Keep in mind I played the PC version of this game
So, even though I'm late to the show on this one, I'd like to offer my opinion on it. I rather liked the first FEAR, however I grew very tired of the recycled enemies, environments and well... the game just didn't have enough variation for how long it was. It certainly did make me jump out of my seat a few times, I'm sure we all remember the epic ladder scene, and offered some spooky atmosphere. That brings us to FEAR 2, which takes place about 30 minutes before the end of FEAR 1. All in all I enjoyed this game more than the first, despite some issues I have with it.
Gameplay
For some reason or another I found the shooting mechanics in FEAR 1 to be very odd, mainly that just tapping the mouse would fire 3 bullets from a rifle on automatic instead of just a single shot. This lead to odd moments, especially in slow-mo, where you just tap the mouse button but your gun is literally shooting for 2-4 seconds. I'm glad to report that this "issue" if you'll allow me to call it that has been resolved and over all everything just feels a lot tighter. They've kept all the kung-fu moves (round house kicks, slides, etc.) which I only ever use when I'm bored since the occasion to use them is rare and they really only work well on soldier enemies.
Speaking of enemies, remember how in FEAR 1 you were basically fighting replica soldiers or TAC troops for roughly 85% of the game? They've graciously added some new and interesting enemy types, and the monotony of just soldier battalion after soldier battalion is greatly reduced if not removed entirely. I was quite pleased with the mish-mash of enemies we got and it constantly left me on my toes and I rarely felt bored. Couple that with the still good AI and creepy atmosphere you got yourself a pretty intense situation. I would say the only place the game let me down in variety is with the weapons, they are pretty generic shotguns and rifels and we see no real new tricks from the first game. As with all FPS games the super guns suffer from SEVERELY limited ammo and, if you're like me, you just keep "saving it up" for when you ]really need it, realizing that time just won't come.
Now, of course, what would FEAR be without the scares? I would say the general quality of the spooks has gone up. The atmosphere is a lot thicker, but it's not really right to call it a horror game. Part of the horror genre is the feeling of helplessness, while in FEAR there are a lot more pop out and scare you moments. There are some moments in which you get to go through some supernatural settings, but they seem alot more cool and pretty too look at than they are scary.
Also, for story's sake, Alma has gotten a bit of a makeover in this game, and I must say she was a lot more unnerving in the first game. More on the story... right now!
Story
Honestly, if you sit back and analyze the FEAR story the whole thing reads like really bad Sci-Fi. I'm not expecting a To Kill a Mockingbird like story of struggle, human cutlery and the truths of our dark tendencies; and really the story wasn't unlikeable, it was serviceable and pretty ridiculous, there are just some parts where I feel they could have toned down the sci-fi presence a little bit.
My main problem is with the PRESENTATION of the story. Most of the details are, again, done through picking up data tablets all over the place. The key ones are pretty much smack in the middle of your path so you won't miss them, but everything just kind of has a disjoint feeling to it that's hard to place your finger on.
Mild spoiler example:
The dialog is delivered well enough, but the characters are pretty flat and borderline annoying at some point. You do not get attached to them or give half a damn that happens to them. Many plot twists you will see coming like a storm in the prairies and at some points you can just be pretty much confused as to what the hell is actually supposed to be happening. I found the bits with Alma to be more straightforward storywise.
The ending is probably the biggest smack with the WTF stick I've ever encountered in gaming. I really didn't expect it nor did it seem physically possible. And really, the ending is my biggest problem with the game. It doesn't wrap anything up (I know monolith doesn't want to end their most profitable franchise), but it's just a BAD ending. FEAR had a bad ending as well and it really shakes my faith in Monolith to be able to deliver an ending with any form of substance to it. People enjoy closure, even if it leaves the door open to a sequel. Keep in mind, leave a DOOR open for the sequel, don't just stop paving your road and put up a sign that says "rest of the road, COMING SOON!"
Regardless, this game is story DRIVEN but not story DEPENDENT. It's still a fun game to play, and has some good jumps and spooks.
Graphics/Design
Similarly to the enemies, the level design and aesthetic have really been ramped up from the first FEAR. While there are still some office/warehouse/sewer industrial type levels, there are some nice parts in the city streets, a hospital and even an elementary school! Again, I never got bored of the varied levels which was quite refreshing from the first FEAR in which I was practically begging for a scenery change.
Sound
I found the sound to be pretty good, nothing really stood out to me. The ghost noises are probably the most notable, but besides that it's your standard affair of explosions, weapon noises and what not. The music was fitting but you won't be buying the soundtrack or anything.
Well, if you read all this, thanks! I also want to say that if you like to hunt for "Easter eggs", although they aren't really hidden, the game has a plethora of really funny signs scattered all throughout the game. The FEAR 1 TPS and red stapler gag was funny, but it got old when you saw them in about every office in the game. I'm glad to say they got a lot more creative and varied this time, which is basically the general theme throughout the game.
