F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin PC Games and Downloads

• F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin Review

  F.E.A.R. you can't forget.

  The first F.E.A.R. was one of those underappreciated gems that games critics loved, but hardly anyone actually bought. Shamefully, I have to admit I'm one of the many. And so, knowing F.E.A.R. 2 was on the way, I went and tracked down a cheap preowned copy of the original. Having enjoyed it for the best part of a week, I expected the transition into Project Origin to be smooth and painless.

  It wasn't.

  Elementary

  F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin breaks one of the cardinal rules of First-Person shooter design; give gamers a choice of control methods. It's a problem the first F.E.A.R. didn't have. There's just one setup in F.E.A.R. 2, placing crouch on R3 and zoom on the Left Trigger. Call of Duty players may not be fussed, but Halo nuts who scope with R3 will curse developer Monolith for such an elementary omission.

  A supremely well put-together First-Person Shooter, arguably every bit as good as current genre leaders.

  Equally dumbfounding are some of the more trivial alterations guaranteed to annoy original F.E.A.R. fans. Flashlight used to be down on the D-pad; now, inexplicably, it's up. And why are grenades in F.E.A.R. 2 now on RB, shifting Weapon Select over to LB? It just leads to lots of exploding suicides while attempting to change firearms. Not a game-breaker by any means, but annoying nonetheless. With customisable controls, it would have been a complete non-issue.

  Breathe. That's the venting out of the way. You see, the reason these quirks prove so annoying is that F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin is, in every other way, a supremely well put-together First-Person Shooter, arguably every bit as good as current genre leaders.

  Killzone 2 is the most natural point of comparison. Like Guerilla's game, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin feels chunky to control, with weighty head-bobbing movement, a short-distance sprint on L3, lots of realistic-feeling firearms and scope-focused gunplay which sees bullets shred through enemies in generous splats of gooey claret. However, unlike Killzone, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin uses old-fashioned health and armour pickups rather than recharging health, and takes place in largely clinical office and lab corridors, not expansive outdoor areas.

  Slow-mo

  And then there's F.E.A.R. 2's slow-mo. Pressing Y activates it, sending you into what is essentially bullet time, where everything... sloooows dooooown... letting you take out enemies faster than they can shoot you. Factor in some pretty intelligent A.I. with a good mix of gun-toting squaddies and more hideous beasts, and the result is a shooter boasting some of the coolest combat variations ever.

  The screen will flicker and... change, with demonic figures or apparitions of Alma making you wonder what exactly is and isn't real. Unnerving stuff.

  It's also worth noting how well F.E.A.R. 2 justifies its title. As well as being a stonkingly good shooter, Project Origin is an accomplished and brilliantly eerie storytelling experience. Kicking off half an hour before the explosive finale of the first game, it continues the conspiracy surrounding the telepathic weapons projects of the Armacham Technology Corporation, and their ultimate experiment-gone-wrong, the creepy little girl called Alma.

  Playing as First Encounter Assault Recon agent Michael Beckett, it's not long before you're pulled into the fray, as Armacham's board seek to cleanse their nearby Auburn facilities of evidence – including you. Interspersed amongst F.E.A.R. 2's ensuing firefights are files to find, detailing further back-story to Armacham's research, and ever so often the screen will flicker and... change, turning hazy red or blurry white, with demonic figures or apparitions of Alma herself making you wonder what exactly is and isn't real. Unnerving stuff.

  Spooky

  A lot of the fear-factor has to do with the presentation. Though F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin isn't technically on par with the Killzones of the world (and the backgrounds can get a bit samey) it vastly outshines many a game with some sublime use of shadow and torchlight, solid character models, impressive animation and a curious juxtaposition of fraught gunfire against frankly spooky whispers and moans which brings a unique edge to the campaign. Sadly the multiplayer isn't as well executed, but it's worth a look, and offers added value to an already impressive FPS package.

  Still, it's the cinematic flair, occasional scares, stomach-churning set pieces and non-stop slow-mo action that make F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin such a success. Forgive the schoolboy error on the controls and there's really not many titles that do what this does so well. Overlook it like I did the first game and you really will be missing out.

  GAME's Verdict

  

  • A stonking corridor shooter with cool slow-mo combat.
  • An aptly eerie experience full of creepy atmosphere and moments to make you jump.
  • F.E.A.R. 2 really is quite lovely looking.

  

  • Only one control option.
  • Backgrounds can get a bit samey.
  • Multiplayer probably won't match CoD, Halo et al for popularity.

  Review by: Mark 'Slow-Mo' Scott
  Version Tested: Xbox 360
  Review Published: 20.02.09

  Published: 20/02/2009

• Bring On the Bad Guys!

