Warnings
- GameSpy online services have been shut down (see Network for solutions).
Key points
- Master servers for multiplayer were shut down on December 19, 2012. See F.E.A.R. Combat Community.
- The multiplayer component (F.E.A.R. Combat) is free to download and continues to be supported by the community.
- Features an in-game benchmarking system (it is not accurate to in-game performance).
- Potential performance issues on modern machines, See Low Frame Rate.
- Potential graphics issues on modern Nvidia GeForce only, use the Dx9->Dx11 Wrapping.
General information
- Official manual
- GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
- GOG.com Support Page
- Steam Community Discussions
- Steam Community Discussions (Extraction Point)
- Steam Community Discussions (Perseus Mandate)
- F.E.A.R. Combat Community
- Mod page
Availability
- The GOG.com and Steam releases include both F.E.A.R. Extraction Point and F.E.A.R. Perseus Mandate
- The GOG install removes SecuROM, GameSpy, and Punkbuster. GOG is 15.6GB [136 files], Steam is 16.5GB [161 files].[2]
- Additional weapons, instant action levels, and a bonus mission are only in the console versions. Also, content added in F.E.A.R. Files, a Xbox 360 port of expansion packs, are not present on PC.[3]
- Not available for sale on GOG and Steam in Germany.
DLC and expansion packs
Name |
Notes |
|
Extraction Point |
Demo (standalone) (German website, but demo is in English) |
|
Perseus Mandate |
Standalone, work without original game. |
|
Essential improvements
Patches
Latest version is 1.08.
The FEAR multiplayer master server was shut down on December 19, 2012. The community has developed an unofficial patch for the game and is offering new FEAR Combat CD keys for free. The latest version of the community-supported FEAR Combat client and new CD keys can be obtained from the Fear Combat Community website or lastremain.de.
Skip intro videos
Skip intro videos via native config tool
|
- You can navigate to the game's folder, open the Config.exe, move over to the Options tab and tick the disable movies box here to skip movies easily.
|
Skip intro videos[4]
|
- Go to the configuration file(s) location.
- Open
settings.cfg .
- Add a new line:
"DisableMovies" "1"
Notes
- This doesn't skip the first splash screen which acts as a loading screen.
- The main menu music will no longer play.
|
- AI upscale texture pack that has been processed to aim for stability and upgrading textures that practically improve visual quality
- Includes an installer that allows you to between a more stable basic installation and a full installation
- Does not support Extraction Point yet and will not support Perseus Mandate
- Completely replaces some textures with new ones
Persistent decals
Makes blood, bullet holes etc. permanent.
- Only works in base game and Extraction Point, not for Perseus Mandate.
Use Rivarez Mod[5]
|
- Download and extract Rivarez mod.
- Take everything from the folder "Without weapons changes" and copy it to the game folder (where the FEAR.exe is). Confirm override.
|
4GB patch on non-Steam versions
To fix a bunch of potential issues with the game and increase performance, use the 4GB Patch on FEAR.exe
, FEARXP.exe
, and FEARXP2.exe
(or alternatively the Large Address Aware tool on them). This does not work with the Steam version, as it prevents the game from launching.
Game data
In-game general settings.
Configuration file(s) location
System |
Location |
Windows |
%PUBLIC%\Documents\Monolith Productions\FEAR\settings.cfg %PUBLIC%\Documents\TimeGate Studios\FEARXP\settings.cfg %PUBLIC%\Documents\TimeGate Studios\FEARXP2\settings.cfg |
Steam Play (Linux) |
<SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/21090/pfx/[Note 1] |
- Key bindings are stored in
%PUBLIC%\Documents\Monolith Productions\FEAR\Profiles\Profile000.gdb
(Original game) %PUBLIC%\Documents\TimeGate Studios\FEARXP\Profiles\Profile000.gdb
(Expansion Point) %PUBLIC%\Documents\TimeGate Studios\FEARXP2\Profiles\Profile000.gdb
(Perseus Mandate)
Save game data location
System |
Location |
Windows |
%PUBLIC%\Documents\Monolith Productions\FEAR\Save\Profile000\SinglePlayer %PUBLIC%\Documents\TimeGate Studios\FEARXP\Save\Profile000\SinglePlayer %PUBLIC%\Documents\TimeGate Studios\FEARXP2\Save\Profile000\SinglePlayer |
Steam Play (Linux) |
<SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/21090/pfx/[Note 1] |
- F.E.A.R. has 10 save slots, plus 1 quicksave slot and 1 autosave slot. Additional save slots can be made by creating a new player profile. There is no ability to replay completed levels other than loading a manual save.
