Releasing in February 2000 for the Sony PlayStation, Fear Effect is a cult-classic survival horror title with a compelling visual style. Fear Effect‘s cel-shaded character models nicely contrast with pre-rendered backgrounds that utilize full-motion video (FMV) to animate them, making them seem more alive than the standard backgrounds used in the PS1-era Resident Evil titles. The title is spread out over 4 discs, with each disc taking players through a specific section of the adventure. Players begin Fear Effect in a future version of Hong Kong and then eventually wind up in the version of Hell from Chinese mythology, and the game incorporates uniquely Eastern supernatural beliefs and horror tropes.
Thanks to its unique place among the many survival horror titles on the PlayStation, Fear Effect would earn something of a cult following. While critics were quick to praise Fear Effect for its excellent visuals and unique premise, the gameplay would not fare as well. One of the biggest complaints among both critics and players is the instant-fail scenarios that the game’s combat and puzzle-solving incorporate. Similar to many point-and-click adventure games, puzzle solutions are trial-and-error, but wrong solutions in Fear Effect often lead to death. Additionally, the title would receive criticism for how difficult its boss encounters are, with players often butting up against confusing mechanics and instant-kill attacks.
Despite the knocks against the title for an apparent lack of balance, Fear Effect would be successful enough to warrant a sequel a year later. In 2017, a remake of the original game would be announced only to be canceled shortly thereafter. In 2024, Limited Run Games announced that it is bringing Fear Effect to modern consoles and PC, making the game widely available for the first time in over 20 years.
Fear Effect Premise
Similar to both Resident Evil and Silent Hill, Fear Effect is a third-person survival horror game that uses 3D character models over pre-rendered backgrounds. However, unlike Resident Evil (which uses static backgrounds), Fear Effect‘s environments feature FMV animations to make them seem more lively. Additionally, Fear Effect‘s cel-shaded art style adds to its anime-style presentation and story. Playing as a trio of mercenaries in the year 2050, the three main characters take on a job to rescue the kidnapped daughter of the Hong Kong Triad only for things to spiral wildly out of control and take dark, supernatural turns in the game’s second half.
Like most survival horror games, Fear Effect incorporates a mix of puzzle-solving and combat. Combat utilizes an auto-targeting and lock-on system for easier aiming, and players have a variety of weapons to choose from. While each of the three main player characters has access to the same arsenal, each character has a preferred weapon type they excel with. Puzzles in Fear Effect can be just as deadly as combat, with incorrect solutions often leading to death. Fear Effect is unique among survival horror games on the PS1 thanks to its incorporation of stealth sections and silent takedowns of enemies, which players can utilize to recover health in some scenarios.
Fear Effect Main Characters
Central to the story of Fear Effect are the game’s three main characters — Hana, Royce, and Deke. Though players begin the game as Hana, they eventually get to rotate through controlling all three mercenaries, with their stories and paths intertwining throughout the game’s different segments. When the player meets these characters they already share a history as a successful mercenary group. The chance to score a huge payout from the Hong Kong Triad for rescuing the boss’ kidnapped daughter seems like a job that’s too good to be true, and things quickly escalate between the three heroes, with two of them turning on each other in one of the game’s more pivotal moments. The main characters in Fear Effect include:
- Hana Tsu-Vachel: The main character of Fear Effect and the first of the three mercenaries players control. Hana is a former lady of the night whose connections to the criminal underworld would pave the way for her to become an in-demand mercenary.
- Royce Glas: Hana’s friend and fellow mercenary, Royce is a former member of the US military-turned-solder of fortune who willingly works within the criminal underworld. He is much more level-headed and pragmatic than Hana, causing the two to butt heads.
- Jacob “Deke” Decourt: Deke is a weapons expert and bombastic individual who becomes a mercenary just for the thrill. Players first meet him during disc 2 after Hana and Royce’s mission at the Lam Hotel goes awry.
