E3: Fear Effect: Retro Helix impressions

[05.16.00] » Now with twice the breasts! Oh, and the gameplay's improved too.

   Fear Effect: Retro Helix was a surprise going into the show; after all, Kronos Digital Entertainment had published the first Fear Effect mere months ago. But despite the rapid turnaround time, Fear Effect: Retro Helix was one of the most improved sequels at the show.

   The title is a prequel to the first Fear Effect and details how Hana, Glas, and Deke met. It also introduces a new character: Rain Qin, busty blonde and rumored "close" companion to Hana. If all Retro Helix offered was twice the breasts of the first, it would be easy to dismiss as a derivative sequel. Fortunately, Kronos has added much more.

   Kronos starts out with two major improvements: loading and control. First, load times have been drastically reduced throughout. In fact, once you die, you can go straight back into the game with no load time whatsoever. This addresses the first major problem most gamers (the GIA included) had with the first title: astronomical load times after every death. The second improvement is the addition of a "3D Control" scheme, in addition to the "Classic Control" of Fear Effect. "3D Control" permits camera-relative movement and headache-free gaming.

   Other new improvements include 3D objects and environmental hazards, increased resolution, more logical puzzles, branching story paths, and replayability. It appears that Kronos has taken feedback to heart and is striving to keep everything that worked from the first Fear Effect--and fix everything that didn't. Due out by the end of the year, Retro Helix may be a strong voice in PlayStation's last hurrah.