F.E.A.R. Extraction Point

"EP'll give you 5 more hours of F.E.A.R. That's about it."

EP's an expansion for one of the best shooters of last year, F.E.A.R. F.E.A.R. combined visceral gameplay with japanese horror that resulted in a fantastic game that had you crapping your pants. EP's more of the same except for one crucial element, plot. EP more or less strings together it's incredible action sequences with a weak plot that goes nowhere. However, if you just want some of the same great gameplay from the original game, EP's definitely a good purchase.

EP's plot is generally a 5 to 6 hour epilogue. The copter that was carrying you to safety has crashed, and now it's up to you and some friends to move through the city and reach the extraction point so you can be lifted off into safety (hence the subtitle). The game doesn't answer basically any of the questions that remained in the original game, characters are killed off without much justification, and new questions arise but none of them are answered. Stuff generally happens and none if it makes any sense even when put into context with the original game.

Even though EP generally lost the intrigue and mystery that the original game had, it's gunplay is fully intact. Combat's just as fun and visceral as before. Bullets tear chunks off of walls, sparks beam out from metal objects, smoke and dust fill up the room after combat is over. The AI is still awesome, they flank, they give covering fire, they use soda machines by pulling them off of walls for cover, and they generally try to use the environment to their advantage. Besides the standard array of guns from the original, a couple new ones are in the expansion. A laser carbine rifle that can generally carve through anything and a minigun that tears through anything within seconds. But in the end, you're going to rely on your trusty shotgun mostly because ammo for it is in high abundance and it's always satisfying to see a soldier do a backflip in slow-mo.

EP also has the element of horror that original game had. The static from your radio foreshadows something creepy might happen and visual effects will keep you on your toes. Objects are subtly moved or nudged, which will always draw your attention. Sound is used effectively with creepy voices that'll make you think twice before turning the corner. Overall, EP still has the horror and general creepiness that the original game had and TimeGate should be applauded for their efforts.

The single player mode is the only new addition to the expansion, no new multiplayer modes or anything. Once you've finished the single player, that's pretty much it. You won't be missing much even if you miss this game because the single player doesn't answer any questions and doesn't answer any of the new questions that are brought up. However, if you just want 5 more hours of F.E.A.R., EP will fulfill your wants.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 11/09/06