Certified PS1 banger Fear Effect is getting a digital Steam release

Fear Effect, a horror action PS1 game from 2000 that holds a special place in my heart, is set to be released on Steam next year by Limited Run Games in partnership with Square Enix. This announcement was made during Limited Run Games’ digital LRG3 event, which has been the subject of some controversy (more on that later). You can view the full event here, as well as the Fear Effect trailer below.

If you haven’t played Fear Effect, you might assume from the trailer that it’s a typical fixed-camera action game. However, its true appeal lies in its blend of survival horror and cinematic platform game elements, drawing inspiration from titles like Another World and Flashback. Players switch between characters in their group of misfits at key story points, solving puzzles and engaging in combat encounters. The game features insta-death scenarios that require careful consideration and skill to navigate. Failure often results in one of the game’s many unique death animations.

Due to the inclusion of numerous death scenes and other content, Fear Effect spanned across four discs. I have vivid memories of starting a disc-sharing chain with two friends, passing each disc along once completed. While this process was somewhat cumbersome, I was eager for more people to experience Fear Effect, the self-proclaimed altruistic gamer that I am. While I can’t take credit for the game’s Steam release, I can certainly drop a subtle hint and let you decide who the real hero is in this situation (*wink wink* disclosure: I was not involved in the decision). The closest PC players have come to the Fear Effect series in recent years is Fear Effect Sedna, which fails to capture the essence of the original games.

During the LRG3 event, trailers were also showcased for other exciting titles such as Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition (coming on June 25th!), a new edition of Fighting Force, and a trailer for Clock Tower: Rewind, among others.

Before making any purchases from Limited Run Games, it’s important to be aware of recent controversies surrounding the company, which specializes in releasing special edition versions of older and indie games. Earlier this year, they issued an apology for shipping faulty CD-Rs of the 3DO game D. Limited Run Games has faced criticism for creating a sense of artificial scarcity through their releases, which can hinder game preservation efforts. Additionally, there have been concerns raised about quality control issues. It’s worth noting that some of the negative sentiment towards the company may stem from disagreements with their handling of social media issues, rather than the quality of their products.