Customer Reviews

Condemned 2: Bloodshot

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Condemned 2: Bloodshot brings back everything I loved about the first game, and improves on what I wasn't ecstatic about. Fans of the first version will applaud the updated fighting system here. Not only can you pummel your opponents with uppercuts, hooks, and one-two combos, but you can creatively finish them off with objects in the environment once they fall to their knees (smashing their heads into a nearby T.V. set, for example).

The forensic aspect of the game has been improved as well. In "Criminal Origins", collecting evidence was essentially a no-brainer. You just walked up to a scene, pressed a few buttons, and the game did the rest. This time around, the developers have made investigations more puzzling. The player is now required to analyze a scene with his/her own eyes and answer questions on it based on the details he/she sees. In addition to this, the player now has to choose the right tool for the scene (as opposed to "Criminal Origins" where the right tool was produced automatically). This adds a much more immersive aspect to investagting, and its something that I, personally, am very excited about. I like to use my brains once in a while when playing a video game.

Perhaps the coolest, and cleverest, addition to the game is the upgrade system. In "Criminal Origins", if a player was tenacious enough to earn a gold badge from a mission, he/she was rewarded with nothing more than some artwork or a video to watch from the bonus menu. In "Bloodshot", players are rewarded with upgrades to their character that will help them progress through the game (finishing the first mission with a silver badge, for example, will earn you some brass knuckles for your left fist that stay there permanently.) This type of reward system is ingenious, and it increases the replay value of the game immensely. In fact, many players will be reluctant to continue the game until they've beaten all of the missions with gold badges! I could be wrong about how this works, though. It may be that you are given these upgrades automatically -- I haven't been back through the levels to find out. Let me know if I'm wrong about this.

Finally, "Condemned 2" wins my affections most simply by being scarier than the first. The first game was tense and creepy, and got truly frightening in the final levels. But most of the time, I felt as if I was just kicking the mess out of drunks, addicts, and crazies. Here, the game takes a darker turn almost immediately. The crazies are still here, but some really creepy supernatural enemies are introduced early-on as well (skinny, fast, tar-like creatures that can be killed quite easily, but can destroy you pretty quickly if not dealt with right away.) It's these kinds of imaginative, bizarre enemies that make a great horror game, and Condemned 2 is definitely more of a survival-HORROR game than the first.

The only reason I did not give the game five-stars overall is because the graphics, while they look great, could have been tweaked a little more before the product was released. There are times when the framerate skips or stalls -- just for a moment -- and, even though its not enough to ruin the whole experience, it does jerk the player out of his immersion with the game. I don't like to be reminded that I'm only playing a game if I'm super-absorbed in what's happening in the game.

And Condemned 2 is definitely the kind of game that I want to stay super-absorbed in.

I loved the first game very much. The reality factor played a huge part in keeping the tension up; This time around we have some of those elements, along with an odd mix of semi-sci-fi elements, as well as other genres that don't always quite mesh. One minute it is like Silent Hill, the next has textures and sites similar to Gears of War. Not that there's anything wrong w/that I guess. And this is a beautiful looking game; Some levels really stand out. I especially enjoyed the Bowling Alley and the hallucinations in the Hospital. But the lodge level had such great potential for creepy things, and all you did was defuse bombs and shoot swat guys like some Tom Clancy game. There was one surprise on that level that was cool, but otherwise..Also, the same went with the magician's lair...so much cool potential, but just a so-so boss fight similar to Bioshock. Gone, for the most part, is the feeling of dread in a sort of Manuhunt kind of way... Not to say there aren't some heart-pounding moments, however. And while the forensics are more evolved and enjoyable this time, I didn't find turning cranks to destroy orbs for 10 minutes really all that fun. Or in line with what I thought the Condemned series was about. I appreciate games trying new things, but I think some of the plot threads and locations were misfires. I would also have to say when it was over, I was happy to move on to something hopefully more...um...fun. I guess I was just hoping for more of the same, only better.

Condemned two is a special game. Why you ask? Because it takes the first game *Which was great* and improves it. See I'll buy a sequel with minimal upgrades but the developers didn't want minimal upgrades. No, they wanted a full on upgrade!

Story - 9 - The story is now more action packed. While i favor the first games story slightly *I love the whole series killer thing* this one had some moments that i was like "OH DAMN" or "That was crazy!" And thats what makes condemned 1 and 2 so great. From start to finish the story feels complete and action packed.

