Fear Effect Member Review for the PS

Fear Effect first impressions: One of the many things that gamers wish to have in their video games is a more cinematic feel to the game. The Metal_Gear_Solid series usually come first to mind when people think of "cinematic video games", but Fear Effect is a better example, because the cinematic quality is actually integrated into the game-play, unlike Metal Gear Solid. Sadly however, Fear Effect is such a tedious game.

That does not mean Fear Effect doesn't have anything good going for it. There are actually allot of things I like about Fear Effect. One of them is its game-play concept, which plays like a combination of Metal Gear Solid and Resident Evil. You control your character(s) by using a modified control-scheme of Resident Evil, where you can now crouch and do barrel rolls, which makes the game have a more action and stealth-based game-play added to it.

Another great thing about Fear Effect's game-play is the "Fear Meter", which is an alternative to the traditional health meter we see in every other game. Not only does it deplete when when you get shot, it also depletes when you are low on ammo and when an enemy spots you. You don't traditionally replenish your Fear Meter by obtaining med-kits or anything. Instead you replenish it by solving puzzles and stealth-killing enemies. Add in some additional puzzles to solve, some elements of horror, and you have a wonderful game worthy of praise. Unfortunately, The developers decided to try to go further, and ended up making Fear Effect more tedious then fun.

One of these elements are the incredibly difficult boss-fights. It took me like 30 times to try to defeat the first boss. Now, if it takes that long to try to kill the first boss in any video game, then there's definitely a problem. In fact, boss fights shouldn't really be implemented into the game, especially when you have a more fast-paced Resident Evil control scheme, which makes fire-fights more difficult.

Speaking of "30 times", allot of the game requires trial-and-error game-play, which makes the game extremely tedious. Some of you may be saying " but LF, that's part of the game, and part of solving the puzzles that's included"...uuumm..excuse me, but I don't see what's the point of dying multiple times to eventually find out that I'm suppose to do "this" than "that". To exemplify this, I was in a boss fight with a helicopter that shot with a gatling gun, confused at what I was suppose to do, only to find out that I'm suppose shoot it when it's in the position of a banner........I'm sorry I don't have the massive brain to figure that out people, but that is just bad game design.

Now I have something to say for all those gamers who "liked" Fear Effect. If you like a game with extremely difficult boss fights, and trial-and-error game-play, than there's something wrong with you. The only reason for you to say that you liked Fear Effect, is to try to increase your reputation as a "hardcore-gamer", by constantly praising a game that didn't sell well, but had good reviews from the gaming press, and to not to think for yourself.

After playing Fear Effect, I've realized that it focussed more on style than substance.......well..actually, it has allot to offer in it's substance, but it's bogged down by tedious trial-and-error game-play. I wanted to like this game allot, but I was too frustrated to continue any further.