F.E.A.R.

 Xbox 360
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 171 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 105 out of 171
  2. Mixed: 45 out of 171
  3. Negative: 21 out of 171
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  1. HarisA.
    Jul 19, 2009
    10
    It's very rare to get a game that actually tries to scare you psychologically. Most titles just have monsters jump out like a Doom 3 clone. Kudos to FEAR for creating a game with an interesting storyline and for making you jump in your seat!
  2. GamingGuy
    Dec 17, 2014
    10
    The review I'm about to write is a tad bit late but I just thought I would write one for the future gamers thinking about buying it. It is very rare to see a game that tries to scare psychologically, it always has you on the edge of your seat. I've seen previews of Silent Hill and I thought those games are probably the stupidest games in the history of gaming. The first thing I look for inThe review I'm about to write is a tad bit late but I just thought I would write one for the future gamers thinking about buying it. It is very rare to see a game that tries to scare psychologically, it always has you on the edge of your seat. I've seen previews of Silent Hill and I thought those games are probably the stupidest games in the history of gaming. The first thing I look for in a game like that is the graphics. For a game back in 2006, the graphics is really awesome.
    You really have to think strategically in the game because it isn't your normal first person shooter. And I like that it isn't your normal first person shooting game. Plus when you start unlocking achievements in the xbox 360 version, it's challenging. I also love the slow motion in the game that use your reflexes, it makes the more challenging enemies easier to kill. Even though, the weapons are your normal weapons, some of them really help out as you progress in the later game. You can go in different parts of the maps and find different boosts such as health boost and slow motion boost. Which is very helpful. A really good game for a cheap price these days!! I'd recommend buying it.    … Expand
  3. Jay
    Nov 20, 2006
    9
    EXCELLENT game just too short (Like Black) Word of advice - play it on Harcore and not Casual of you will be disappointed when its all over. I completed it in 1 week.
  4. Nyteowl
    Nov 4, 2006
    9
    f.e.a.r on the 360 is just as good as the pc. if you haven't played it on the pc or have specs for it. as 360 owner here's your second chance at it. visuals are are great despite rendering only buildings and it's interiors. the character models are detailed also. this is all because of the hardware avaliable. besides that the havok engine is the only thing that's f.e.a.r on the 360 is just as good as the pc. if you haven't played it on the pc or have specs for it. as 360 owner here's your second chance at it. visuals are are great despite rendering only buildings and it's interiors. the character models are detailed also. this is all because of the hardware avaliable. besides that the havok engine is the only thing that's laughable, rag doll effect. if you've plaid anytype of fps or driving sims, you'll know what i mean. i know it's asking for too much and it is. game physics have come along way, but i'm not going to knock it. ayway the a.i. can be tough as they say it is. there are times, when you'll just shake your head and say, "that was stupid". it doesn't often make your typical a.i. mistakes of going, duh. as for what fps master said, i don't think he even played it (f.e.a.r). it's just another sony fanboy, sigh. why can't we all get along.… Expand
  5. TomG.
    Nov 5, 2006
    10
    This is definately worth the 60 dollars. The graphics are equivelant to that of the PC running on maximum: a feat thst take a good $2000 to do on windows. It's almost like a sale at a store: $300 for a 360, and another $60 for F.E.A.R. Now, for PC, it's $2000 for the PC itself, and $30 for the game. sure theres a price difference in the games, but the systems they run on make This is definately worth the 60 dollars. The graphics are equivelant to that of the PC running on maximum: a feat thst take a good $2000 to do on windows. It's almost like a sale at a store: $300 for a 360, and another $60 for F.E.A.R. Now, for PC, it's $2000 for the PC itself, and $30 for the game. sure theres a price difference in the games, but the systems they run on make the choice obvious: get F.E.A.R. on the Xbox 360.… Expand
  6. Gingerman
    Jan 5, 2007
    9
    I don't care much about the scare factor, and there are some scary moments that make you jump...which I respect and asume hard to pull off in a videogame. the main thing here is that fear is a decent shooter. Its fun and you can just jump right into it. i actually love the office levels, bring them on...more offices the better. because architecturaly speaking, there are stairs, I don't care much about the scare factor, and there are some scary moments that make you jump...which I respect and asume hard to pull off in a videogame. the main thing here is that fear is a decent shooter. Its fun and you can just jump right into it. i actually love the office levels, bring them on...more offices the better. because architecturaly speaking, there are stairs, glass, doors, curtains, chairs and tables and everything you need to shoot up, havoc engine style, having your enemies fly out of windows and fall ragdoll like from stairs. this game would have sucked, lets say...if it was placed in a jungle. the whole pacgake could have been made less "supernatural" and more real-life I think, because the creepy moments kind of confuse and take away from the game rather than add to it. max payne series suffered from same the garbage. anyway...there is a cool gun which turns people into skeletons and another one to nail people on walls...so yeah, its great. graphics are decent, but a far cry from what the 360 monster can handle...just look at rainbowsix vegas!, if that is what 360 can do...then fear just downright looks flat.… Expand
  7. LionelE.
    Mar 5, 2008
    8
    A mildly derivative but well-made shooter with nice atmospheric elements. A few aspects, like the slow-motion capability and fair enemy AI make it worth playing despite it being a bit outdated by the platform's recent standards.
  8. MichaelS.
    Sep 29, 2009
    8
