Playing through the F.E.A.R. series has been like taking a journey through the evolution of shooters. Its interesting to see all the changes, some for better and some for worse. As the third installment in this series F.3.A.R. feels like a strong effort to stay in sync with the times. Specially, a focus on a campaign designed around co-op as well as cover based mechanics inspired by the likes Gears of War. While the efforts to relative and up with the times is very sensible a lot of the charm of the series is lost in the transition. This isn't to say its a unpleasant experience but compared to the fantastic early entries in this series F.3.A.R. very well may leave you wishing for the good old days.
In a fairly interesting twist F.3.A.R. finds old rivals Point Man and Paxton Fettel, brothers and former rivals, teaming up to wrap up the series. Their mother is an a immensely powerful girl named Alma Wade, who at a very young age has been developed for her psychic abilities. Turns out that although Alma is dead she is pregnant. Yeah, makes total sense. Anyway, the both brothers are drawn to reach Alma before she gives birth. The trip will have them reliving their tragic childhood as lab rats raised by the cruel hands Harlan Wade, Alma's father. As the story unfolds its not clear if the brothers may have different intentions for trying to reach Alma before she gives birth.
The brothers will however have to work together to get through Armacham Forces, a company that wishes to make weapons of psychic soldiers. F.3.A.R. is a fast and hectic first-person shooter that will test equally your reflexes and your patience. Introducing actual cover-based shooting mechanics definitely mixes things up a bit. Although you'd think cover would make you safer the unintended consequences is it also makes hitting enemies behind their own cover quite a challenge. Of course you'll have the usual tools as before from your slow-motion to an array of enjoyable weapons to aid in your plight.
There a definitely a couple of new features and ideas in addition to the cover mechanics from the first two games. The most immediately noticeable addition is the option to play co-op. I only played co-op briefly but it is probably the preferred way to play. Not only will it probably help balance the challenge level but Paxton has the neat ability to posses enemies. Sadly F.3.A.R. took more of an arcade like route compared to its predecessors featuring a high score system and a story that jumps suddenly from one location to the next. Two interesting changes is a regeneration based health system and improved mech suits to rampage around in.
I really only felt compelled to complete F.3.A.R. because I already bought it and I had recently finished the first two games. Trying to hit the enemies as they duck and weave between cover feels like a frustrating version of wack-a-mole. Although this game may have the most diversity in the environments I really missed the immersive level design of the first two games. Honestly, the combat is forgettable and the story does just enough to lead you along. I know this all sounds quite harsh but F.3.A.R. just doesn't hold up as the first two games. It seems rather ironic that their attempts to stay modern just makes this last entry feel the so mediocre.