Loading ...Fahrenheit
My first ten minutes with Fahrenheit…
…soon turned to a few hours. I am hooked! This game is like no other. It’s creator states on the inside cover of the game manual, this game is set apart from the usual “…running down corridors blowing aliens up and shooting crates for ammo…”.
This gem makes you think. It’s thrilling, spine-chilling, mysterious and it will give you a few scares. The suspense factor is immense. At a glance it’s just like a movie, and you are the main character…or rather you are the 4 main characters. Yes you play 4 different people. Each with their own agenda, strengths and weaknesses.
The camera angles, and the snowy static effect makes it just like a movie. And you are allowed to make EVERY single decision.
You play the killer, and the Detective trying to find him. Essentially, you’re chasing yourself. I quickly found myself trying NOT to get caught by myself!! It sounds crazy but trust me, it’s very well done.
The facts:
If you want to look at it in plain black and white…it’s a point and click adventure. But with a truckload of difference. This is a movie. And you’re in it 100%. There are no scripts that bind you to some outcome that was going to happen anyway (Like 90% of the games out there!). Your decisions will open AND close doors for you. It will amaze and frighten you. The level of interaction is just brilliant.
From pouring yourself a cup of coffee, just to keep your character awake, OR to resucitating a drowned child, your key and mouse movements really do count!! The time frame you have to complete some of the more dangerous actions make it all the more thrilling.
As a Coroner explained some details to my detective I had to complete a tricky puzzle using designated key strokes to fit the pieces together. If I failed one or two of the puzzles I would be restricted with my investigation later down the line. It’s that indept. This game will punish you if you do not think first before you act.
When the Cop comes to your apartment door, you have just a handful of minutes to hide some evidence, if you faulter….it’s game over. It’s eerie and thrilling.
I do not want to give too much away, I am about 2 gaming hours into it and I am amazed from what I have seen so far. If you appreciate puzzles and high suspense then get this game! Now!
So far, absolutely no complaints, it’s brilliant!!!
10 / 10 for Fahrenheit
I agree with most of your review however having completed the game myself in a single day’s sitting i have to say i would have prefered a longer story rather than the multiple branching storylines. The replay value is great for some but i very rarely play through an adventure game twice unless the combat system is fun or if it has a comedy edge ie Broken Sword Series, Gabriel Knight etc.
The combat system in Fahrenheit is very similar to the QTE (Quick Time Event) System adopted in the fabulous Shenmue Series and pioneered by Sega in Die Hard Arcade for the Saturn. It works well but unlike both games mentioned it does’nt have a core combat system to fall back on meaning it just becomes a Dance Dance Revolution style button masher. This coupled with the sub par graphics make Fahrenheit a slight let down for me but in saying that i have been slavating over this one for quite some time so its possible my expectations got the better of me.
In all Fahrenheit is a must for adventure fans and movie buffs alike but i suggest waiting for the price to dip unless you enjoy replaying the same scenes of a movie over and over.
8/10
Comment by Gutts — September 25, 2005 @ 9:46 pm
sounds good, Gutts….were you playing it for 8 hours straight!!! Reminds me of the Civilisation bouts I used to have…I would sit down after school and start playing, only to notice it was 3 in the morning and I was up for school again it a few hours!!!
Sounds like a good one….may have to aquire this one.
Comment by Justin — September 26, 2005 @ 8:41 am
hmm.. One thing that can be annoying is that during an action scene you have to complete the laborious task of completing the “Dance Dance Revolution” key mashing task. This can lead to missing the whole action altogether, as your attention is fixed entirely on the key pressing task.
Sometimes it would be nice to control your character with some simple movement controls to dodge the danger?
Graphics : I agree with Gutts that the graphics aren’t mind-blowing but they are still up to date and good enough to carry the game.
Game: There’s more then just a murder mystery with Fahrenheit there is something much deeper and darker…which you learn as you progress through the horror.
Comment by Martin — September 27, 2005 @ 7:01 pm
I’ve since finished the game and yes there seems to be alot of stories or branches of stories running along side the main storyline, which causes it to become a bit clouded.
But it is an excellent game, it’s interesting, clever and fun to play. David Cage’s (Creator) idea was very good. The setting and the story is good. I would not be surprised if they compiled a film from this one.
Final Score from me : 9/10
Comment by Martin — September 29, 2005 @ 11:33 pm