    For the people giving this game really low scores, don't believe them right off the back. These people don't even understand the purpose of this game. They want another mindless shooter with endless gore and violence and insanely unrealistic weapons to create epic holes in the walls. While FEAR does have some pretty cool weaponry, the main positive about this game is that For the people giving this game really low scores, don't believe them right off the back. These people don't even understand the purpose of this game. They want another mindless shooter with endless gore and violence and insanely unrealistic weapons to create epic holes in the walls. While FEAR does have some pretty cool weaponry, the main positive about this game is that it's more meant to be a psychological kind of scary rather then a jump-out-of-every-vent scary. In this, it largely succeeds (the girl is one scary little bitch), and although the graphics may not be up to par with games such as COD4, there's a reason: it;s an older game and they can't completely change the engine to improve the graphics. Overall, if you're looking for a game that has enough punch to cause you to jump as well as give u a ton of fun, then this is for you. Otherwise if you want another endlessly chaotic shooter then go buy Unreal Tournament 3(which by the way is amazing).… Expand
  9. MatthewW.
    May 18, 2010
    9
    A truly excellent game. Great gameplay and a terrifying atmosphere. The AI was decent, but really, being able to explore spooky environments and piece together the storyline from hidden clues is what sets this game apart. Highly recommended.
  10. BruinsFan247
    Nov 3, 2006
    8
    FPS Master...Did you even play this game? I dont know exactly what it is you were on when you played this game, but your review is way off. PS2 graphics? You didnt play the same game. Granted the story isnt as good as it could have been. Nothing in the story line really ties anything together. As far as action and fun goes, its all here. I have to say there isnt one thing about your FPS Master...Did you even play this game? I dont know exactly what it is you were on when you played this game, but your review is way off. PS2 graphics? You didnt play the same game. Granted the story isnt as good as it could have been. Nothing in the story line really ties anything together. As far as action and fun goes, its all here. I have to say there isnt one thing about your review I agree with. This is one of the smoothest FPS games ive played online for one. the whole game doesnt get dumbed down just to play online. The controls are spot on, the frame rate has no hiccups. Calling the lighting and environments first gen quality proves you havent played this game or are just bashing it for no reason. the lighting affects are some of the best on any console. Sorry but that was the worst review ive ever read simply because its almost entirely unfounded and untrue.… Expand
  11. JG
    Nov 3, 2006
    9
    Awesome game, single player and multiplayer is great. The instant action modes are a great installment into the game.
  12. Matt
    Nov 9, 2006
    8
    Not an amazing game, but as far as FPS games go, this game is solid. The fusion of kinetic gunplay and J-Horror is an interesting mesh of concepts. The graphics are not quite up to par in terms of "next gen" quality. However, this game is interesting and more importantly, fun. That's what's most important isn't it?
  13. FredB.
    Mar 17, 2007
    9
    I give the creators a hug if I ever see them. I've played many first person shooters in my day and sense the Halo's thay have left me more then disappointed. But this game delivers good controls, great plot, and thrilling action from beginning to end.
  14. matt
    Oct 22, 2008
    10
    this game is not over rated at all it was so god ive purchased it twice once on the pc and once on the 360it's by far my favorite fps campaign any one complaining about the graphics clearly doesn't remember when it was made it was made before the 360 was even available it was much scarier then bioshock (which was a terrible game) and most other games iv'e played if you hadthis game is not over rated at all it was so god ive purchased it twice once on the pc and once on the 360it's by far my favorite fps campaign any one complaining about the graphics clearly doesn't remember when it was made it was made before the 360 was even available it was much scarier then bioshock (which was a terrible game) and most other games iv'e played if you had played the pc version you wold realize how great of a game this is on the 360… Expand
  15. RandyM.
    Nov 2, 2006
    10
    A direct port of the instant PC classic and it's expansion. F.E.A.R. on Xbox 360 is just as good, nothing more, nothing less. Buy it if you don't have the computer to run this monster on PC.
  16. [Anonymous]
    Dec 20, 2006
    9
    Really intense shooter, its really feels like shooting with this one.. great.
  17. DennisS.
    Jun 27, 2006
    10
    The action had me jumping out of my chair. The programmers did a great job with having things jump out at you. Scary at times, yet holds your interest.
  18. ShawnC.
    Jun 26, 2007
    8
    In my opinion the game is a great first person shooter with great AI. I could not follow the story well but the overall game was fun the graphics was fun the characters were well made it was full of interactive things the online play was very fast paced but easy to get hooked on.
  19. ApocalypseBrown
    Nov 26, 2006
    8
    This is a far superior game to Doom 3, which i think is the worst FPS EVER! I never had the pleasure of playing the PC version but from what i saw there and what i've seen on the 360, there isn't much difference graphically or gameplay wise. This game sports an awesome arsenal of weapons, highly smart enemies and a 'reflex' neo-like mode. All of these add excitement This is a far superior game to Doom 3, which i think is the worst FPS EVER! I never had the pleasure of playing the PC version but from what i saw there and what i've seen on the 360, there isn't much difference graphically or gameplay wise. This game sports an awesome arsenal of weapons, highly smart enemies and a 'reflex' neo-like mode. All of these add excitement and makes this way above a lot of fps. But the only sticky point is the consant dark corridors and the annoying (and very unscary) girl! This is fps heaven for all who love the genre.… Expand
  20. Rodrigo_31
    Aug 12, 2016
    10
    When I first played that game, back in 2008 was already late for me… The graphics was phenomenal even on xbox 360 when its full potential wasn’t reached yet.

