Alright, folks, story time -- about five days ago, a tipster sent us the three box shots in the gallery below, claiming they were asked to take part in a survey that essentially revealed the existence of a third game in the Monolith-developed F.E.A.R. series. Further, the game's title on the boxes didn't read "F.E.A.R. 3," but rather "F.3.A.R." Fast-forward four days later and one of the box shots turns up on gaming forum neoGAF as an image (sans box) alleged to be from an unnamed Spanish magazine, with the words "próximo número" ("next number" literally, or, in this case, "next issue") cascading down the left side.
Normally we wouldn't tell you about any of this, except for the fact that when we contacted publisher Warner Bros. Interactive for comment, we were told by a representative, "We have no info to share at this time." While that's certainly not solid confirmation, the fact that WB didn't outright falsify the images strikes us as notable to say the least. We'll let you know if the publisher decides to be any more candid, but for now we're leaving this one firmly in the rumor bin.
[Thanks Jan!]
Reader Comments (96)
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 6:45PM AutobotIronhide said
I rejected those answers. Instead I chose: http://www.jeffreyclarke.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/nes-console.jpg
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Posted: Mar 24th 2010 6:59PM Puertoricarious said
yes, a 3rd party developer that has released the prior two iterations of the series on PC, 360 and PS3 is suddenly going to start developing on the PS3 exclusively. if anything, monolith actually has a history of 360 exclusivity, with the first condemned and fear files. however, the ps3 has never received an exclusive title from monolith.
dr. blight, i hereby strip you of your PhD.
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dr. blight, i hereby strip you of your PhD.
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 7:09PM AutobotIronhide said
@Blight
Oh, and Kalinske called, he said "you're fired".
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Oh, and Kalinske called, he said "you're fired".
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 7:46PM AutobotIronhide said
Kalinske owns everything. You're still fired.
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Posted: Mar 24th 2010 6:39PM Assmar said
Wow, so are their armpits made of eyeballs, or are her eyeballs made of armpits?
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 6:41PM Spunky Monkey 190906 said
Stupid numbers in names is stupid ¬_¬
F3AR FE4R, Left for dead > Left 4 Dead, WIp3out
What next?
F3AR FE4R, Left for dead > Left 4 Dead, WIp3out
What next?
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 8:35PM Alexisonfire said
@JamesH
You mean to tell me the game isn't "Left A Dead"?
Man, what a fool I've been!
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You mean to tell me the game isn't "Left A Dead"?
Man, what a fool I've been!
Posted: Mar 25th 2010 9:56PM (Unverified) said
Left 4 Dead is a 4 because there are 4 survivors, and of course because it's a homonym for 'for'.
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Posted: Mar 24th 2010 6:44PM AnthonyGalindo said
What's up with the two guys on every cover, might we be in for some Co-op Action?
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 6:53PM RKN said
I hope so, I want to see a continuation of the 1st game, not this Beckett bullshit, no side-story crap. The Point Man had his powers due to being the son of Alma and then Beckett just gets it magically through surgery? Lame.
Shame that Activision now owns this franchise, being the new publisher. : (
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Shame that Activision now owns this franchise, being the new publisher. : (
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 6:55PM Puertoricarious said
HUGE SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED THE FIRST FEAR GAME
considering the second guy is holding an assault rifle, i wonder if he's "you" from the first game. i say this because of this:
http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/02/04/rumor-news-f.e.a.r.-3-coming.aspx
that article mentions a tagline that says "When it comes to this family, fear runs deep, but blood runs deeper…”
if the "family" emphasis is any indication, then alma, paxton, and the main character from the first game (did he have a name?) are all probably in this game, since SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS the character you played as was alma's son/paxton's brother. so i wouldn't be surprised if the long haired dude is him. fear 2 never touched on what happened to him, so maybe this one will actually address the question.
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considering the second guy is holding an assault rifle, i wonder if he's "you" from the first game. i say this because of this:
http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/02/04/rumor-news-f.e.a.r.-3-coming.aspx
that article mentions a tagline that says "When it comes to this family, fear runs deep, but blood runs deeper…”
if the "family" emphasis is any indication, then alma, paxton, and the main character from the first game (did he have a name?) are all probably in this game, since SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS the character you played as was alma's son/paxton's brother. so i wouldn't be surprised if the long haired dude is him. fear 2 never touched on what happened to him, so maybe this one will actually address the question.
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 7:14PM TheDarkWayne said
I hope neither of those guys on the cover are the player characters. Destructoid said we'll play as The Point Man again, and I liked his blue Balaclava/Sunglasses combo better than that Pierce Brosnan in Robinson Crusoe. But since he's juxtaposed to what can only be Paxton Fettel, i guess that probably his him
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Posted: Mar 24th 2010 6:46PM Spunky Monkey 190906 said
I think the girls from the Grudge and the ring should team up in this game :D 3 ghosts that hate you is the awesome :D
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 6:46PM Puertoricarious said
i'll gladly take another fear, even with the terrible name and awful cover art. the first game to this day is my favorite shooter. the second was a little disappointing, but i was still happy to continue the saga onward.
