[PAX East 2011] – F.E.A.R. 3 First Impressions

I will admit, I haven’t been really following F.E.A.R. 3 development…at all. While I am aware of the series, anything that sounds scary I tend to stay away from (yes I know…such a girl). I got a chance to play a multiplayer mode of the game, aptly named “F*cking Run,” and well, the goal of it is definitely to fucking run.

I began the mode in a safe room with three other teammates. There are weapons in boxes against each wall to choose from. I chose the assault rifle and a shotgun, and my teammate hit the button to start.

The door is lifted, and it is time to run my ass off. As the press guy is telling me all the features, I am in freak-out mode, trying to kill off enemies and run as fast as I can. Why? Because there is a big wall of pure death creeping up on me. If any of my teammates or I touch that wall of death, then the round is over.

Luckily, I did get some rest in various safe rooms and checkpoints, but it only became harder after each round. I have always been horrible at getting to ladders in video games (is that weird?), and that was my downfall. Yes, I will admit it: I am the one that touched the wall.

The “F*cking Run” mode was phenomenal, although I could see how it could potentially get repetitive. If you hit the wall, you must restart; whether you have to restart the entire mode or simply that particular level, I am unsure. If you have to restart each mode, I would get incredibly bored – and somewhat annoyed – of playing the exact same beginning level several times in a row.

Otherwise, this is definitely a winning multiplayer mode for F.E.A.R. 3. They are attempting to make each multiplayer mode a unique experience to the game, avoiding the typical death match and team objective modes that have plagued so many FPS games. They haven’t released the other game modes yet, but I am definitely looking forward to seeing what they are.

Playing the game and the current released mode haven’t quite pushed me to buying it day one just yet, but we will see!