    I didn’t even had an LCD television so I couldn’t play it in HD, I used my 360 AV/Component cable to play in 480p settings and even so, that game blew me away! I had so much fun because it is tense, it really scares you a couple    When I first played that game, back in 2008 was already late for me… The graphics was phenomenal even on xbox 360 when its full potential wasn’t reached yet.

    I didn’t even had an LCD television so I couldn’t play it in HD, I used my 360 AV/Component cable to play in 480p settings and even so, that game blew me away!

    I had so much fun because it is tense, it really scares you a couple of times and leaves that sensation of constant attention to what is going to happen next.

    Graphics, plot, soundtracks, everything in this game is top, but forget all that, the exact point where it really shines relies on its A.I.. I honestly feel disappointed as a gamer today in 2016 because when I saw how smart bots and enemies could be I thought that games would suffer big transformations on this aspect… If you see most of FPS now they don’t scratch the surface when it comes to A.I.. Just compare it with F.E.A.R. and you’ll realize that.

    For that reason F.E.A.R. is one of the best first person shooter to ever grace gamers in globe!

    Outstanding game!    … Expand
  21. matroycem
    Jun 3, 2013
    8
    This review is a fair bit late and is based on when the game was released and not by todays standards. However if a game could do with a HD reboot to make it damn near perfect this is the one.
    Okay the basic plot: You play a member of the First Encounter Assault Recon unit (Sounds rubbish but spells FEAR which is the point) and you are sent in to a building to capture an escaped lunatic.    This review is a fair bit late and is based on when the game was released and not by todays standards. However if a game could do with a HD reboot to make it damn near perfect this is the one.
    Okay the basic plot: You play a member of the First Encounter Assault Recon unit (Sounds rubbish but spells FEAR which is the point) and you are sent in to a building to capture an escaped lunatic. Not all is what it seems and it all gets very grim!
    Through the game you encounter many different enemies which do have a good range and also work very differenly on how you have to approach them. The AI is a bit of a mixed bag. Sometimes the enemies will try to flank you and this makes it a good challenge. Other times they can just stand there and its a bit annoying (This was a very early game on the console and at the time the AI was pretty good). Even today this is not terrible and is certainly playable. The graphics are also dated by today's standards but then again they don't improve with time on a disc do they!.
    The punch this game has though comes through design. Some moments are very well staged and atmospheric and actually had me tense. I found the game absorbing and taxing in a good manner and the game time flew by. I would honestly say this is a must play game even due to its age. Today you will need to look past its age but it still feels better than alot of the current crop of titles.
    This game would be right at the top with just a few tweeks in areas listed but unfortunately the developers never really moved forward enough with the sequels (Hopefully some other developer will get the rights to publish a HD version and will nail it)
    The campaign is around 6 8 hours long and multiplayer wise was pretty good at the time of release. Think you would find it hard to find players online today.
    I really enjoyed this game and have recommended it several times and got good feedback from it. Shame that the franchise has kind of died because it has not had financial support of some of the big players.    … Expand
  22. petoria21
    Apr 23, 2012
    9
    FEAR is the best first person shooter I've played since DOOM 3. The story has you playing as mute Point Man, trying to stop a man named Paxton Fettel from killing everyone in a massive, haunted, corporate building called Armacham. I'm not going to reveal much more about the story, see that's the fun part, the way that you unravel this story is the best part. You listen to phone messages,FEAR is the best first person shooter I've played since DOOM 3. The story has you playing as mute Point Man, trying to stop a man named Paxton Fettel from killing everyone in a massive, haunted, corporate building called Armacham. I'm not going to reveal much more about the story, see that's the fun part, the way that you unravel this story is the best part. You listen to phone messages, read