F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin is a 2009 first-person shooter survival horror video game developed by Monolith Productions and published by Warner Bros. Games, released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. Serving as the second installment in the F.E.A.R. series and the game’s story revolves around Sgt. Michael ​Becket who’s mission quickly turns into a fight for survival against the wrath of Alma Wade.

Positives:

• Good graphics
• Great music
• Interesting characters
• Fast paced combat
• More diverse enemies
• Maintains suspenseful atmosphere
• Awesome antagonists
• A lot of replayability
• Fun multiplayer
• Challenging AI

Negatives:

• Lacks enough in-game content
• Linear campaign

Campaign:  Project Origin features an extensive single player campaign expanding over 14 missions which has about 10 hours of gameplay.  The story picks up thirty minutes before the detonation of bomb at the end of the first game, where Delta Force operative Michael Beckett is sent to retrieve Genevieve Aristide.  However, Alma’s presence as well as ATC troops and Replica soldiers, turn Beckett’s mission into a fight for survival. The story does a great job of expanding on the F.E.A.R. mythology, presenting a compelling story, great pacing, and an ending that definitely has an unexpected twist.  Beckett stands out more than Point Man because he has personality and a voice, something Point Man was sorely lacking. (4 out of 5)

Gameplay:  Gameplay mechanics remain largely the same, but players control a new character, Michael Beckett.  Combat is fast paced and the “slow-mo” mechanics are fine tuned.  There are moments where an adult Alma will “randomly” attack players.  A.I. remain just as strategic and challenging, often imploring tactics to take players down including using the environment as cover.  A lot of the new enemies present a challenging experience.  Enemies like the Abominations (who are extremely fast and versatile), Replica Assassins
(who can cloak and jump all over the place), and the Remnant (who puppeteers nearby corpses to attack the player).  The game has its share of jumpscares, although there are times where they can be predictable. (3 out of 5)

Graphics:  Graphics are still pretty detailed, though at times dark areas can have a weird look to it.  The environments are more diverse and well detailed yet maintain the same level of intensity that makes the game constantly build a strong sense of unease.  The Alma attacks feel pretty intense though the scares do quickly where off due to how repetitive the cinematics are.  It would’ve been nice had the attack sequences been done in different ways to add variety to walking down a random hallway and being attacked. The character models do look a little better with fewer moments where enemy corpses glitch out across the floor (which is always hilarious to watch in my book). (4 out of 5)

Score:  The sound is distributed effectively with various noises that keep the areas pretty intense along with the dark music.  The voice performances are pretty solid. (4 out of 5)

Replay Value:  Of course, Project Origin has multiple difficulties for players who crave a more challenging campaign experience.  The multiplayer feels pretty balanced and competitive though it does feel bare bones at times.  However, the multiplayer consist of Armoured Front (two teams battle it out to be the first to capture five points across the map), Blitz (basically capture the flag but enemies can track you), Failsafe (where two teams have to plant a bomb at one of two nerve-gas locations and the opposing team can defuse it, but it takes only one successful explosion to win the round), and of course Deathmatch (where players go at it in a free-for-all or on teams). There are easter eggs to find on each level that provide insight to the story.  Like the first game, there probably should’ve been multiple paths to take to help not only flesh out the world but to also help the replay value high. There are tidbits on each level for players to find but I find that they’re not enough to actually entice more than one or two playthroughs.   (4 out of 5)

The Verdict:  In the end, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin is a pretty solid sequel that expands upon the success of the first game.  The game is not without its faults, more specifically how linear the campaign is and how little actual unlockable content is available.  However, many aspects that make the first game good are present consisting of great graphics, great sound, challenging AI, fast paced combat, good voice performances, an extensive campaign, great multiplayer modes, and great gameplay. F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin gets 4 out of 5.