Although FEAR 2 seems to be lacking some important ingredients, it remains an edible and enjoyable experience.
-Much improved graphics over its predecessor
-Sound design adds to scare factor
-Solid combat mechanics
-Can use mechs
-Adds some detail to Alma's story
-Effective use of environment to destroy enemies
The bad:
-Weapons sound like a pop gun
-Story-related questions largely unanswered
-Protagonist has no voice in a world where personal radios are the only means of communication.
The short version is that FEAR 2 is much like the original, but with better graphics. That pretty much sums it up. If you liked the original, want a good scare using the scare tactics attributed to this series, or simply like FPS games, give it a try.
I found FEAR 2 to be a good game, but I cannot say that it was great. The first FEAR was a great game because it showed us something new. FEAR 2 had every opportunity to do this again, but it failed to do so. It is still a fun game to play, and has a lot to offer, but it just could have offered so much more.
The graphics are much better than the original, which makes diving into the series again fun for a while. You will experience slow motion and crazy nightmares with increased clarity. This is a good thing, I think.
The sound of the game is incredible, except for the weapons. This is too bad, because in every other sound-related category, the game excels. However, when you fire a weapon, particularly if you are not in slow motion mode, it sounds like like a pop gun. Machine guns sound like a popcorn maker.
FEAR 2 progresses the plot of Alma from the viewpoint of a new protagonist and it does so through horror story tactics. The scary elements of the game is probably the best thing the game has going for it. It remains as creepy as ever, leaving you walking through the game at a snails pace just because you know something really bad is about to happen. If you played the first FEAR you might find this one a little less frightening because you will kind of know what to expect and in some cases still know how to deal with it. However, FEAR 2 does add a few things that are cool. For example, you get to see Alma up close and personal many times, something lacking from the first.
The combat mechanics are solid and fairly fluid. You will find slow motion very useful, just like in the first game. The weapons all have their uses, though when I found a few I liked I never needed any of the others. You can, on occasion, pilot a mech in this game as well. This is a very fun experience, though you will find the mech to be very powerful and therefore the experience much more fun than it is challenging.
The main feeling I have for this game, though, is missed opportunities. The game progressed the plot of the series, but it did not give any conclusions, resolutions, realizations, or twists. It built entirely off what we already knew from the original. It added a level of detail to that knowledge and gave a few insights into Alma and her past, but little else.
Overall, I liked FEAR 2 for the scare factor and the combat sequences. I would have liked to have seen some more about Alma and where all this was going. It did good on the scary stuff and the combat, but poor on the plot.