F.E.A.R. 3

I doubt you'll find a better co-op or multiplayer experience this summer. Don't plan on understanding a word of the campaign; just plan on playing and replaying for higher scores, better multiplayer times, and the enjoyment you can only have from pure, hilarious, scared-stiff stupidity.

The third installment of the Fear series sees the once fresh shooter descending into the mire of modern mainstream gaming, but it is still a fairly compelling play and a fun co-op. [Aug 2011]

There are times when this can be offensively unimaginative, but the combat and co-op are too good to ignore. [Sept 2011, p.96]

F.E.A.R. 3 will hardly scare you. But despite some flawed graphics and weak storyline, it's a surprisingly solid and satisfying shooter, which only gets better if played in co-op. [August 2011, p.97]

A lack of scares doesn't mean that this game isn't an incredibly fun and competent video game. It's got some great gun based violence on display, fun cooperative action and two unique characters to round out the mix. Really the only drawback that should stop you from buying this is if you really hate games with gimped split-screen gameplay or are expecting a tense, nail-biting horror video game.

Well-done action, especially if you play the multiplayer. It separates the original formula from any major fear, but fortunately replaces it with entertaining and solid shooting. If you are a fan of the first two parts, you cannot miss with the third part. And if you think your action games are not dark and bloody enough, then you will be satisfied too.

Gunplay that is this fluid – Run! Slide under obstacles! Jump! Slow-mo! Shoot those grenades! Kick that guy! – takes a long time to get old. Those hoping for a sophisticated and thrilling horror will be severely disappointed, but those who'll be happy with just a quite good shooter will be pleasantly surprised indeed.

Whether you're looking for a new, solid shooter to play or something set in a unique, horror-filled atmosphere, F.E.A.R. 3 has something for you. You won't find the be-all, end-all shooter experience with F.E.A.R. 3, but you're still bound to have a lot of fun.

It may not be as wholly engaging or enticing in its storytelling as previous F.E.A.R. outings, but I'm still keen to jump back on the action cloud of a game that's infused with a horror lining.

The biggest problem with F.3.A.R. is the stress on shooter aspects and the small amount of shock effects.

In many ways, the F.E.A.R. story feels like it has run its course. Like most long-running horror series, the scares that thrilled us years ago no longer do the trick, and as I learn more about Alma's family, the less interested I become in trudging forward. However, if you hardly pay attention to narratives and are looking for a fun multiplayer experience, F.E.A.R. 3 is worth checking out.

A welcome treat, if only for its nerve-grinding atmosphere. The campaign is far too short-with Fettel, you could probably whiz through it in three or four hours-but the multiplayer modes are a lot of fun.

F.E.A.R. 3 has some unique features and is motivated by ingenious and atypical gameplay mechanics, but it is also wasteful of unique opportunities and a new disappointment for this series.

Though its graphics aren't as impressive as the first one's were six years ago, F.E.A.R. 3 still has a lot going for it. The campaign, albeit short, does a great job of creating interesting combat situations which are only solvable through use of the trusted slow motion mechanic and the new, easy to use cover system. Co-op is always fun and the multiplayer options are interesting, even if their lasting appeal is doubtful. If you are able to overlook it's dated looks, artificial level design and some balancing flaws, F.E.A.R. 3 is a fun shooter for the summer.

A passable single player game that's hilarious fun in co-op. Full of weird and enjoyable multiplayer ideas. [Sept 2011, p.78]

The new F3AR shines in its PC incarnation, despite its derivative CoD approach that smoothened its horror atmosphere. While not perfect, the multiplayer is a blast and a certain plus to the production that will be definitely enjoyable by every player.

FEAR 3 would just be considered an okay shooter with a terrible story and poor attempts at horror, if it wasn't for the wealth of unique side-options it brings to the FPS table.

F.3.A.R is a difficult game to grade. On one hand you see some flaws every step of the way. A weak storyline, a terrible ending and lack of scary moments disappoint the most. Graphics, especially in the artistic departament, are weak as well. But on the other hand Day:1:Studios still managed to create a game full of great fun. All the flaws don't change the fact that it's the most entertaining shooter in a long time. Every encounter with the enemy gives a lot of satisfaction even if you have to repeat some stages a couple of times.

It's short on scares, but satisfying shooting and exciting cooperative play make F.E.A.R. 3 a thoroughly enjoyable shooter.

FEAR 3 spends too much time being a mediocre horror game and not enough innovating, but it's still a wild shooter.

So nobody on Fear 3 has reinvented the wheel, but they've sure gussied it up.

Fear 3 is just good shooter – more thriller than horror game. Duels are almost perfect so you'll be satisfied with them even when they are the only contents this game offers. [Issue#207]

Less tactical, less scary, all nonsense. Yet it's still great fun with your mates. [Sept 2011, p.]

Aside from these few relatively minor negatives, F.E.A.R. 3 is a very solid shooter that covers a lot of the right bases -- I just wish the developers had put as much imagination and creativity into the single-player campaign as they did into coming up with new multiplayer modes. And, you know, actually made it a bit more scary.

The game makes no major missteps, but neither does it surprise, innovate or evolve the genre in any significant way.

Maybe if it inspired loss of bladder control in the same way the original did - or, better still, how Monolith's Condemned did - it might have been slightly more memorable. FEAR 3 is sadly lacking in the fear department, and has subsequently lost its defining characteristic.

The game still kind of works because of the KI and the good controls, but that doesn't make up for bad level design and presentation. Alma doesn't cause fear anymore, she's just annoying.

The first F.E.A.R. was scary and good. The second one was scary-ish and good-ish. The third one is... well, indistinct. F.E.A.R. 3 is a generic shooter devoid of atmosphere, built correctly step by step but lacking any quality that could prevent you from forgetting this game. [August 2011, p.52]

This probably won't be the end of the Fear franchise, but if the developer does decide to keep it with a trilogy, they drove it home on a strong, if belabored, horrifying note.

There's no doubt that F.E.A.R. 3 should have been a better game, as it fails to live up to both its predecessors and much of what else is on offer in the genre these days. The overall experience is still worthy of approval, and there are some fun co-op modes. Whether you're into horror, action or a combination of the two you might want to take a look at F.E.A.R. 3. Just don´t expect a scary wonder-ride like the first installment.

While neither innovative in its gameplay mechanics or its fright-fests, F.E.A.R. 3's solo outing is still a better-than-average experience that is made all the more entertaining with another player. Its multiplayer offerings are on the opposite side of the spectrum, featuring interesting and fun new gameplay modes that deserve to be imitated by future FPS titles. Unfortunately, the current netcode issues keeps gamers from discovering this for themselves, as if Alma's vengeful spirit lingers as a ghost in the machine.

Long before the events of the original F.E.A.R., scientists of Armacham Corporation put Alma Wade into medically-induced coma and enclosed her in a sarcophagus to suppress her psionic abilities. While trying to create an army of clones with superhuman abilities, they twice artificially inseminated her body, but in the end paid the ultimate price for cruelty and greed. Replace Armacham with Warner Bros., Alma – with F.E.A.R., and this make-believe story will become real.