Graphics - 8.5 - Some people say there not great. I would be lying if i said these have amazing graphics but there pretty damn good. Not perfect but good enough to say "Nice models" and "Cool scene!" And you gotta love the areas and atmosphere. It's what makes this game feel creepy and scary and one i could never forget.

Gameplay - 9 - Perfect? Not quite yet. Much better then the first though and i loved the first games combat. Combat is used like a boxing game. You use the trigger to punch like right trigger is right punch and left trigger is left punch. You can then do combos which do extra damage and look different. You also have super combo where you follow a special order to finish off a enemy. Also then you have a finisher where you grab the guy by the neck and throw em into an environment piece. Some look great, like throwing a guys head into a grinder and watching it pop. Gameplay is improved big time here and you never get bored.

Enjoyment - 8.5 - With better gameplay, graphics, and story how can this game not be a must owned? Add in a fun multiplayer *Though not perfect, still fun* and a very cool feel your gonna love this game. If you liked the first I'd advise you pick this one up. Also if you like dark and scary games this one is for you! Enjoy!

Final Score - 9/10

One upping the original in just about every department, Condemned 2: Bloodshot is a creepy and atmospheric FPS that deserves checking out. Those who played the original Condemned when the XBox 360 launched will find themselves in familiar shoes, once again taking the role of the demon haunted Ethan Thomas. Throughout your mission to uncover the truth behind a supernatural crime wave, you'll come across plenty of shocks, scares, surprises, twists, and even new gameplay mechanics; all of which will really keep you glued to the game. The frequent surprises and ever twisting storyline are the best things about Condemned 2, but the game's one big flaw is that for an FPS, the gunplay mechanics don't really work out as well as the melee mechanics do. The guns themselves aren't really anything special, but other weapons to be found are creative enough, and the evidence gathering elements of the game have been much improved this time around. Condemned 2 looks wonderfully dirty and grimy, with some great production values in terms of sound effects and graphics. It should also be noted that the violence and mature-themed tones have also been considerably upped as well, only adding to the just freaky atmosphere that Condemned 2 just manages to create. Multiplayer modes are nothing special in the least though, which is a bit of a disappointment. Flaws aside however, Condemned 2: Bloodshot is a sequel that outshines the original in nearly every way, and is a more than worthy FPS that deserves your attention.

Every complaint I had about the first Condemned has been addressed on the second release. Great controls and game play. Graphics are good and the sound is incredible, very creepy and sets a mood for the game that keeps you on edge of your seat. Definetly check this game out.

If you like Condemned: Criminal Origins, then you will like this one too. Bloodshot has the same errie and unsettling environments, and spooky special effects to compliment the mood.

The story in Bloodshot is directly related to where Criminal Origins left off. Bloodshot develeops Ethan Thomas even more so, and we learn about his past, and his relationship with Malcom.

The fighting mechanics are vastly improved. now there are stage fatalities, combos, and slow motion fist fights that let you see every bone being broken. Another improvement in the mechanics is that you control each fist seperatly, and you can carry multiple items. but the last one is one of the many upgrades you can now earn, depending on how well you do in each stage.

i highly recomand this series to anyone who enjoys the horror genre games.

First off, let me say that I enjoyed the first game. It was scary, had interesting characters, and overall a decent story line. This game though is by far better in every way. The new fighting style (combos, finishing moves, ect.) are awesome and leave you feeling more confident to face the hordes of twisted villains that are in the game. Also the variety of bad guys in this game is awesome too. The story is compelling and the graphics are amazing. The addition of FPS after you beat the game adds a new twist to make the game replayable as well. (FPS mode gives you a firearm from the start with unlimited ammo but with tougher enemies.) I haven't tried the multiplayer, but if it's as well thought out and developed as the campaign, I'm sure it will be great. The achievements are also fun to try and get. If your on the fence, give it a go. Well worth the money. If you haven't played the first one, get this one! It's better in every way...

