F.E.A.R. and why it's complete shit

[Wrestlevania]

What is it with this game? Why do people like it, exactly?

OK, I understand the basic premise. You get to run around one "spooky" warehouse interior after another, maybe tramping through a vaguely sewer-like section in between, shooting stuff with big guns -- "stuff" being exactly the right term.

Am I really supposed to be some 7ft musclebound SWAT-trained beefcake with the upper arm strength of a toddler? I mean, come on. I'm all for a modest amount of realism in shooters, but with the hateful aiming mechanic you're constantly hosing your limited ammo supply across the walls, floor and ceiling. Everywhere but actually into your enemy.

And let's get one thing absolutely straight, before this stupid myth perpetuates its self into the annals of gaming history for good: whoever decided the AI in this game was "probably the best since the grunts in Half-Life" needs their fucking head examined. Over and over the bumbling idiots trot right in front of me whilst trying to take up flanking positions, without even so much as a rifle stock to the solar plexus. And I mean right in front of me, like they have to run around where I'm standing in a tight corridor on their dizzy way to fuck know's where.

I'm not even going to bother mentioning the piss-weak paranormal aspect except for the incidental music, which is great. The gore wouldn't scare a 12yr-old.

[Erkki]

I bought F.E.A.R. soon after it came out, but still haven't finished it. I keep the save games so I can continue from where I left off if I ever feel like it. I basically like it, somewhat, but it's way too long and gets repetitive. This is one game that I think would have been a lot better if it were shorter.

Maybe people who are bigger FPS fans will disagree, though.

[Cigol]

I personally enjoyed the game as nothing more than a shooter with nice graphics and some genuinely creepy moments (for a game). I don't watch Japanese horror or any psychological horror films for whatever that's worth - so it felt fresh enough for me.

And let's get one thing absolutely straight, before this stupid myth perpetuates its self into the annals of gaming history for good: whoever decided the AI in this game was "probably the best since the grunts in Half-Life" needs their fucking head examined

Word. When I ask people 'why' their usual response relates to how they behave (jumping over or through things and so on) but I honestly believe that's the result of scripted sequences (and not dynamic in the slightest).

[DanJW]

I've found the AI better than most, and definately challenging when the difficulty is turned up. They do use cover, flank, avoid grenades, throw grenades if you stay in cover etc (also they talk to each other, which is what often gives many people the impression of good AI). Like all AI though it is possible to play in a way that the AI just can't handle. Not that I'm suggesting that you are "playing it wrong" because ultimately that kind of suggestion is silly.

As for the inaccurate guns, this makes sense in terms of visuals. If you watch the mini-docu about the game, you can see that when the devs play it they go in all guns blazing, using tonnes of slo-mo. When you do this, having bullets ricocheting off every surface and destroying everything in sight is what gives the game it's unique "explodey chaos" looks.

Basically, the game is at it's best when played in a John Woo style, and the graphics, weapons and AI are designed to complement this.

The level design really is just boring though, and can only be described as "functional". The best it gets is offices and labs, mainly because they have lots of glass that looks good shattering in slow motion.

And I thought there were some genuinely freaky moments with the scary stuff. The final bit in the vault with Alma was well done too I thought, although the "escape" bit after that involving tonnes of those suicidal ghosts was silly.

I played the first XP, and while the gameplay and environments were slightly better the story and was nonsensical and barely existed. The series as a whole could have been improved by a better narrative, I thought, if only to give it more focus and imagination.

[Karimi]

Play FEAR for an hour, then just uninstall it, you've pretty much experienced all of the game that way.

[ysbreker]

They should have made a new NOLF (or NOLF like) game. At least something with humor in it. I loved the humor of No onle lives forver. I really miss that in modern day FPS-es. NOLF had exactly the right mix of humor and action for me. Please give us some more, Monolith!

[LOPcagney]

They should have made a new NOLF (or NOLF like) game. At least something with humor in it. I loved the humor of No onle lives forver. I really miss that in modern day FPS-es. NOLF had exactly the right mix of humor and action for me. Please give us some more, Monolith!

Absolutely! I got NOLF2 for my last birthday, and it was just so good. People have forgotten that First Person Shooters can be as charming and funny as any other genre. I especially loved the memos and the side conversations by the guards.

[Nachimir]

I found F.E.A.R. adequate, even though the dullness of the environments was pretty annoying.

The AI wasn't bad compared to a lot of games, a few times I tried to flank it only to find it had fallen back or switched cover while I couldn't see it. There was a section in an underground car park that's still one of the more tense and memorable sequences from a game for me, as not only was it designed to be a bit full on, I was also low on ammo when I hit it and had to do it on a really tight budget.

I enjoyed NOLF and NOLF2 a lot more though, completing the second in one sitting. They were both charming, even though the vehicle sections in NOLF were dull dull dull. Running people down just meant getting shot a lot in the process, leading to tedious tracts of "spot enemies, dismount, sneak, shoot, remount, drive, spot enemies..."

Some of the guard idle speech almost made up for this all by itself: "I can't believe I'm missing The Man From U.N.C.L.E."

[Nappi]

NOLF and NOLF2 are still my favourite FPS games of all time. I loved the humor. The second one also had the best chase sequence ever.

I haven't and I'm not planning to play FEAR, though, so this was slightly offtopic. I simply don't like "scary" games.

[Roderick]

Hey, now I really feel like playing NOLF2 again. I had been wondering what game to play. Maybe this is it!

[Wrestlevania]

They should have made a new NOLF (or NOLF like) game.

You can thank the abhorrent Contract J.A.C.K.* for putting that series to the torch.

The game follows John Jack, a professional killer recruited by H.A.R.M.*, a criminal organization central to the No One Lives Forever series.

* Yet more 4-letter abbreviation stupidity from Monolith.

[Roderick]

Instead of booting up NOLF2, I simply bought UR MR GAY and have been playing ever since

[Noyb]

NOLF and NOLF2 are still my favourite FPS games of all time. I loved the humor. The second one also had the best chase sequence ever.

The one where:

You find out that the Mime King, a painted Frenchman in a trenchcoat that glides everywhere ominously, is really a midget riding a unicycle. Hopping on back of a tricycle driven by a burly Scotsman, you chase him through the streets of Paris.

Hilarious.

[werd123]

I thought it was O.K, the best part would be the combat though. I don't how I put my finger on it, but it had a beat-em-up system where the next move you make such as shooting off your gun, using your melee or moving right and left would be studied by the A.I and they would make their move.

What I really hate is them releasing these un-necessary expansion packs though, but I'm looking forward to whatever they do in F.E.A.R 2.

[Thrik]

Project Origin is actually F.E.A.R. 2.

I.T. C.O.U.L.D. B.E. P.R.E.T.T.Y. G.O.O.D.

[miffy495]

P.R.O.J.E.C.T. O.R.I.G.I.N. you say?

I guess we'll have to see what they have in store. I've actually never been much of an enthusiast for the horror games, but when they're standout examples of their genre they catch my interest. RE4 and what have you. F.E.A.R. definitely gave me the heebie-jeebies now and again, but then I only played the first couple of hours before getting sidetracked and never going back to it.