F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin

 PC
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 682 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 430 out of 682
  2. Mixed: 199 out of 682
  3. Negative: 53 out of 682
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  1. EwanM.
    Feb 15, 2009
    3
    Consolised pap! There's only one thing you really need to know about this and that's MOUSE ACCELERATION. The game isn't great but i reckon it would be a competent if mediocre shooter if not for this one thing rendering it completely unenjoyable. Even with the mouse sensitivity at its lowest setting a fast twitch of only a milimetre is enough to spin 180. It's no fun to Consolised pap! There's only one thing you really need to know about this and that's MOUSE ACCELERATION. The game isn't great but i reckon it would be a competent if mediocre shooter if not for this one thing rendering it completely unenjoyable. Even with the mouse sensitivity at its lowest setting a fast twitch of only a milimetre is enough to spin 180. It's no fun to control and just managing where to look gives me a sort of motion sickness and unease. It doesn't compare well to the original either. Even technically, the one thing you can almost guarantee will improve in a sequel, it comes up short. The enviroments are less destructible and the effects are poorer whch detracts from the combat. The weapon sounds are also less meaty. The slow mo effect is not as nice and it, along with the cartoony blood, makes the battles less visceral which is strange as the actual viscera has been upped. The loss of lean also negatively affects the combat. It's now more about charging in and spraying than creeping forward. To compemnsate the enmies are considerably less challenging and appear dumber. As a whole the game is brasher and more in your face. it's ringu isnpiration is obvious but it's approach to horror is noticeably more American. It focuses more on shocks ans frights rather than creepy and scary. More slasher flick than psychological horror. When you compare it to the underground levels of Stalker it comes up badly short. Also if you don't play in HD res (1920x1080 or 1280X720) you're going to have black bars cutting out a portion of your screen. Going by the Steam survey that's about 99% of people that play PCgames. Congrats Monolith you've now joined the ranks of sell out devs may the fleeting cash before your consumed into a publishers development arm prove worth it.… Expand
  2. carnivorCactae
    Feb 11, 2014
    0
    O... holy... what the flying sickweasel.
    I am asking myself if the positive-reviewers even played the first one!
    "FEAR"2 is a misleading piece cash-in that takes a delightful dump on everything that made the first FEAR so great! And I am not even talking about the cheap jumpscares, because we all know, that FEAR wasn't even that scary at all. All that mattered was the gunplay and    O... holy... what the flying sickweasel.
    I am asking myself if the positive-reviewers even played the first one!

    "FEAR"2 is a misleading piece cash-in that takes a delightful dump on everything that made the first FEAR so great!

    And I am not even talking about the cheap jumpscares, because we all know, that FEAR wasn't even that scary at all.
    All that mattered was the gunplay and the awesome slowmo-effects.

    FEAR2 manages to dumb the whole concept down and create a casual-shooter for drooling call-of-duty-kiddies.
    Enemies that GLOW (!) when you activate the slowmo!!! WHat the...?!
    Enemies have much less room to navigate and are poorly animated (especially when you compare the first one to this stupid dumbster!).

    Oh, and regenerating health! Don't forget this "feature" to appeal to all these "gamers" that are too stupid to play actually that good, that they don't die every second. Pleas! No challenges! " - -

    (of course this "new" and "flexible" design-choice of "REGENERATING HEALTH" doesn't add any suspence whatever. All it does is giving lazy developers an excuse, to **** up good level-design!).

    And just a Side-Note: The Slowmo-graphics - especially the particle-effects look so extreme bad and unspectacular, that you'll keep looking for all the particles and destruction you know from the first one. But nothing to see here. HOW THE F*CK DID THEY MANAGED THIS?!
    (oh well, after playing the even worse "Fear"3, I know they can step even more steps towards an ugly mess!)

