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FEAR ReviewAnother big game of 2005. FEAR . . . initially I had heard of the gfx of this game to be it's main feature and that it's a bit of a systems hog beast. And it is, you do need a good PC to run this (as you do with Quake 4, though FEAR was more demanding yet visually was more basic than Q4).
But all that aside. The gfx didn't blow me away as much as I was expecting, it reminded me of SWAT 4 gfx (which was still very good) however the detail on the cloned army was very good, but even better was their movement. I've never seen enemies move like they do, they swing over barries, crawl along floor, crouch, jump over objects, fling over tables to hide behind, shout at platoon giving orders for flanking, and when panicked they will run away firing blindy at you, or peeking gun over shelter and firing aimlessly. All that is the best thing about FEAR, and it's excellent and doesnt get tiring, just as well! because the whole game pretty much takes place in office block after office block fighting same cloned troops.
And every now and then the paranormal side of the game pops up, to me it seemed pointless, to others it scared them and made them jump! I can't see why, but the effects were done very nicely, think 'The Ring' meets Max Payne's hell sequances with Constantine thrown in.
Other good effects yo look out for: fire in barrels, it looks real! smoke effects from gas grenades/bullets hitting walls puffing up dust from plaster, splinter debris in air from crates etc being shot. This all brings up a new challenge as all this gun fire makes it visually difficult to fire back and you often have to hide to let dust settle. Very well done.
Over all : Nice looking game, good range of weapons, amazing AI on the enemies which makes it enjoyable to play. Now every future FPS has got FEAR to live upto. Again one of the best of 2005's games, not quite as enjoyable as Quake 4 due to samey enviroments which although look good does get a bit bland.
Look out for Event Horizon and Office Space jokes (you'll have plenty of chanes due to duplciated office accessories).
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