<p align="center"> <img src="assets/EchoPatch_Logo.png" style="max-width:75%"> </p>

Modernizes F.E.A.R. and its expansions with HUD scaling, high-framerate optimizations, controller support, and other quality-of-life enhancements. It aims to be as non-intrusive as possible, applying runtime patches only, with no gameplay changes by default.

How to Install

[!NOTE]
Compatible with F.E.A.R. Ultimate Shooter Edition (Steam) and F.E.A.R. Platinum (GOG).
All features are compatible with Extraction Point and Perseus Mandate.

Download: EchoPatch.zip
Extract the contents of the zip file into the game's folder, in the same directory as the FEAR.exe file.
On first launch, EchoPatch will prompt to apply a LAA patch if needed to prevent loading issues.
This prompt will not appear for the GOG version, as the LAA patch is already applied there.

[!WARNING] The GOG version defaults to a 60 FPS cap.
To unlock higher framerates, modify the dxwrapper.ini file by setting LimitPerFrameFPS from 60 to 0.
This change enables compatibility with the HighFPSFixes optimizations, ensuring smooth performance at framerates up to 300 FPS.

[!WARNING] Windows Defender Controlled Folder Access (rare): If saves or settings are not persisting, Windows Defender may be blocking access to the save folder. Go to Windows Defender > Controlled Folder Access > Add an allowed app and add the game executable.

Steam Deck/Linux Specific Instructions (Windows users can skip this)

[!WARNING] To launch the game on Steam Deck or Linux, open the game's properties in Steam and include WINEDLLOVERRIDES="dinput8=n,b" %command% in the launch options.

On Steam Deck, change the controller configuration to Gamepad With Joystick Trackpad for controller support.

Features

HUD Scaling

• Dynamically scales HUD elements (texts, crosshair, icons) relative to screen resolution.
• Adjust HUDCustomScalingFactor in EchoPatch.ini to customize overall HUD scaling.
• Adjust SmallTextCustomScalingFactor for independent scaling of smaller text (e.g., subtitles).

<div align="center"> <table> <tr> <td width="50%"><img style="width:100%" src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Wemino/EchoPatch/main/assets/4K_HUD_Normal.png"></td> <td width="50%"><img style="width:100%" src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Wemino/EchoPatch/main/assets/4K_HUD_Scaled.png"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">4K Vanilla</td> <td align="center">4K EchoPatch</td> </tr> </table> </div>

Note: The base resolution (1024×768) is used as the reference for scaling, ensuring the HUD retains its original proportions and appearance on all higher resolutions.

High FPS Fixes

Resolves multiple issues at high framerates, designed and optimized for smooth gameplay at up to 300 FPS (particularly when using Slow-Mo):

• Havok ragdoll physics instability.
• Water physics instability.
• Excessive water splash effect repetitions.
• Frozen FX effects.
• Oversized particles.
• Overly dampened velocity when jumping out of water.
• Velocity dampening when jumping and landing.
• Walking animation prematurely reverting to idle, causing camera stutter.
• Inability to perform a jump kick.
• Excessive sliding on sloped surfaces.
• Slow-motion charge and timer desynchronization.

Optimized Save Performance

Dramatically reduces save times by buffering file operations in memory instead of writing directly to disk.
The game performs hundreds of thousands of individual WriteFile calls per save (over 220,000 for a typical 2MB save file), causing multi-second delays even on high-end hardware.

Fast VRAM Detection

Replaces the slow legacy DxDiag VRAM scan with instant DXGI detection, speeding up startup and performance settings access.

Input & Frame Drop Fixes

• FPS Drop Fix: Prevents framerate drops by stopping the game from initializing all HID devices as controllers.
• Input Lag Fix: Disables the SetWindowsHookEx call to reduce input lag.

Nvidia Rendering Fix

Resolves rendering issues such as shadow flickering and inversion on Nvidia GPUs.
This issue appeared in Nvidia drivers released after 2015 and persists in modern drivers, with a small performance trade-off for correct shadow rendering.

Note: Can be disabled by setting FixNvidiaShadowCorruption = 0 in EchoPatch.ini if wanted.

Framerate Limiter

Prevents the game from running too fast by capping the maximum framerate.