- Wee Ming Lam: The daughter of Hong Kong Triad leader Mr. Lam, Wee Ming’s kidnapping is the initiating event for Fear Effect. Her net worth of 90 million USD is enough to entice Hana, Royce, and Deke to take on the mission for her rescue, but things quickly reveal themselves to be not so simple. She serves as the game’s primary antagonist.
Games in the Fear Effect Series
While Fear Effect and its sequel would make a splash on the original PlayStation, the series would remain largely dormant for the better part of two decades. The isometric stealth-action spin-off Fear Effect Sedna‘s launch comes nearly 20 years after the original Fear Effect. Additionally, a remake of the original Fear Effect would make the rounds several years ago only to end up getting cancelled. Thankfully, the original Fear Effect is now getting ported to PC and modern consoles courtesy of Limited Run Games. Titles in the Fear Effect series include:
- Fear Effect (PlayStation, 2000)
- Fear Effect 2: Retro Helix (PlayStation, 2001)
- Fear Effect Sedna (PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, 2018)
Fear Effect Cheats & Cheat Codes
In addition to several official cheat codes that the game supports, Fear Effect also has several Game Shark codes players can use. And, like most survival horror games, there is a secret “best” ending for players to unlock after meeting certain conditions.
Fear Effect Cheat Codes
Enter any of the following button combinations on the Credits screen to activate the cheat.
Cheat | Code |
---|---|
999 Ammunition | L1, Triangle, Up, Down, Circle, Circle, Triangle, Square, Left, Triangle |
All Weapons | L1, Triangle, Up, Down, Circle, Circle, Triangle, Square, Up, Circle |
Instant Puzzle Solutions | L1, Triangle, Up, Down, Circle, Circle, Down, Down, Down, and Up |
One-Hit Kills With Firearms | L1, Triangle, Up, Down, Circle, Circle, Triangle, Square, Down, R1 |
Suicide Mode | Down, Down, Down, Triangle, Down, Down, Down, Square, Left, Right |
Infinite Health | L1, Triangle, Up, Down, Circle, Circle, Triangle, Square, Right, Square |
Fear Effect Unlockables
Players need to make a specific choice at a pivotal moment to get the true “best” ending to Fear Effect. First, make sure to play Fear Effect on Hard difficulty. Play the game up until the point where Hana and Glas turn against each other. Players will have three options to choose from at this moment. Choose the middle option and beat the game to see the “best” ending.
Fear Effect Game Shark Codes
Like many PS1 games, Fear Effect has several available Game Shark codes players can use. As long as players have a PlayStation console and a Game Shark device, any of the following cheats are fair game. Note that some cheats require a Game Shark ver. 2.2 or higher. Alternatively, players using an emulator can simply enter any of the following codes into the emulator’s “Cheat” menu.