Story
+It takes the premise of the first game, which was pretty awesome, and like any good sequel continues and expands the plot and world, partially through helpful tv and radio broadcasts and many more cutscenes than the original. Whereas the first game ended inconclusively, we now get some questions answered, with others left for the inevitable sequel. The pacing is better this time around, and relies less on the originals' "find tool to proceed" objectives.
-Though there's more plot movement in Bloodshot, the haphazard way of storytelling that brought the first down is still here, and all the more noticeable. Plot details and twists fly by without fanfare, and the cutscenes that tell the bulk of the story often feel comically rushed. There's also less tension to the story, in large part because the main mystery (why everyone is going insane) is explained, and in the last third the game takes an outright sci-fi turn that kills the tension for sake of action. Overall it's a good idea sloppily executed.

5/10-Adequate

Gameplay
+The tense and brutal melee combat and judicious use of guns that made the first game fun returns largely intact, with an expanded arsenal and array of enemies. The devs refined, balanced and changed several things-the health system, tasers, kicks, weapon ironsights, etc. The biggest plus is to melee, as alternate strikes, combos, QT chain attacks, throwing, and a revamped finisher system have all been added. All in all it's bigger, better, and more refined but still at heart just like the first game, and a few gameplay twists are thrown in the mix towards the end. The other main gameplay activity, forensics, has also received a major boost, now requiring some thought and being much more involved yet without requiring a major in chemistry.
-For all the improvements, the combat can(for me, at least) still become a bit of a drag, which means the game becomes a drag too.In the second half gunplay becomes much more prominant, which both kills the tension and displays the fact that Condemneds' shooter mechanics are sub par. The FPS bonus mode, which gives you infinite ammo, doesn't help in that regard. A few other gripes; the I found QTEs' stupidly hard to do, which made the(thankfully few) mandatory ones a royal pain, and sometimes the game doesn't indicate that you're being hit, so I occasionally found myself on my last legs with no idea how I got there. The forensics also becomes boring the second time through.

7/10-Good

Design
+Plenty of cramped, claustrophobic level design, tight yet not (usually) too confusing, just like the first game. Environmental puzzles spice things up. There are numerous extras hidden in the level-in addition to the usual hidden items, there are timed responses that flesh out the main character a bit, and radio/tvs that elaborate on the plot. In combination with forensics, all of these come together to form a level performance score, determining an upgrade you get at the end of each level. This gives you an actual reason to do these things, as well as character progression that opens up new abilities as you go.
-The contextual oriented controls can confuse and frustrate people over exactly what they can do and how to proceed, though after playing CO I was a bit more familiar with the tricks. The level design can get confused and mixed around on occasion, especially in the hotel level where the same layout is repeated floor after floor.

6/10-Average

Presentation
+The sound effects are the star here; the creaks, enemy sounds, and so on all contribute to the edgy, gritty atmosphere. There are definatly some good creep-out moments(dispite what I'll say below), and the enemies themselves in combat-the way they look, move, and jump out of the closet-all put you on edge. So basicly, everything is edgy. Graphics and gore effects are good and the environment palettes mix it up a bit from the usual urban look. Hit reaction, especially for guns, is well detailed.
-Voice acting is merely adequate. The game tends to rely on cheap visual effects in an attempt to scare you-hunchbacked figures flitting in and out of sight,etc.-which with some exceptions fall flat. Overall, the feeling of hostility and menace isn't as acute as it should be. One favorite cheap trick is that it sometimes blurs the screen during supernatural trips, making it very hard to see, and on a few disastrous occasions forces you to fight like that. There are a few glitches-floating objects, etc.

7/10-Good

Content
+The main campaign is longer than CO, clocking in at around eight hours. Take time to explore and you can stretch it to ten, or speed through it and it'll probably last around six hours. The mission scoring system gives it above average replayability, and the bonus FPS mode is fun.
-The multiplayer and fight club challenge modes, while better than the Story-only original, are sparse and won't last more than a few hours, if that. And like all horror games, playing through the campaign for the second time is much less engrossing than the first time.

5/10-Adequate

Overall

6/10-Average. It's worth playing, but only once. This is a good game to rent or buy used. It's undeniably more refined than the first game, but in my opinion something was lost in the translation.

