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A True Original

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: November 10, 2007
Author: Amazon User

A blend of Old Chinese myths and avant-grade science fiction make Fear Effect 2 a true original.

Like in the first game, you start with Hana (and a new character, Rain) doing an otherwise simple job when everything goes awry. Half the world is dying from EINDS (Environmentally Induced Nucleotides Degeneration Syndrome) and Jin, the same employer from the first game, assigns you to steal a DNA sequence that maps the gene that causes the disease. Problem is, the doctor guarding it just happens to be the richest man on the planet and has security out the Yin Yang. You go through HELL to find this disc, using both stealth and aggression to bypass all his security measures, and its Hell that chases after you when you steal it(literally! Think of the Taoist version of Demons, spiritual trials and torture and you will get my meaning exactly). Evidently, this EINDS was no product of nature and it was meant to wipe clean the earth of mankind. So you seriously tick off certain Immortal Beings for stealing this piece of Generic code.

From here the game takes a sudden (and more serious) change of direction and you delve deep into spirit realms where you will meet figures of Chinese myth, namely the Eight Immortals in the mythical island Penglai and Qin Shi Haung in his ancient tomb of Xian, backed by his famed terracotta army. Throw in some killer action, humor and a lesbian encounter between the two protagonists and you'll remember Fear Effect whether you liked it or not. You've never played anything like this, believe me. This game is just nuts.

Graphics are absolutely phenomenal (I bare in mind the dated technology that is being employed when I say this).

Now as for the game's irritations: I will remark upon what many others have already complained about. There are only 1 or 2 guns in your inventory that are useful, and when you run out of ammo on one of them and need to change to the other in the heat of battle, good luck doing it when you got 20 items to scroll through. Saves are sometimes not where they need to be. You can expect to play a lot of the same crap in certain areas. Some people have said this game is either hard or difficult. "Unfair" would be a more appropriate word since skill or wit alone often cannot save you. Even when knowing exactly what to do....you will die.

When a game has an excellent (if experimental) storyline like this one, it's a shame the experience is hindered by challenges that require sheer luck in order for you to proceed.

If you got the patience, you will find Fear Effect 2 a rewarding experience. I liked this game better than the first and it is one I will always come back to.

Not as good as the first

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 05, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I have to remember that sequels are rarely as good as the first and fe2 is no different.
Too many puzzles ruined the game for me to the point where I couldn't keep track of the story line and I just stopped caring what the story was and just wanted to finish the game.
I love part one which makes part 2 a huge dissapointment.
It's not a terrible game just long winded.

Retro Helix

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: October 04, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I think this is a great game, and would recommend it to anyone who likes puzzles and challenges. It changes between disks more, but it's worth it.

Fabulous!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: November 27, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Compared to other Playstation games, this one is head-and-shoulders above the rest! It comes with 4 disks, and the sheer number and variety of environments are incredible. From the beginning in the dark, subterranian passages, to the beauty of a black tie dinner, to the incredible scenes where a giant rock creature chases you over bridges, and on and on and on. More environments than I can even remember, and I've finished the game twice. The puzzles are at times quite hard, but once you get used to them they're not so bad to figure out. You'll also play a few board games and strategy games against some ancient spirits, which adds even more variety to the gameplay.

Also, the cutscenes are very nicely done, with excellent voice acting and realistic animation. And the music is extremely cool, with oriental themes that add real atmosphere to some of the environments. My favorite part of the game is when you're on the 96th floor of a bio-engineering building, and you have to collect a large number of objects and use them to solve a grand puzzle - it's all laid out very logically and is super fun to play and figure out. You even get to drive a mech at a couple points in the game.

Overall, it doesn't get much better than this!

Anime Lesbian ...... Assassins with Assault Rifles. Hurrah!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: August 07, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Graphics are wonderful for PS1, and still hold up pretty well on the PS2. Voice acting is top notch. Plot is rich, and very different (gotta love that Japanese weirdness). Controls take some getting used to. Inventory system isn't the best. All in all an excellent game for adults. Challenging and very atmospheric.