So, even though I'm late to the show on this one, I'd like to offer my opinion on it. I rather liked the first FEAR, however I grew very tired of the recycled enemies, environments and well... the game just didn't have enough variation for how long it was. It certainly did make me jump out of my seat a few times, I'm sure we all remember the epic ladder scene, and offered some spooky atmosphere. That brings us to FEAR 2, which takes place about 30 minutes before the end of FEAR 1. All in all I enjoyed this game more than the first, despite some issues I have with it.
Gameplay
For some reason or another I found the shooting mechanics in FEAR 1 to be very odd, mainly that just tapping the mouse would fire 3 bullets from a rifle on automatic instead of just a single shot. This lead to odd moments, especially in slow-mo, where you just tap the mouse button but your gun is literally shooting for 2-4 seconds. I'm glad to report that this "issue" if you'll allow me to call it that has been resolved and over all everything just feels a lot tighter. They've kept all the kung-fu moves (round house kicks, slides, etc.) which I only ever use when I'm bored since the occasion to use them is rare and they really only work well on soldier enemies.
Speaking of enemies, remember how in FEAR 1 you were basically fighting replica soldiers or TAC troops for roughly 85% of the game? They've graciously added some new and interesting enemy types, and the monotony of just soldier battalion after soldier battalion is greatly reduced if not removed entirely. I was quite pleased with the mish-mash of enemies we got and it constantly left me on my toes and I rarely felt bored. Couple that with the still good AI and creepy atmosphere you got yourself a pretty intense situation. I would say the only place the game let me down in variety is with the weapons, they are pretty generic shotguns and rifels and we see no real new tricks from the first game. As with all FPS games the super guns suffer from SEVERELY limited ammo and, if you're like me, you just keep "saving it up" for when you ]really need it, realizing that time just won't come.
Now, of course, what would FEAR be without the scares? I would say the general quality of the spooks has gone up. The atmosphere is a lot thicker, but it's not really right to call it a horror game. Part of the horror genre is the feeling of helplessness, while in FEAR there are a lot more pop out and scare you moments. There are some moments in which you get to go through some supernatural settings, but they seem alot more cool and pretty too look at than they are scary.
Also, for story's sake, Alma has gotten a bit of a makeover in this game, and I must say she was a lot more unnerving in the first game. More on the story... right now!
Story
Honestly, if you sit back and analyze the FEAR story the whole thing reads like really bad Sci-Fi. I'm not expecting a To Kill a Mockingbird like story of struggle, human cutlery and the truths of our dark tendencies; and really the story wasn't unlikeable, it was serviceable and pretty ridiculous, there are just some parts where I feel they could have toned down the sci-fi presence a little bit.
My main problem is with the PRESENTATION of the story. Most of the details are, again, done through picking up data tablets all over the place. The key ones are pretty much smack in the middle of your path so you won't miss them, but everything just kind of has a disjoint feeling to it that's hard to place your finger on.
Mild spoiler example:
For instance, at one point in the game you are to follow an individual. After being unable to successfully catch up to him, and following him for literally miles, your team just seems to forget they assigned you to follow him and just gives you new orders. What? It's just a bit perplexingly schizophrenic.
The dialog is delivered well enough, but the characters are pretty flat and borderline annoying at some point. You do not get attached to them or give half a damn that happens to them. Many plot twists you will see coming like a storm in the prairies and at some points you can just be pretty much confused as to what the hell is actually supposed to be happening. I found the bits with Alma to be more straightforward storywise.
The ending is probably the biggest smack with the WTF stick I've ever encountered in gaming. I really didn't expect it nor did it seem physically possible. And really, the ending is my biggest problem with the game. It doesn't wrap anything up (I know monolith doesn't want to end their most profitable franchise), but it's just a BAD ending. FEAR had a bad ending as well and it really shakes my faith in Monolith to be able to deliver an ending with any form of substance to it. People enjoy closure, even if it leaves the door open to a sequel. Keep in mind, leave a DOOR open for the sequel, don't just stop paving your road and put up a sign that says "rest of the road, COMING SOON!"
Regardless, this game is story DRIVEN but not story DEPENDENT. It's still a fun game to play, and has some good jumps and spooks.
Graphics/Design
Similarly to the enemies, the level design and aesthetic have really been ramped up from the first FEAR. While there are still some office/warehouse/sewer industrial type levels, there are some nice parts in the city streets, a hospital and even an elementary school! Again, I never got bored of the varied levels which was quite refreshing from the first FEAR in which I was practically begging for a scenery change.
Sound
I found the sound to be pretty good, nothing really stood out to me. The ghost noises are probably the most notable, but besides that it's your standard affair of explosions, weapon noises and what not. The music was fitting but you won't be buying the soundtrack or anything.
Well, if you read all this, thanks! I also want to say that if you like to hunt for "Easter eggs", although they aren't really hidden, the game has a plethora of really funny signs scattered all throughout the game. The FEAR 1 TPS and red stapler gag was funny, but it got old when you saw them in about every office in the game. I'm glad to say they got a lot more creative and varied this time, which is basically the general theme throughout the game.