    Don't buy this! Seriously!
    I'll dig up the first FEAR again and will play the Sh*t out of it! again. and again. Yeah. It's that good!    … Expand
  3. BenA
    Apr 6, 2009
    0
    No Multiplayer Server Files = Non interested gamer. I bought the day it was released hoping to really nail some online noobs, not knowing the server files weren't released for the Multi-player side of the game. Honestly, do you buy a game just for the single player if your a hardcore gamer?
  4. SvenR.
    Aug 2, 2009
    2
    If you have played the first parts of F.E.A.R., you'll expect something from the second part. I felt not satisfied of it, there are absolutely no horror moments, it's like Alma becomes a normal girl and not the evil in person. The graphics are also very low. It's just no satisfaction to paly this when you know how brutal and bloody FEAR one was.
  5. SteveM.
    Feb 17, 2009
    0
    It seems that the lucky few that are able to run the game have a chance to enjoy it, although, it would appear it doesn't live up to the original. I however have only experienced GROSS disappointment as I am unable to run the game at all, it would seem there are thousands of others in the same boat. Official forums are dead when it comes to developer feedback on fixes but there are It seems that the lucky few that are able to run the game have a chance to enjoy it, although, it would appear it doesn't live up to the original. I however have only experienced GROSS disappointment as I am unable to run the game at all, it would seem there are thousands of others in the same boat. Official forums are dead when it comes to developer feedback on fixes but there are some efforts from community members in attempting to fix the issues for people. I am technically savy, but when I am being asked to uninstall audio hardware, delete codecs and remove video files in order to be able to play the game with no video or sound I draw the line. The audio component of the original was one of the compelling features of the game. frankly this should not have been released and I will be returning the box to the store I bought it from at the earliest opportunity. Buyer beware, this will likely NOT run and will lead only to dismay and NO support from Monolith or the publisher..... Very poor performance!!!… Expand
  6. LukeScott
    Mar 2, 2009
    1
    The orginal f.e.a.r was better this one has so many flaws, you can use a gaming controller, you cant map keys to your mouse if you're using a gaming mouse.

