Fear Effect

Reviewed by:
Eric Alt

The masterminds behind Lara Croft produced this gritty, Blade Runner-meets-anime scenario, but the results are a mixed bag. Set in a neon- and rain-drenched Hong Kong of the future, Fear Effect puts you in control of some mercenaries searching for an evil crime lord’s missing daughter. The opening animation sequence is a bigger thrill than most movies, and the characters are drawn to fit in with the cartoon surroundings—which is a good thing. (When game characters try to look “real,” the results make us queasy. Sorry, Ms. Croft.)

Unfortunately, the makers seem to have have sacrificed playability in favor of special effects. When the actual game begins, it takes you by surprise—the animation sequences blend so well, it took us a minute to realize it was time to move the characters around. But you quickly realize you’re not really playing; you’re being directed. Unlike Tomb Raider, which threw you right in and let you figure everything out, Fear Effect relies too much on animated scenes, limiting the actual game to trivial puzzle-solving bits. The static camera angles are also a problem, since the surroundings are so intricate it’s easy to get dazed and confused. Upshot? It’s a cool-looking game, but boredom sets in fast.

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