Original remains on top
Ross Wright
Issue date: 3/13/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
The story is almost the same as its predecessor, except for a few key plot points. The main character in "F.E.A.R." turns out to be Alma's son, whereas Becket inadvertently impregnates Alma during a hallucination in "F.E.A.R. 2." Both faceless protagonists suffer the same hallucinations, run through cookie cutter office building rooms, use the same guns and have teammates that are utterly useless.
Most of the non-playable characters in "F.E.A.R. 2" suffer from something I like to call "Scooby Doo/Horror Movie Syndrome." This is the uncanny ability to think that splitting up is the greatest idea ever when it comes to traversing through a creepy office building filled with mutant clones equipped with guns. Of course, every single one of them dies, ironically, in front of you, after expressing how splitting up was a bad idea.
"F.E.A.R. 2" is not a horrible game, far from it, but it is uninspired, and could be completely skipped over if you happened to play "F.E.A.R." when it came out. The story is more like a madlib than a well thought out sequel and leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth knowing that the writers sacrificed creating a decent ending for the possibility of yet another sequel. Unless you're a snob who won't touch PC games, I would suggest playing "F.E.A.R." the way it was originally intended. However, if you can't pull yourself away from next generations and the high-powered consoles that bring them to you, "F.E.A.R. 2" is an acceptable substitute.
Most of the non-playable characters in "F.E.A.R. 2" suffer from something I like to call "Scooby Doo/Horror Movie Syndrome." This is the uncanny ability to think that splitting up is the greatest idea ever when it comes to traversing through a creepy office building filled with mutant clones equipped with guns. Of course, every single one of them dies, ironically, in front of you, after expressing how splitting up was a bad idea.
"F.E.A.R. 2" is not a horrible game, far from it, but it is uninspired, and could be completely skipped over if you happened to play "F.E.A.R." when it came out. The story is more like a madlib than a well thought out sequel and leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth knowing that the writers sacrificed creating a decent ending for the possibility of yet another sequel. Unless you're a snob who won't touch PC games, I would suggest playing "F.E.A.R." the way it was originally intended. However, if you can't pull yourself away from next generations and the high-powered consoles that bring them to you, "F.E.A.R. 2" is an acceptable substitute.
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