Andarthiel on 30/4/2009 at 04:04
I'm looking for a new atmospheric FPS(like Bioshock and Penumbra),thinking of getting FEAR Platinum edition(since it's like $30AU at EB) with both the expansions. Does anyone recommend it? Is it any good?
Zygoptera on 30/4/2009 at 04:26
FEAR is good, and well worth 30AUD.
Note though: while it shares some cosmetic similarities with Bioshock they really aren't very similar overall- FEAR is more a visceral shooter and simply does not have the 'aesthetics' of Bioshock- and it has very little replay value.
EvaUnit02 on 30/4/2009 at 04:27
I love FEAR, but not because of the (rather weak) horror elements, but the intense action. The squad-based AI is some still some of the most intelligent in any game to date. The heated fire fights that you get into can be fairly unpredictable because of the wild card AI. To me the horror seemed fairly tacked on late into the development in the original game.
The atmospheric horror comes into its own with the expansions though. Extraction Point is really creepy in places, Timegate certainly did a good job there - especially once you reach the hospital. Perseus Mandate starts off really really bland (read: copy and pasted sewer level), but it becomes significantly better once the in-game events overlap with the ending of vanilla FEAR.
june gloom on 30/4/2009 at 04:55
I love FEAR. Once you've seen the scares they're not bothersome, but the story is definitely a bit of a mindscrew (and the ending of the 2nd one is a LOT of a mindscrew) but the story is good and the gameplay is solid. The expansions are a bit of a mixed bag; Extraction Point is much darker in tone than the main game, and IMO mostly better than the original; Perseus Mandate's first half has its moments but ultimately falls flat compared to XP- however, its second half is where it shines, save for a few bits towards the end. Neither expansion is canon, but they're good romps nonetheless. EU02 is absolutely right- PM improves pretty much the instant a majour plot point in FEAR overlaps into PM's plot.
It's definitely not like Bioshock, though. Bioshock's big draw was its retrofuturism (and its link to SS2.) I would hesitate to compare it to Penumbra, as well. If I had to compare it to anything, I would say that FEAR is basically (insert tactical shooter of your choice*) meets Silent Hill. All in all it's a very good series and FEAR 2 really turned out better than the demo led me to believe- and IMO, in some ways it's better than the original (albeit worse in other aspects.)
FEAR 1 is also rather difficult- a simple burst of SMG from a Replica troop is enough to nearly obliterate your armor. So I hope you're good at FPS games, 'cuz if not you're in for a rude awakening.
*I usually just say Counter-Strike for simplicity despite it not actually being a tactical shooter
Koki on 30/4/2009 at 05:51
It's not really scary. It wasn't really a mindfuck either, but that depends of how fucked up you already are personally. It's also not hard, even on Extreme, as long as you play it like you mean it(lean over every corner and (ab)use slomo). The AI can indeed really surprise you, but only when the levels are open, and usually you fight in the corridors so it won't.
Despite all that, a very good FPS with one of the "smartest" systems I've ever seen. Definitely more replay value than Bioshock, unless you really think that art deco walls are better than fun, rewarding gunfights.
Fragony on 30/4/2009 at 07:00
It gets very repetitious imho, all levels look the same, that isn't a problem for a pickup and play game like Halo but in FEAR it hurts, I got tired of it 2/3 into the game and never beat it, never played the expansions. But it's recommended anyway, FEAR simply has the best combat, incredibly brutal, shotty-gib in slow-motion never gets old. Can't comment on story, played it on the 360 and in that version the voices are very muted and the text is unreadable on a normal tv.
Vivian on 30/4/2009 at 08:05
Shooty fun, story dumb, colors dun, genuine scares none.
aguywhoplaysthief on 30/4/2009 at 09:20
FEAR is good. Skip the expansions.
Andarthiel on 30/4/2009 at 09:37
Quote Posted by dethtoll
I love FEAR. Once you've seen the scares they're not bothersome, but the story is definitely a bit of a mindscrew (and the ending of the 2nd one is a LOT of a mindscrew) but the story is good and the gameplay is solid. The expansions are a bit of a mixed bag; Extraction Point is much darker in tone than the main game, and IMO mostly better than the original; Perseus Mandate's first half has its moments but ultimately falls flat compared to XP- however, its second half is where it shines, save for a few bits towards the end. Neither expansion is canon, but they're good romps nonetheless. EU02 is absolutely right- PM improves pretty much the
instant a majour plot point in FEAR overlaps into PM's plot.
It's definitely not like Bioshock, though. Bioshock's big draw was its retrofuturism (and its link to SS2.) I would hesitate to compare it to Penumbra, as well. If I had to compare it to anything, I would say that FEAR is basically (insert tactical shooter of your choice*) meets Silent Hill. All in all it's a very good series and FEAR 2 really turned out better than the demo led me to believe- and IMO, in some ways it's better than the original (albeit worse in other aspects.)
FEAR 1 is also rather difficult- a simple burst of SMG from a Replica troop is enough to nearly obliterate your armor. So I hope you're good at FPS games, 'cuz if not you're in for a rude awakening.
*I usually just say Counter-Strike for simplicity despite it not actually being a tactical shooter
Ok, judging by what everyone said it sounds pretty fun.
And it's ok if it's a little hard it would be boring if it was too easy, I like a good challenge. I haven't had much experience with tactical shooters except for Counter Strike, Rainbow Six and COD4(COD4 being my favorite of those three).
How's the music and sound in FEAR?(I mean the PC version).
EvaUnit02 on 30/4/2009 at 10:02
FEAR1's usage of EAX effects is fucking incredible.
Also the musical score is great, FEAR 2's is even better (one of the few improvements - FEAR 2 took more steps backward than forward).
