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FEAR EFFECT 2 RETRO Helix is the sequel to the sleeper hit of 2000. The first game, Fear Effect, introduced us to 3 main characters, Hana, Glas and Deke. Retro Helix is the prequel and shows us how the 3 became united, through what seemed like an easy retrieval assignment and uncovers a plot that wouldn't seem out of place in a James Bond film. The original also introduced Motion Effects technology into the game that "seamlessly" blends game play and movie sequences together.
Hana and her sidekick, a new character, called Rain, are given the task of infiltrating a base to collect a vial, which although they knew nothing about it, ends up leading them thru a trail to find 3 items that can lead to world domination and stop the bad guy.(again?) The locations scattered throughout the game are clearly original and bring a good atmosphere to the game. The introduction starts with a few scientists, a test subject and a syringe containing a sample of "Retro Helix", which is a form of broken down DNA. Once injected into the subject you witness a horror scene which would usually be affiliated with an R16 movie. This is just the start so viewer discretion is advised for younger players.
The story and characters really pull you in and the pace doesn't let up till the end. The only time you get to rest is during the movie style cut scenes, which, as said before, blend into the game. The cut scenes are only there to introduce new locations, characters and the occasional clue to puzzles, and don't deprive you of the action. You control that. As with most of the games in the genre, quite a few puzzles seem the same, find the cog, fit it, open door, progress. While this game had one of those and a big sigh was let out, compared with some puzzles in FE2, it is welcome. Some of the puzzles are very mind bending, which can bring a real sense of reward when progressing. Thankfully they are usually completed just before frustration sets in, so they are well balanced. Also, instead of just running around a room pressing "X" hoping to find ammo, pieces of puzzles etc. the player is notified with a little "use" icon in the bottom corner like the first FE, which in most cases of puzzle solving, helps piece together which item to use, should the player have it. Scattered throughout the game are well placed save points which always seem to come in handy, especially when the player is encountering any bosses which are far more balanced than those in the original FE. FE suffered from bosses that required luck more than skill, not so with FE2.
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