REVIEW: FEAR Files

Developer: Timegate/Day 1 | Pub: Vivendi | For: Xbox 360, PC

Reviewer: Craig J Gallagher FEAR remains one of the benchmark first person shooters of recent years. The strong storyline concerning the supernatural,
super soldiers and scary little girl coupled with superior gameplay and
instant re-playability held the game stand out from the crowd. In the
absence of a sequel we instead get two expansion packs bundled
together.

Files is a stand alone games designed for the 360
which is now coupled with Extraction and Perseus Mandate. These three
titles while lacking in comparison to the original are still passable
fare for any FEAR or FPS junkies out there.

Extraction Point begins directly after the original ending, featuring as
it does  a host of familiar faces.  Holiday, Jin Sun-Kwon and the
always creepy Alice all feature. Like the original game, you find your
self back at the Armacham facilities fighting off hordes of the same
Replica forces. To
add to your woes is the return of Paxton Fettel, you know the guy you
successfully killed in the original.

The expansion pack plays exactly
like the original, so much in fact that you could be forgiven for
thinking you booted up the wrong games. Bar the inclusion of a few new
weapons it could be the same game, though not as good due to the
novelty of stapling baddies to the wall having worn off. That said
Extraction is still a lot of fun to play and will have you reaching for
the light switch.

Perseus Mandate, the second expansion included follows the adventures
of yet another FEAR unit. Only this time the game takes place at
the same time of the original, meaning that at times they’re basically
the same game bar with a new protagonist.

You run around, shoot some
bad guys and utilise your ability to slow time all happening in many of
the same locations of the original. Not exactly a massive leap forward
for the franchise. Still it’s quite entertaining, and at the end of the
day all most of us want is to blow shit up to take our minds of the our
mundane lives.

The return of the Instant Action option allows you to pick a map and
just run around killing things, without having to worry about following
the plot.

It’s quick, fun and challenging. This coupled with the Online
multi player makes for a satisfying extended gaming life. All the usual
modes are available, Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag and
so forth.

Fans of the original will lap up whats on offer here, but newcomers
looking for the next big thing will be disappointed. While everything
remains basically the same, Extraction point is still worth a look.
Just don’t go in looking for the next Crysis.

Review: Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem

Developer: Rebellion  Publisher: Sierra | Format: PSP

We knew it was going to happen, there was no way anyone
would be cruel enough to tempt us with the possibility and then renege on that
promise. First hinted at in Predator 2 and talked about for over a decade
before finally appearing in 2004, Alien vs. Predator was a fan boys wet dream.
Shame then that the final result was less than the sum of it parts.

2008 promises these fan favourites another chance to redeem
themselves on the big screen but before that they get an opportunity to do so
on the PSP. You take on the role of a
lone Predator who must clean up after a Predator ship carrying Alien specimens
crash lands in a small Colorado town.

The gameplay is simple. You must clean up all evidence of
the Alien and Predator presence while avoiding all contact with humans. Harming
humans, even those trying to kill you will result in penalties being imposed
upon you. The Predators have a new honour code in operation, one which allows you
to upgrade your weapons and armour if you decide to follow it.

The game, like the first film looks good and promises much
but fails deliver. The gamplay quickly become repetitive and the lack of
variety really drags the game down. It’s difficult to take the Predator serious
as the universes most dangerous hunter when all he does is run around avoiding
humans and slaying the odd Alien. Using the cloaking device is fun but not very
useful when all Aliens can see right through it, making it something of a
pointless addition.

Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
has all the elements needed to make a truly epic game but the repetitive nature
and lack of variety means it sadly misses that target. Hopefully next time two
of the most iconic figures of all time will receive a game truly deserving of
their stature. Fans will enjoy Requiem but casual gamers should give it a miss.