Nothing to fear but...
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| Review Date: November 5, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Terrence Aybar, New York City |
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. |
Engaging and fun!
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| Review Date: December 13, 2006 |
| Reviewer: S. Sharp, Orange, CA |
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!! |
A HIGH FLYING, HARD HITTING, EXPLOSION ORIENTED, BLOODBATH! aaahh, just what the doctor ordered...............
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| Review Date: November 28, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Leonardo Munoz, Trenton, NJ |
| 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. |
Not a Run and Gun Shooter!!
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| Review Date: November 2, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Ayinde Waleed, |
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.
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