(continued from previous page) ...unique mode called “Slo-mo,” which allows the gamers to play the entire round in F.E.A.R.’s reflex mode. The game allows for very basic avatar customization, as you can choose the build of the elite force you play as in-game. While in-game, you can pick up health packs, body armor, weapons and grenades, much like the campaign mode, and use them to put yourself at an advantage.

The downside to multiplayer combat on the PS3 is that there is no one playing this game. You can sign on to the F.E.A.R. servers and have the option of quick joining or custom joining a match. Either way, if you notice, there is hardly ever over 100 people online playing this title. When you do enter a match, you must choose your weapon before you start. While F.E.A.R. gives you a quick array of the weapons found in the game, it’s pointless to choose any weapon other then the Assault Rifle, which is the best weapon in multiplayer. Since everyone uses it, you would be at a huge disadvantage if you used anything but that. Thus, rendering all other weapons ineffective. What is also dismaying about the multiplayer mode is how you have to wait for a host to start the game. While it may sound like no big deal, if you have 15 people ready to go, and the host is absent, the game will not start, not even if everyone is checked off as ready. However, the good outweighs the bad in this case because as soon as you enter the game, fun and chaos ensue.

Besides campaign and multiplayer modes which the PC version of the game have, F.E.A.R. for the PS3 also has a “Instant Action” mode, that will allow players to instantly jump to an interval in the campaign, usually one of the intervals where a lot of action is taking place. While this is a nice feature to have for shooting frenzy players, the load times act as a buzz kill, and definitely decrease your eagerness to jump into combat. Instant Action mode is scored based upon how many soldiers you kill, how many times you get hit, how many med-packs you use, etc. Once you die, your stats for that Instant Action match are uploaded to an online leaderboard and you can compare them with other players in your region. While this mode doesn’t add much to the game, it’s a great way to train yourself, hone your skills and become familiar with the controls.

Creepy…kind of…

While there is no actual soundtrack to F.E.A.R., the game does support an eerie and frightening ambiance. Often you’ll hear a low humming interlaced with some faints moans, kids laughing, kids crying, etc when running through hallways. When you’re about to enter a battle scene, the ambiance will fade away and louder, chaotic, fighting music will come to the forefront. Or, when you’re walking those dark corridors and a vision pops up on the screen, the ambiance will spike and you will know that something strange is about to happen.

The sound effects are pretty solid as well. When low on health you become abundantly aware that both your heart and breathing rate have increased and become much louder, often overshadowing the ambiance. Shooting a variety of different objects create their own unique sound. Soldiers will shout a variety of different phrases, many of which contain vulgarity, others which let you know if they’re about to flank you or throw a grenade. Overall the sound in F.E.A.R. is very well done, especially for a game that lacks in most other areas.

And the survey says…!

Overall, F.E.A.R. for the PS3 is nothing more then a half-hearted attempt on Sierra’s part to bring their award winning game to another next generation console. Though the graphics seem more lackluster on the PS3, as opposed to the PC and Xbox 360, they still qualify as nex-gen, but only as just barely. F.E.A.R. gives players three modes of gameplay which is nice because variety is always welcomed. The catch is that multiplayer, perhaps the title’s only justification in a purchase, has hardly anyone online playing it. The sound quality is solid, which makes it even more appealing in a game where every ... (continued on next page)