Video
In-game general video settings.
In-game advanced video settings (for CPU).
In-game advanced video settings (for GPU, 1/2).
In-game advanced video settings (for GPU, 2/2).
- Widescreen fix is required for the expansions only (Steam and GOG versions).
Set custom resolution for Extraction Point[citation needed]
|
- Click the
Settings (cogwheel) symbol on Steam and then Manage\Browse Local Files .
- Doubleclick the
FEARXP folder, and right click on the FEARXP.exe application and click on Properties.
- Click the
Compatibility tab and tick the Disable fullscreen optimizations box and hit Apply.
- Run the game once from Steam and then quit once you reach the main menu. This will generate the
settings.cfg file.
- Go to
%PUBLIC%\Documents\TimeGate Studios\FEARXP
- Open
settings.cfg with a text editor.
- Change the
"ScreenWidth" "640" and "ScreenHeight" "480" lines to match your resolution.
- Save your changes and set the file to read-only.
|
Set custom resolution for Perseus Mandate[citation needed]
|
- Click the
Settings (cogwheel) symbol on Steam and then Manage\Browse Local Files .
- Doubleclick the
FEARXP2 folder, and right click on the FEARXP2.exe application and click on Properties.
- Click the
Compatibility tab and tick the Disable fullscreen optimizations box and hit Apply.
- Run the game once from Steam and then quit once you reach the main menu. This will generate the
settings.cfg file.
- Go to
%PUBLIC%\Documents\TimeGate Studios\FEARXP2 .
- Open
settings.cfg with a text editor.
- Change the
"ScreenWidth" "640" and "ScreenHeight" "480" lines to match your resolution.
- Save your changes and set the file to read-only.
|
- In-game FSAA setting must be set to Off before enabling 4K resolution, otherwise you will be stuck in a black screen. If this happens, reset resolution via
settings.cfg
. If you need AA at 4K, see Anti-aliasing (AA).
- F.E.A.R maintains 1:1 HUD scaling at all resolutions (i.e. there is no HUD scaling). This has the benefit of keeping HUD elements sharp, but they also may become very small on high-density monitors, such as 4K monitors sized below 30". Use this fix corresponding to your chosen resolution to increase the HUD size.
- This game uses vertical FOV. See FOV Calculator for help.
Set custom FOV[6]
|
- Go to the game's directory:
- Base game:
\FEAR
- Extraction Point:
\FEARXP
- Perseus Mandate:
\FEARXP2
- Create a file named
autoexec.cfg with a text editor.
- If using a widescreen resolution add this line:
"FovYWidescreen" "XX.00" where XX is the vertical FOV value. If using a non-widescreen resolution use "FovY" "XX.00"
|
- FSAA is unavailable in windowed mode. See Anti-aliasing (AA) for an alternative.
Set windowed mode[citation needed]
|
- Go to the game's directory:
- Base game:
\FEAR
- Extraction Point:
\FEARXP
- Perseus Mandate:
\FEARXP2
- Create a file named
autoexec.cfg with a text editor.
- Add
"Windowed" "1" on a new line.
|
Set borderless windowed mode[citation needed]
|
- Go to the game's directory:
- Base game:
\FEAR
- Extraction Point:
\FEARXP
- Perseus Mandate:
\FEARXP2
- Create a file named
autoexec.cfg with a text editor.
- Add
"Windowed" "2" on a new line.
|
- FSAA is unavailable in windowed mode. See Anti-aliasing (AA) for an alternative.
- If this method doesn't work or causes issues, you can try Borderless fullscreen mode.
Set borderless fullscreen windowed mode[citation needed]
|
- Ensure the game's resolution matches your monitor's resolution:
- Launch the game.
- Go to the game's Options > Display > Resolution and change it accordingly. If it's unsupported, check out Widescreen resolution.
- Close the game.
- Go to the game's directory:
- Base game:
\FEAR
- Extraction Point:
\FEARXP
- Perseus Mandate:
\FEARXP2
- Create a file named
autoexec.cfg with a text editor.
- Add
"Windowed" "2" on a new line.
|
- The Soft Shadows option will have no effect if the FSAA option is enabled.
MSAA solution (Nvidia only)[7]
|
- Open the game and disable the FSAA option.
- Download and run Nvidia Profile Inspector.
- Search and open the game profile.
- Set Antialiasing Compatibility to
0x004000C1 .
- Set Antialiasing Mode to Override any application setting.
- Set Antialiasing Setting to 8x Multisampling or your desired level of MSAA/CSAA.