General Cheats
Cheat | Code |
---|---|
Infinite Ammo | 80077810 0001 |
Infinite Health | 80077810 0002 |
Infinite Ammo & Health | 80077810 0003 |
Infinite Ammo, Health, & Instant Death | 80077810 0007 |
Infinite Ammo (x2), Health, & Instant Death | 80077810 000E |
Instant Death with All Firearms (One-Hit Kills) | 80077810 0004 |
Ammo x2 | 80077810 0008 |
No Fear | D0047D88 0068 80047D8A 2400 |
Stop Time | D0028508 0008 8002850A 2400 |
No Countdown Timer | D00AFA2C 18F0 800AFA2E 2400 |
Hana Weapon Cheats
Cheat | Code |
---|---|
Have Dual .90 Pistols | 8008DF10 0002 8008DF12 6363 |
Have SMG | 8008DF14 0002 8008DF16 6363 |
Have Shot Pistol | 8008DF18 0002 8008DF1A 6363 |
Have Assault Rifle | 8008DF1C 0001 8008DF1E 0063 |
Have Shotgun | 8008DF24 0001 8008DF26 0063 |
Have MK V Assault Rifle | 8008DF28 0001 8008DF2A 0063 |
Royce Weapon Cheats
Cheat | Code |
---|---|
Have .90 Pistol | 8008DF94 0002 8008DF96 6363 |
Have SMG | 8008DF98 0002 8008DF9A 6363 |
Have Shot Pistol | 8008DF9C 0002 8008DF9E 6363 |
Have Assault Rifle | 8008DFA0 0001 8008DFA2 0063 |
Have Shotgun | 8008DFA8 0001 8008DFAA 0063 |
Have MK V Assault Rifle | 8008DFAC 0001 8008DFAE 0063 |
Deke Weapon Cheats
Cheat | Code |
---|---|
Have .90 Pistol | 8008E018 0002 8008E01A 6363 |
Have SMG | 8008E01C 0002 8008E01E 6363 |
Have Shot Pistol | 8008E020 0002 8008E022 6363 |
Have Assault Rifle | 8008E024 0001 8008E026 0063 |
Have Shotgun | 8008E02C 0001 8008E02E 0063 |
Have MK V Assault Rifle | 8008E030 0001 8008E032 0063 |
Hana Item Cheats – Disc 1 (Requires Game Shark 2.2 or Higher)
Cheat | Code |
---|---|
Have Stone Scroll | E008DF5A 0000 3008DF5A 0001 |
Have Stone Willow | E008DF5B 0000 3008DF5B 0001 |
Have Stone Eye | E008DF5C 0000 3008DF5C 0001 |
Have Flash Disc | E008DF64 0000 3008DF64 0001 |
Have Gate Key | E008DF65 0000 3008DF65 0001 |
Have Sign Key | E008DF66 0000 3008DF66 0001 |
Have Red Keycard | E008DF67 0000 3008DF67 0001 |
Have Blue Keycard | E008DF68 0000 3008DF68 0001 |
Have Locker Key | E008DF69 0000 3008DF69 0001 |
Have Fuse | E008DF6A 0000 3008DF6A 0001 |
Have Pipe | E008DF6B 0000 3008DF6B 0001 |
Have Wire Cutters | E008DF6C 0000 3008DF6C 0001 |
Have Explosives | E008DF6D 0000 3008DF6D 0001 |
Royce Item Cheats – Disc 1 (Requires Game Shark 2.2 or Higher)
Cheat | Code |
---|---|
Have Stone Scroll | E008DFDE 0000 3008DFDE 0001 |
Have Stone Willow | E008DFDF 0000 3008DFDF 0001 |
Have Stone Eye | E008DFE0 0000 3008DFE0 0001 |
Have Flash Disc | E008DFE8 0000 3008DFE8 0001 |
Have Gate Key | E008DFE9 0000 3008DFE9 0001 |
Have Sign Key | E008DFEA 0000 3008DFEA 0001 |
Have Red Keycard | E008DFEB 0000 3008DFEB 0001 |
Have Blue Keycard | E008DFEC 0000 3008DFEC 0001 |
Have Locker Key | E008DFED 0000 3008DFED 0001 |
Have Fuse | E008DFEE 0000 3008DFEE 0001 |
