F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin (Fear)

FEAR 2 can essentially be considered FEAR with vastly improved graphics. The gameplay is very similar, although a couple of fun and frantic mech sessions have been added, and the general setup is the same as the first title, namely a cross between Akira and The Ring. You battle wave after wave of black-ops operatives, replica soldiers, biofreaks and supernatural entities, while the disquieting Alma makes regular appearances. The action has been more than satisfying to me. Playing at standard difficulty removes the need to use the slow motion feature and rely on quick reflexes and strategic use of cover instead. I used SloMo only in those few situations where I was not having enough fun - more specifically a few gauntlet sections throughout the game, where you are locked in confined spaces against swarms of enemies.
Apart from the hyper-action sequences, the enemy AI is quite advanced, and it provides for satisfactory confrontations. Forget brain-dead enemies flocking like… more »

FEAR 2 can essentially be considered FEAR with vastly improved graphics. The gameplay is very similar, although a couple of fun and frantic mech sessions have been added, and the general setup is the same as the first title, namely a cross between Akira and The Ring. You battle wave after wave of black-ops operatives, replica soldiers, biofreaks and supernatural entities, while the disquieting Alma makes regular appearances. The action has been more than satisfying to me. Playing at standard difficulty removes the need to use the slow motion feature and rely on quick reflexes and strategic use of cover instead. I used SloMo only in those few situations where I was not having enough fun - more specifically a few gauntlet sections throughout the game, where you are locked in confined spaces against swarms of enemies.
Apart from the hyper-action sequences, the enemy AI is quite advanced, and it provides for satisfactory confrontations. Forget brain-dead enemies flocking like lemmings to a choke point you control, only to be shot down. Try it in this game, and the best you can expect is a live grenade within five seconds. They'll use cover, flank you and generally move from place to place. A welcome addition is the possibility to "cook" grenades before throwing them, as no enemy in the game is dumb enough to stay next to a live bomb, waiting for it to detonate.
I especially loved the graphics and the visual design of the various levels. It looks like a lot of attention to detail was put into this design: when you are in a ruined city or inside a secret underground research facility, it almost looks like the real thing, even though so much of the environment is unaccessible. It's a question of both graphics processing power and artistic effort by the designers.
The main drawbacks in the game are in my opinion the excessive similarity to the first title in the series and the use of the Steam service to limit fair use. While I wouldn't recommend buying it at full price, it's still a very fine shooter for those that have a decent gaming rig.

Just finished FEAR 2 and what can i say, this games jaw dropping. Its been a while since i've been wowed by graphics, i think as far back as when Crysis came out, i dont remember being as awe struck by graphics as i have with FEAR.

Before now, there has only been Call Of Duty 4 that i would have given the generous description of being 'photo-realistic'. At times, FEAR 2 also gave that exact impression, the lighting, the animation, the shadows, textures, etc etc. Forget what you've heard about the graphics so far, take it from me, if your lucky enough to be able to max-out your settings and run at a nice resolution - you wont be dissapointed.

Ok ok, two paragraphs on the graphics quality is enough, we all know that if a game only relies on graphical quality, its going to be a let down. FEAR 2 is not!

Moving onto the next stunning feature in FEAR 2, the sound. Monolith have mastered this in so much detail, that treading on one shard of glass can be heard if its quiet… more »

Just finished FEAR 2 and what can i say, this games jaw dropping. Its been a while since i've been wowed by graphics, i think as far back as when Crysis came out, i dont remember being as awe struck by graphics as i have with FEAR.

Before now, there has only been Call Of Duty 4 that i would have given the generous description of being 'photo-realistic'. At times, FEAR 2 also gave that exact impression, the lighting, the animation, the shadows, textures, etc etc. Forget what you've heard about the graphics so far, take it from me, if your lucky enough to be able to max-out your settings and run at a nice resolution - you wont be dissapointed.

Ok ok, two paragraphs on the graphics quality is enough, we all know that if a game only relies on graphical quality, its going to be a let down. FEAR 2 is not!

Moving onto the next stunning feature in FEAR 2, the sound. Monolith have mastered this in so much detail, that treading on one shard of glass can be heard if its quiet enough. Use that as an example and then imagine you've got tin cans, piles of paper, plastic bottles, chairs, books, coins, pottery you name it. This is SO worth the time and effort to produce, you are constantly bombarded with new noises all the time.

If your running surround sound, you will have the full benefit, and remember to TURN IT UP!

So down to the real stuff, its an first person shooter, so whats the shooting like!?

To quash a few worries, FEAR 2 still has exaclty the same feel to the combat as the original titles (of which i was a massive fan). Gun battles are still just as hectic, theres loads of blood, disemberment and guts, and the weapons are much more exciting and realistic.

UNFORTUNATELY, the attention to detail in other aspects of the game, has left a few things out, which are minor annoyances. For example, destructive terrain, something the first title bragged about, is pretty much non existent in this one, yeah ok - a few books fall off shelves, some paper goes flying, but it doesnt have the same feel of the first one in that sense.

Dont worry to much about this though - its easily overlooked.

So... the main question -

Is FEAR 2 scary?

Places feel a little over used, the younger alma pops up sometimes for a bit too long, giving you chance to study what she looks like, and it kind of takes from the effect. This is most predominant in the first half, and you may actually find yourself a little too quiet at first..... but dont worry, a few hours in and you'll be screaming away!

FEAR 2 has a much more realistic fear about it, whereas the first one was a little bizarre, and it was as if it was all in your head. This one, Alma is REAL, and everybody knows it, and the worst bit is she's got a special connection with you and wants you dead! There really are some hideous creatures in FEAR 2, gallons of blood, and moments where you really with be forced to go for the Esc button!

Overall, whether my review has inspired to you get this or not, dont think twice about buying this today, its nothing but well designed, well crafted, and beautfully realistic fun!

Graphics - 10/10
AI - 9/10
Storyline - 7/10
Weapons - 9/10
Scary? - 9/10
Overall - 9/10

MUST BUY MATERIAL!!!!

Ran lag free at 1440x900 on the following hardware

AMDAthlon64x2 4600+
NVidia GeForce 8800gt
1.5GB RAM

Thanks for reading!