Quake 4 or F.E.A.R. (SP)

[FatherJack]

First impressions after about an hour's Single Player of each, not much interest to MP fans, but haven't found a game in Q4s in-game browser yet.

System:
2.6P4 w GF6600/128 & 1G RAM. Both ran okay at "High" settings and 1024 res, FEAR was a bit jerkier in-game but better in cut-scenes. Probably knock it down a bit for MP, though.

Eye-candy:
FEAR the winnar here, effects going off all over the shop, although Q4 is shading it on spectacular monster appearances.

Levels:
FEAR is your "real-world-albeit-a-bit-weird" like HL2, Q4 is Doom3 with Strogg instead of Demons. I personally find FEAR's matt "dusty" texturing more appealing than Q4's shiny "spacey" feel.

Atmosphere:
FEAR throws you off-kilter in that locations look everyday, but paranormal stuff keeps happening, Q4 dumps you straight into the trenches in a full-on warzone.

Gameplay:
FEAR leads you to be a little cautious as you're unsure what is going to happen next, it has a slow-motion mode - useful as enemies can be overpowering. Q4 is run-and-gun, probably deliberately very reminiscent of Q2, and you get the feeling you've blasted through the level. That's not to say Q4 is entirely predictable, or that FEAR isn't - its scripting shows at times.

Summary:
Both games do very well at their chosen path, assuming they remain consistent, and probably deserve places at the top of their genres - certainly when compared to games like Bet On Soldier or The Suffering.

Now all we need is a new WWII game...

[Grimmie]

I hear F.E.A.R is;

- a bit of shooting,
- a bit of slowmo,
- a "frightening" moment,
- wash, rinse, repeat till fade.

[Dr. kitteny berk]

I hear F.E.A.R is;

- a bit of shooting,
- a bit of slowmo,
- a "frightening" moment,
- wash, rinse, repeat till fade.

Pretty close, though the scary moments in F.E.A.R are well executed, they sometimes manage to hit my shock button. not like doom3

[deject]

After playing through F.E.A.R., I can say that it is fairly formulaic. You'll find yourself in combat for long streches of the game, and then you'll have a strech where you're all alone and the weird shit happens. Then it's back to shooting.

Also, I didn't find it that creepy until closer towards the end. Overall, it's still a great game though...

[spoodie]

Q4 is run-and-gun, probably deliberately very reminiscent of Q2, and you get the feeling you've blasted through the level.

SOLD!

[Lee]

I havent played F.E.A.R yet but the Q4 sp is great, its not just constantly killing things, every level has different objectives and every level has at least 1 wow moment like the trenches near the start with ships flying overhead and explosions going off everywhere

[Joose]

Now all we need is a new WWII game...

NONONONONONONONONONONONONO!

[cashy]

Now all we need is a new WWII game...

NONONONONONONONONONONONONO!

COD2. it has been decided

teh fear looks lovely, the only game i can ever recall seeing plug sockets in the walls. even the fire extinguishers have instructions written on them you can read. the detail is just amazing. im not sure what is up with that fire girl who kicked me out of a window though, thats just odd

[FatherJack]

not sure what is up with that fire girl who kicked me out of a window though, thats just odd

It is because you asked her if she wanted to see some puppies.