- Apply changes. Do the same for the Extraction Point expansion.
Notes
- May have a very negative performance impact even on modern systems.
- Alternatively, SMAA is available through an injector.
|
Input
In-game key map settings.
In-game joystick axis map settings.
Audio
Localizations
Language |
UI |
Audio |
Sub |
Notes |
English |
|
|
|
|
French |
|
|
|
|
German |
|
|
|
Retail only. For digital version download from DeutschPatch or CompiWare. Includes Extraction Point and Perseus Mandate. |
Italian |
|
|
|
Retail only. For digital version download from See here for the Steam version translation. |
Hungarian |
|
|
|
Retail only, which is called Gold Edition and includes Extraction Point. Language files available here. |
Brazilian Portuguese |
|
|
|
Fan translation, download. Fan translation for Extraction Point, download. |
Russian |
|
|
|
Retail only. Patch for digital release here. |
Spanish |
|
|
|
Retail only. Patch for digital release here. |
Polish |
|
|
|
Local retail only. Patch for digital release here. |
Traditional Chinese |
|
|
|
Extraction Point(2006) also has Traditional Chinese. Perseus Mandate(2007) don't have. |
Network
Multiplayer types
Connection types
Ports
Protocol |
Port(s) and/or port range(s) |
TCP |
27888 |
UDP |
27888 |
- Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.
VR support
3D modes |
State |
Notes |
Nvidia 3D Vision |
| Disable game crosshair by turning the transparency all the way down and then enable 3DVision 3D crosshair (Ctrl+F12). Any depth adjustments must be done via KB shortcuts, as the Nvidia pyramid's scroll wheel will not work. |
vorpX |
| G3D, DirectVR Officially supported game, see official vorpx game list. |
Issues unresolved
Long save times
When playing the game, exiting and launching it again without logging out of Windows, saving can take very long. To work around that, log out and back into your Windows profile (or restart your computer) before re-launching the game.[10]
Issues fixed
- TweakGuides has created a comprehensive guide for fixing issues in this game. It can be found here.
Slow loading level and aero disabling
Fix slow load level and spontaneous shutdown aero interface
|
- Fix 1: Install game and addons only on Windows XP, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10.[11]
- Fix 2:
- Go to the game's directory:
- Base game:
\FEAR
- Extraction Point:
\FEARXP
- Perseus Mandate:
\FEARXP2
- Use the 4GB Patch on
FEAR.exe , FEARXP.exe , and FEARXP2.exe [12] (or alternatively the Large Address Aware tool on them). This does not work with the Steam version, as it prevents the game from launching.
Notes
- Occurs only on Windows Vista and Windows 7, because of the special graphic stack WDDM.
- Using Windows 8.1 or 10 significantly reduces the launch time of the level, perhaps this is due to improvements in the WDDM graphics stack.[13]
- The patch noticeably increases the launch speed of the level on 64-bit systems.
- This patch is not compatible with the original game from Steam and F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin.
|
Screen shaking, broken physics
- This is most likely related to issues with frame rate / VSync.
Turn off FSAA or change the VSync setting. If that doesn't work, try limiting the frame rate with something like RTSS.[14][15][16][17]
|
Control key settings are not assigned
Keyboard settings reset to unassigned when you restart the game
|
- Run the game as Administrator
|
Flickering textures on modern systems
- (nVidia only) Enhancing the in-game AA to SGSSAA may solve this issue as well. (further testing is required)[18]
Broken shadow rendering on Nvidia graphics
Fix shadow corruption[19]
|
- Download this: registry tweak.
- Run
ON_DisableVidMemVBs.reg before you start playing F.E.A.R. to fix shadow corruption.
- Run
OFF_DisableVidMemVBs.reg after playing F.E.A.R. to disable the tweak. This is needed because this tweak has an extremely negative performance effect for other games. If you don't care about performance in other games, you can leave it on constantly.
|
Soft Shadows doesn't work combined with FSAA
Use alternative AA solution[7]
|
- This is due to the features of the engine and the artificial limitation of the simultaneous use of anti-aliasing with soft shadows, since they can cause graphic artifacts on the shadows.
|
Small subtitles
- Turning on large subtitles for non-4:3 resolutions has no effect.
Small subtitles
|
- Download this patch.
- Extract
FEARL_1920.Arch00 into the installation folder.
- Open
Default.archcfg in Notepad and add FEARL_1920.Arch00 at the end of the file as a new line.