All in All, an Intriguing Plunge into the Bizarre

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: June 06, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Upon finishing FE 2, I have to admit it is one of the most unique and interesting games I have ever played. Its graphics and character models are superb, lending the game an ambience that is simultaneously eerie and beautiful. Although it does borrow its slanted camera angles from the RE series, it still has a wholly original and distinctive feel. The voice acting is also to be commended; it's among the best that I have ever experienced. Despite the awkward control and poorly designed inventory scheme, what really distinguishes FE 2 from others in its genre to make it a classic is how it incorporates Chinese mythology into a unique (and mature) sci-fi storyline using compelling characters. Usually action video games revolve around hackneyed plots of military operatives and shadowy government conspiracies, so many will be pleased to discover this alternative. The storyline manages to unfold in a well-paced and coherent manner that keeps the player anticipating the next CG cut scene and many of the puzzles are neatly integrated into the context of the plot.
The main drawback of this game is its difficulty. Much of the challenge in the action sequences is simply mastering the art of trial and error as well as the controls which compound the frustration. Needless to say, the added "quick load" feature of FE 2 is a merciful addition to the series. Many of the puzzles are equally trying, but, in the final assessment, they are a big part of what make FE 2 so great. They stand as among some of the most engrossing challenges in a video game to date.
Be forewarned: FE 2 is not for the weak of heart! For those who are up to the challenge (and a little frustration along the way), I highly recommend this game.

The game is hard.

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 1 / 5
Date: December 05, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I did not enjoy the controls on this game. The only entertaining part with the somewhat nudity that came with the game. You know what they say, "Sex sells." Well if that was their only selling point then I won't hold my breath for the next one. I would rather get a girlie mag for excitement. Definatly not for kids. I must say though, this is the first game I put down in one day. I gave Batman and Robin a 3 day chance before I put that one down.

You think you're a gamer --

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: July 28, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I recently purchased this game a few days ago, realising that Fear Effect 3 will come in 2003 sometime. For the review, with this game, one gets to experience the ultimate frustration and intensity of the game and for the game. In this game, unlike others such as Tomb Raider or Resident Evil, one learns how to die -- a lot. The puzzles aren't too complicated, but some of them are somewhat difficult, especially the "reflex" tests, where you have to dodge enemies and various threats. The bosses in this game aren't too hard per se, but they do make Resident Evil seem like child-play, especially the latter levels. Like in Tomb Raider and Resident Evil, one will practice tremendously to eliminate the bosses, and unlike Tomb Raider and Resident Evil, one will need to be truly conservative with your ammo and resources. One has to choose your targets wisely! In a few words: you will die, and you will learn to die constantly, persistently and gracefully (hopefully). The graphics of this game is actually very, very crisp and detailed for an anime look. I like the level where you visit the Tomb of the First Emperor. They got it down nearly perfectly. Even the sound effects are well-done, with the perfect sound effect for the weapons, movement and characters. Lastly, the story and the characters are very mature, and they do curse and this game does involve suggestive lesbianism. If you liked the Metal Gear Solid series, then this is the game to get, but the story for this game is much stranger and resembles something like the Twilight Zone and Total Recall. ...

Very fun, but it just might be too challenging......

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: October 20, 2001
Author: Amazon User

The fun level of this game is even higher than the first, along with the level of challenge. Some of the puzzles are just downright rediculously pointless as they are challenging like this machine where you have to match the right shape with a code for every little corner which I personally find almost impossible to figure out on your own unless you are willing to put hours and maybe even days into solving it (or if your cheap and get a cheat code for it.) Sorry, I have a life and better things to do. I just hope it doesn't get worse in the next one. But I do compliment the game for fun level which is why I give it four stars.

Unfortunately this game is frustratingly hard.

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: September 30, 2001
Author: Amazon User

When I played the first FE, I loved it. The graphics was great, the mature story had a lot of surprised, and it the voice acting was excellent. First FE was a difficult game also, but it had a cheat code that you can use to get infinit life, so the difficulty wasn't a big deal then. Only compliant I got was that first game was too short.

Here, in this game, everything is the same, and I liked the lesbian theme, and the dialoge is even more funnier. Supposely they added a lot of length. The difficulty is at the about the same level, maybe slightly easier, however, there is no cheat code, making this game very hard to progress forward, and the character keep dying. After I do the same spot ten times, it is no longer enjoyable. A game is about enjoying the experience, not about banging your head against the wall in frustration. If they had added an easier mode, or an cheat code, I would have given this game a perfect ten.

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