F.E.A.R. Files

Things couldn’t have looked anymore grim for the unit that specialized in dealing with the paranormal in the original F.E.A.R. (a first-person shooter that was released on the PC and later on the Xbox 360), and had faced off against a threat that was supernatural and dangerous. The game was a success but instead of bringing forth a sequel there are expansion packs that fill the void. F.E.A.R. Files is a stand-alone package for the Xbox 360 that adds Extraction Point as well as the recently released Perseus Mandate expansions to the creepy-yet-fun original.

Extraction Point actually picks up directly after the events of the original and it even features returning characters such as Holiday, Jin Sun-Kwon and even the creepy little girl named Alma shows up again. This expansion begins after the explosion that rocks the Armacham facilities as well as the rescue helicopter that was carrying you and your teammates. Once again, you find yourself back in the same mysterious facilities fighting off waves of the same Replica forces you fought against in the original. To make matters worst, Paxton Fettel - the man you were sent to kill in the original and succeeded - not only returns but seems to be infused with the same supernatural abilities as the various other supernatural creatures that show up.

If anything, Extraction Point feels and plays much like the original without altering the gameplay mechanics or the supernatural theme. You’ll still get into many gunfights with the armored Replica soldiers that are armed to the teeth, and there are a number of battles that will have you going up against the supernatural forces of evil (like most of your fights with Paxton or the specters that seem to bring fire with them). The only real changes are the few new weapons that don’t really add much to the action but who can say no to a better machine gun that can shred the environment or enemies. Your mission, of course, is to make it to another extraction point that happens to be on a nearby hospital rooftop.

The Perseus Mandate expansion features yet another F.E.A.R. unit that was sent in as backup for the primary unit introduced in the original game. In fact, this unit was actually inserted somewhere in the middle of the original game’s campaign so what occurs in this new chapter feels a lot like the original only with a different protagonist. Still, there’s nothing that sets the Perseus Mandate’s character apart from the original and Extraction Point’s hero. He can still shoot with the best of them and he can even make good use of the Slow-Mo feature that allows you to slow time down enough to dodge bullets and get the upper hand on the enemy. You can still crouch and you can still use a melee attack when the enemy gets too close.

Both expansion packs are not considerably lengthy affairs but they’re not too short either so there’s a lot to cover. In both games you will still discover that the enemies can regroup and take cover during combat while laying down suppressing fire. This doesn’t mean the enemy AI is incredibly smart but they’re not too dumb and that’s a big plus. The expansions still follow the original game’s formula so you’ll oftentimes splatter the walls red with the blood of your enemies and there are times when a shotgun blast to the torso can cause an enemy to be torn in half. Alma is still freaky but her appearances, especially in Perseus, start getting old. Still, this doesn’t mean you won’t run into moments where something jumps out at you or view a cut scene that will haunt your dreams. F.E.A.R. Files is definitely not a game for the younger crowd.

Like the original, this collection includes an Instant Action mode that allows you to simply jump into any map and pick off enemies without worrying about a story. It’s a fun and challenging mode and this time there are a number of great maps. There is even an online multiplayer mode that allows up-to-16 players using the same maps from Instant Action mode to play Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Elimination and Team Elimination. There’s even the Control and Conquer All mode that were pretty popular in the original.

Visually, F.E.A.R. Files just doesn’t look as appealing as the original game did on the Xbox 360. Yes, the original wasn’t amazing and it didn’t take advantage of all the things the Xbox 360 is capable of but it didn’t look as dull as this game. All the crisp backgrounds are gone and everything from your weapons to your companions looks like it needs a good makeover. Just about the only thing that really stands out in the graphics department are the explosions, gunfire and flames.

At least the soundtrack and the atmospheric sound effects are wonderful. While you won’t be able to tell Extraction Point’s soundtrack from the Perseus Mandate score, both musical scores are just chilling and nicely handled throughout the game. The sound effects are great, especially when something really freaky is about the happen to your character during cut scenes. Even the voice acting is decent, although the profanity gets out of hand sometimes.

Fans of the original will certainly enjoy the two stand-alone expansions that F.E.A.R. Files has to offer Xbox 360 gamers but if you’re expecting something unique you will be out of luck. Still, these two chapters are actually great additions to the core game and the creepiness factor still makes this a first-person shooter that’s worth playing if you loved the original. While these two expansions could have easily been Marketplace downloads (and much cheaper as well), justifying a full retail price purchase really depends on how big a fan you are of the original or first-person shooters in general.

Gameplay: 7.5
Without pushing the game into new territory, the game simply adds more of the same action laced with creepy supernatural moments. The two campaigns are actually enjoyable and you can always jump into the shooting acting with Instant Action mode. There’s online multiplayer when you’re done zipping through the expansions.

Graphics: 7.0
Graphically, both expansions aren’t particularly Xbox 360 gorgeous. In fact, the game still resembles a really amazing-looking original Xbox game. The character models just don’t scream next-generation and the various corridors still look pretty dull. At least the explosions and gunfire look decent.

Sound: 8.0
The soundtrack is still pretty dramatic and it works within the context of the game’s action-horror theme. The voice acting is just Ok, but it’s still great to hear your enemies attempt to coordinate attacks. As for the sound effects, they work beautifully, so play this one loud and proud.

Difficulty: Medium
There are times when you will be overwhelmed by the enemy so making good use of the Slow-Mo feature is advised - it will save your life many a time. Still, the enemies can be great shots on occasion and many of them know how to use cover and grenades.

Concept: 7.0
Extraction Point stands out over Perseus Mandate but both are equally lengthy enough to keep gamers busy. There are some chilling moments in both campaigns but there are more frightening moments in Perseus. There’s online multiplayer and it still runs smoothly, but other than that there’s very little to come back to once you’re finished.

Multiplayer: 8.0
New playable maps will not fail to disappoint fans of the main game’s online multiplayer mode. Up-to-16 players can take each other on using the maps from Extraction and Perseus to add to the list of maps from the original.

Overall: 7.5
F.E.A.R. Files for the Xbox 360 could have easily been an Xbox Live Marketplace download but this stand-alone package is still just what the doctor ordered if you’ve wanted more from your F.E.A.R. experience. Sure, both expansions don’t really do anything uniquely different but they are still fun campaigns chock full of bullets and frights.