Page 5
Multiplayer
Such a tough job as it is writing reviews for Guru3d, that I was forced to spend an entire weekend Laning it up with a grueling session of F.E.A.R. multiplayer. A tough task indeed, and yes, F.E.A.R. has a multiplayer component to match the excellent single player campaign. Whats even more exciting is they have managed to incorporate the rather excellent slow motion feature into Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch modes. How might you ask, have they managed this. Well, its really rather simple and works like this. You all run around shooting each other as in any normal death match (the Nail gun really is great for this) and slow motion is available as a pickup that only one person can carry at a time. If you manage to pick it up, then you gain points for the time you have it in your possession. Should you hold it for long enough, it will charge up and you will be able to trip the whole map into slow motion giving you that edge over your opponents. However, this is not as simple as it sounds, as an indicator on everyones screens displays exactly where the pickup is, as well as the fact you will glow a deep blue color. If someone happens to bring you to an early grave with a nail in your back, then you drop the pickup, which they can then claim, and so it continues.
The multiplayer is extremely fast paced, and you tend to die a lot one hell of a lot! Whats more you loose points for deaths as well as gaining them for kills and holding the Slo-Mo. Therefore the key to success is to die as little as possible while holding the pickup as long as possible. As always this isnt as easy as it seems. There is also the addition of Melee attacks, which include a flying kick, and sliding kick. As mentioned in the preview this is harder than it seems and can leave you looking rather silly on occasion. However, I am pleased to announce that with some further practice I am a lot better than I was! All the maps are pretty good, ranging from offices to harbour settings, and offer genuinely fast paced action, that will satisfy anyone after a quick fix of adrenaline.
However, while the multiplayer is a really nice addition to have, and is worth a look after completing the single player campaign, I certainly wouldnt recommend it to Multiplayer aficionados looking for something new after Battlefield 2. This really is just a nice add-on after a primarily single player focused game. I doubt that after a month or two I will still be playing it like I am now, and no doubt I will have graduated back to the old faithful.