Fear Effect 2: Retro Helix

"Not"

As PS embraces it's last days,we PS owners are expecting some last great titles to give us some final whoop #@&! before it goes to the attic or auction houses,or heck,even church jumble sales.Instead,most developers have gone into business with their new next-gen console projects.And FE2 is one of the great ''gifts'' by developers who are willing to sacrifice more time for PSX owners here who,like me,are currently broke or not willing to buy next-gen consoles for some time.

Sadly,this is the ONLY good PS game out there for the year 2001,before we see how Alone in the Dark 4 fares.Sure,you've heard the hype.The game is longer(slightly),there is more places to explore,the difficulty is much more balanced and such.Well,the same thing is still there;FE2 doesn't offer lastibilty like it's predecessor.If you expect some RE type gameplay where you can play through the game again and again for secret weapons,different scenarios or mini-games,forget it.You'll regret getting this by the time you beat this title.But,is this game all that bad?Think of the movie Hannibal.The actors and presentation are superb,but the film sucked because it's too rushed.FE2 has great potential of being a classic PS game,but,alas,it isn't.Continue reading through these ratings to find out.

Graphics:9

There is nothing new or revolutionary here(updated FE1 engine).It is basically the same ol' ''realistic'' graphics that made FE1 shine.The technique is similar with Jet Grind Radio,polygonal characters ''painted'' with anime-style features,including detailed faces,curvier bodies,etc.The cutscenes are seamless and characters move smoothly like in anime cartoons.Wait,not quite.If any of you can notice,characters still look blocky,like the intro cutscene(when Hana goes nude briefly)and you can see some harsh textures if you close-up the characters.Well,it's PSX limitations like tatsumaki said.But good credit must be given,right.No survival horror game looked as good as this one,well,so far.

Sound:8

The soundtrack department flops here.You may notice the music has the mood like it's predecessors,but not as good.There are no catchy themes to reminiscing or that'll stuck on your head like the annoying Titanic tune and teenybooper songs.Where's the catchy angklung tune from FE 1?!The main menu theme was forgettable too,a lame techno,futuristic tune that is too....monotonous.The enemy sound effects suffers from repetitive exclaimations,like the poor scientists in Aquaduct level.Otherwise,the professional voice acting keeps this rating reasonably high.As a chinese,i noticed characters voice actings like Jin's are superb,especially with almost authentic Chinese accents.The eight immortals voice acting are reasonably good,although some of their chinese accents and phrases suffered some minor hiccup.There's only one thing,where's the original Deke from FE1?!Too bad because the voice actor for this Deke wasn't as good as the good ol' Deke.

Control:6

FE2 has tightened up controls and you don't suffer much cheap deaths like FE1.But,it still suffers some major hiccups,especially to people exposed to RE type games(zombies,anyone?!).You'll have to practice dodging alot of times especially bosses who fires projectile attacks or rapid-fire weapons.Thank goodness the game wasn't as hard as FE1(except the puzzles,much more absurd than ever).To all of you cheaters who cannot use cheat codes until you beat the game(like me!!!),this game will only take 12 to 20 hours to beat.And,no more post-death loadtimes too.

Gameplay:5

FE2 has difficulty to escape the RE gaming routine.Take this example;Kill that annoying fixer,get ammos.O.K,there is this keycard at your right.Now go open the door.Kill two more fixers over there.Now push that switch.Go back where you came from.Oh,hell,Rain calls you to go back there and push the switch again.On your way,you fight this creepy,nemesis(RE) lookalike boss.Worse,there is no hidden weapons,different scenarios or mini-games.The puzzles are harder and even different when you switch to hard mode,but there is nothing that'll keep you playing the game all over again.And the nude scenes.All bull hype.

Presentation:6

This is the MAIN area that could've made the game better if it's improved.The storyline isn't bad,but the presentation makes you quote,''if only they...'' over and over again.I don't think these ''spoilers'' will ruin your gaming experience:

-The nude scenes are nothing.Not that Kronos should show some cool porn-type scenes,but at least as good as FE1,only slightly longer and more frequent.''Matured'' gamers will be dissapointed the most.You'll curse everytime you see a cutscene that could've been more ''explicit''(Damn,at least show more of Rain's flesh!!!).

-I'll give sound a perfect 10 rating if there is an F word
or two(by the way,Hana did make a nasty joke about Deke the first time they meet.).The dialogues are nothing of profanities(just s***,the worse).This is what FE2 is hyped about;the mature feel.

-This game is nothing scary too.The Xian tomb idea may sound creepy,but it is nothing compared to Hell in FE1.The only ''scary'' thing is the ''RUN!!!!'' puzzle where you'll have to run away from dangers or enemy as fast as possible or they'll show a short cutscene of your death and GAMEOVER sign.

Overall:There is nothing to shout about FE:Retro Helix.People who have high hopes after playing FE1 will be most likely dissapointed.Other than that,you may play this for a very long time if you don't read a walkthrough.Don't be fooled by hype,especially the adult-oriented theme.If you still insist on playing,rent it at least.

Overall rating:6

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 03/10/01, Updated 03/10/01