    The story isn't done well, you have to click on little blue discs throughout the game and actually read it to get a full grasp of what's going on. Instead of just including it into the characters speech.
  7. JacquesM
    Apr 25, 2010
    0
    I honestly can't give it better than a zero. Why? Because I cannot play it. Even after purchasing the retail DVD package it requires one to create a Steam acocunt. The problem is that Steam won't let you play until you download a huge patch and if you have a poor or slow connection it keeps aborting and starting over. Nor will it go into offline mode, nor obey the setting not to I honestly can't give it better than a zero. Why? Because I cannot play it. Even after purchasing the retail DVD package it requires one to create a Steam acocunt. The problem is that Steam won't let you play until you download a huge patch and if you have a poor or slow connection it keeps aborting and starting over. Nor will it go into offline mode, nor obey the setting not to update the game. as a result 5 days after purchase the game is still unplayable, and likely to remain so. Buyer beware! PS. The first FEAR and it's expansion packs were a lot of fun. But I guess the publisher never heard of the saying "if it isn't broken, don't fix it". They ruined an otherwise geat game. I won't even consider getting FEAR 3 due out later this year even if I do get @ working - just too much hassle.… Expand
  8. BrianB.
    Feb 17, 2009
    2
    Absolutely terrible. The storyline is great, but the comat is downright awful. All saving has been replaced by checkpoints, which are either 30 seconds or 45 minutes of gameplay apart. Enemy AI is far dumber than in the original FEAR, but the random environmental deaths and replicants suicidally charging at you with a rocket launcher make for uninteresting and downright frustrating Absolutely terrible. The storyline is great, but the comat is downright awful. All saving has been replaced by checkpoints, which are either 30 seconds or 45 minutes of gameplay apart. Enemy AI is far dumber than in the original FEAR, but the random environmental deaths and replicants suicidally charging at you with a rocket launcher make for uninteresting and downright frustrating combat. It's worth playing if you don't mind attempting each death wasting a significant portion of your time as you'll probably have to go back and kill paper-maché soldiers you just finished off, praying nothing lands on top of you or blows up next to you.… Expand
  9. Angrynuts
    Sep 15, 2009
    1
    This game gets a 1 for looks. And for giving me food for thought on how NOT to make a Horror/FPS. Having outdated technology on your system really hampers gameplay - Skipping during cut scenes ruining any scares, Overheating of your computer, and most things look shoddy. But that
  10. AndrewB
    Aug 9, 2009
    3
    This game continues the F.E.A.R. story but it was lacking in horror, and what little horror they had, didn't scare me as much as the 1st two releases. (F.E.A.R. and F.E.A.R. Extraction Point) The combat has greatly improved but unfortunately is over used making it boring and repetitive. It seemed like some of the fights would never end due to glitches. Don't get me started on This game continues the F.E.A.R. story but it was lacking in horror, and what little horror they had, didn't scare me as much as the 1st two releases. (F.E.A.R. and F.E.A.R. Extraction Point) The combat has greatly improved but unfortunately is over used making it boring and repetitive. It seemed like some of the fights would never end due to glitches. Don't get me started on multiplayer... just don't.... Some glitches 'caused you to restart an entire chapter over because when you saved the game and went back to it later, things such as: Elevators did not crash like they were suppose to, leaving you thinking there was another way out. (Spent 1 hour doing this until I left the game). Another was the clicking battle of Colonel Vanek, if you saved the game before the fight, you would end up clicking until you gave up and restarted the game. It… Expand
  11. BenA
    Mar 31, 2009
    0
    No Multiplayer Server Files = Non interested gamer. I bought the day it was released hoping to really nail some online noobs, not knowing the server files weren't released for the Multi-player side of the game. Honestly, do you buy a game just for the single player if your a hardcore gamer?
  12. cidian
    May 27, 2011
    4
    I loved the first game and its expansion, but Project Origin left me very disappointed. Uninspiring story, no real horror moments, repetitive gameplay, mediocre graphics, feels like a console port, etc. Really expected so much more from this game.
  13. birdman3
    Nov 13, 2012
    3
    Fear 2 still has many of the weaknesses of Fear 1, having improved only slightly in certain areas. The storyline is still explained in a confusing way, and it is completely irrational and inexplicable. There are still limited options in weapons, the slow-time function is still a crutch. I played through on Hard my first time through because Normal was far too easy when you can slow downFear 2 still has many of the weaknesses of Fear 1, having improved only slightly in certain areas. The storyline is still explained in a confusing way, and it is completely irrational and inexplicable. There are still limited options in weapons, the slow-time function is still a crutch. I played through on Hard my first time through because Normal was far too easy when you can slow down time. The mech sections are fun, but they serve no real purpose. Essentially, this game should go back to the drawing board.… Expand
  14. SteamForums
    Feb 12, 2009
    0
    I loved FEAR1, and story/graphics/gameplay wise, I'm digging this one. There were a few things the developers neglected to add however, that are pretty standard in any modern PC game, particularly of the FPS variety. 1: No Anticheat or dedicated servers for multiplayer. 2: Not able to bind mouse 4 and mouse 5. 3: 16:9 resolution, but where the hell is 16:10?!? 4: No save feature, no I loved FEAR1, and story/graphics/gameplay wise, I'm digging this one. There were a few things the developers neglected to add however, that are pretty standard in any modern PC game, particularly of the FPS variety. 1: No Anticheat or dedicated servers for multiplayer. 2: Not able to bind mouse 4 and mouse 5. 3: 16:9 resolution, but where the hell is 16:10?!? 4: No save feature, no auto save feature. Pretty much, only 1 save slot - period. 5: Glowing enemies? Seriously, slow motion wasn't enough? 6: Amateur shadow work. Dropped the ball there, badly. 7: Glass breaks in a LESS realistic way than Fear 1 (EXTREMELY noticeable in slow-mo) 8: No real time reflections (if there are, there were not on any of the puddles or anything I inspected) 9: Camera clips through your own player's shoulders very frequently, melee animations are not as good as Fear 1. 10: Despite being advertised as "Games for Windows Live" it does not have any 360 controller support, that is actually part of the live certification, and expected to be supported. Not that FEAR2 is a bad game, but it's definitely going in the wrong direction when you compare it to the first game. If you guys continue to make games like this, don't even bother with FEAR3. I don't even want to imagine what that will be like, and how much it will cost.… Expand
  15. bigsilverhotdog
    May 1, 2016
    0
    You have to be joking.

    Waiting almost 3 years to play this patched up mess did nothing to help the fail that is at the core of this rubbish. Laughably cliched in every sense of the word and utterly, uselessly dated. Little girl leaving entrail splattering destruction with a horror movie "gotcha" scare attempt every 45 seconds isn't merely cliched, it's just lazy. "OMG THERE IS A    You have to be joking.

    Waiting almost 3 years to play this patched up mess did nothing to help the fail that is at the core of this rubbish. Laughably cliched in every sense of the word and utterly, uselessly dated. Little girl leaving entrail splattering destruction with a horror movie "gotcha" scare attempt every 45 seconds isn't merely cliched, it's just lazy.

