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How Metascores Are Calculated
68
1942: Joint Strike
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
F.E.A.R. Files uses combat adaptable AI to provide an intense "action movie" experience while keeping players engrossed in it's spine-chilling storylines. Gamers will assume the roles of an elite soldier trained in combating unusual and unimaginable situations. Called in to confront a mysterious force, the player must escape from a crisis spiraling out of control. F.E.A.R. Files contains two F.E.A.R. missions which provide the player with a unique fusion of stylized first-person shooter and supernatural suspense that will keep gamers at the edge of their seats. Includes the brand new Perseus Mandate campaign as well as the award-winning expansion pack Extraction Point. New multipayer and instant action maps, and new F.E.A.R. missions never before available on console. Engage in unpredictable encounters with combat adaptable A.I. Battle new and even more terrifying of enemies with 6 new weapons. Enhanced destructible environments. Frenetic multiplayer support for up to 16 players. [Sierra]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 81
Gamer 2.0
Overall, F.E.A.R. might start to be a little dated without an engine overhaul. Additionally, Perseus Mandate doesn't introduce anything very new to the series.
 80
Official Xbox Magazine
F.E.A.R. Files delivers two standalone micro-campaigns brand-new to the 360--the new Perseus Mandate and the previously released PC expansion "Extraction Point". [Holiday 2007, p.80]
79
Team Xbox
Multiplayer support and two decently-long episodes equals a good bit of gaming for fifty bucks.
79
Game Over Online
The sum total is a pretty decent value, and a no-brainer for anyone who enjoyed the original F.E.A.R., though that’s about as far as its appeal likely extends.
76
Pelit (Finland)
Extraction Point and Perseus Mandate are both decent expansions to F.E.A.R. despite that fact the graphics looks a bit outdated. Suspense works well, but the new plot only messes the great ending of the original game. [Jan 2008]
75
GameZone
Sure, both expansions don’t really do anything uniquely different but they are still fun campaigns chock full of bullets and frights.
75
Gameplanet
Good gameplay but it’s nothing new apart from the background story behind the world of F.E.A.R.
74
Jolt Online Gaming UK
Despite being a new, full-priced release, F.E.A.R. Files already has a bit of a Bargain Bin feel about it. We’re not saying don’t add it to your wish list, but unless you’re a huge fan of FPS games and Japanese-style horror, we’d suggest it go somewhere close to the bottom.
71
Worth Playing
I enjoy both FEAR games in brief spurts.
70
360 Gamer Magazine UK
We made the mistake of playing Mandate first and were really shocked by how average it looks in comparison to any other FPS game currently available - character animation is excellent but the environments are dire. Thankfully Extraction Point, though still not top-notch graphically, looks more like a 360 game and plays sweetly.
70
MS Xbox World
I definitely recommend F.E.A.R Files to fans of the first game. Although it might look a little dated, it is packed with more of the intense F.E.A.R. action that fans of the game love.
70
GameSpot
F.E.A.R. Files serves up two stand-alone expansions for F.E.A.R., though one is definitely stronger than the other.
70
Kombo
F.E.A.R. Files offers gamers a brief chance to pick up where they last left off with the series, but due to the now archaic game engine, F.E.A.R. is no longer even as good as gamers remember.
70
EuroGamer
Putting both expansion packs in the same package, though, is a sensible idea, though given that neither are actually as good as their parent offering, perhaps it should have been a mid, rather than full-priced offering.
70
Cheat Code Central
Even with its familiar feel and lack of innovation, it was moderately fun to revisit the shadowy, blood-stained corridors, experience the nightmarish hallucinations, and be creeped out again by Alma. But in a season offering bar-raising FPS experiences like Call of Duty 4, it's difficult to justify sinking your valuable game time--and money--into an experience that'll provide more nostalgic de ja vu than fresh fun.
70
Thunderbolt
The strength undoubtedly lies within Extraction Point, as the story and setting is completely terrifying throughout.
70
AceGamez
While exhilarating during combat, you feel led by the hand when traversing levels, with only one or two path choices to make - and in a gaming industry that currently endorses exploration as a key element, this feels a bit limited.
70
PALGN
As a package, F.E.A.R. Files is certainly a decent effort but it isn't going to appeal to anyone who isn't after more of the same.
70
XboxAddict
The stand alone expansions will most likely appeal to newcomers more than returning F.E.A.R fans, although some may enjoy revisiting the frenetic action that the series has become recognized for.