- For Extraction Point navigate to FEARXP sub-folder and add
../FEARL_1920.Arch00 to Default.archcfg under ; FEAR XP ARCHIVES .
|
Black screen on ATI/AMD video cards
Black screen on ATI/AMD video cards[citation needed]
|
- If 'Soft Shadows' and 'Pixel Doubling' are enabled this will result in black screen, on some ATI/AMD videocards. Disable said graphical options to fix the problem.
|
Can't hear any dialogue
Enable/install Windows Media Player[citation needed]
|
- Windows XP or N/KN versions: install Windows Media Player.
- Relaunch the game. If problems persist, ensure Windows Media Player is enabled:
- Vista and later: open the Start screen/Start menu, type
OptionalFeatures.exe and press ↵ Enter.
- Windows XP: press ⊞ Win+R, type
appwiz.cpl and press ↵ Enter, choose Add/Remove Windows Components.
|
No Torch Glitch
No Torch Glitch[citation needed]
|
- At the beginning of
Interval 03 - Escalation - Infiltration , the player must wait until they have control of the character before changing maps with the maphole command otherwise the torch will not be carried through for the rest of the game.
|
Can't hear any gunshots
Black textures in certain areas
- Go to the game's directory:
- Base game:
\FEAR
- Extraction Point:
\FEARXP
- Perseus Mandate:
\FEARXP2
- Use the 4GB Patch on
FEAR.exe
, FEARXP.exe
, and FEARXP2.exe
(or alternatively the Large Address Aware tool on them). This fix does not work with the Steam version, as it prevents the game from launching.
Low frame rate
- Frame rate may drop to around 20-30 FPS after a few minutes of play.
Disable Soft Shadows
|
- Go into the game's Options > Performance > Advanced video card options > Graphics and disable
Soft Shadows .
- Soft Shadows are a taxing feature even today on some lower-end machines.
- Changes the look of the game.
|
Compatibility mode[citation needed]
|
Set Windows XP SP3 compatibility mode on the executable.
|
- Additionally, you can also install a more recent set of libraries used by the game.
Crashes
Game won't start/maps not loading[21]
|
- When hosting a LAN game as a Listen server the game may hang at the map loading screen with the progress bar stuck at 0%. This can be resolved by hosting the game as a dedicated server and then joining with the FEAR Combat client.
|
Startup Crash on Windows 10[citation needed]
|
- Set game's compatibility mode to Windows XP (Service Pack 2). If it doesn't help try "Disable display scaling on high DPI settings" also. RMB on FEAR.exe => Properties => Compatability => Disable fullscreen optimizations
|
"Disconnected from server" when playing singleplayer
|
- Fix 1:
- Go to the game's directory:
- Base game:
\FEAR
- Extraction Point:
\FEARXP
- Perseus Mandate:
\FEARXP2
- Use the 4GB Patch (or alternatively the Large Address Aware tool) on
FEAR.exe , FEARXP.exe , and FEARXP2.exe This fix does not work with the Steam version, as it prevents the game from launching.
- Fix 2:
- When the game crashes with this message while trying to load a level, set texture detail to medium (not maximum) and try again.
|
Other information
API
Technical specs |
Supported |
Notes |
Direct3D |
8, 9 |
|
Shader Model support |
1.1, 2 |
|
Executable |
32-bit |
64-bit |
Notes |
Windows |
|
|
|
Middleware
Official SDK
- The Steam version includes the SDK with the game.[22] Make sure you read instructions
DevMode
DevMode gives the ability to use the debug keys and to load any map, including a few demo levels.
Dynamic flashlight
Makes the light cast from the flashlight dynamic[citation needed]
|
- Download the mod here.
- Open
Default.archcfg
- Add the line
LC_FlashlightMod_WIDE.Arch00 or LC_FlashlightMod.Arch00 to the end of the list.
- Check the file as read only.
Notes
- Does not work on both expansions.
|
System requirements
Windows |
|
Minimum |
Recommended |
Operating system (OS) |
2000 |
XP(64 bit) |
Processor (CPU) |
Intel Pentium 4 1.7 GHz AMD Athlon XP 1600+ |
Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz AMD Athlon 64 3000+ |
System memory (RAM) |
512 MB |
1 GB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) |
17 GB | |
Video card (GPU) |
Nvidia GeForce 4 Ti 4200 ATI Radeon 8500 64 MB of VRAM DirectX 9.0c compatible Shader model 1.1 support |
Nvidia GeForce 6600 ATI Radeon 9800 256 MB of VRAM Shader model 2.0 support |
Sound (audio device) |
16-bit DirectX compatible |
Sound Blaster X-Fi series |
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:
References