Gameplay:
First off, many aspects of this game are outdated, which will be covered in later parts of the review, but each of these aspects brings down the fun in gameplay by a significant amount. The intensity and suspense of the first F.E.A.R.'s environments disappear in this sequel. The stages can be quite dull, and the enemies remind you of Time Splitters on PS2, although there are a greater variety of enemies this time around. As you continue following the story of the first game, you encounter Alma, the Ring-looking girl, quite frequently in a variety of different ways which can make the game more spooky than before. Enemies are just as smart this time around, and in many instances you'll get the chance to fight them off as a mech, but beware of the other mechs around you.
Gameplay is decent in that most aspects of the first game are carried over: the fancy shootouts, the slow motion fighting which is needed much more in the sequel, the interactive environments, and the quiet moments of waiting for your enemies to reach the right spot before you can take them out. The real problem is that while you're enjoying these classic aspects, you're also waiting for some new additions, some new gameplay, guns, options, anything, but they don't come. Monolith seems to be complacent with their first creation and unwilling to up the ante.
Controls:
While Killzone 2 and other modern shooters have rearranged the control scheme quite a bit, this game sticks with basics PS2-style controls. Again, it feels like Time Splitters, or GTA3, or any game that is at least four years old. The R2 button, for example, is not reserved for pressure sensitive actions, but is used to fire your gun instead. The control scheme simply needs reworking. Otherwise, however, they are very standard and are not frustrating like those in Resident Evil 5 or other games that make you feel like a statue. Even on PS3 you have a great deal of speed and ability to pivot, or make sharp turns without doing a full panoramic. Very responsive, but nothing spectacular.
Graphics:
This is without a doubt the worst aspect of the game in every way, shape, and form. Four years ago this game would still look average because F.E.A.R, after all, was 2005 and it still boasted better graphics than its sequel. This time, however, just as some of the most stunning games are being revealed, F.E.A.R. 2 comes along and takes a step backward into darkness. The water looks like paper, the explosions look like street lights coming on, the guns remind you of Doom, the environments are colorless and stale, and you will hate life after witnessing such abominations. That's quite pessimistic to name numerous faults, though the graphics do well enough to get you through the game without glitches or extreme abnormalities. It's just very mysterious that a sequel's graphics can be worse than the original's while still on PS3.
Sound:
The sound is another aspect that falls short of the original. The voice acting is average, just as it was before, and you won't be driven to tears or laughter, but the sound effects are below expectations. The gun sounds, once again, sound like they were ported from some PS2 shooter. The ambience is next to nothing, and the other effects including explosions are awfully ordinary. You won't notice them, and you won't want to notice them, yet they prevent awkward silence at best.
Replay Value:
Being that many gamers out there still play PS2 games, there is a good chance that many will enjoy this game despite the outdated aspects. Again, four years ago this game would probably have been a 9.0, but today it just doesn't cut it. If you don't mind older games there is a good chance you'll play this game through once, maybe twice, but for strictly next-gen gamers, forget about it. Honestly, you will probably get through about half the game before switching to Killzone 2.
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Rating:
Story: 7.5
Gameplay: 7.0
Graphics: 6.0
Controls: 7.5
Sound: 6.5
Replay Value: 7.0
Overall: 7.0
Own, Rent, Avoid:
Rent: This game is definitely a once-through kind of deal. In about three days you'll be saying, "Well that was all right," and in another three days you'll forget you every played it.
Last Thoughts:
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin is not a game of its time. With so many stunning competitors around it, it just can't keep up. While it's a solid game for the PS2 era, and though it can be fun to play if you don't mind the outdated aspects, it simply falls short of expectations.
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Written By
Ryan
Leack
3/24/2009
