I’ve had the game F.E.A.R for some time now, but I just haven’t gotten around to playing it all the way through. I finally did that today.

F.E.A.R stands for First Encounter Assault Recon. You are part of a group of elite soldiers who specialize in investigating and eradicating ghosts and other paranormal activities. You are put on the trail of a madman who has apparently caused an invasion by a squadron of super soldier in a research facility. Once you go in, you quickly realize this is not a normal “kill all the bad guys” mission. Drawing on visual effects and music that remind me of movies like “The Grudge” and “The Ring”, the game quickly gets you on the edge of your seat as visions of murder and mayhem start to erupt. On top of that, the scariest character in the game is none other than a young girl who is about as spooky as they come. She usually appears to you while walking out of explosions of fire and debris and whispers crazy nothings in your ear while you wonder what the hell is about to happen next.

The level design also adds to the mood of the game. You have a light that can only be turned on for a limited amount of time. Then you have to wait while it recharges before you can use it again. Unless you were lucky enough to find a well-lit area, you’re going to be standing in the dark with your finger on the trigger just waiting for the boogy man to jump out and get you.

The mechanics of the game are standard issue FPS. The weaponry is decent with a nice array ranging from pistol to SMG to shotgun. Later in the game you find more powerful weapons such as the Pentrator – a gun that literally nails enemies to the wall – and a rocket launcher that fire 3 rockets in one burst. You also have your standard issue grenades and mines.

There are med packs and armor all through the game that act as pickups to restore your health. You will also find boosters that increase the amount of health you have as well as your slow-motion reflexes.

And that’s where the game gets really fun. Your character can slow down time and cause enemies to move in slow-motion while he maneuvers around them and blow them to bits. The slow-motion reflex action works like the light – you only have it for a limited amount of time and then you have to recharge. However, there’s nothing more fun in this game than wading into a pool of 10 enemy solders and going matrix-status on their ass in slow-motion. Next thing you know, you’re back to real-time, and everyone is dead at your feet. Yeah – I dig it.

I haven’t played this game online although a multiplayer is offered. Honestly, I doubt I ever will. I think it would take away from the mystique of the game. I really see this as a game that could have easily gotten away with campaign mode only as the story is great, and the experience is riveting.

I won’t spoil anything, but the game’s storyline also involves a woman named Alma who had some bad things happen to her and is part of all the craziness going on around you. Towards the end of the game, all the pieces come together and it’s one helluva puzzle.