F.E.A.R.

by Josh Wilcox - 2007/08/26 2:04am

F.E.A.R (First Encounter Assault Recon), a top-notch game let me say off the get go. I put this games name to the test, and tested it was, on every difficulty it had. And when you’re new to this game and it’s your first time through, it’s already hard.

The Story of this game is quite exceptional. The many unofficial side quests: checking the voices messages on the phones, helps keep the story confusing till the very end…which unfortunately isn’t very far from the beginning. This games story is basically complex and that’s just how gamers like them, something different that keeps them interested in continues game play. You’re the basic none talking character…who has been recruited for you’re amazing reflexes and skill. The mission is to go and neutralize the target, a telepathic that has been taken control by a freaky little girl…of course only us the gamers know this. He takes control of a massive unit, which is all singly controlled by this man. Take out him, and the army stops and you win, couldn’t be simpler. Except for the fact that these units are highly trained and will kill anything thing with a heartbeat. You won’t see a single cricket in the game, just a lot of bullet holes. As the game progresses the creepiness meter is totally cranked as you go into a totally different world where there is only you, and your target, disappearing into the darkness of the halls, telling you of Her, the one who fears you. The game then soon turns into a Rescue mission, then, a kill where they stand mission. All and all the story of this game is short and sweet. And like every game, watch the whole credits.



Ah the second best part of a game, the Game play, and with F.E.A.R, it does not disappoint. A lot of the cool game play comes from just your character, with the ability to run and do melee kicks (Like Liu Kang style minus the funny scream) and box your enemy, who needs guns…well you do because they still have them. That brings me to the key feature of the flying kick. It allows you to steal the enemy’s weapon if you already have it leaving them un-armed and a total toy to play with. The fun ability’s the gore lets you do is extremely…optional, but always good fun when having a friend over. The best game to play is the front flip test, run around in reflex mode with the shotgun and go point blank to the enemy and shot him in the thighs. He will do literal front flips, sometimes even spilt in half. Which is an added bonus. The AI is very clever and will usual yell what you may or may not be trying to do…stealth is a nice feature to try and do, but without a silencer its hard. When it comes to stealth, shadows are your best friend, and the AI looks for flashlight illumination so don’t run the whole game. There are multiple types of enemies and your not the only one with grenades so be careful about standing still to long, and the AI has armor to, don’t expect to take them out by running in Kamikaze to much, they have BIG guns.

We get to the toys, oh joy oh joy. The variety of deadly weapons always make a game more fun, especially when one of those guns forces your enemy to stay dead and stuck to the ceiling. The list starts out basic, so don’t be disappointed, it’s just the way of the FPS. You start out with the basic badass Sub Machine gun and a Pistol side arm, and after killing the first bad guy, you get their kick ass Machine gun instead of a crummy pistol. You can wield duel pistols so it’s not a total loss. You also got your basic Tactical Assault Shotgun, great for blowing peoples heads off, blowing them in half, and just blowing them to pieces, which ever is more effective for you. But like every game, progression is the key. The further you go in the game, the more advanced the AI gets, and the better their weapons get. You get things like the ASP Rifle, a small gun equipped with a scope. Then there is the HV Penetrator, this baby shots big spikes that impale your target to the wall, a very great weapon to have, especially against the guys who wield those suckers. Another cool weapon is the MP-50 Repeating Cannon which a rotating grenade launcher, great for turning your target into Pink Mist. The last weapon I will describe is the Type 7 Particle Gun. Which shoots a plasma beam that explodes all of your skin molecules leaving only a crispy skeleton. Over all a great selection of gruesome toys allowing you to turn even the biggest boss into a puddle of blood!



The online is one thing and one thing only, a basic blood bath. There is no hope for you unless you know that map like the back of your hand. Its simple and straight to the point, basic multi-player mini games if you ask me. I suggest team, lets everyone get a good feel for his or her first time. You also have complete customizable character, and can chose one of many weapons to start with. So it usually Fast paced and psychotic…even better!

Overall this game is a great collection to the Playstation Library…or PC…or 360, and should be owned by many people. As long as you like violence you should play this game. Rent it give it a shot. Its always a blast to make up your own fun games in the main storyline to make the AI swear and scream like little girls…no reference to creepy little girl who appears out of no where…

Pros:

-Its simple: It sticks to the creepy story whole way through with added details you can, and should find on your own.

-Kick ass guns: Ever FPS should have Kick ass guns, no ands ifs or buts!

-Easy controls: very simple to remember which is great for online and makes for great game play.

-Impressive Gore scheme: The stronger the gun, the more damage you do, the closer you are, the more pieces of the enemy there is…

-Intelligent AI: Nothing makes a game better then AI that can tell what your doing, and doesn’t fall for the same trick twice.

-Great story: A game can’t survive on great game play alone (I’m looking at you Warhawk!) So when you get a game like this you just get sucked right into the story and it literally spits you out!

-Funny AI: Now this is unusual for some games but is getting trendy, the AI communications are somewhat hilarious when they swear at each other.



Bullet Time: Okay they are your super advanced reflexes but we know that Max Payne inspired somebody for this. Thank you Max…thank you.

Cons:

-Short: In fact way to short. This games length was as disappointing as the Darkness; I blame multi-platform and lazy writers.

-Glitches: Now all glitches are considered Con’s to developers…even if there funny, shot one of the AI point blank in the head with a shot gun, his head will explode and his body will fuse to the wall…very funny.

Quite?: I’m sorry what did you say, I can’t hear you because your speaking very quietly into my head set! That’s how I felt the whole game when the dispatch guy was talking, could barely hear him, but the background music was loud…

-Predictable AI: Though the AI is intelligent, they are still predictable at the beginning, laying a GLOWING mine always works, they always walk into them, then they start swearing at each other and won’t budge.

-They go splat awkwardly: I ran up to a guy, was 10 feet away shot him with the shot gun…and he went splat everywhere. It was cool, but total overkill.