F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin

Fear 2 is a capable and entertaining shooter, but when it comes to bending or breaking genre rules it certainly comes up short. Sequel to the 2005 time slowing first person game of the same name, Fear 2 is Monoliths return to ballistic focused combat and they deliver the same great combat that was seen in its predecessor.

The time slowing mechanic offers giddy thrills whether its just used to keep up with the frantic action on screen or to just line up the perfect head shot on a clone soldier across the ridge. On the 360 this is a world apart from the clunky shooter that appeared on the console at launch and later on the extremely underwhelming F.E.A.R Files. You can also pick up reflex injectors as the game continues, lengthening how long the slow motion mechanic lasts. It may sound like a small note of progression but towards the end of the game it really helps the player out and becomes really fun.

Combat is at its best when it is chucking wave after wave of clone soldiers after you with the powerful arsenal you have at your disposable. Most of these weapons were available in its forebear but they all fit within the universe perfectly, each gun on offer varies up the action significantly and  makes you not choice the gun that is most effective but often one which offers most fun. There is also an attempt made at a cover mechanic for Fear 2, where you have the ability to flip over objects such as tables, fridges, sofas and other objects in order to crouch behind as cover for a fire fight. There is no option to attach your character to the recently flipped object so it can make the move feel slightly redundant but nevertheless the move to keep a cover mechanic to a minimum propels the game forward and its almost refreshing in 2009 to play a title that doesn’t force you to duck behind cover like some iron clad pansy. Speaking of which, you are not alone in Fear 2, you are part of a squad sent to arrest and capture head of Armachan’s secret projects, Genevieve Aristade set just before the end of the original FEAR. As a significant portion of gamers on the 360 at least won’t have played the previous game it is probably best that I stop there, but needless to say the brown stuff really hits the fan early on in the game.

Honestly we should probably be glad that we are all getting a chance to play a sequel to FEAR. The constant contractual wrangling between Warner Brothers entertainment and Activision over who actually owned the game and its content, made it seem as though we would never see poor little Alma grow up, the post nuptial agreement must have been a killer. But grow up she did and now it seems as though she constantly wants a hug as the only part you see her do in the early parts is pounce on you like an eager dog. This wasn’t the Alma which was so terrifying in the original game, more like a moody late adolescent than the harbinger of telekinetic doom.

The storyline is compact and at times complex which is to be commended, or at least it would be if it wasn’t solely supported by the the files and data discs which are scattered throughout the games campaign. They are just read and then added to your database to refer to later, its a nice way to show case your exposition but it feels slightly wasted at times. There is a really interesting story here, its just a shame it isn’t fleshed out more by the supporting cast and world around you. Monolith has shown itself as an expert when weaving a narrative around horror and combat focused experience, in Fear 2 it seems a bit formulaic but then the last hour or so of gameplay absolutely knocks your socks off. Dare I say it, the ending of Fear 2 may actually be a first in the world of gaming (at least this side of Japan), I won’t spoil the surprise but suffice to say it isn’t pleasant.

Graphically Fear 2 looks really nice, the shadow and particle effects on the weapons, blood spray and environments all look top notch while maintaining the dark and broody horror aesthetic. Though at times it can seem a little too dark, and you may struggle to find your enemies or even the right path to the next area. The biggest problem with Fear 2 is that they still haven’t solved the problems of the previous game which was repetitive level design and structure. Despite the hype pre-game all being about how open the new shooter would be, however we are still restricted to being inside for the vast majority of the game. A huge nuclear event has happened on the games door step and despite the obvious health risks of going outside the player will obviously want to see more of it, much more. But when the rare occurrence of you going outside actually takes place your greeted with the kind of destruction you’d expect and its incredible to see, the calcification of the human remains is a particularly nice touch and brings home the gravity of the situation.

Monolith have become one of the premier console developers of first person action games and expectations were high for their return to Alma’s universe, yet its hard to avoid coming away from the experience not feeling a little short changed. The ending while brave and mind bending is sudden and abrupt. The action is enjoyable throughout yet at times you feel like you are just going through the motions of a tick box approach to a horror first person shooter, here is the inevitable hospital and school level punctuated with a sewer environment in between. There are some moments of absolute brilliance here, like the giant robot or ‘Mech’ based vehicle sections which offer a breath of fresh air to the slog of some of the levels mid game. But the biggest let down of FEAR 2 is the lack of genuine scares and unsettling events, it just isn’t that disturbing. There is an total reliance of jump scares throughout the game and after an hour or so you understand the cues and like a slasher movie it gets a little dull. If you are looking for a game to offer you a short campaign and some interesting and enjoyable combat than Fear 2 would be a good solution and if you want a horror shooter there are better options out there. Otherwise there are just too few attempts to move the franchise past the originals effort, its enjoyable enough sure, but where is the ambition?

Andy Griffiths