• MaxFPS (MaxFPS in EchoPatch.ini): Set the maximum framerate. A value of 0 disables the limiter, any other value enables it. The default value of 300 is recommended, as minor glitches may occur at uncapped framerates.
• Dynamic VSync (DynamicVsync in EchoPatch.ini): When enabled (1), VSync synchronizes frame updates to your monitor's refresh rate, reducing screen tearing. VSync will only be enabled if your monitor's refresh rate is lower than MaxFPS, otherwise it remains off. Set to 0 to disable.

Weapon Fixes

Addresses several weapon-related issues:

• Fix Aim/Zoom not working when loading a save during a cutscene.
• Automatic weapons stuck in firing animation when loading a save made mid-fire.
• Weapon cycling not working when there's an empty slot between two weapons.
• Weapon model position not updating correctly after reloading a save with the same weapon equipped.

Note: These issues were partially fixed in the Extraction Point and Perseus Mandate expansions.

Controller Support

Supports Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch controllers via SDL3.

| Controller Input | Action | |----------------------------------|-------------------------------------| | Left Analog Stick | Move | | Right Analog Stick | Aim | | Left Analog Stick (Press) | Use Health Kit | | Right Analog Stick (Press) | Toggle Flashlight | | South (A / Cross) | Jump | | East (B / Circle) | Crouch | | West (X / Square) | Reload / Interact | | North (Y / Triangle) | Toggle Slow-Motion | | RT / R2 / ZR | Fire | | LT / L2 / ZL | Aim / Zoom | | RB / R1 / R | Melee | | LB / L1 / L | Throw Grenade | | D-Pad Up | Next Weapon (Hold: Drop Weapon) | | D-Pad Down | Next Grenade (Hold: Holster Weapon) | | D-Pad Left | Lean Left | | D-Pad Right | Lean Right | | Back / Share / − | Mission Status (Hold: Quick Save) | | Start / Options / + | Pause Menu (Hold: Quick Load) | | Share / Capture | Holster Weapon | | Right Paddle 1 | Center View |

Note: Buttons support hold actions for secondary commands. Configure hold bindings and duration via EchoPatch.ini. See COMMANDS.md for the full list of command IDs.

Rumble

Supports controller vibration feedback.
Enable with RumbleEnabled = 1 in EchoPatch.ini.

Gyro Aiming

Enables motion-controlled aiming using the controller's gyroscope for supported controllers (DualShock 4, DualSense, Switch Pro Controller).

Configurable in the [Controller] section of EchoPatch.ini:

• GyroEnabled: Set to 1 to enable gyro aiming.
• GyroAimingMode: Determines when gyro is active (0 = Always On, 1 = Aiming Only, 2 = Hip Fire Only).
• GyroCalibrationPersistence: Set to 1 to save calibration data for automatic loading on reconnect if the controller has a unique serial number.

Note: If you experience gyro drift, place the controller on a stable surface for a few seconds to calibrate.

Additional Feature (PlayStation controllers)

• Touchpad: Mouse cursor control (DualShock 4/DualSense)

Customizable alongside sensitivity settings within the [Controller] section of EchoPatch.ini.

Note: Hotplugging is supported, connect or disconnect controllers at any time without restarting the game.

Some controller settings from EchoPatch.ini can also be adjusted directly in-game via a custom menu accessible from Options → Controls → Configure joystick/gamepad.

<div align="center"> <table> <tr> <td width="75%"><img style="width:100%" src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Wemino/EchoPatch/main/assets/ControllerMenu.png"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Controller Settings Menu</td> </tr> </table> </div>

Keyboard Input Fix

Corrects key mapping on non-English layouts by using hardware scan codes and fixing misreported DirectInput key names. Prevents "[unassigned]" entries on first launch, after resetting controls, or when reassigning keys.

Widescreen Resolution Support for Extraction Point

Removes 4:3 restriction so all widescreen resolutions are available.

LAA Patcher

Applies a Large Address Aware patch to allow up to 4 GB of memory (default 2 GB), which can resolve loading issues such as the "Disconnected from server" error.
The behavior of this option can be edited by setting CheckLAAPatch in the [Fixes] section of EchoPatch.ini.

Persistent W