The thing that bugs me about Retro Helix is that it's a prequel sequel when it should've been a sequel sequel. What I mean is, the events in this game happen prior to everything in the first game, which kinda undermines the events of the first game because, well, Retro Helix is even more batshit crazy than FE1. All of the insanity that Hana, Glas and Deke go through in the previous installment, that's not even their first rodeo it turns out, but the problem is that it very much feels like it is. One of FE1's major strengths is that it starts out with some degree of normalcy, but gets progressively weirder and horror-based as the game progresses. And you see that in the reactions and interactions of the three leads as they deal with their world being turned upside down. So it's hard to accept Retro Helix as a prequel. Because this game goes to some very very strange places.

But overlooking all of that, how is Retro Helix? It's very much business as usual, with some quality of life improvements, including less trial and error and substantially shorter loading times. It is just as unsettling, horny and downright nihilistic as FE1, but the story just doesn't have quite the same impact. There are plenty of memorable story moments, visually-arresting (for the time) environments and that same distinctive, creepy-as-hell ambiance that no other franchise has ever been able to replicate. But the story is all over the place and doesn't have the same hook as the first's abduction-plan-gone-wrong premise. It's all very madcap and barely cohesive and, honestly, it's best just to switch your brain off and go along for the ride. Because like its predecessor, Fear Effect 2: Retro Helix takes you to some unforgettable places.