Fear 2: Project Origin

I got this one simply off the press it had been getting, not knowing anything about the first game and reading other reviews I worried if it'd matter? Well maybe, to hardcore gamers, but if I'm honest, not me. I meandered through the levels not knowing what happened previously and it didn't stop me from blowing holes in people with no remorse or care of the earlier game.
On disc insertion, gameplay starts up nice and quickly, a small back story, then you're off. Familier controls enable you to get right into the action and it's not long before you are creeping around in the eerily dark halls of a hospital catching glimpses of the young Alma from the previous game who is wandering about.

Being a fully grown man I scoffed at the claims that a game could be scary, but whether it was the two bottles of Rosé I had or the creeky radiators I've got now following the cold weather, but with the 5.1 cranked up, the blinds pulled down, lights flipped off and the girlfriend out, the first hour of this I was literally turtling during my escape from the hospital! Bodies fall from ceilings, doctors get blown away, little girl ghosts lurk around corners, it really is atmospheric to say the least, amongst the most I've come across infact.

I could compare this to Left 4 Dead, but that is more of a all guns blazing, uzi 9mm spray fest, where there is so much to blast at it takes the skill out of it, not to say it's not incredibly fun (See my review) but the fire-fights in Fear 2 require a little more guile and technique. Baddies flip tables and crouch behind, run around like they're actually trying to not get hit and appear to actually be thinking about what you're doing and respond to it.
When shooting things as well, it's really rewarding to wreck stuff - the area you're in falls apart at the seams when a shot gun is aimed at it. Walls crumble, TV's explode and all sorts of furniture can literally be destroyed - picking off a guy through a wall or table feels good, and with the slo-mo feature it allows you to skip in and around the bad guys whilst sending them slumping to their knees in any number of different demises.

It's really graphic as well, the cut scenes that pop up every now and then really give this game a movie-like feel to it, flashbacks and blurred vision when your crack team ask you what the hell is going on really submerge you into this, it's easy to get carried away.

The guns and ammo are nicely available, with a good variety of ways to eliminate a bad guy. There are conveniently placed gas cans and grenades too for the more dramatic kill.

An online mode could be better, but the point I'm getting at when comparing this and Left 4 Dead is, if you want an online session with your mates, then go for L4D, if you prefer a thinker and are a Billy - no - mates, get this, it's better.

All in, totally great game, Resident Evil 5 may be better who knows, but for 30 quid you cant complain.

Like I summarised in Left 4 Dead, it really depends what sort of shoot em up you need - a slightly more methodical thinker (This) or a free for all no brainer (L4D) either way, they're brill. Be like me, buy them both, get your shoot-em-up fix then move onto racing games...4 outta 5

<> What it is:
FEAR 2 is a linear First Person Shooter set in the modern day centering around a Special Forces unit embroiled in a paranormal conspiracy.

<> How does it play:
FEAR 2 nearly manages to be a classic but just falls slightly short. Featuring slick presentation, good visuals and solid gunplay combined with perfect controls, FEAR 2 feels just right. The pacing is nicely balanced, alternating between intense action and slow, creepy segments so neither become too repetitive, but it's the gunplay that makes it a great FPS. The satisfying weapons, intelligent enemies and tense atmosphere immerse you in the experience immediately, later enemies raising the difficulty and requiring new strategies to defeat.

The only real problem is that the locations aren't exactly pleasant or interesting, but if they were it would probably ruin the desolate atmosphere. If the environments changed frequently you may not notice this, however the levels are long, often feeling too long, although they get better as the game progresses. When it was a full-price game it lost marks for that reason, but nowadays at a much lower price it is a must buy simply because it is so much fun. Great combat + interesting story + fantastic special effects + low price = Buy FEAR 2 now!

<> Good Points:
Top-notch action with a story thrown in as a bonus
Stunning special effects, strong audio too
It's a long story mode, 10 hours minimum
You can drive Mechs!

<> Bad Points:
A few boring, overlong levels
Later experimental weapons aren't great
It's a little on the easy side

<> Who'd love it:
Gun-crazy nutters who appreciate a good spooky story
People who thought Half Life 2 was too puzzling
Fans of sniper rifles - FEAR 2 has one of the best

<> Who'd hate it:
Deathmatch addicts, it's not all shooting
People who demand colourful, interesting environments
Those of a nervous disposition

Hope this helps, sorry I didn't mention multiplayer, Xbox not online. Have fun!

This game is really really good and the atmosphere that is built up really draws you in. I find myself jumping all the way throughout the levels and when you're sat in the dark with a big tv and the volume loud you will thoroughly enjoy this! This game is a very good blend of fps and a sort of survival horror feel. The shootouts with the enemys are really enjoyable and although they can sometimes seem a bit easy (especially if you use the slo mo) they are still quite smart AI as they will knock over tables and go around to find where you are if you stay in the same place for too long. The freaky bits where Alma pops up really make you feel uneasy and have you on the edge of your seat. One of the most amazing levels for the scary atmosphere has to be when you are in the school and you look down a corridor and the lights are flashing on and off, the lockers banging away and ghosts jumping up to you with plenty of claret splattered up the walls. This is a really enjoyable game and is definately worth the money. I haven't played the first FEAR so i cannot comment on how this compares to it but i may have to check it out at some point.