doccuments, and read emails. That might seem familiar, but it is done really well here. The voice acting is top notch, especially from the man who voices Fettel, damn was he creepy. The music is also really creepy, right on par to the Silent Hill games. The campaign isn't short, but it isn't really long. I beat it in around 6 hours. The graphics are slick and smooth, even if every hall in this building looks the same to me. Seriously, you will think you're going in circles. The gameplay is top notch as well.Your main character has the ability to slow down time, which is very helpful in combat. But beware, you can only go slow-mo for a limited time. You get a arsenal of kickass weaponry to back this up,ou got your typical guns:the shotguns,machineguns, and pistols. However, they also throw in a bunch of sci-fi weaponry to mix it up. The game controls are very responsive, and the combat is a blast to play. Another thing that is done really well here is the horror, I crapped my pants several times during this game. FEAR is one of the most polished horror shooters on the market, if you aren't too chicken, go check it out. It is worth every single cent of its retail price.… Expand
  23. Heisenberg93
    Mar 31, 2023
    9
    F.E.A.R. is a first-person shooter which remained a popular title among fans of the genre. Often regarded as one of the best first-person shooters of its era, after over 15 years I was able to put it through its paces to see if it would live up to its hype.

    While F.E.A.R.'s plot is decently written, I think it cannot be considered the game's strongest aspect. The central point of the    F.E.A.R. is a first-person shooter which remained a popular title among fans of the genre. Often regarded as one of the best first-person shooters of its era, after over 15 years I was able to put it through its paces to see if it would live up to its hype.

    While F.E.A.R.'s plot is decently written, I think it cannot be considered the game's strongest aspect. The central point of the plot, which is to "Find/kill Fettel", remains unchanged from start to finish, although there are a few plot twists and turning points along the way. The game relies heavily on the player uncovering important plot insights from laptops and answering machine messages scattered throughout the levels, which may be overlooked. To ensure these important insights are not missed, I would have approached their placement differently. The game's plot draws clear inspiration from other works such as Silent Hill, but most notably from Metal Gear Solid (renegade special forces unit, genetics experimentation, post-credits phone call, etc).

    The key strength of F.E.A.R. is its explosive and deep first-person shooter combat gameplay. The game could initially feel a bit weird and alienating but moving forward and making a habit of it, it will present intense firefights against a variety of enemies, each with its strengths and weaknesses. The game's weapons feel great and satisfying to use, with a good range of options available (dual-wielding pistols and machine pistols, the shotgun, the assault rifle) to suit different playstyles and while it's possible to only carry three weapons at a time, I would say it's enough for different combat situations. The use of slow-motion is also well-executed, adding a layer of tactics to combat encounters. When slow-mo is used, it drains its bar that once the effect stops recharges over time. I personally found its use to be less spontaneous than it might seem. Still, it's a lot of fun and a sizable player advantage, which probably required and influenced the development of another important element of the game. F.E.A.R.'s enemy AI allows foes to behave realistically and adapt to player actions, making them challenging and kinda of unpredictable, forcing the player to adapt their tactics. What stands out is the AI's ability to flank and outmaneuver, making for always intense and challenging combat encounters. In this sense, F.E.A.R. embodies the soul, the living core, of gameplay combat in first-person. Monolith's intention clearly was to go beyond the conceivable technical limits at the time, which has been mostly successful. Although F.E.A.R. is a horror-themed shooter, I would say it's less scary than other titles in the genre, such as Doom 3. While F.E.A.R. does feature horror elements, particularly through the presence of Alma and certain sequences, the game primarily focuses on fast-paced shootouts against well-armed soldiers. As a result, the horror aspect of the game is restrained and limited, with the game's action-oriented gameplay taking center stage.

