1 stars (The copy protection penalizes even those who buy it) - Don't really care about this game. Did not really play much of it because now with Sierra/Vivendi so concerned about the game being pirated, they not only have a key system in place, but also securom 7 and blacklisting of all emulators. I bought the game and imaged the dvd onto my hard drive so i would not have to deal with physical media. Anyone who has ever been at a lan party knows all too well how cd's/dvd's either get lost or broken at events like a lan party. Part of the reason i like to image the disc so i don't have to worry about what happens to the disc. This bit has now gone too far and I will never buy any vivendi/sierrra game again
5 stars (F. E. A. R. - A New Standard) - this game has a single player element unlike any i've ever seen. these guys made the creepiness of a movie in the tight-fitting wonderment that is this game. With all the little things that end up happening, i didn't know what to think of the game. at first, i was scared, then i was mortified, then i was enthralled... i was hooked from the first moment i played the game.
with elements such as a matrixesque "bullet-time," you can really take advantage of the superior engine's ability to just take advantage of your oponent's weaknesses. for instance, you can just bumrush six or seven guys and take them out, nail them to the wall, take their knees out, push them into a corner with a grenade, shotgun blast them strategically in the head, or whatever you want: it's all dependant upon how you want to play.
with the three gun limit, and the limitation of ladders and the like, the game really has a unique, realistic feeling. you begin to get an idea of how your gun is going to effect what it's hitting, how it's hitting it, the angle it's hitting it at, and, most importantly, how much damage is occuring because you decided to shoot them there.
i gave it a five, because, honestly, it set a bar that's only been upheld by mainstays such as quake or half-life. it's got a style that has not been matched, either.
graphically, it's gorgeous. specular lighting, realistic physics, incredible displays of elaborate textures... this game's got it all. it uses all high-end direct x 9.0c technology, so it's shader model 3.0 compliant. my suggestion: run it on a geforce 6xxx+, because you'll do it justice that way. otherwise, you're just spinnin' yer wheels.
i want to say it's one of the best of the year, but the year is not yet over, and there are games i am still looking forward to, so, let's just say it's friggin awesome, and i'd suggest it to anyone who's scared of little girls, or someone who wants to be: it's a sure-fire bet that you will be from then-on-out.
5 stars (What's the first thing you remember?) - This is a damn good game, folks. I can't say it any plainer than that. It captures the horror and unrelenting dread of The Grudge, the white-knuckle action of The Matrix, the doomsday conspiratorial nightmare of Akira, and the terrifying figure of the specter from The Ring into one cohesive, stomach-churning experience. PC Gamer (US) gave it a review of 92% out of a possible 100%, and said it was a solid ten hours of gameplay. Folks, I think they undershot it on both counts. It took me longer than ten hours to beat it, and I think it deserves better than a 92.
Let's start with the story. In 2002, the U.S. Army created a special black-ops task force charged to deal with any paranormal threats to national security. And now, your character -- who never speaks, and is never referred to by name -- is the newest member of First Encounter Assault Recon, or F.E.A.R. And your first job with them is a doozy. The Armacham Technology Corporation, a major defense contractor, is under attack from one of its projects gone wrong. Paxton Fettel, a gifted psychic, was tapped to take control of a battalion of clone soldiers for next-generation warfare. Only now, Fettel's gone insane, seized control of the clones (or "Replicas"), and is using them to attack Armacham facilities. He's also subjecting some of their employees to some VERY gruesome interrogations. Soon, it becomes clear that Fettel is looking for something very specific, which Armacham is absolutely determined to keep away from him. But what is it? How is he choosing his targets? Why are Armacham employees so determined to stay not only out of Fettel's clutches, but also resisting F.E.A.R.'s efforts to rescue them? What are they hiding? And who's this little girl in the red dress, whose appearance is always a harbinger for bloody, violent death -- except when it comes to you?
The weapons are top-notch. Wisely, Monolith chose to limit the number of weapons you can carry to three at a time, so you have to be very choosy about what you're packing at all times. Not only do you have to choose the best weapon for the job, you also have to know when to trade up for something better.
Combat is something you have to see for yourself. The enemy A.I. is very impressive; Replicas will try to flank you at all times, even shouting orders or warnings to each other. ATC Security, while not as tightly coordinated as the Replicas, will work just as hard to take you down. Not only that, but you also have access to a "reflex" ability that slows down time, which can be absolutely crucial in a firefight. You even have a number of melee combat moves if you're low on ammo, ranging from punches and sliding kicks to side kicks and a running double-kick. Welcome to Fight Club, Monolith style.
Now, I know I already discussed the story, but I think this deserves its own mention; this is easily one of the most disturbing stories I've ever seen in an FPS. Names and terms like 'Origin,' 'Perseus,' 'the Vault,' and 'synchonicity events,' while innocuous at first, take on whole new meanings by the end. As you uncover the conspiracy by listening to voice-mail messages, decrypting laptops, and witnessing some jarring visions, you realize this isn't just another blood-soaked horror story; you're literally slogging through the black tar-sludge at the pit of the human soul. Not only that, but the villians you know of -- Fettel and the little girl -- are more like victims, once you know their stories.
This is a game that's literally begging for a sequel, especially after the two endings, one before the credits and one after. It's fully worth the price tag, especially the DVD-ROM version. Because, you see, there's a little FMV sequence you get here involving the little girl that's not only as genuinely creepy as anything you'll see in the game...but there's also a clue there, if you know where to look.
So how about you, buddy...are you ready to get your hands dirty? |