  
  

  

  This week sees the release of Prototype 2, where the Alex Mercer, hero from the first game seems to have become the new bad guy to beat. So, in celebration of all things vile and villainous, the digital team has once again been gently prodded to share with you our favourite evil-doers. These are the people, who, in the style of Bugsy Malone, are "the very best at being bad"

  
  

  

  Glenn - Mad Mod

  Diablo is the Lord of Terror and a Prime Evil of Hell. That's a job title that alone warrants a spot on our best bad guys list.

  He manipulates his opponents using their innermost fears and then obliterates them with his Demonic strength and incredibly powerful Spells. The strongest Demon in Hell, named after the Devil himself, and seemingly indestructible (Read - he's been destroyed a number of times, even with the Arch Angels helping and he's still keeps ticking, like a malevolent Duracell bunny), devious and able to possess his enemies, Diablo is the Ultimate Bad Guy. And he's back in Diablo 3!
  

  

  Marc - Analyst to the Stars

  The little girl from F.E.A.R. - Alma Wade.

  She was scary. Honest. Like the girl from the Ring (Japanese version, obviously). The first corridor experience with her and the ceiling of blood is one of the scariest scenes ever in a game.

  The Music and Sound was eerie too. It was just all far too scary and Alma was the cause of it all.

  Carl - Design Doodler

  Shao Kahn from Mortal Kombat. Because he is a massive #@+! and I can't kill him!

  

  Ali - Queen of the Internet

  My favourite video game villain is Revolver Ocelot. He started life in Metal Gear Solid as a random gunslinger who you could kill if you (as Solid Snake) waited for him to need to reload his revolver - he really should have named himself something with more than 6 bullets!

  After cutting off his arm you assume that's the end of him, but he's more maniacal than you realise as he replaces his arm with that of your dead clone brother Liquid Snake. In a strange twist of surgery his arm takes over his mind so you have to beat him again in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Finally the epic family feud of a lifetime is over, but with Metal Gear nothing ever seems to stay dead. Roll on Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance!

  James - Captain Category

  G-Man from Half-Life - not really a villain but still very creepy

  

  Nick - Colonel Category

  Wesker from Resident Evil.
  
  How many times did he die escape get retconned? Nigh on unkillable (until the muddle that was Resident Evil 5), the variety of his super powers (whatever the situation demanded, basically) and his smartass one-liners made him the man (ish?) well all loved to hate.

  Plus, sunglasses in those dark places, yes, THAT's how hard he was!

  Louis - Merchandising Meddler

  Wesker be top of my favourite picks, too. From his humble beginnings in a dual life as a scientist/Umbrella genius/STARS Leader, he goes about sacrificing his entire team in the name of science... and obtaining reliable combat data.

  After he is foiled by Chris and Jill, Wesker fakes his own death, escapes, and, not content with the destruction of Raccoon City, tries to continue his research away from the tenacious and meddling Redfield...

  But, Wesker is a bad guy and is therefore doomed to fail. After failing twice, mutating his body beyond belief and moving to Africa, he becomes nothing short of annoying and impossible to kill. The only way he is stopped is by being tackled by Chris and Eva and hundreds of bullets later, is engulfed in a pool of lava.

  Truly special, I'll always remember him for his rubbish sunglasses (worn at all times) and even worse Matrix-esque coat (RE 5). It was also really weird the way his accent changed too. He went from camp American to indignant English... I guess that cemented the transformation from mildly devious to completely evil!

  My second pick would be The Shredder (many Turtles games, but in particular, the 1989 TMNT Arcade Game). Not content with burning down April's apartment building, he kidnaps her too - forcing the Turtles into action and on a mission to end all missions. To a degree, menacing, but generally just annoying and incessant ; )

  Finally, I'd say my third pick would be Dr. Robotnik from Sonic. Generally, he's also just annoying, but also very devious and innovative. From trying to run Sonic down with a drill machine, to smashing Sonic with a giant wrecking ball, to trying to drown Sonic, to pitting Sonic against Metal Sonic in a race to save Amy Rose. Robotnik never gives up... You gotta love a good villain!

  

  Robyn - In-Yer-Face Interfacer

  Baron von Blubba. You know, the whale in Bubble Bobble! When time runs out it goes ape and super fast... Waaaaaah!!!! (o_o)

  Damien - Good Word Writing Man

  Does 'Dragonforce - Through the Fire and Flames' from Guitar Hero: World Tour count? Talk about an unbeatable enemy... No? Well then there's always the Joker in Arkham Asylum and City - played with delicious glee by Mark Hamill. He won an award for it and everything.

