F.E.A.R. First Encounter Assault Recon is a first-person shooter that blends horror elements with combat. Players assume the role of a member of a special task force confronting supernatural threats, primarily a malevolent spirit. The gameplay features a progression of weapons, from standard firearms to advanced sci-fi armaments, and includes a unique bullet-time mechanic that enhances tactical gameplay through slow-motion effects.
F.E.A.R. is a horror FPS that resembles a cross between Doom 3, Half-Life, and the Ring horror movies. Demons are replaced by cloned soldiers and the element of horror revolves around an image of a spectral girl always appearing when least expected for a few fleeting moments. The player sets out as a member of a specialized strike force dealing with unknown threats. Initially, the player starts with mundane weapons, which are well presented, and progress gradually towards more sci-fi ones as the danger increases. The player can also call upon a bullet-time ability which slows down time around the player and is realised with impressive visual and aural effects by the game engine.