Now, I must start this article by admitting that I never played the first F.E.A.R game. There was no demo available, and I really didn't want to fork out more than twenty quid for a game which I may or may not have liked. However, things are different this time around; a demo has been released for the latest from Warner Bros, F.E.A.R2: Project Origin.

There isn't much of an insight to the story in this demo, just one hell of alot of shooting. It's obvious, from the flashbacks which the player experiences to the pure and total destruction everywhere, that a disaster has happened. Why, though, there are armed guards trying to kill you, and why there are multiple ghostly spirits and other-worldly creatures is yet to be seen.

The demo begins with a very flashy cutscene, some scary lighting effects and some eerie background sound. All par for the course in a horror game, you might think. However, you soon find that F.E.A.R2 isn't the most frightening game you've ever laid your hands on. It's creepy, I'll give it that much, but to call it a horror game would be a little too kind.

There are some things that Warner have got just right in the horror department, though. The graphics are dark and moody and there's a few of those 'what was that I saw' moments, where you look again and whatever you did see has now gone. They're the sort of bits in the demo that are quite freaky.

Gameplay is good, and shooting in the game solid. The aiming systems feel very similar to those of Call of Duty 4; but, then again, what shooters aren't compared to CoD nowadays? The use of slowmo is well implemented and is essential to beating the game, especially with the hordes of enemies who flock to the first sign of gunfire. The weapons feel good, although there isn't much difference between the feel of the same types; the sub-machine gun is very similar to the assault rifle, bar the fact that they have different scopes. The bad side is the gore; it's out of place and actually takes away from the creepy feel of the demo.

F.E.A.R2 looks like one of those games which you might pick up on a whim because you like the boxart or the screenshots look good. Another reason why you might pick it up is the fact that you like shooters, or you were a fan of the first. However, the likelyhood of the matter is that F.E.A.R 2 is probably one of those 'pick it up when it's £14.99 pre-owned' games. Definitely rent before you buy.

It's a shame. I was hoping to be wetting myself with fright.

Linford

Labels: Demo Impressions, FEAR2

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