The game also has explosive barrels and clever items such as power boxes and fire extinguishers which can be used with explosive and devastating results. The joy of the game is being able to find ways to make your environment work for you by using electrical current and other factors to set traps and help even the odds when faced against superior numbers.
The weaponry in the game is first rate as players are able to take up to four weapons with them. There were pistols, machine guns, shotguns, and a nice addition to the nail gun known as the “Hammerhead” as well as a sniper rifle and missile launcher. New weapons included a plasma weapon and a great laser that allowed you to slice up your enemies and a napalm weapon. There are also several grenade types such as proximity, frag, incendiary, and a great one that is essentials and E.M.P. blast that disables tech based enemies.
As good as those weapons were they paled in comparison to the Mech stages of the game where I was able to ride an assault Mech and cut down enemies with chain guns and rocket fire. There are also segments of the game where players can use the mounted gun on their A.P.C. unit in order to mow down advancing enemy forces.
The enemies are a lot more than your usual 3D shooter heavies as aside from the clever tactics they can deploy, they are armed to the teeth and often take a barrage of hits to bring down. There are also some supernatural and stealth based enemies to contend with, who delight in sneak attacks in dark areas.
Players also have the ability to melee and use the unarmed combat moves that were established in the first game as well.
The level designs were good and the impressive graphic engine really allowed the detail level of maps such as a lab, hospital, subway, factory, school, apartment complexes, and much more.
The voice acting and music in the game are a cut above the standard fare and while the game was not as intense from a scare point as the original, the action and intensity of this game were beyond compare.
F.E.A.R. 2 also offers great multiplay as I enjoyed Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and the other online modes. I hope to see new maps in the near future and would love to be able to bring the mech battles into the game at some point.
The game allows players to setup controls in the way they chose, but I was stunned to see that game did not offer a save system and instead opted for a check point save system. This was a big disappointment to me as like many gamers, I do not enjoy having to replay portions of a level should I be killed.