Have Pipe | E008DFEF 0000 3008DFEF 0001 |
Have Wire Cutters | E008DFF0 0000 3008DFF0 0001 |
Have Explosives | E008DFE1 0000 3008DFF1 0001 |
Hana Item Cheats – Disc 2 (Requires Game Shark 2.2 or Higher)
Cheat | Code |
---|---|
Have Stone Scroll | E008DF5A 0000 3008DF5A 0001 |
Have Stone Willow | E008DF5B 0000 3008DF5B 0001 |
Have Stone Eye | E008DF5C 0000 3008DF5C 0001 |
Have Wet Towel | E008DF64 0000 3008DF64 0001 |
Have Flask of Water | E008DF65 0000 3008DF65 0001 |
Have Train Key | E008DF66 0000 3008DF66 0001 |
Have PO Mon Key | E008DF69 0000 3008DF69 0001 |
Have Truck Key | E008DF6A 0000 3008DF6A 0001 |
Have Ladder Access Card | E008DF6B 0000 3008DF6B 0001 |
Have X1 Mon Key | E008DF6C 0000 3008DF6C 0001 |
Royce Item Cheats – Disc 2 (Requires Game Shark 2.2 or Higher)
Cheat | Code |
---|---|
Have Stone Scroll | E008DFDE 0000 3008DFDE 0001 |
Have Stone Willow | E008DFDF 0000 3008DFDF 0001 |
Have Stone Eye | E008DFE0 0000 3008DFE0 0001 |
Have Wet Towel | E008DFE8 0000 3008DFE8 0001 |
Have Flask of Water | E008DFE9 0000 3008DFE9 0001 |
Have Train Key | E008DFEA 0000 3008DFEA 0001 |
Have PO Mon Key | E008DFED 0000 3008DFED 0001 |
Have Truck Key | E008DFEE 0000 3008DFEE 0001 |
Have Ladder Access Card | E008DFEF 0000 3008DFEF 0001 |
Have X1 Mon Key | E008DFF0 0000 3008DFF0 0001 |
Deke Item Cheats – Disc 2 (Requires Game Shark 2.2 or Higher)
Cheat | Code |
---|---|
Have Stone Scroll | E008E062 0000 3008E062 0001 |
Have Stone Willow | E008E063 0000 3008E063 0001 |
Have Stone Eye | E008E064 0000 3008E064 0001 |
Have Wet Towel | E008E06C 0000 3008E06C 0001 |
Have Flask of Water | E008E06D 0000 3008E06D 0001 |
Have Train Key | E008E06E 0000 3008E06E 0001 |
Have PO Mon Key | E008E071 0000 3008E071 0001 |
Have Truck Key | E008E072 0000 3008E072 0001 |
Have Ladder Access Card | E008E073 0000 3008E073 0001 |
Have X1 Mon Key | E008E074 0000 3008E074 0001 |
Hana Item Cheats – Disc 3 (Requires Game Shark 2.2 or Higher)
Cheat | Code |
---|---|
Have Stone Scroll | E008DF5A 0000 3008DF5A 0001 |
Have Stone Willow | E008DF5B 0000 3008DF5B 0001 |
Have Stone Eye | E008DF5C 0000 3008DF5C 0001 |
Have Coin | E008DF64 0000 3008DF64 0001 |
Have Sunflower | E008DF65 0000 3008DF65 0001 |
Have Mach Gun ‘O Love | E008DF66 0000 3008DF67 0001 |
Have Pistol Whipper | E008DF68 0000 3008DF68 0001 |
Have Flowers | E008DF69 0000 3008DF69 0001 |
Have Cooking Oil | E008DF6A 0000 3008DF6A 0001 |
Have Office Key | E008DF6B 0000 3008DF6B 0001 |
Have Lounge Key | E008DF6C 0000 3008DF6C 0001 |
Have Wire Cutters | E008DF6D 0000 3008DF6D 0001 |
Have Elevator Key | E008DF6E 0000 3008DF6E 0001 |
Have Storeroom Key | E008DF6F 0000 3008DF6F 0001 |
Have A New Desire | E008DF70 0000 3008DF70 0001 |
Have Wrench | E008DF71 0000 3008DF71 0001 |
