Title: F.E.A.R: Extraction Point

Platform: PC

Distributor: Sierra Entertainment

Genre: First Person Shooter

Yeah, it’s a little old. But then again, so am I, and so is my PC, so it all evens out in the end. Eventually I’ll need to break down and buy a new rig, but I haven’t run across a game I can’t play yet. I will within a year, I am sure, but until that time comes, the old Alienware system will have it’s work cut out for it.

Back when I was playing games the day they were released, the original F.E.A.R. was one of my favorites. And it still ranks up there on my own personal “Best” list. Extraction Point is, I believe, the first expansion to be released. Expansions and sequels can be a tricky business. Just ask Romero or the guys over at Id. Or, perhaps more to the point, ask the old crew at 3DO, who lived (and ultimately died) on expansions and sequels in a hopeless attempt to recapture the lost (Might and…) magic of previous titles.

I am happy to say that this particular Expansion, however, is more than a simple success. Not only does the gameplay and action live up to the very high standards set by the original, but the storyline, while not as immersive as its predecessor, is engaging and, more importantly, evolves the original story in a logical direction.

And I may be mistaken in this, but I think that the AI has been fine-tuned as well. There were moments where the proximity triggers were sketchy and I could snipe enemy targets with no repercussions from nearby units, but all in all, and especially during heavy combat, it was wonderfully difficult. Even with my aging rig (brand new some 4 years ago at this point) the game was seamless and graphics crisp. Load times were long, but I’ll take that trade off for smooth gameplay any day of the week.

Final verdict is, if you haven’t played it, and liked the original, it’s worth the $25 price tag. Personally, I plan on getting Perseus Mandate, the most recent expansion that hit the shelves late last year.

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Now playing: Earth Crisis - Slither