Dead birds and psychotic behavior were two strange occurrences that happened while SCU agent Ethan Thomas chased a serial killer in Condemned: Criminal Origins. Now, city-wide violence has gone up, and a cult called the Oro is believed to be influencing it all. You once again are in control of Ethan Thomas, who (after the events of the first game) quit the bureau, and descended into alcoholism and homelessness. As a result, he's grown bitter, darker, and violent. So while he may look like he'll fight any crazed psychotic that crosses his path, he's still able to do good as a forensic investigator. As expected, the game still has the eerie tone of the first, but is way more darker, and violent. You are able to find more ammo for firearms in certain levels, but melee weapons are still the way here like before. The melee mechanics have changed somewhat, and enemy A.I. has improved, making the game more challenging especially if you decide to just melee every enemy. Forensic work is still a heavy occurrence. While you still do use tools to conduct the work, you're presented with choices in order to guess the nature of the crime. Correct guesses give you points which can add up and lead to rewards towards upgrades depending on how you do in levels. Also, the visions and hallucinations from the first game are back, very much so like in the F.E.A.R. games. Plus, in certain areas, lighting tends to become very dark, and in other areas very bright at times. Some have complained about it. It is my belief that it is all meant to disorient and challenge the player's sanity, and add to the overall dark tone. Not to make the game less enjoyable or unplayable. Last, but not least, while I don't mean to bag on the Playstation 3, I'm very glad I own an Xbox 360. No, I'm not a fanboy. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions about both systems. They both have their ups and downs, but after comparing certain games on both systems, the 360 seems to be better in my opinion. The reason why I'm stating this in the review? I've read some people claiming audio problems in the PS3 version of the game. I can assure that you won't find it on this version. I've played the entire game, it looks and sounds great. So if this seems like your kind of game, give it a chance. Parents, check the rating on the box, and see the "M for Mature" symbol before you decide to buy this for your kids.

Also, check out the F.E.A.R. games, which were also developed by Monolith, the creators of the Condemned series.

This is the last title I got to play before my 360 broke down and died at the ripe old age of 9 months. (I know, pathetic, isn't it? Heck, I still have my Sega Master System from 1984 and it works GREAT! ...yeah, so I still play it sometimes.) Luckily, it was a really, really title to end on. At least for the time being. Until I fix it.

Anyway, let's get down to brass tacks. Bloodshot.

Creepy, creepy, creepy--that's the name of the game here, Bubba.

Different in subtle ways from the original Condemned. How so? A bit more depth. I loved the added element of receiving rewards based on how well you perform in each level. You can accumulate all sorts of (permanent!) goodies, such as brass knuckles to increase your punching power, a kevlar vest to halve the damage you take from gunshots, and--my absolute favorite--the holster.

In the original Condemned, you could carry one (1) weapon with you. It added tension and not a few frustrating moments when you found yourself with a single bullet and had to decide whether to toss the pistol for a 2x4 with rusty nails in it, or keep the firearm, knowing that--placed correctly--that one bullet could dispatch an enemy at range with no risk to yourself.

This time around--providing you perform well enough--you can be granted a holster. This'll let you tuck away a pistol for later, and pick up a second weapon to wield in the meantime. There's at least one level where I know I made it through because I had that backup saved.

The story, alas, alack, has become akin to Lost: rather convoluted and confusing. (For example, some people in the world have a very special ability: they can explode your body by yelling at you. Yeah, I know. I was thinking, "Huh?" too) Still, the atmosphere hasn't changed at all. I focused on that and had no problems.

There are changes to the crime scene investigations, too. Now you actually have to look at the evidence and infer what happened based what you, the gamer, see on the screen. You have to be good at this to get those rewards I was talking about. I suppose you could get by on trial and error--the inferences are multiple-choice--but where's the satisfaction in that? I enjoyed studying those vicious, creepy crime scenes. Take your time. Soak it in.

I have to admit I also enjoyed the personification of your character's inner demons. Twisted versions of yourself, they show up from time to time and represent different fears and vices--read the scenes for cues as to which demon is there at any given moment. Most screen time is devoted to Alcohol, the demon that seems to be the strongest.

And speaking of alcohol, I'd watch your young, impressionable kids around this game. Just like the questionable morality of showing plumbers eating random mushrooms in order to grow big and strong, this game causes you to sate your character's addiction by chugging bottles of liquor from time to time. Without it, your hands shake badly, and you can't aim a weapon to save your life.

Was there anything I didn't like? I'm not sure I liked the survival of an important evildoer from the original (not spoiling anything with names). I would have been much more satisfied with him having died. It just doesn't seem likely that he wouldn't have.

And there also seems to be an overabundance of firearms in this title as opposed to the original, which gave it less tension and worries over your character's health.

Still, those are very minor things, and should not in any way dissuade you from giving this title a shot. I thoroughly enjoyed it.