Review: F.E.A.R (X360)

Half life meets horror in this stylish but dull FPS

The core gameplay follows the traditional FPS conventions complete with head bob (nauseating), traditional weapons, 30 second flashlight (come-on, this is becoming a daft cliché), and run+gun fighting. It all feels quite dated compared to the latest games like Gears of War and Rainbow Six Vegas. However, the inclusion of bullet-time focus and the use of excellent particle & smoke effects do result in some stylish and spectacular gun fights.

The graphics are a mixed bag. The textures and animation are mediocre with repetitive environments and bland gun models/reloads. However, the smoke and particle effects are some of the best seen on the platform. Plaster, wood, and objects vaporise to form clouds of obscuring smoke & dust that really add atmosphere to the action. The net result is a distinctly classic Xbox look and feel but with some ‘360 turbo charging on the style.

Sound is effectively used, in particular, to enhance the horror aspects of the game. However, answer machines are used to move the plot and story along and the sound quality of these is quite poor and often drowned out by either the mediocre sound track or other background noises/effects.

F.E.A.R features a standard story mode that will probably last 10 hrs (like most FPS) and a functional multiplayer. The achievements are particularly nasty, and require you to play through the game multiple times whilst trying not to use certain skills or weapons – not very imaginative really.

I am not a fan of the horror genre and prefer my FPS to be more tactical than frenetic so F.E.A.R. struggles to impress me. The story is interesting, and the gameplay more than adequate, but for me the substance fails to match the ambition of the style. If you like FPS and enjoy creepy horror films, like the Ring, then this is recommended purchase. For me, however, this is a game that is best enjoyed as a rental.

6/10