Fear Effect

"There's eye candy; but a great game is there too"

Intro

We've all played 'em. Don't deny it. The survival game. From Clock Tower to Dino Crisis, and Silent Hill all the way to the king... Resident Evil. But step back and make everyone, there's a new kid on the block and he's bringing something new to the plate.

Welcome to the World of Fear Effect
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A mob bosses daughter has been kidnapped, and her father has hired a group of three mercenaries to find her. Welcome Hana, Royce, and Deke, the cast of characters that will be under your control for the adventure that lies ahead. Royce and Deke are mostly background noise for the majority of the game, but they are important. They play nicely against Hana, who is the centerpiece for the game. You'll feel for her more than anyone else, and her story is a very intriguing one. She's got motives to do what she does, and you'll discover them as the game moves along. It's a better way to click with the character, and trust me... these situations... they're good. That's as far as I can go without ruining it for you.

The group though, is very real. It's like a well cast television show. The core characters play well off of each other, and their chemistry makes the game an even more enjoyable experience. Each character that should be liked, is easy to like... and every character you should hate, is easily hated; if that's simple enough to understand.

The Story: It can be pretty wild at times, and it will take you to places you'd never imagine at the start. But that's the thing... it's a such a smooth switch in story environment that you don't really take notice. The story will keep you guessing, so if you're a fan of suspense and thrillers, you'll love this.

The Game
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Graphics: This is being written during the PS2 dynasty, so Fear Effect is downgraded now. But let me get back into my PS1 mode...hmmmmm...FREAKIN' AWESOME! We're all used to the prerendered backgrounds of other survival games, but Fear Effect really kicks it up a notch. Imagine Final Fantasy FMVs, only shorter and on a loop. That's what the backgrounds for Fear Effect are like. So you get the illusion that the game is way more advanced than it actually is. But I don't deny that that the PS1 is being pushed to it's limits at the same time. The levels are lush and fleshed out. Character models are cel-shaded, and it fits in really well with the backgrounds.

Control: I'll say it as simply as this... nothing complicated. If you take the time to read the manual you should be fine.

Gameplay: Getting weapons, killing baddies, solving puzzles... all the same here? Sorta... but it's sooooo different at the same time. It leaves the sense that you've done this before, and the puzzles... oh, they're brain teasers. The answers themselves are in the game itself, and I personally find it rather amusing how they sit there in front of you're face, and you'll TOTALLY overlook them. The shooting and all is basically the same as in any other survival game. You'll hear a ringing every now and then, and that's your signal to save. And there are some rather nifty cut-scenes when you die in certain area's.. I know it sounds weird, but trust me when I say that it's rather cool.

The one thing I have a problem with is the short length. But it's easily forgivable considering that it's a 3-disc game, and each disk is packed with game. Once through it, you'll breeze on past it the next time you play. So the replay value is null directly after you finish. Wait a bit, and the fun will be back.

Rent or Buy: Buy. I think it's a definite keeper and the pinnacle of the PS1's graphical achievements. Right now you can find it cheap. It's an essential PS1 own, and you any fan of survival gaming will love it.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 10/08/03