• Bring On The Bad Guys!

  
  

  

  This week sees the release of Prototype 2, where the Alex Mercer, hero from the first game seems to have become the new bad guy to beat. So, in celebration of all things vile and villainous, the digital team has once again been gently prodded to share with you our favourite evil-doers. These are the people, who, in the style of Bugsy Malone, are "the very best at being bad"

  
  

  

  Glenn - Mad Mod

  Diablo is the Lord of Terror and a Prime Evil of Hell. That's a job title that alone warrants a spot on our best bad guys list.

  He manipulates his opponents using their innermost fears and then obliterates them with his Demonic strength and incredibly powerful Spells. The strongest Demon in Hell, named after the Devil himself, and seemingly indestructible (Read - he's been destroyed a number of times, even with the Arch Angels helping and he's still keeps ticking, like a malevolent Duracell bunny), devious and able to possess his enemies, Diablo is the Ultimate Bad Guy. And he's back in Diablo 3!
  

  

  Marc - Analyst to the Stars

  The little girl from F.E.A.R. - Alma Wade.

  She was scary. Honest. Like the girl from the Ring (Japanese version, obviously). The first corridor experience with her and the ceiling of blood is one of the scariest scenes ever in a game.

  The Music and Sound was eerie too. It was just all far too scary and Alma was the cause of it all.

  Carl - Design Doodler

  Shao Kahn from Mortal Kombat. Because he's massive and I can't kill him!

  

  Ali - Queen of the Internet

  My favourite video game villain is Revolver Ocelot. He started life in Metal Gear Solid as a random gunslinger who you could kill if you (as Solid Snake) waited for him to need to reload his revolver - he really should have named himself something with more than 6 bullets!

  After cutting off his arm you assume that's the end of him, but he's more maniacal than you realise as he replaces his arm with that of your dead clone brother Liquid Snake. In a strange twist of surgery his arm takes over his mind so you have to beat him again in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Finally the epic family feud of a lifetime is over, but with Metal Gear nothing ever seems to stay dead. Roll on Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance!

  James - Captain Category

  G-Man from Half-Life - not really a villain but still very creepy

  

  Nick - Colonel Category

  Wesker from Resident Evil.
  
  How many times did he die escape get retconned? Nigh on unkillable (until the muddle that was Resident Evil 5), the variety of his super powers (whatever the situation demanded, basically) and his smartass one-liners made him the man (ish?) well all loved to hate.

  Plus, sunglasses in those dark places, yes, THAT's how hard he was!

  Louis - Merchandising Meddler

  Wesker be top of my favourite picks, too. From his humble beginnings in a dual life as a scientist/Umbrella genius/STARS Leader, he goes about sacrificing his entire team in the name of science... and obtaining reliable combat data.

  After he is foiled by Chris and Jill, Wesker fakes his own death, escapes, and, not content with the destruction of Raccoon City, tries to continue his research away from the tenacious and meddling Redfield...

  But, Wesker is a bad guy and is therefore doomed to fail. After failing twice, mutating his body beyond belief and moving to Africa, he becomes nothing short of annoying and impossible to kill. The only way he is stopped is by being tackled by Chris and Eva and hundreds of bullets later, is engulfed in a pool of lava.

  Truly special, I'll always remember him for his rubbish sunglasses (worn at all times) and even worse Matrix-esque coat (RE 5). It was also really weird the way his accent changed too. He went from camp American to indignant English... I guess that cemented the transformation from mildly devious to completely evil!

  My second pick would be The Shredder (many Turtles games, but in particular, the 1989 TMNT Arcade Game). Not content with burning down April's apartment building, he kidnaps her too - forcing the Turtles into action and on a mission to end all missions. To a degree, menacing, but generally just annoying and incessant ; )

  Finally, I'd say my third pick would be Dr. Robotnik from Sonic. Generally, he's also just annoying, but also very devious and innovative. From trying to run Sonic down with a drill machine, to smashing Sonic with a giant wrecking ball, to trying to drown Sonic, to pitting Sonic against Metal Sonic in a race to save Amy Rose. Robotnik never gives up... You gotta love a good villain!

  

  Robyn - In-Yer-Face Interfacer

  Baron von Blubba. You know, the whale in Bubble Bobble! When time runs out it goes ape and super fast... Waaaaaah!!!! (o_o)

  Damien - Good Word Writing Man

  Does 'Dragonforce - Through the Fire and Flames' from Guitar Hero: World Tour count? Talk about an unbeatable enemy... No? Well then there's always the Joker in Arkham Asylum and City - played with delicious glee by Mark Hamill. He won an award for it and everything.

  Published: 22/04/2012

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