14 DAY TRIAL // I kinda like the concepts behind the F.E.A.R. series of games, the combination between a pretty traditional first person shooter and the sudden scare elements, even if both of the previous games in the Warner Bros. published franchise were flawed in a lot of ways.
F.E.A.R. 3 arrived this summer and promises to deliver a series of more solid shooting mechanics, a better array of horror tricks and (the current obsession for all those who created first person shooters) to add a cooperative elements where the classic protagonist, Point Man, is able to work together with his brother and late antagonist Paxton Fettel.
After a brief introduction sequence that delivers a bit of backstory and sets up a core mechanics the player is plunged into a first level, set inside an interrogation facility, that serves to show off the good elements of F.E.A.R. as a series and some of its core letdowns.
The actual shooting is very solid and there are two or three open spaces in this level where the combination of effective weapons, good cover system, intelligent enemies and slow motion really comes into its own and the game feels exciting.
The cover system is more complex (although the constant prompts will soon become tiring) and allows a player to keep his head down and evade shots while he determines the exact positions of enemies and devises a quick plan to take them out.
It doesn't take too many shots to die in F.E.A.R. 3 so good use of slow motion is crucial, as is making sure that ambitious enemies don't flank you.
The opposition seems pretty smart, both using grenades when one uses too much cover and moving around after firing to prevent the shooting gallery aspect of something like Call of Duty.
There was at least one bit where the developers at Day 1 Studios tried to introduce a bit of horror but failed and I still need to see how Paxton Fettel slots into F.E.A.R. 3 but so far the game looks solid, if a little unimaginative.
Here's a look at F.E.A.R. 3 in action during its first level: