Fear Effect Sedna

You better have to choose if it’s worth spending your spare cash, because it might not be the game for you and it might be for others.

The gaming world is once again in the grips of PlayStation fever. Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy was one of this past year’s biggest games, and remakes or remasters of Final Fantasy VII, Resident Evil 2, and (probably) Spyro the Dragon are also in the works. Even some of the lesser-celebrated original PlayStation franchises are being hauled out of storage.

Fear Effect Sedna is a stylish but ultimately mediocre tactical take on a franchise that arguably deserved better.

I never played the original Fear Effect, an Eidos series for the original PlayStation. I may lack the knowledge required to notice this entry’s thematic ties and departures from the original series. I do however recognize good games and have a long history with PC RPGs. With that in mind, Fear Effect Sedna is a throwback action RPG that never quite comes together but may be enjoyed as a glorious mess.

Fear Effect Sedna is vapid and vain, like a B-movie with a bit of gorgeous cinematography. Its gameplay falters miserably and even with the unmistakable atmosphere of the old games, Sedna just isn't enjoyable to sit through.

Fear Effect Sedna revives a cult-classic IP, but the game's flat, subdued script, forgettable characters, and poor controls ultimately hamper this effort.

It’s clear that not enough love was given to Fear Effect Sedna. The lack of polish shows all over the place, and little flaws that could have been ironed out with more testing cripple the experience. The things it does well are rendered disappointing by the frustrating mess one needs to slog through to reach them. This also doesn’t bode well for the upcoming remake of the original Fear Effect, titled Fear Effect Reinvented, also being developed by Sushee. One can only hope that’s where ...

A failed attempt at resurrecting a cult favourite, Fear Effect Sedna is a tactical shooter in which tactics are largely irrelevant. Atrocious cut-scenes, dreadful boss encounters and dire presentation overall, make this something better left in the past. Steer well clear.

In 2000, Kronos Digital and Eidos released a unique anime-inspired action game called Fear Effect for the original PlayStation. Its slick presentation, Ghost in the Shell-inspired world, and mature narrative earned it a cult following. That following had reason to rejoice when Sushee's Kickstarter campaign promised to bring the series back. Unfortunately, Fear Effect Sedna could serve as a case study on everything that can go wrong when resurrecting a franchise.