Video game review: ‘F.E.A.R. 3’

August 8, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

‘F.E.A.R. 3’

Grade: C

Details: Warner Bros., for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows Vista/XP; $59.99 ($49.99 for PC); rated Mature

After a side trip with a new protagonist in “F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin,” the spooky shooter series’ point of view switches back to the mysterious Point Man in “F.E.A.R. 3.” Well, not just him. He’s joined by his brother, Paxton Fettel — the cannibalistic villain of the original game, who the Point Man shot in the head near the end.

How is this possible? Well, Fettel now inhabits the body of a Replica soldier from the first game, and he doesn’t seem to hold much of a grudge.

The “F.E.A.R.” series’ established style of action remains solid in this installment, even if its spooky happenings and plot have lost some of their original shock value. There’s still a lot of violence, strong language, gore and mature themes present, however.

The Point Man remains similar to his previous incarnation — his incredible reflexes make time seem to slow down for a short while as he fights, and he has several powerful melee attacks to gain as the game progresses. His arsenal ranges from common firearms to grenades and exotic weaponry like lasers.

Fettel, who can be taken through campaign missions after they’ve been cleared by the Point Man, works a lot differently than his brother. He can fire blasts of energy, and can jump into the bodies of his enemies, controlling them and using their weapons as his own, but only as long as his energy lasts.

There are several other multiplayer modes. Soul Survivor and Soul King both involve possession, with one player controlling a body-snatching specter in the former, and all players doing so in the latter.

—Justin Hoeger, Sacramento Bee