    However, F.E.A.R. is not without flaws. Generally, the game has a overabundance of medkits, which can make the game feel too easy. Frequent restocking on health items makes it challenging to feel any real sense of danger or tension. Medkits are also transportable (up to 10), which means even less challenge. It would have been better to reduce those transportable or ground pickups, or rebalance pickups with more armor vests, which just reduce damage. Limited to the Xbox 360 version, the game's auto aiming system can be erratic and frustrating at times. The crosshairs can occasionally deviate from where the player intends, leading to missed shots and wasted ammunition. This issue can be particularly frustrating during intense combat encounters, where split-second accuracy can make all the difference.

    F.E.A.R.'s graphics are generally good, with well-crafted models and geometry. However, some textures may not be as detailed, resulting in an inconsistent visual experience that falls short of cutting-edge. Nonetheless, F.E.A.R. features several outstanding graphics effects: bullet decals, blood splatters, broken glass, lights, dust (this latter so realistic it's almost annoying) create a highly immersive and realistic environment – after every fight you can truly tell there was a shooting there. Sound design is no less, with thunderous gunfire and bullets whistling past creating an intense and great auditory experience. Loading times are surprisingly short.

    In the end, F.E.A.R. may not have the most compelling plot, but its deep and well-crafted combat gameplay, impressive graphics effects and sound design make it a highly immersive and engaging experience as a first-person shooter, truly standing out in its genre, even beyond its bygone era. There are some minor flaws which can detract from the overall experience, but it still remains a must-play, especially for first-person shooters fans.    … Expand
  24. Dheadshot
    Jul 28, 2015
    8
    Personellement le jeux était excellent avec une bonne difficulté, des bon sursaut. Je recommande pour les fan de jeux d'horreur. Les graphiques et effets dans le jeux sont bien fait sans parler des effets sonores. Ma note: 7.7/10
  25. Alex_Pilgrim008
    Mar 3, 2023
    8
    This is a terrific port of the PC game. It's a good mix of intense gunfights and a spooky sci-fi story. Fans of "Doom 3 " and "Max Payne" should like it. Despite some repetitive game design, the action is quite good. I would rate this with an 8.5 out of 10.
  26. Dperks
    Jul 15, 2020
    8
    FEAR is very rough around the edges but at its core its a lot fun. The slow mo gun play is just great and the horror aspects are also fantastic. I will say the environments get pretty tiresome lot of warehouse and generic office looking interiors. And while fun the gun play was getting repetitive by the end a little more enemy variety would have been nice. But all that considered i stillFEAR is very rough around the edges but at its core its a lot fun. The slow mo gun play is just great and the horror aspects are also fantastic. I will say the environments get pretty tiresome lot of warehouse and generic office looking interiors. And while fun the gun play was getting repetitive by the end a little more enemy variety would have been nice. But all that considered i still rather liked FEAR.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2006
11
#11 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2006
34
#34 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 44 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 44
  3. Negative: 0 out of 44
  1. IGN
    91
    F.E.A.R. has made it from the PC to 360 with everything that made it an outstanding experience along with a few new additions including the fantastic Instant Action mode, making it hard to lodge any huge complaints against the game.
    Read full review
  2. Official Xbox Magazine
    85
    F.E.A.R.'s downsides mean it's thrilling at first and much less absorbing later on, but its magnificent combat sequences still make it irresistible for serious FPS fans. [Dec. 2006, p.62]
  3. GameDaily
    80
    The level of destruction and the special effects are outstanding, and while the single player campaign is a bit short, the console exclusive Instant Action Mode is a great way to continuously relive battles against the intelligent AI.
    Read full review
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