Playing Reborn leaves you guessing for all the wrong reasons.

User Rating: 5.5 | F.E.A.R. 2: Reborn PC
I guess the whole idea about single player DLCs is to answer those 'WTF' moments during the main campaign. FEAR 2 certainly have a lot to answer for especially near the end of the game. Of course I'm not going to spoil this for you however when Reborn was announced as a single player DLC, I couldn't wait to see how the story progress viewing as a replica soldier.

So my expectations were set – playing FEAR 2 as a replica soldier participating in parallel to FEAR 2. Similar to what Half Life 1 has done with Opposing Force – playing a soldier with glimpses of the main campaign (and even get to see Gordon doing his stuff). Unfortunately this didn't happen in Reborn and to make matters worse, the storyline again posed more questions than answering them.

So you start off as a replica soldier and with your buddies, nuking out ATC guards in the beginning. And yes you get a ride one of those mercs straight off the bat (or if you are an achievement hoarder, don't use it). Yet this scene is based in the worn torn Auburn district (where the FEAR series is located), I cannot recall this scene at all. I'm not too fussed at this point as after all it is the beginning.

Then things changed for the worse. The replica soldier you play turns rogue (initiated by a certain familiar voice) and the entire game shows no sign of any resemblance to FEAR 2. This is not to say it isn't FEAR 2 (as obviously it is) however I still would like to see some of the scenes from FEAR 2 played out from a different viewpoint, or see at least the consequences from Delta Force. Also considering Foxtrot 813 (as this replica soldier is called) gains the ability of slow-mo, makes me wonder how on Earth he attains it. I can only assume how yet it's just that, an assumption.

So the entire game play is exactly what you expect from FEAR 2, that is shoot to kill or be killed, with slow mo for good measure. Everyone is your enemy whilst your target is to reach the epicentre of the blast (so the 'voice' tells you too). Also Foxtrot 813 has the exact same length of slow mo time as Michael Beckett's (the 'hero' of FEAR 2) full set when you locate all the 'Reflex Boosters'. Also Alma has some sort of beef about you and also tries to stop you. Why is that I don't know so more unanswered questions here.

I'm known to be the world's slowest player (thus speed runs are not in my vocabulary) and according to Steam (that's where I bought it from and apparently the only source) I finished it just over two hours. Pretty short even for a DLC however because I played it on hard, it could have been a lot shorter. Also FEAR 2: Reborn difficulty is ramped up as there are some fights that you are really outnumbered / outgunned. Try fighting off four heavily armoured ATCs in close combat with paper thin walls whilst your nail gun only have twenty (or so) nails.

Was it worth the full price – in short no. As mentioned before, it didn't meet my expectations of playing the game in a different viewpoint. Yes I know you are now playing a replica soldier however going rogue (what a cop out), further unanswered questions like how did you get this slow mo ability and why Alma hates you makes you only guess. Yet the ending places a smile on my face though…