Have Meat Locker Key | E008DF72 0000 3008DF72 0001 |
Have White Vase | E008DF73 0000 3008DF73 0001 |
Have Black Vase | E008DF74 0000 3008DF74 0001 |
Have Red Vase | E008DF75 0000 3008DF75 0001 |
Have Paper Madam Chen | E008DF76 0000 3008DF76 0001 |
Have Madam Room Key | E008DF77 0000 3008DF77 0001 |
Royce Item Cheats – Disc 3 (Requires Game Shark 2.2 or Higher)
Cheat | Code |
---|---|
Have Stone Scroll | E008DFDE 0000 3008DFDE 0001 |
Have Stone Willow | E008DFDF 0000 3008DFDF 0001 |
Have Stone Eye | E008DFE0 0000 3008DFE0 0001 |
Have Coin | E008DFE8 0000 3008DFE8 0001 |
Have Sunflower | E008DFE9 0000 3008DFE9 0001 |
Have Mach Gun ‘O Love | E008DFEA 0000 3008DFEA 0001 |
Have Pistol Whipper | E008DFEB 0000 3008DFEB 0001 |
Have Flowers | E008DFEC 0000 3008DFEC 0001 |
Have Cooking Oil | E008DFED 0000 3008DFED 0001 |
Have Office Key | E008DFEE 0000 3008DFEE 0001 |
Have Lounge Key | E008DFEF 0000 3008DFEF 0001 |
Have Wire Cutters | E008DFF0 0000 3008DFF0 0001 |
Have Elevator Key | E008DFE1 0000 3008DFF1 0001 |
Have Storeroom Key | E008DFF2 0000 3008DFF2 0001 |
Have A New Desire | E008DFF3 0000 3008DFF3 0001 |
Have Wrench | E008DFF4 0000 3008DFF4 0001 |
Have Meat Locker Key | E008DFF5 0000 3008DFF5 0001 |
Have White Vase | E008DFF6 0000 3008DFF6 0001 |
Have Black Vase | E008DFF7 0000 3008DFF7 0001 |
Have Red Vase | E008DFF8 0000 3008DFF8 0001 |
Have Paper Madam Chen | E008DFF9 0000 3008DFF9 0001 |
Have Madam Room Key | E008DFFA 0000 3008DFFA 0001 |
Deke Item Cheats – Disc 3 (Requires Game Shark 2.2 or Higher)
Cheat | Code |
---|---|
Have Stone Scroll | E008E062 0000 3008E062 0001 |
Have Stone Willow | E008E063 0000 3008E063 0001 |
Have Stone Eye | E008E064 0000 3008E064 0001 |
Have Coin | E008DF6C 0000 3008DF6C 0001 |
Have Sunflower | E008DF6D 0000 3008DF6D 0001 |
Have Mach Gun ‘O Love | E008DF6E 0000 3008DF6E 0001 |
Have Pistol Whipper | E008DF6F 0000 3008DF6F 0001 |
Have Flowers | E008DF70 0000 3008DF70 0001 |
Have Cooking Oil | E008DF71 0000 3008DF71 0001 |
Have Office Key | E008DF72 0000 3008DF72 0001 |
Have Lounge Key | E008DF73 0000 3008DF73 0001 |
Have Wire Cutters | E008DF74 0000 3008DF74 0001 |
Have Elevator Key | E008DF75 0000 3008DF75 0001 |
Have Storeroom Key | E008DF76 0000 3008DF76 0001 |
Have A New Desire | E008DF77 0000 3008DF77 0001 |
Have Wrench | E008DF78 0000 3008DF78 0001 |
Have Meat Locker Key | E008DF79 0000 3008DF79 0001 |
Have White Vase | E008DF7A 0000 3008DF7A 0001 |
Have Black Vase | E008DF7B 0000 3008DF7B 0001 |
Have Red Vase | E008DF7C 0000 3008DF7C 0001 |
Have Paper Madam Chen | E008DF7D 0000 3008DF7D 0001 |
Have Madam Room Key | E008DF7E 0000 3008DF7E 0001 |
Hana Item Cheats – Disc 4 (Requires Game Shark 2.2 or Higher)
Cheat | Code |
---|---|
Have Stone Scroll | E008DF5A 0000 3008DF5A 0001 |
