F.E.A.R. 3 Preview - 360/PS3/PC

F.E.A.R. 3 Preview - 360/PS3/PC
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This Time You Can Get Scared with a Friend - F.3.A.R. Preview

Since 2006, F.E.A.R has been successfully merging first-person shooter gameplay with horror themes to provide a series of chilling and action-packed games that appeal to both fans of shooters and horror games. Day 1 Studios is in charge of developing F.E.A.R. 3 (stylized as F.3.A.R.), and by including a cooperative mode, they have undertaken the challenging task of creating a co-op game that retains the chilling vibe that the horror genre is known for.

A Tale of Two Brothers

The mystery behind Alma continues.

If you have yet to play F.E.A.R. or F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, then go back and play them now before F.E.A.R. 3 launches, because you’re going to have to be familiar with the main characters involved. Basically, a supersoldier by the name of Point Man was in charge of assassinating a ruthless wizard named Paxton Fettel. Despite the fact that these two men are brothers, Point Man carried out his orders and eliminated the threat posed by Fettel.

Even after death Fettel continues to haunt Point Man. The interesting twist here comes when Fettel enlists the aid of Point Man as he seeks out the mysterious Alma. The eerie character actually manages to blur the line between fellow protagonist and conflicting antagonist, and it is here where the plot in F.E.A.R. 3 takes several turns and keeps you on edge as you try to figure just what Fettel is trying to do.

The Gameplay of F.3.A.R.

You must shoot enemies, possess victims, and even go on dangerous treks through isolated environments.

F.E.A.R. 3 allows you to take on its campaign alone or with a partner. Playing solo is a lot like most FPS games out there. You run, gun, and blow things up. If you choose to go it alone, trust becomes a major part of the game’s story. Point Man and Fettel aren’t exactly fond of one another, and this tension comes into play numerous times. Can Point Man trust Fettel? Is this all just a ploy for the undead magic wielder to exact his revenge on his living brother?

If you do play alongside someone else, you are encouraged to find solutions to problems and take out small armies of enemies together in order to progress. The game rewards your cohesive efforts by allowing you to access special mechs and discover hidden secrets. Aside from the aforementioned perks, there’s something incredibly satisfying about playing with a friend and taking down groups of enemies.

Playing As Point Man

Playing as Point Man requires a more hard boiled appoach…

If you choose to play as Point Man, expect to do a lot of running and gunning. Because this brother is a supersoldier, he’s able to utilize all manner of weaponry and firepower. You can take down hordes of creepy enemies with everything from small handguns to massive weapons that make things explode. Point Man even has the ability to slow down time (like Max Payne!) so he can take down his foes whenever he’s being greatly outnumbered.

Playing As Paxton Fettel

…while Paxton Fettel utilizes dark magic to his advantage.

Point Man’s brother contrasts greatly in play style, and this is due to his abilities as a wizard and, well, his lack of life. Fettel is in charge of anything that has to do with magic. If you play as this darker, more sinister brother, you’ll have plenty of flashy tricks to help out Point Man and bring the hurt to those that stand in your way. Fettel can use his telekinetic powers to move obstacles and clear paths. This dark magical force can also be used to aid Point Man in taking out enemies. Raise another character or group of characters up off the ground, and Point Man can pick them off one by one with a gun. Additionally, Fettel can reveal hidden paths and allow access to alternate routes.

If you’re playing as Fettel and feel a little jealous that your partner gets to play with guns, there’s an easy solution: Possess a victim. Possessing another character not only grants you with different abilities, but if the host you choose to possess is wielding any weapons, you’ll be able to pick off thugs with some bullet-based firepower of your own.

F.3.A.R. Preview - Experience F.3.A.R. in March 2011

F.E.A.R. 3 looks to be an interesting take on the FPS genre with its horror-themed plot and interesting co-op mode. If you need to catch up on the series before the launch of the game, hurry up, because F.E.A.R. 3 is scheduled to launch on March 22, 2011. The game will be available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.