F.E.A.R. - Perseus Mandate (Standalone Expansion Pack)

I don't really understand the poor reviews of this game, which is, after all, an expansion. Just because it is standalone, does not mean it should be something completely different from the original. It is gimmick-free, stable, highly playable and action packed.

A lot has been said on this game's engine, that it is now dated and not as good as newer games. Fair enough, but it's still a decent engine, which I've had running smoothly on Vista on full settings at 1600x1200 with no slow-downs or stuttering.

This episode is different from the others in that you play a new character with apparently similar talents to the original. There are new weapons and new set of bad guys, and the action is relentless. If you liked FEAR, I believe you will like this game.

Having said that, this episode gets you exactly no further forward in the story than before, as for most of the time you are acting out events in parallel to the other two episodes. I'm looking forward to Monolith's continuation of their part of the story, in addition to Sierrra's future episodes (Monolith left Sierra's production, but Sierra has kept the rights to the FEAR name).

This game looks worse than the original fear game from 2 years ago, lazy programming, bland generic grey buildings and all the same enemies from before.

i played call of duty 4 for 3 hours yesterday and what a groundbreaking joy that was, some of the best gaming ever, then the day after i put this on and i felt depressed after about half an hour.

I wanted to snap the disc and defecate into the box and send it back to play, then i realized its not their fault.

Avoid this game at ALL costs, get crysis or call of duty 4, this game looks about 5 years old and is duller than dishwater.

The concept of an expansion is, that it builds on the original game and is essentially the same as before (but most people would like to see a few new things as well.)

On this basis; the pace is fast, retains the atmospheric quality and addictive gameplay of the original game. The storyline is a bit vague compared to its predecessor's but nevertheless the intoduction of the 'nightstalkers' makes a worthy foe. They are more difficult to kill and very agile in combat. The final battle is definately a challenge, if not a little predictable. I hope their is more to come, this will definately entertain a die-hard fear-fan.

Graphically, it is not up there with titles such as Crysis but bear in mind this game was produced on pre-Crysis technology and in its time, it was percieved as good. It will still make you jump and retains the intense moments of suspence and anticipation prior to entering those seemingly innocent and emply rooms for a big dynamic fast paced fire-fights. Fully endoresed and recommended in my view.
The new weapons are a great addition, and necessary to overcome the well equipped enemy forces.

The reviews that slate this game for being 'more of the same,' what did you expect? Its an expansion pack! If you want a game with a totally new concept, then buy a new game!!

Im re-writing a review i original wrote that gave Perseus Mandate a bad look. I originally awarded it 2 stars and claimed that it was an utter dissapointment compared with the other two.

HOWEVER, ive replayed the game, and have come to the conclusion that i was harsh at first, its actually really good!

FEAR *HAS* to be played in a dark room, with the sound up, as i've always said, and the same counts for this one.
The first few levels are incredibly lacking in excitement unfortuantly, moving from one level to another acheiving nothing but kiling cheap remakes of the original 'bad guys'.

But persist! As the game goes on, the horror aspect starts to take over and it really does become pretty chilling!

3 stars awarded as the FPS side of the game is pretty much exactly the same, and has basically become tedious. I will award this one almost wholey based on the horror content.

I cannot stress enough how boring the first few levels are, and how great the last few are though, so stick with it!
Definitely buy this if your into the other FEARs, but dont rush it! (it ruins it!)

NOTE: This installment contains scenes that will demand more of your PC, so lower the specs or hope for the best!

Ran all on medium on the following:

Athlon64x2 4600+
Nvidia 8400gs
1.5gb RAM

Gameplay: 7/10
Graphics: 9/10
AI: 5/10
Originality: 3/10
Scary?: 8/10

Overall: 6/10

I agree with the guy above. Totally crap... Just buy COD4 best game of the year. This game was boring same textures same gameplay. Orginal F.E.A.R was class this is rubbish.