FEAR Files review

Nov 6, 2007

If you caught us while we were struggling through an inferior FPS that doesn't do the basic fundamentals that Halo nails so well, we could rattle off reasons all day long. Let's look at exhibit A: F.E.A.R. Files.

Now, you might think it somewhat cruel to compare a game like Halo 3 to a game which consists of a couple of short expansion packs to a PC game that's over two years old and isn'twearing its age particularlywell. But then, publishers Vivendi obviously think it's fit to be released at only ten bucks less than the spectacular Halo 3, so we'd beg to differ.

It's the little things that get to you. Like how the level design is still turd-through-your-letterbox appalling. You know how Halo 3 has little waypoints to guide you to the switches and whatnot? Yeah, F.E.A.R. doesn't have that. You know how Halo 3 keeps multiple checkpoints saved so you're never placed in an impossible situation upon respawning? F.E.A.R. decides that nah, that's not for me, thanks, and will routinely save your game with about 4.5 units of health and two bullets remaining. You know how Halo 3 learnt its lesson from Halo 2's Arbiter levels, and made sure that you could always tell who was on your side? Well, Perseus Mandate (the newer of the two expansion packs included) introduces AI teammates, but makes them the same dingy brown as your adversaries.

Oh, and did we mention how distressingly grey and dull the game is? Because it definitely, really, truly, woefully is. All flaws that could be applied to the original F.E.A.R., of course, but Monolith's effort had more flair and soul than poor old TimeGate's sloppy seconds, meaning they weren't so glaringly evident all that time ago.