Hmm...what both Doom 3 and FEAR seem to get wrong is the use of suspense. Let's put it this way; what can't see and don't know is a lot more scary than in-your-face-stunts. Granted, FEAR does know how to build up the scariness; but when the enemy is revealed right from the start; is quite human-like(the giggling ) and is shown times and times again towards the end; the whole well-built-cathedral of scares just topples down. Also, you can use a huge arsenal of uber-weaponry. Playing as one man army, when compared to let's sayyy... a weak thief/regular schmuk/investigator isn't all that fear-mongering.
That creepy corridor scene was weird in a good way; but after what most of us players have seen during our, so to say, carieers; little red riding hoods and lots of gore just isn't enough. Each time I saw that brat my intinct was to tell it to shut up and fight fairly. That bitch.
Well, I grew up playing Thief. No can do.
For the record; Undying and Bloodlines managed to scare me more then usual; but in both the scares just ded after so many boos and gotchas, your sesses just dampen them out. Furthermore; after you progressed you become more and more powerful, effectively wiping out armies of monsties and paranormal entities. I mean really; why would a full-fledged bloodsucking monster/fated warrior wielding a soul-sucking scythe and celtic rune magic fear some ghosts?
Pfft; target practice.