After playing through and thoroughly enjoying F.E.A.R. 2, I decided the original F.E.A.R. needed a go. I was not disappointed by the experience.
F.E.A.R. is not quite as polished as its sequel. In terms of graphics, sound, even story, it definitely has the feel of a second tier title.
It does, however, bring one really interesting game play aspect to the table. Much of the play happens in the very confined spaces in office buildings and subways. This really changes the gameplay from what you might be used to in Halo or even Call of Duty. It's not just busting down doors and landings in stairwells. It's navigating cubicles and tripping over office chairs. I think it works brilliantly.
And frankly, I think I enjoyed it more after playing F.E.A.R. 2. There is a progression of the story, chronologically, but both games are designed to stand on their own. F.E.A.R. works just as well being a prequel to the second game when you play them out of order.
I think a knowledge of where the game franchise is going also helps smooth out the aspects of F.E.A.R. that suffer from lack of refinement. For instance, too short sound effect loops that otherwise would serve to enhance the creepy environments sort of get a buy, when you know what they're going to evolve into. Kind of like appreciating Combat through Battlezone.
If I had one other minor complaint, I'd say the game is too easy. I finished it on default difficulty with fewer than a half dozen deaths. The bonus mission is pretty neat. It follows the path of a character that was formerly an NPC...you no longer have reflex powers. It's not real long but I enjoyed it tremendously.
So where does this fit with retro gaming? I'm not sure that the FEAR franchise will enter the pantheon of great modern games like HALO and Katamari. But I believe it will remain firmly in a second-tier niche of fans who will always enjoy it. But best of all, it's a cheap romp for first person shooter fans, running you less than $15 used at your local Game Stop.
2011 ben langberg, all rights reserved.