Have Stone Willow | E008DF5B 0000 3008DF5B 0001 |
Have Stone Eye | E008DF5C 0000 3008DF5C 0001 |
Have Paper Gate | E008DF64 0000 3008DF64 0001 |
Have Paper Gate Key | E008DF65 0000 3008DF65 0001 |
Have Tree Branch | E008DF66 0000 3008DF66 0001 |
Have Paper Pistol | E008DF67 0000 3008DF67 0001 |
Have Paper Shotgun | E008DF68 0000 3008DF68 0001 |
Have Paper SMG | E008DF69 0000 3008DF69 0001 |
Have Paper Assault Rifle | E008DF6A 0000 3008DF6A 0001 |
Have Pistol Ammo | E008DF6B 0000 3008DF6B 0001 |
Have Shotgun Ammo | E008DF6C 0000 3008DF6C 0001 |
Have SMG Ammo | E008DF6D 0000 3008DF6D 0001 |
Have Assault Rifle Ammo | E008DF6E 0000 3008DF6E 0001 |
Have Doll | E008DF6F 0000 3008DF6F 0001 |
Have Stone Scroll | E008DF70 0000 3008DF70 0001 |
Have Tree Branch | E008DF71 0000 3008DF71 0001 |
Have Gate Key | E008DF72 0000 3008DF72 0001 |
Have Stone Eye | E008DF73 0000 3008DF73 0001 |
Have Stone Tree Half | E008DF74 0000 3008DF74 0001 |
Have Stone Tree Whole | E008DF75 0000 3008DF75 0001 |
Have Crank | E008DF76 0000 3008DF76 0001 |
Royce Item Cheats – Disc 4 (Requires Game Shark 2.2 or Higher)
Cheat | Code |
---|---|
Have Stone Scroll | E008DFDE 0000 3008DFDE 0001 |
Have Stone Willow | E008DFDF 0000 3008DFDF 0001 |
Have Stone Eye | E008DFE0 0000 3008DFE0 0001 |
Have Paper Gate | E008DFE8 0000 3008DFE8 0001 |
Have Paper Gate Key | E008DFE9 0000 3008DFE9 0001 |
Have Tree Branch | E008DFEA 0000 3008DFEA 0001 |
Have Paper Pistol | E008DFEB 0000 3008DFEB 0001 |
Have Paper Shotgun | E008DFEC 0000 3008DFEC 0001 |
Have Paper SMG | E008DFED 0000 3008DFED 0001 |
Have Paper Assault Rifle | E008DFEE 0000 3008DFEE 0001 |
Have Pistol Ammo | E008DFEF 0000 3008DFEF 0001 |
Have Shotgun Ammo | E008DFF0 0000 3008DFF0 0001 |
Have SMG Ammo | E008DFF1 0000 3008DFF1 0001 |
Have Assault Rifle Ammo | E008DFF2 0000 3008DFF2 0001 |
Have Doll | E008DFF3 0000 3008DFF3 0001 |
Have Stone Scroll | E008DFF4 0000 3008DFF4 0001 |
Have Tree Branch | E008DFF5 0000 3008DFF5 0001 |
Have Gate Key | E008DFF6 0000 3008DFF6 0001 |
Have Stone Eye | E008DFF7 0000 3008DFF7 0001 |
Have Stone Tree Half | E008DFF8 0000 3008DFF8 0001 |
Have Stone Tree Whole | E008DFF9 0000 3008DFF9 0001 |
Have Crank | E008DFFA 0000 3008DFFA 0001 |
Fear Effect Cheat FAQs
How long to beat Fear Effect?
In terms of survival horror games, Fear Effect is fairly straightforward. Most players will see everything the game has to offer in a single playthrough. As such, most games of Fear Effect take roughly 7.5 hours on average, and completionist playthroughs typically run about 8. Of course, depending on player skill, the game could take more or less time due to instant-failure segments relating to combat or puzzle-solving.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©CheatCC/Matt Karoglou.