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F.E.A.R. 2 maps yanked from XBLM, back in April

by Dustin Burg { Mar 11th 2009 at 12:20PM }

Microsoft has removed the free F.E.A.R. 2 DLC, released yesterday, from the Xbox Live Marketplace. According to Big Download, the Toy Soldiers pack will be available again sometime in April, as was Monolith's plan all along. So, no miniature F.E.A.R. 2 toy battles for anyone 'til next month. Hey, there's always, um ... the Army Men series?

Metareview: F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

by David Hinkle { Feb 11th 2009 at 8:45PM }

Alma's back, and she wants to mess you up. We've been waiting long enough, and, finally, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin has dropped. Before you take Alma on, maybe you should brush up on your knowledge of the game by checking out some of these reviews below. Just a thought ...

IGN AU (86/100): "We just wish Monolith had produced a slightly more progressive or challenging backdrop for the horror that is this game's mojo. It's absolutely worth playing, but that's the difference between a game that scores 9+ and a game that scores 8.6."
Game Informer (84/100): "While the multiplayer is weak and the mood won't make people forget Dead Space any time soon, the solid action core makes it worth a play."
PlayStation: The Official Magazine (80/100): "F.E.A.R. 2 emerges as an effective, entertaining FPS with a chiller story element, rather than a real survival horror shooter...Play with the lights dimmed, and don't be surprised if you end up squealing (on the inside) like a little girl." [Mar 2009, p.67]
Eurogamer (50/100): "If you've never played a first-person shooter before, you'll probably be in love - this is as archetypal a corridor-shooter as has ever been made, and there's a reason why it works. But for anyone who's been running down corridors with shotguns for most of their adult life, this is so uninspired that you worry for the spark of Monolith's soul. You guys made "No One Lives Forever," remember? You're smart. You're better than this."

Source - Metacritic: F.E.A.R. 2 (PC)
Source - Metacritic: F.E.A.R. 2 (PS3)
Source - Metacritic: F.E.A.R. 2 (Xbox 360)

Alma's back in latest F.E.A.R. 2 trailer

by David Hinkle { Feb 3rd 2009 at 11:23AM }

With F.E.A.R. 2 arriving next week, we'll finally be able to turn down the lights, draw the curtains, and scare ourselves silly. Warner Bros. and Monolith have dished out a new trailer (it's rated "M," so you'll find it after the break) featuring plenty of gameplay, a fairly in-depth look at the game's story and several instances of that creepy Alma girl popping up at random times.

Give it a watch and if you feel so inclined, hit up the BD link below and download the thing in HD. Those seeking out a more interactive vignette should download the recently released demo.

Download the F.E.A.R. 2 launch trailer in HD (332mb)

Continued →

Experience a F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin briefing

by Dustin Burg { Jan 28th 2009 at 7:30AM }

If you're a bit fuzzy on the details surrounding the F.E.A.R. 2 storyline and are even more clueless regarding the original F.E.A.R. plot, then we have just the video solution for you. After the break, you can view the latest Project Origin trailer that recaps the tale of Alma, what the First Encounter Assault Recon team is all about and why everything has gone horribly, horribly wrong.

Maybe it's just us, but we really feel for Alma and the situation she was put in. If we were in charge, we'd get her get cleaned up, make sure dinner was eaten by 7PM and have her in bed by 9PM. Kids need structure.

Continued →

F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin demo now available on the XBLM

by Xav de Matos { Jan 22nd 2009 at 10:00AM }

Boo! Did we scare you? No? All right, what if we told you a demo for F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin was available for download right now on the Xbox Live Marketplace? A single-player demo for Monolith's latest can be found on the XBLM as of early this morning in all of its 760MB glory. If you're looking for a scare today it might be worth checking out.

F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin takes place [Spoiler Alert! from the original game] post explosion that devastated the city from the original game and stars a brand new protagonist, Special Forces operator Michael Becket. Oh and yes, Alma's still around and she's still looking to put the hurt on those who wronged her in the past. Run!

Download the demo for F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin

F.E.A.R. 2 demo to cause soiled pants January 22

by Richard Mitchell { Jan 16th 2009 at 5:30PM }

We thought we would warn you so you can prepare the extra pair of trousers now. You'll need it, because Alma and the gang are headed back to your Xbox 360 in a new F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin demo that arrives on XBLM next Thursday, January 22. We don't know what the demo will contain, but we're guessing it will involve (virtual) shooting, (virtual) hallucinations and (very, very real) abject terror. What would you expect? It's F.E.A.R. 2. Twice the fear, half the calories.

F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin demo now in Qore, free for all next week

by Andrew Yoon { Jan 16th 2009 at 12:42PM }

Annual subscribers to Qore will be able to download an exclusive demo of Project Origin right now. Simply load the latest issue and download it from the Download Center.

Those that don't have a Qore subscription will be able to get it for free in next week's PlayStation Store update. The horror-themed M-rated shooter has you fighting Alma, a girl with mysterious and overwhelming powers. You'll be able to download it on January 23rd.

[Image Credit: PSP GadgetZ]

Matthews: Ports and expansions contributed to loss of FEAR fans

by Xav de Matos { Dec 27th 2008 at 4:00PM }

Monolith's Dave Matthews, lead art designer for F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, says multiple expansions and console ports have likely cost the shooter franchise some fans. In an interview with CVG a comment was made to Matthews that the TimeGate developed expansions and Day 1 Studios developed console-ports of the critically acclaimed shooter could be responsible for bringing new eyes to the horror-fueled FPS. "And killed off a few," Matthews noted.