70
VideoGamer
F.E.A.R. Files is a highly enjoyable package, but the games do show their heritage. Both expansions are based on an engine that we first saw over two years ago and games have moved on.
69
Gaming Target
F.E.A.R. Files is a decent package but is clearly geared for fans only. It provides a few short hours of entertainment but even so, it's still just more of the same.
68
Gaming Nexus
The only problem is the expansions add very little to the original game experience. More of the same isn’t a terrible thing, but if you are not a diehard F.E.A.R. fan, you may want to pass on F.E.A.R. Files.
67
IGN
Extraction Point is a decent, though brief, extension of the original title. Perseus Mandate, meanwhile, feels pointless -- a quick cash-in to remind us all that F.E.A.R. still exists before a full sequel.
67
DailyGame
If going through the motions is your thing, F.E.A.R. Files is for you. But gamers looking for a more robust, rewarding and sexy experience can definitely do better than this game.
67
Gaming Age
Each of these has more of the combat that was entertaining in F.E.A.R. but with more weapons to choose from.
66
Armchair Empire
F.E.A.R. Files plays very similar to the original F.E.A.R. and doesn’t offer much in the way of an upgrade, yet at the same time F.E.A.R. Files does offer quite a bit of content.
65
Game Informer
Extraction Point is somewhat better than the newer Perseus Mandate, but even so it’s too short to be truly noteworthy. There are moments here and there that make the experience decent, but the overall package is lacking. Do yourself a favor and wait for Project Origin rather than picking this up.
65
Console Monster
Overall F.E.A.R Files will likely appeal to fans of the original, which will see the clear degrade in quality from the original. Anyone who has yet to experience the original should certainly start there, as they will be confused as to what is going on otherwise.
64
Gamers' Temple
F.E.A.R. Files is a disappointing expansion to a fun and scary game. The gameplay, and especially the graphics, seem to have gotten very old very quickly.
63
Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
Both Extraction Point and Perseus Mandate are short, dull and inferior to the original.
60
GameDaily
Although the action's decent and the games have a somewhat scary edge (thanks to Alma, a homicidal, ghostly little girl), neither held our interests for very long. Despite a handful of new enemies and weapons, you repeatedly slaughter the same foes, and the 2005 quality visuals can't compete with the 360's recent shooters, namely Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4.
60
Gamer's Hell
If you loved the first one you will love this one because it is almost exactly the same game. But by the same token, it IS the exact same game and that’s what really hurts it.
60
Gamestyle
Whilst there’s plenty here to keep fans of F.E.A.R. happy, it’s telling that the game from which both of these titles derive is still significantly better in terms of design and playability.
60
1UP
The environments lack the rich visuals 360 owners have grown accustomed to since seeing Gears of War. Surfaces all appear to be flat, with muddy textures and stark lighting that only heighten the effect. By comparison to current standards, the thought that it could be an original Xbox game may even cross your mind.
60
Boomtown
So, £25 or thereabouts for some reasonably entertaining times (and a few real stand-out sequences) over about 10 hours, 500 or so easy Achievement Points, and that’s about it. If that seems worthwhile to you, then go for it.
60
Video Game Talk
The narrative of either expansion doesn’t even come close to offering a satisfying conclusion to the original story and the multiplayer options are humdrum to say the least.
60
Maxi Consolas (Portugal)
A very linear FPS that doesn’t add anything new, even for those who enjoyed the first game. It still uses the same old trick to provoke tension and easy scares on the player, but it doesn’t seem to have the same effect as before. [Dec 2007]
60
games(TM)
With Extraction Point, TimeGate has lost sight of what its predecessor did so well, creating something truly average. Which is why it’s so surprising that Perseus Mandate is so great. [Jan 2008, p.124]
55
Xbox World Australia
If you are a serious fan of the original game, you may wish to purchase and play through this expansion pack, but there's a pretty good chance that, by the end of it, you'll have had more F.E.A.R. than you'd C.A.R.E.D for.
55
PTGamers
Only recommended to those who are completely devoted to F.E.A.R. and who possess a great capability for enduring tedious moments.
50
Official Xbox Magazine UK
Its predecessor had better scares, pace and atmosphere. In short, it was better. [Jan 2008, p.96]
50
X360 Magazine UK
You'd have to love F.E.A.R. in a way that blinds you to the cynical but no doubt cost-effective repetition on offer here. Not worthy of a full release. [Issue 27, p.94]
42
GameShark
It’s overpriced and undervalued.
TARGET1058 gave it an8: Tom F. gave it a10: |
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