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 6:47PM RKN said
The first FEAR is also one of my standout titles, I've only played the demo of the sequel but can tell it will be a massive disappointment for me, very dumbed down compared to the original.
I loved the enemies in FEAR 1, all their screaming, cursing, felt like fighting real human being protagonists. : )
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I loved the enemies in FEAR 1, all their screaming, cursing, felt like fighting real human being protagonists. : )
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 7:19PM TheDarkWayne said
it wasnt really dumbed down at all. They took out leaning and that was pretty much it. Enemies still yelled and swore and flanked and stuff
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Posted: Mar 24th 2010 7:44PM RKN said
The sequel is definitely slowed down noticeably from the original. My guess is to accomodate playing an FPS on a console vs. a Pc.
The 1st game was made for the PC and then ported to consoles, whereas the sequel did the exact opposite and did suffer from consolitis.
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The 1st game was made for the PC and then ported to consoles, whereas the sequel did the exact opposite and did suffer from consolitis.
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 7:56PM Puertoricarious said
@ nerdy
you've said yourself that you've never played fear 2, and yet here you are surmising that it was the console release that made it bad. why don't you try familiarizing yourself with something before you let your fanboy tendencies run wild?
has it ever occurred to you that developers are capable of making a bland, uninspired game, regardless of what platform it releases on? because FEAR 2 is actually a great shooter, just as solid as the first, but everything else (the scares, the ambience, etc.) was average, at best.
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you've said yourself that you've never played fear 2, and yet here you are surmising that it was the console release that made it bad. why don't you try familiarizing yourself with something before you let your fanboy tendencies run wild?
has it ever occurred to you that developers are capable of making a bland, uninspired game, regardless of what platform it releases on? because FEAR 2 is actually a great shooter, just as solid as the first, but everything else (the scares, the ambience, etc.) was average, at best.
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 6:46PM Giroro said
Obviously the title is supposed to be pronounced FthreeAR. It's short for First Theencounter Assault Recon.
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 6:55PM Nintendo Tim said
I'm guessing there's going to be a contest to choose which boxart we like?
How about 'None.'
How about 'None.'
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 6:56PM BeeQAL said
As a fan of F.E.A.R. I hope this turns out to be true:)
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 7:10PM aroGADGET said
The glowing red dude on the left side (of the 1st image) looks like an evil Cole from inFAMOUS... Especially with his hand up in that position!
Posted: Mar 25th 2010 3:28PM (Unverified) said
i pronouce it ffthreeeaarrr
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 7:20PM (Unverified) said
I'm guessing this is what that 5 sec mystery game clip from The Jace Hall Show is.
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 7:35PM Chief Oddball said
The box art looks ridiculous but as long as Monolith is behind this, I will be there. I love the F.E.A.R. series and seriously respect 'Lith as a dev.
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 7:45PM DreamingDarkly said
I wish they were making Condemned 3 instead. Of Course they still could be but.....
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 9:13PM Luthorcrow said
Wait she raped us in the last game, what's next. Personally, I would rather than continue with character from FEAR 1 but acknowledge the events of FEAR 2 by having her be pregnant and talk to about your unborn sibling (should be a girl as well).
I would also like to see them go back to smart and AI rather than wave after wave of flunkies.
Story wise I would like to get a better sense of what Alma is up to because at this point it seems rather vague. Obviously she is one pissed off, emotionally stunted physic chic but particularly in the first game they keep hinting at some bigger purpose or plan. She already took vengeance on the people that shafted her so what else does she have planned?
I would also like to see them go back to smart and AI rather than wave after wave of flunkies.
Story wise I would like to get a better sense of what Alma is up to because at this point it seems rather vague. Obviously she is one pissed off, emotionally stunted physic chic but particularly in the first game they keep hinting at some bigger purpose or plan. She already took vengeance on the people that shafted her so what else does she have planned?
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 9:31PM JGray73 said
Sounds alright, either way I like F.E.A.R games.
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 9:55PM QuePasa87 said
I'll get it for sure, but man that box art looks horrible.
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 10:36PM j0ewats0n said
WIP3OUT! classic :)
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 11:25PM IronClawt said
Fear 2 was borning. At least the demo was a yawn fest.
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 11:26PM KIdhero said
lol
Posted: Mar 24th 2010 11:28PM IronClawt said
Ahh yes, the DIE IN A FIRE game,
Idiot spamer.
Idiot spamer.
Posted: Mar 25th 2010 3:32AM (Unverified) said
Never again. Not after that garbage they called Project Origin. There will be something better to buy for less when this comes out.
Posted: Mar 25th 2010 3:35AM (Unverified) said
Blood 3 instead, please.
Posted: Mar 25th 2010 3:36AM (Unverified) said
Shogo 2 instead, please.
Posted: Mar 25th 2010 12:09PM jasonkburden said
Covers look cool. Loved the first FEAR. Hope its just as good. #smi.sh
Posted: Mar 26th 2010 6:23PM T for Troll said
Is it a bad time to say my GT is FloatingCorps3?
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