The original F.E.A.R. hit all of the right notes in providing a challenging FPS experience wrapped up in an amazingly scary horror setting. F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin offers up improved gameplay and better presentation, but the horror elements don’t seem to have advanced along with everything else. We have seen it all before, basically. It is still a very enjoyable game overall, however, so even with some predictable scares F.E.A.R. 2 is worth a look.
Quick Hits
- Title: F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
- Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive
- Developer: Monolith
- ESRB Rating: “M” for Mature
- Genre: FPS
- Pros: Solid FPS gameplay; nice presentation; mech sequences
- Cons: Predictable scares; too easy; short
FEAR 2 picks up right where the first game left off. You play as a different F.E.A.R. team on a mission parallel to the ending of the first game. You have been sent in to capture Genevieve Aristide, president of the Armacham Technology Corporation, but just as you are about to reach her the explosion that marked the end of the first game happens and throws everything into chaos.
As in the first game, you are being stalked by a powerful psychic force in the form of a girl named Alma. She pops up when you least expect it and also causes your character to have horrific visions and hallucinations. FEAR 2 is disturbing and downright scary at times, but that is all part of the fun.
Gameplay
WB Interactive
The core gameplay is very solid. It moves a little slower than other FPS games on the Xbox 360 you might be used to, but it gives the character a weighty and realistic feel. The combat is precise and satisfying, and using the slow motion ability to slow down time so you can headshot multiple enemies in the midst of a heated firefight is just plain awesome. The level designs also deserve some praise in that they are usually pretty linear with a lot of locked doors or impassable rooms to guide you in the right direction, but you never really feel like you are being led along on a set path. A trail of blood or the sound of talking enemy soldiers or a TV or glowing weaponry or data files always nudge you in the right direction so you never (at least I didn’t) come to a dead end and have to go back the way you came. Somehow I always felt like I was making the decision rather than the game stringing me along, and I liked that.
Occasionally you’ll come across a section of a level that allows you to climb into an armored suit and wreck havoc. You are pretty much unstoppable in these sequences and tearing through not only enemies but the entire environment is awesome.
There are a couple of hiccups in the FEAR 2 experience, however. It is surprisingly easy, particularly when compared to the original FEAR, so it is suggested you start on higher difficulty levels if you are a veteran FPS player. The game is also fairly short, clocking it at only around 7 hours, which make it hard to fully recommend. Another complaint is that the horror is pretty predictable, particularly if you have played the first game. It follows a pattern of psychological horror, then combat, then horror, then combat, etc., which gets old after a while. There is multiplayer available as well, but when you take out the slo-mo shootouts and horror stuff from the single-player you are left with a pretty generic foundation so the multiplayer isn’t anything special.
Graphics
Graphically, FEAR 2 is a nice looking game. The lighting and fire effects in particular are very good. The world is very detailed and polished overall and looks great.
Sound
The sound is also well done. Sound is an absolutely vital aspect of horror, and FEAR 2 is a truly creepy sounding game.
Bottom Line
WB Interactive
All in all, FEAR 2: Project Origin is a well-polished sequel to an excellent game. We just wish the horror elements could have advanced as far as the presentation and gunplay. It is a fun game, but it won’t scare you nearly as much as the original. For a weekend rental or sub $60 purchase, however, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin is well worth checking out.
