F.E.A.R. is Dani’s pick, and while it is more action focused it is no less scary for it. Developed by Monolith, this game maintains many of the company’s wacky over the top gunplay, making every battle feel crazy. Taking on intelligent AI, you will have to regularly change up your tactics as your opponents constantly flank and out maneuver you. Luckily you have many tools at your disposal – including a slow-motion ability that allows you to grind time to a halt in order to shoot grenades out of the air. And there is nothing quite like watching a room full of enemies be taken out by their own grenade – especially when accompanied by Fear’s fantastic audio design. But is not just action, and Fear takes a lot of inspiration from Asian horror. Alma, one of the main enemies of the game, feels like she was lifted straight from the Japanese movie the Ring – and she is not above sneaking up behind you for a good jump scare. The action and horror blend perfectly. After destroying your human foes, you think you are almost invincible. Then comes the horror, breaking your spirit and making you feel like an insect in front of the game’s paranormal forces. Then, as the shock subsides, you hear the human enemies moving against you again – which is almost a relief as you become their unstoppable force. Even though Fear has had two sequels, the original remains the best – which is why Dani has given it 9 out of 10.