    "OMG THERE IS A DOZEN GALLONS OF BLOOD IN THIS DARKENED LIGHT FLICKERING BATHROOM STALL THAT GETS EVEN MORE FLICKERY AND HORROR MOVIE SOUND EFFECTY WHEN I OPEN THE STALL DOOR WHICH OPENS VERY SLOWLY TO REVEAL.... seriously, who even cares?"    … Expand
  16. tgeza01
    Oct 18, 2020
    2
    F.E.A.R. 2 of Duty: Infinite Badfare

    Besides the story and setting, this game has basically no relationship to its mighty predecessor. It's a reskinned CoD with everything just thrown in that was 'fashionable' at the time of its creation, completely ignoring the first game. Ugly rainbow colors in combat, guns sound like crap, enemies dumb as hell, ugly HUD, hitmarkers, sniper sections,    F.E.A.R. 2 of Duty: Infinite Badfare

    Besides the story and setting, this game has basically no relationship to its mighty predecessor. It's a reskinned CoD with everything just thrown in that was 'fashionable' at the time of its creation, completely ignoring the first game. Ugly rainbow colors in combat, guns sound like crap, enemies dumb as hell, ugly HUD, hitmarkers, sniper sections, bombastic tank (mech) sections, etc, etc..

    Whoever recommends this today is a conman.    … Expand
  17. YtiaFenya
    Nov 14, 2020
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Говно в степени бесконечность. F.E.A.R. 2 - крайне плохая игра. Я проходил все части F.E.A.R. подряд чтобы оценить и взвесить достоинства каждой части. После божественной первой части вторая показалась мне полнейшим дерьмом, в этой игре ужасно всё: стрельба, ИИ хоть и умный, но с первой частью не сравнится, сюжет наискучнейший тоже самое могу сказать и про страшилки с главным героем. Единственным достоинством считаю графику, тут она неплоха, но всякие помехи и блики портят глаз. Ставлю единицу только за графику и ИИ.… Expand
  18. Skipper
    Dec 8, 2013
    4
    I liked the first f.e.a.r. game, I played it through to the end twice. This one I couldn't finish. I'm entirely sure why. I was not a big fan of the controls (the mouse was way too sensitive even at the lowest setting and when I turned down my mouse sensitivity outside of the game, plus you can't bind mouse 4 and 5). The firefights felt generic and unrealistic. You can just run aroundI liked the first f.e.a.r. game, I played it through to the end twice. This one I couldn't finish. I'm entirely sure why. I was not a big fan of the controls (the mouse was way too sensitive even at the lowest setting and when I turned down my mouse sensitivity outside of the game, plus you can't bind mouse 4 and 5). The firefights felt generic and unrealistic. You can just run around head-shotting everyone in slow-mo without ever really needing cover. This could be excused if the story was interesting. Maybe it gets better the further you go, but I'll never know because it was putting me to sleep after a few hours.… Expand
  19. Martim1322
    Jul 8, 2022
    4
    F.E.A.R 2 Project Origin called me a lot for the images and for being a new horror game since when I played it I was recording a lot of horror videos but F.E.A.R 2 in my opinion is the worst game I've ever played in my life, I consider this game like the Call Of Duty Halloween edition, because it has some terrifying moments and to tell the truth when they happen they are very memorable butF.E.A.R 2 Project Origin called me a lot for the images and for being a new horror game since when I played it I was recording a lot of horror videos but F.E.A.R 2 in my opinion is the worst game I've ever played in my life, I consider this game like the Call Of Duty Halloween edition, because it has some terrifying moments and to tell the truth when they happen they are very memorable but that doesn't make a game, it's first the game doesn't even scare and imagine 100% of the game right .. .80% are the guards appearing to kill and the other 20% are the moments of terror
    It fails as a horror game and it fails as a good game and that's why I give it a 40    … Expand
  20. dmitriy_savenok
    Dec 25, 2022
    3
    Революционный проект своего времени скатился в унылый и посредственный шуттер.
    3/10

Awards & Rankings

51
#51 Best PC Game of 2009
22
#22 Most Discussed PC Game of 2009
16
#16 Most Shared PC Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 49 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 49
  3. Negative: 0 out of 49
  1. PC Zone UK
    80
    What it adds - the more capacious level design, the daylight, the mech bits, the cover system - doesn't amount to much more than a garnish of new ideas on an old chicken salad of a game. But as I said, the magic of F.E.A.R. is certainly in position. That basic pleasure of time slowing, of watching a death ballet unfold as glass shatters, masonry crumbles and bodies cartwheel with morbid elegance - it's all intact, and it's as incredible to behold as ever. [Mar 2009, p.56]
  2. GamePro
    80
    Now, the spine tingling sequel, Project Origin is here to continue the story of the psychic and psychotic Alma with damn good results. [Mar 2009, p.78]
  3. Game Informer
    83
    After the embarrassment of The Perseus Mandate, F.E.A.R. 2 should be in consideration for comeback player of the year. While the multiplayer is weak and the mood won’t make people forget Dead Space any time soon, the solid action core makes it worth a play.
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