F.E.A.R. and other games by Monolith

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

This is a discussion topic for the F.E.A.R. games and other games by Monolith, but you can also feel free to discuss anything you want about the upcoming F.3.A.R., even though its being handled by Day 1 Studios.

Anyways, I was introduced to this amazing FPS series by Foggle. Admittedly it always looked kind of generic and somewhat uninspired to me in its outward appearances, but the actual game was amazing from start to finish. It had great graphics for its time, mind-bogglingly brilliant AI that I still have never seen another FPS game come close to, or any other game for that matter (keep in mind that I don't play RTS games, though), and great atmospheric elements. It wasn't necessarily all that scary, but it was so addicting and fun for me to play that I had a hard time putting it down each time I picked it up.

As for F.E.A.R. 2, I honestly don't get all of its harsh criticisms. Its not as good as the first game, but is almost as fun. It has superior level design and atmospheric elements and solid mechanics. Its AI really isn't dumber, but the mechanics and general gameplay tweaks gave the player more advantages to the point in which the enemies just became easier to deal with. If you pay attention, though, they still do  a lot of smart things, but the game's mechanics gives them the disadvantage and allows you to take them out quicker, so the AI doesn't stand out as strongly as in that of the 1st game. Still, I had tons of fun with the game, and to me its not just an average sequel.

I'm really hoping that the 3rd game can live up to the first 2, but I don't want to get my hopes to high. Still, from what I've seen so far, the gameplay, at the very least, looks to be as solid as that of the first 2 games, so that's definitely a good thing to look forward to.

As for other Monolith games, I have to admit that I haven't played any of them, but I really do what to try games like Shogo and Condemned.

[Spark Of Spirit]

Condemned 1 was a brilliant idea in making a FPS (not much shooting though) survival horror game. Monolith seemed to have all sorts of ideas when it came to FPS games. Sort of like Valve, they try a lot of new ideas in their games and each are very different from each other.

I think the criticism in Condemned 2 and FEAR 2 is that... they're not as unique as the games that came before. They're not really even more of the same, they kind of made them more like standard FPS games. Not that there's anything wrong with that since they're still good games, but they don't have quite the same polish as the originals do.

On that note, I'm actually glad they're not doing FEAR 3 and am dying to know what it is they plan on doing next. I don't want them to remain in one place too long.

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

I think the criticism in Condemned 2 and FEAR 2 is that... they're not as unique as the games that came before. They're not really even more of the same, they kind of made them more like standard FPS games. Not that there's anything wrong with that since they're still good games, but they don't have quite the same polish as the originals do.

But really, what about F.E.A.R. 2 was really wrong? If you think about it, the 1st F.E.A.R. wasn't really all that "unique" itself. It was just that mechanically it was made so well that it was practically unrivaled. It had great AI and extremely solid mechanics, and that's why its a great game. The 2nd game retains that, and it adds in cool mech sequences, and I have yet to see another FPS that even has mech sequences (aside from Shogo, which is built around that mechanic from what I can tell), so there's the unique aspect.

And really, how exactly is F.E.A.R. 2 that much more like the standard FPS. It has iron-site aiming like CoD, sure, but it also has the first game's use of bullet-time, and it actually goes out of its way to make the paranormal sections of the game really stand out. I definitely didn't feel like I was playing a standard FPS when I was playing the game. Plus, if what you say is really true, wouldn't that mean that BioShock 2 would fall into the same category as being an underwhelming sequel that isn't as unique as the original game because it follows too much in its footsteps? IMO A sequel kind of should aim to be a lot like the original in all of the right ways, and expand upon it in different ways. In the case of F.E.A.R. 2, it didn't entirely accomplish that, but it still managed to craft a very fun and atmospheric game, which IMO stills trumps most other recent FPS experiences from the past few years. So I really still fail to see your point of how its just more of a standard FPS.

On that note, I'm actually glad they're not doing FEAR 3 and am dying to know what it is they plan on doing next. I don't want them to remain in one place too long.

I agree with you about this at least. I do think its best for them to work on something new, rather than staying in safe territory.

[Foggle]

As for F.E.A.R. 2, I honestly don't get all of its harsh criticisms. Its not as good as the first game, but is almost as fun.

Agreed. I don't love it quite as much, but it's still a great game.

Has anyone here played the Blood games? The gameplay doesn't really hold up too well in either of them, but Caleb is a hilarious character and is probably my favorite of the old-school loud-mouth FPS protagonists.

Then there's No One Lives Forever. The first game could be boring at times, but the second one was absolute gold and plays like a precursor to Far Cry and Crysis. Such a shame that Contract J.A.C.K. -- despite having the single greatest intro in video game history (start at 1:16) -- was so lame.

[Foggle]

Here's a great article about F.E.A.R. 2's level design. Thoughts?

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

The game definitely has tight level design. Its actually one area in which I'd say its a substantial improvement over the first game. While the first game has better mechanics and more challenging AI, one problem I had with it was how it could be easy to get lost  in it with its relatively repetitive level design. On top of having more interesting looking environments, it is really easy to navigate through the levels without getting lost, and it really helps to keep the game feeling well-paced.

[Spark Of Spirit]

So... what IS Monolith doing now? I haven't heard a peep from them since the second Fear game.

[Foggle]

Gotham Impostors.

[Spark Of Spirit]

Oh, really? What a waste.

[Spark Of Spirit]

This is interesting

I have to say though that the concept to that canceled game doesn't look very appealing or original enough to me. (I also doubt it was FEAR or Condemned related)

[Foggle]

Looks very much like what Monolith's F.E.A.R. 3 would have been, actually. Such a shame to see that WB has basically turned them into a licensed game shovelware studio (Gotham Impostors and now The Hobbit? ugh).

[Eddy]

I wish these guys would make Condemned 3. Condemned was a little rough around the edges and Condemned 2's plot went from weird to straight up fucking ridiculous but I thought the franchise showed some promise.

[Foggle]

Looks like pre-Gotham City Impostors Monolith Productions is back (under the name Blackpowder Games)!

Independent studio Blackpowder Games announces the release of its first-person action adventure game, Betrayer, the self-funded debut title from the creative team known for the acclaimed No One Lives Forever series and the original F.E.A.R.

Now available on Steam, Betrayer is an eerie, suspenseful action adventure in which players traverse a mysteriously abandoned New World colony in 1604, trying to piece together what happened to its inhabitants and survive the supernatural threats they encounter along the way.

Betrayer is the kind of game we've been wanting to make ever since we shipped FEAR," says the game's designer and writer, Craig Hubbard. "You can explore large, open environments in search of clues and loot. You can tackle challenges aggressively or stealthily. You can outfit yourself with the equipment that best suits your play style. It's a very player-driven experience."

I NEED THIS FUCKING GAME HOLY SHIT

[Foggle]

According to reviews from people who played the beta, it's legitimately scary in a psychological way, has excellent gameplay, and sports a very interesting story. I'm so in.

ALSO LOOK AT THESE SCREEN SHOTS







SO MUCH STYLE

I STILL LOVE YOU MONOLITH

[gunswordfist]

*adds to most anticipated list*It does look cool!