F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin Review
User Rating: 7 | F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin PC
When F.E.A.R. was released in 2005, it was seen as one of the best in pc gaming. State of the art graphics, intense fire fights with enemy AI that really made you say "wow; I can't believe that guy just did that!" It delivered a jaw dropping and gruesome experience, all that to say, the original F.E.A.R. was one of the best. F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin continues from the events of the original game after the explosion. You play as Michael Becket a member of the Delta Force operations trying to track down Genevieve Aristide, president of Armacham. Unless you're one who follows the F.E.A.R. story closely, you won't really be caring much about the story since the game doesn't draw you towards any of the characters close enough for you to care. The main reason why you'll be playing this game is for the glorifying F.E.A.R. action. You'll encounter the same cloned enemies like you did in the original game and fight them the same way too. Not to say that this isn't a bad thing, it just didn't bring anything new to the table this time around. In fact the AI isn't even as remarkable as it was in the original F.E.A.R. Regardless of the fact that the combat hasn't changed since the original doesn't mean the combat is bad, it means it's not as innovative. Aside from the unoriginal combat, Project Origin does well in level design. One of the mistakes from the original was that you were constantly fighting your way through halls of cubical offices. They've improved on this repeated use of level design by setting you in different locals such as the central city streets, hospitals and even an elementary school. They enhance these environments with a creepy atmosphere as Alma creeps in your trail everywhere you go.
The game's graphic design is excellent; the use distinct visual effects enhance the whole experience and immerse you into the game. It also does a decent job in scaring you with loud pop-ups of Alma trying to attack you; these are delivered in quick time sequences where you just press the melee key until she backs off, again lacking innovation on an idea with potential. Another idea that had a lot of potential but was left empty handed was the mech suit sequences which only lasted about 3-5 minutes. You only encounter the mech suit twice throughout the whole game and it could have been a lot more interesting if they had improvised more on that aspect of the game. What made the action in the original so great was your arsenal of interesting weapons, all of which felt like you we're leaving a path of destruction in your wake. F.E.A.R. 2 only sort of gives you that same feeling because there are several problems with the weapons. First, they don't have the same kind of kick they did in the original. Second, you use the same guns throughout the whole game and they leave all the cool weapons towards the end where you only get 2, 3 opportunities to actually use them. Lastly, I felt the game was seriously cut dry as it will only last you about 5-8 hours of game play. It has multiplayer modes but these areas of the game are seriously lacking and you'll be lucky to even find a group of people to play with since it has a desolate online community. In conclusion, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin does not live up to its successor. It missed out on a lot of potential for some better ideas and lacked innovation. It does what the original game did and that's about it.