Matthews primary reason for the comment based on story decisions taken once the series was out of Monolith's hands. "[TimeGate] took the story in a direction that we didn't intend ... We look at Extraction Point and Perseus Mandate as an alternate universe," Matthews told CVG. "F.E.A.R. was about Alma, F.E.A.R. 2 is about Alma, and we wanted to continue the story the way we originally intended."

This time around Monolith, who gained Xbox 360 experience from the Condemned series, has committed to develop all three version of the upcoming sequel. "While there will be some slight variations between the different versions ... our main goal is to make sure the experience is synonymous across all three platforms."

F.E.A.R. 2 'unbanned' in Australia

by Alexander Sliwinski { Dec 16th 2008 at 8:00PM }

Without requiring any edits, the previously "banned" F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin has received an MA15+ rating in Australia. The title was refused classification by the OFLC last month, but the decision has now been reversed, following an appeal by publisher Warner Bros.

Upon review, the classification board deemed that the violence in the game could be "accommodated within the MA15+ classification." Of course, none of these semi-regular banning stories would be happening if games in Australia had the option of an R18+ rating.

F.E.A.R. 2 Australia ban lifted, set for 2009

by Richard Mitchell { Dec 16th 2008 at 11:00AM }

Australian gamers were struck with relief last month when they learned that F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin was effectively banned Down Under, thus protecting them from evil, creepy children. Bad news then, Australian gamers, because it looks like you'll have something to fear after all. IGN reports that Warner Interactive's appeal to the Australian Classification Board was successful, thus landing the game an MA15+ rating. Even worse, the game remains completely unchanged, meaning every terrifying moment, every grisly bit of gore is intact. The game is even scheduled to hit its original February 2009 release date.

Sorry, Aussie gamers, the ACB did its best to protect you from Alma, but you will have to suffer her wrath like the rest of us.

FEAR 2: Project Origin going digital over Steam, Direct2Drive

by Jason Dobson { Oct 27th 2008 at 9:45PM }

Alma just won't be contained in a box. Warner Bros. sent word that the recently renamed F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin will be released over both Valve's Steam and IGN's Direct2Drive digital distribution services on February 10, 2009.

If that date sounds familiar, it's the same day the survival horror FPS will scare up PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 retail shelves as well. Just think, now you won't even have to leave your house to get creeped out by Monolith's spooky little girl.

[Via press release]

F.E.A.R. 2 trailer proves children are creepy

by Richard Mitchell { Sep 12th 2008 at 12:45PM }

Let's face it. Kids are scary. Think about it. We tell them stories about cooking witches in ovens, tell them that cribs belong in trees and that the babies therein inevitably come tumbling down. Is it any wonder that they wind up so damned creepy? Just think of all the horror movies that use children*. The latest trailer for F.E.A.R. 2 -- which highlights that the game is now actually called F.E.A.R. 2 -- showcases lots of nasty monsters and sweet weapons, but we were particularly struck by Alma, the super creepy girl antagonist. More specifically, we were struck by her whispering "You can't hide from me" at the end of the trailer.

Now, if you'll excuse us, it's time to hide.

*Don't click this.

Project Origin bringing the F.E.A.R back

by Jem Alexander { Sep 10th 2008 at 1:00PM }

Did you know that Project Origin was a sequel to F.E.A.R? We're guessing there's a chunk of you who probably didn't, but from now on there's no excuse. Monolith Productions and WB Games inc. have purchased the F.E.A.R name off Activision Blizzard, who retained the license after Monolith switched publishers to work on the sequel. Seemingly Actiblizz feel that they don't need it anymore, along with a few other Sierra franchises.

So why not just call it F.E.A.R 2 and have done with it? After all the effort they went to with their Name Your Fear contest, it would be a shame not to use the winning name, Project Origin, in some form or another. As a result the game will now be known as F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin. Lovely. Currently it's set for release worldwide in mid-February. That's around the same time Killzone 2 is due to hit, in case you're wondering.

Project Origin gets its F.E.A.R. back and a release

by Dustin Burg { Sep 9th 2008 at 9:45AM }

In a very weird turn of corporate events, Warner and Monolith just announced that they've acquired the F.E.A.R. name and license back from Sierra who initially was going to create their own non-Monolith involved F.E.A.R. sequel. So, with the new name purchase, Project Origin will no longer be the spiritual successor to F.E.A.R. but will instead be the official sequel, now titled F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin.

Even with the newly acquired F.E.A.R. name, Monolith will be keeping "Project Origin" in the name not only because of the branding they've already being doing, but because they promised the fans. Along with the name change, Lith has confirmed that F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin will release to retail on February 10th, 2009.

[Thanks, Rob]

Name change: 'F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin'

by James Ransom-Wiley { Sep 8th 2008 at 4:50PM }

Monolith and Warner Bros. sure appreciate all the hard work you put in to deciding the name of the "spiritual successor" to F.E.A.R., but let's face it, Project Origin doesn't quite ring like ... F.E.A.R. 2. But, as the backstory goes, Sierra owned the franchise name and, up until the Activision-Blizzard merger, the company was supposedly working on its own F.E.A.R. sequel.

But then, well, Sierra hit a snag. Sensing that all was not well, Warner Bros. sent over a gift basket full of money, and back came the rights to the franchise name. So, here Warner Bros. and Monolith are with the original name and the name that's been used in all the marketing to date. Solution? Combine the two. And the final answer is ... F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin! In stores February 10th, 2009.