consult the internet to figure out where to go and no scripted events failed to activate. Game length was average. Funny: there are "TPS reports" (Office Space fans) posted on some bulletin boards. No save-anywhere ability, autosave/checkpoint only. Not much variety of enemies (about 5 or so, only 2-3 you'll see regularly). Why no big boss, final battle, or final run?
  Items/Weapons: Great. Good variety - best one strips the flesh from the bones, you can shoot someone in half with the shotgun up close or blow someone's head off. Flashlight sucks - runs out fast, wait to recharge, repeat, annoying. No vehicles (but this is interiors only). Most of the time you auto-pickup something (don't have to hit a button).
  Story: Fair (although most games other than Halo, Half-life2 have throw-away stories - the gameplay is much more important). Wasn't really scared. No compelling story, no sense of urgency to complete things, didn't care about the characters, no engrossing involvement...I stopped listening to the story after the first couple of levels and just focused on gameplay and shooting stuff...this game is probably just trying to be a good FPS (Doom), not more (Halo). Acting/voice acting was good.
  Multiplayer: Average. no offline co-op, no offline versus, yes single player bots, barely any maps (but probably more online). Offline people deserve more - don't soak us for more cash.
  Overall: 4/5. Game is not really underwhelming, I was satisfied, but it was just a tad bit overblown with the marketing...Still one of the best 360 games for 2006 - must have.
  
  
• F.E.A.R. before bed!
  By A1UN0SW9UB3MX8 on 2007-07-19
  I work nights and unwind with my xBox 360 before I go to sleep. After playing FEAR I found that I needed more time to unwind after playing! This game will definitely get your heart pumping with the paranormal sequences. Gameplay is smooth and the extreme reflexes are awesome! I recommend you play in the dark but keep an eye on your pulse!
  
  
• You've already played this game
  By A3S9DOTT4Z8JF9 on 2007-10-23
  I was told FEAR is a super scary thriller. My wife and I were excited to play it with all the lights off, hoping to have the bejebus scared out of us. After 3 of 11 "intervals" only the gameplay was scary.
  
  FEAR is a patchwork quilt of gameplay and story elements that have already been done (and done better) by someone else. That's not to say that a marvelous work of art cannot contain influences from previous masterpieces, but if you just stitch together pieces of famous works by Monet, Rembrandt, & VanGogh you'll wind up with something appalling, not appealing.
  
  The enemy soldiers sound just like the soldiers from the original Half-Life. Alma appears as a young girl with her face obscured by long black hair. Remind you of The Ring? Maybe The Grudge?? Paxton Fettel eats people like a Resident Evil zombie, except for the thin premise that he doesn't do it for nutrition- he absorbs their memories.
  
  Speaking of thin premises, let's talk about SlowMo. Your character's reflexes are so fast that you can slow down in-game time. Thanks to the part about reflexes, that doesn't sound anything like Max Payne's Bullet Time.
  
  Health dips into the original Doom's bag of tricks, complete with a max of 100 points each, health & armour- that is, unless you pick up health boosters that add 5 pts to your max. What is this, 1993?? Oh, and Heaven help you if you pass a checkpoint with low health. Also borrowed from Doom3 were messages left through the game. Except instead of watching clue-laden video-memos like Doom3, FEAR offers voicemails from one plant worker to another who asks "Are you alright? We heard loud noises."
  
  There was ONE trait that was unique to FEAR: You can't always just pass over ammo & items to collect them. Sometimes yes, but most times you are forced to press and hold X.
  
  Was there fear in F.E.A.R.? Apart from the occasional "Boo!" moment, no not really. Like the rest of the game, scare tactics were recycled and repetitive.
  
  I cannot recommend this game.
  
  
• Awesome Shooter
  By A1LH5SKB1ZDF0 on 2006-11-05
  I finished this game in about two days but that was many hours of playing! I wish I would have spaced the hours out more but once you start playing it you cant stop! The enemies are tough they flank you and come at you in waves! Sometimes you find yourself wondering through areas and its quiet for awhile then all of a sudden bam they hit you again! I love the ninjas that came at you from the shadows the first time I saw one I was like what the f@#% was that! Easy way to kill them is use slow motion and a shotgun! I love the whole scary atmosphere too it felt like the ring movies with that Alma character! I really loved the cut scenes too I dont want to spoil those you have to play the game to see them. I bought Splinter Cell Double Agent before this came out and I would recommend that one too another awesome game! Now Im looking forward to Gears Or War and Rainbow Six Vegas! I would buy Fear it is one of those games you have to experience especially with a home theatre system and the lights low!
  
  
• Christmas gift
  By A6WFKJBOM16YI on 2007-01-15
  This was a gift to my husband.....he loves it!! Fast shipping, was very happy with my experience! Thanks : )
  
  
• highly visceral fps shooter
  By ASMR5IORRX117 on 2007-01-20
  I think of it as a fusion of max payne and chronicles of riddick: escape from butcher bay. It has the dark environment, extended gun/flashlight use and first person perspective like chronicles of riddick. It has the fast paced max payne style gameplay with the bullet time and random apparitions and ghost/dream sequences. One of the only setbacks is that the levels can get repetative, which is an issue that plagues many fps games. Great Game overall.
  
  
• F.E.A.R THIS
  By A3HCNO7612KZ2K on 2007-02-11
  F.E.A.R is an extremely, exciting, and intense game. The first person shooter story is developed well and is delivered in an teaser format, with a little bits of the over all story told throughout game play in either visions/voices or over answering machines. There are not any long and boring videos during game play. Some of the visions and hallucinations can be intense and horrifying.
  
  The best way to describe this game would be a cross between Max Payne (bullet Time)and Half Life(story/game play). The bullet time sequences are incredible, especially the shock waves that are a result of the muzzle blasts. There is a lot of flashlight walking which may turn off a lot of people, but the battles and AI are great!
  
  The game is fun and exciting, but may not have much replay value!
  
  
  
• Spooky
  By AZJL03R8NDQ7C on 2007-03-12
  This is a great game that I highly recommend to any fan of the shooter genre. FEAR sets up like a military shooter with a twist. You're a member of a special team of Delta Force operatives that handle paranomal activity. What does this mean as far as gameplay is concerned? Basically, you go through most of the game in a Ghost Recon/Half Life kind of tactical assault and at certain points in the game crazy stuff starts happening.
  
  The gameplay is tight. The graphics are good. The story is actually quite orginial and entertaining. The "crazy stuff" I mentioned allows the game to differentiate itself just enough to great game instead of just a good game. The only downside is that the "slow motion" ability in the game makes it a little too easy at times. Other than that, no complaints. Definately get this game.
  
  
• Unbelievably monotonous
  By A2K8C8TL1ROACC on 2007-04-03
  This is probably the most monotonous video game I have ever played. The level design is the same throughout almost the entire game (namely, making your way through ridiculously complex office buildings and the like). The graphics are good and the shooting is fun as as far as it goes, but boy was this game repetitive! And if first-person shooters tend to make you dizzy, break out the Dramamine before playing this one!
  
  
  
  

• The Official Xbox Magazine [1-year]
• Electronic Gaming Monthly
• Play
• Tips & Tricks Magazine

• Gears Of War
• Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas
• BioShock
• Halo 3
• Lost Planet: Extreme Condition