With all of the hype I heard about F.E.A.R 2, I had to pick up my copy and try it out for myself.  When I was telling the audience on my last Erin Games TV LIVE show that Fallout 3 and Resident Evil 5 freaked me out, everyone told me to get and play FEAR 2 (short forming without the dots).

Let’s just say that after an hour of playing the game, the fear factor did not disappoint.  You start out as Sgt. Michael Becket and your first task is to take Genevieve Aristide of Armacham Technology Corporation into private custody.  You move through her condo building the way most special task force teams would except you are also visited by hallucinations.

The game developers did an amazing job here.  The movement between your “normal” vision and the “paranormal” vision is seamless and offers great moments of sheer terror.  I say great moments because even though I HATE being scared, I do still appreciate the amazing job the developers did.

Shooting in the game is a bit sensitive – I really do wish there was a snap to character aiming option.  Pressing and releasing L2, as the game recommends, doesn’t really do much I’ve found.  You still need to get pretty close to being on top of the enemy before it’ll really work.  I would also say that while the PDA feature is cool, it doesn’t seem like something I am referring to often (I am usually hearing weird noises and trying to run through the area as fast as possible!)

There is a good story line – keeps you really engaged – and I love the character interaction… offering suggestions, help when you are playing.  The usage of the flashlight in game and the dark graphics is a very cool feature but definitely had me turning me head away from the TV and trying to cover my eyes… Just can’t quite control the character and look away at the same time!! lol

Moved through the condo building (zone one) quite nicely… Very scary however as the little demon girl keeps popping out of nowhere making me scream out profanities and is making me want to throw my controller across the room.  Earned the trophy “Sanctuary” and moved on to the hospital after a cut scene forces you there (don’t want to give too much away!)

The hospital is scary and there are tons of dark hallways and creepy rooms to explore.  You spend the first bit searching for a weapon and you really only find one when you are right on top of the enemy.  Then you fight your way through to a labratory where you enter a chamber only to get stuck there.  The enemy is on top of you and you have to continue fighting to get out.

This is where this review leaves off.  So far, I have to say I am enjoying the game.  If the aiming was a bit easier, I would love it that much more but so far so good… I also think that there should be more items that are interactive… Right now it feels a little like you are a puppet with strings… Just moving through exactly what the game wants you to with little decision-making ability.

What are your thoughts on Fear 2?

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