|
|
|
F.E.A.R.: FIRST ENCOUNTER ASSAULT RECON (X360)
|
Publisher: Vivendi Universal Games.
Developer: Monolith Productions. Released: November 2006 (Europe). Genre: FPS; Survival Horror. Other versions: PC; PS3. Posted 11th April 2022. By Shane Battams © 2022 |
|
Perhaps the underdog FPS developer of their time, Monolith Productions would produce a stream of PC shooters throughout the late 90s and early 2000s that would garner positive reviews, if not quite the commercial success of the likes of Half-Life. But F.E.A.R. would prove an altogether different beast: an intense ballet of horror and shooting that blew players away when it launched on PC in 2005. It was easy to be sceptical as to how it would translate to Xbox 360 a little over a year later, as ports of PC shooters to consoles had often lost something in translation, be it visual or control related. But Day 1’s port of this excellent FPS was fantastic, sacrificing very little to consoles and proving one of the must-owns of the then burgeoning platform.
First Encounter Assault Recon concerns the titular team, as players take control of the Point Man. Possessing reflexes the likes of which no one has seen, he seems the perfect man for the job of taking down a psychic commander Paxton Fettel and his telepathically controlled soldiers. A simple job at an initial glance, things soon turn on their head when supernatural occurrences wipe out cooperating units, including the wiping out of operatives by a red-dressed girl that Point Man sees frequent visions of. Drip-fed through both economic cutscenes and a ton of in-game clues via intel, the story unfolds at a great pace and builds toward a satisfying reveal. While having a mute protagonist (likely a nod to other FPSs of the time) leads to some strange moments, the mix of real-world setting and paranormal activity proves utterly compelling.
F.E.A.R. was among the early FPSs that showcased what the Xbox 360 could offer to fans of the genre
Split across Intervals, some of which last multiple chapters, F.E.A.R. is an intense shooter that would meld familiar elements into one explosive whole. While slow-mo action wasn’t new at the time, Monolith would add an extra layer of detail which adds immensely to the action. Destructible shards of the environment fly, grenades explode with a ripple effect when thrown and shooting replicas while seeing them turn into pink mist is just incredible. Weapons, including the potent shotgun and heavy assault rifles, prove satisfying and responsive to use. Environments feel designed to best let you use these tools, whether it’s vertical challenges like enemies on higher ground or tight corridors which leave little room for error but showcase your destructive powers. AI is a fantastic part of this one too, with capable foes that can outflank you, take cover when needed and vary their offence to keep you on your toes. Most first-person shooters lack the intensity, dynamism and sheer fun of F.E.A.R.
Horror elements also feature prominently, with Monolith showing love to the likes of Ringu. There are frequent, often disturbing hallucinations that haunt long after you’ve witnessed them and often feature interactive moments that can even damage you. Lighting also goes a long way to aiding this, with darkly shadowed rooms and a limited flashlight often leaving you victim to your own imagination. The audio is fantastic in this regard too, with heavy and atmospheric effects created by Monolith using homemade tools and class music which feels tailored to each individual moment without becoming formulaic, adding some really weight to each emotion the horror sequences attempt to conjure up. And like with the story, the mix of unreal moments of terror in a mundane setting feels far scarier than a hellish landscape.
Horror elements also feature prominently, with Monolith showing love to the likes of Ringu. There are frequent, often disturbing hallucinations that haunt long after you’ve witnessed them and often feature interactive moments that can even damage you. Lighting also goes a long way to aiding this, with darkly shadowed rooms and a limited flashlight often leaving you victim to your own imagination. The audio is fantastic in this regard too, with heavy and atmospheric effects created by Monolith using homemade tools and class music which feels tailored to each individual moment without becoming formulaic, adding some really weight to each emotion the horror sequences attempt to conjure up. And like with the story, the mix of unreal moments of terror in a mundane setting feels far scarier than a hellish landscape.
|
|
If you really scratch deep, there are some complaints you can levy at F.E.A.R. While perhaps expecting enemy variety when fighting a clone army is wishful thinking, it still feels like you’re fighting the same soldiers, repeatedly. While brief encounters with drones and mechas test you in alternative ways, they feel too fleeting to add variety. This same issue can plague the environments which, although exquisitely destructive and often containing side paths with boosters for health or reflex time, can grow tiresome after you’re stuck in one desolated place for longer intervals, only to move to a slightly different (but still very drab) environment. But this is nitpicking in the grand scheme of things, because when this shooter’s elements click together, there’s arguably no more satisfying gunfight to be found on the console.
F.E.A.R. would come to Microsoft’s fledgling console 12 months after the PC port and to say it made for an impressive conversion would be an understatement. Many of the visual effects, including mapping and lighting techniques which added a realistic edge, carry over here with little compromise. Performance is rock solid, with very little slowdown outside of some intense moments. There even is some advanced lighting added to backgrounds which ups the visuals even more. It’s an excellent way to experience this one sensually and although the complicated array of actions might feel a bit unnatural to console gamers, it’s well done for the most part if not as smooth as competing shooters of the time like Call of Duty 3. In terms of content, there are a couple of additions which range in quality. Instant Action mode adds a challenging second course for the eager, a handful of maps which challenge you to survive an onslaught of foes while high scores upload to Xbox Live. There’s also a slew of competitive modes carried over from PC, playable online for up to 16 players. The bonus mission, a short affair revolving around the team’s leader Holiday, isn’t great.
F.E.A.R. would come to Microsoft’s fledgling console 12 months after the PC port and to say it made for an impressive conversion would be an understatement. Many of the visual effects, including mapping and lighting techniques which added a realistic edge, carry over here with little compromise. Performance is rock solid, with very little slowdown outside of some intense moments. There even is some advanced lighting added to backgrounds which ups the visuals even more. It’s an excellent way to experience this one sensually and although the complicated array of actions might feel a bit unnatural to console gamers, it’s well done for the most part if not as smooth as competing shooters of the time like Call of Duty 3. In terms of content, there are a couple of additions which range in quality. Instant Action mode adds a challenging second course for the eager, a handful of maps which challenge you to survive an onslaught of foes while high scores upload to Xbox Live. There’s also a slew of competitive modes carried over from PC, playable online for up to 16 players. The bonus mission, a short affair revolving around the team’s leader Holiday, isn’t great.
|
|
F.E.A.R. still remains a terrific shooter more than a decade after it launched, packing in a disparate set of elements into one cohesive and gratifying whole. While some may tire from a few repetitive aspects after a while, most players will shout with giddy glee as they blast their way through challenging encounters, performing immensely cool slow-motion manoeuvres that give them an edge. It’s also notable for being an excellent console port, with Day 1’s efforts amounting to a near-perfect translation. While subsequent sequels perhaps lacked the same spark of this one, the original still manages to impress. If you have even faintest of interests in shooters, horror games, or both, then this is simply a must-buy.
|
|
VERDICT
"F.E.A.R. remains a terrific shooter that packs a disparate set of elements into one cohesive and gratifying whole” OVERALL: 9/10 |