The Challenging Horror Thriller,Condemned 2
July 7th 2008 16:30
It would be inappropriate to call Condemned 2: Bloodshot a First Person Shooter (FPS) because, this is a game which focuses primarily on melee combat rather than gun fights. Thus, it would be more accurate to call Condemned 2: Bloodshot a first person brawler.
Developed by Monolith, the same studio that was responsible for the outstanding FPS F.E.A.R on the PC, Condemned 2: Bloodshot is the sequel to the 2005 game Condemned: Criminal Origins which was also developed by the same studio and is a horror/thriller themed first person action/adventure game. The game is available on the Xbox 360 and PS3 and this review is of Xbox 360 version.
In the sequel, players once again reprise the role of Ethan Thomas, a former agent of the Serial Crime Unit (SCU) of Metro City who has now left the unit and has become an alcoholic, trying to forget his strange past. When crime and violence spirals out of control in the city, the SCU calls upon Ethan to help them out in controlling the thugs and hooligans for which, Ethan reluctantly agrees to do. What follows is a chilling storyline in which the natural and the supernatural get tangled, a conspiracy theory is unearthed all the while Ethan tries to find out more about his own mysterious past.
Since this game is more of a brawler than a shooter you will face off against drug addicts, brutes and thugs in either hand to hand combat or melee weapons. This time, Ethan can fight with both his fists, a feature which was missing in its first version. Pressing the LT button makes Ethan throw a left punch and pressing the RT button makes him throw a right punch and pressing both the trigger buttons makes him block enemy attacks. Combos of left and right punches or that of blocking and punching can also be thrown together to give extra damage to enemies.
Melee weapons come in 30 different types, they can be found lying around almost every corner of every level. Almost anything and everything can be used to fight enemies which include items such as hammers, steel pipes, wooden boards, baseball bats, swords, bricks and toilet seats etc. You will also find some weapons level specific. For instance, in bowling alley there you will find bowling balls, bowling pins and gumball machines.
Even though gun fights are not the strongest point of Condemned 2 and not as much fun as the melee combat, they are nonetheless present in the sequel in adequate quantities. Firearms in the game include assault rifles, shotguns and various kinds of pistols. You cannot carry extra ammo in the game, which means that you can only use whatever is present in the gun or only the maximum amount of bullets the gun can hold. Once the gun is empty, it can be used as a melee weapon.
In the sequel forensic investigation and interactive sequences are improved. While playing, you will have to investigate a crime scene using various tools like your camera and ultra-violet light emitter. In other sequences you will also have to answer questions or even ask sensible questions in order to get more information about an event or the storyline.
Both, the combat and investigation sequences are thoroughly enjoyable because they are very well done. The enemy AI is smart and will duck in cover to escape your attacks, try to attack you with any item that might be lying around and they will also try to sneak up on you from around corners to gain an upper hand. Sometimes you will also see thugs fighting each other rather than you, making their behaviour all the more realistic.
On the normal difficulty level, the enemies whether equipped with melee weapons or firearms, provide a challenge which is just right, neither too hard nor too easy. While combat tests your reflexes and trigger fingers, the investigation sequences, test your memory and reasoning and observation skills and force you to slow down and think before you make your choices thus changing the pace of the game formidably.
Condemned 2 is a stunning game to look at. Whether you are roaming the streets of Metro City, exploring an abandoned school or trying to find your way out of the doll factory each and every level is extremely detailed and wears a dreary and desolate look. The walls, the furniture and the overall design drool with creepiness and giving a sense of abandonment.
Similarly, enemy design is also very nice and you will notice enemies wearing all sorts of masks such as hockey and skull masks which make them look disgusting and if they are not wearing any mask then you will see a deranged look in their eyes.
With excellent voice acting and sound effects the game also shines in the sound department. All the actors deliver their dialogues in a very sober tone, true to the grim setting. You will notice each weapon having different sound from the other, like wooden weapons to those of metal, glass breaks with a different sound than that of bricks. Whereas, weapon firing does not sound very good but still maintains its place.
The musical score in the game stays on low keys almost all the time, thus making the environment all the more suspenseful. Overall, the game has great production value.
So if you are looking for a solid action/horror game that will keep you on the edge of your seat with its thrilling moments, terrifying atmosphere and gripping plot then Condemned 2: Bloodshot is the game for you. This game should not be missed by action junkies, it is a must have.
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