Product Description

The next chapter in the terrifying series. With an all new combat mechanic and online multiplayer feature. Prepare to be immersed in a world of psychological terror..

Summary - Condemned 2 is the next chapter in the terrifying series that began with the award-winning and critically-acclaimed Condemned. Featuring an all-new fighting mechanic and online multiplayer functionality, Condemned 2 is a first-person action thriller which immerses players in a world of psychological terror. Following a string of gruesome murders, players must use their deductive skills and brute force to track down a sadistic serial killer. Players will assume the identity of Ethan Thomas, the former Serial Crimes Unit investigator, who has been called back to duty to track down his missing partner. As Ethan, players will engage in visceral combat using a variety of firearms, blunt instruments and an all-new fighting system complete with defensive and offensive combo chains. To help track the killer and solve the mysteries behind Condemned 2, players will crack open an all-new set of high-tech forensic tools.

• Online functionality for both PS3 and Xbox 360. Up to 8 players and 3 unique modes.
• New forensics system with a non-linear approach to solving crime scenes.
• Improved combat system with vicious combo attacks and over the top finishing moves.
• Bare-fisted combat, grappling, bone breaking and neck snapping - whatever it takes to disable the enemies.
• All new weapons including items taken straight from the environment. Quarter rolls, nail guns, tire irons, wrenches, brass knuckles, baby dolls, AND a massively destructive military style arsenal.
  
  

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1612 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Sega
• Released on: 2008-04-04
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Platform: Xbox 360
• Dimensions: .26 pounds

Manufacturer's Description

The next chapter in the terrifying series. With an all new combat mechanic and online multiplayer feature. Prepare to be immersed in a world of psychological terror.

Summary - Condemned 2 is the next chapter in the terrifying series that began with the award-winning and critically-acclaimed Condemned. Featuring an all-new fighting mechanic and online multiplayer functionality, Condemned 2 is a first-person action thriller which immerses players in a world of psychological terror. Following a string of gruesome murders, players must use their deductive skills and brute force to track down a sadistic serial killer. Players will assume the identity of Ethan Thomas, the former Serial Crimes Unit investigator, who has been called back to duty to track down his missing partner. As Ethan, players will engage in visceral combat using a variety of firearms, blunt instruments and an all-new fighting system complete with defensive and offensive combo chains. To help track the killer and solve the mysteries behind Condemned 2, players will crack open an all-new set of high-tech forensic tools.

Customer Reviews

Dirtier than a crow's beak
Condemned: Criminal Origins was one of the better launch titles for XBox 360. Although plagued by some slighty dodgy hand-to-hand combat the game was one of the most disturbing and grim experiences available on any console.

The sequel improves on the original in all aspects. Graphically it's one of the dirtiest games I've ever seen - the grim and slime will be testing your HD TVs to the limit. Combat has been upgraded making things a little easier to control and more involving. Combos and upgrades have been introduced to enhance the hand-to-hand combat, but you'll still find any more than 2 enemies at a time a real challenge especially if one is armed with a gun. There's also the option to grab bits of the scenery to use as weapons with varying levels of effectiveness. When you do get hold of a firearm the ammo is extremely limited but there is a new option to replay all the levels after completing the game armed to the teeth!

Multiplayer is a new addition too. Although it won't be challenging COD4 or Halo 3 for the top spot on XBox Live there's enough varity to warrant it's inclusion.

If your idea of a good night out is getting high on crystal meth laced with LSD, drinking 5 litres of lighter fluid and picking a fight with the occupants of your local crack-house this is definately for you.

REVIEW UPDATE - I probably should have mentioned this does not include any Southpaw or Legacy controls options - naughty Monolith - so left-handers beware!

REVIEW UPDATE II - having spent a bit more time with the multiplayer I have to say it's a bit a botch job. Around 400 gamerpoints are on offer and that's probably the only reason I'll be playing it again (if at all).

Stick with it......
Condemned 2: Bloodshot takes place eleven months after the events of the first Condemned. The mysterious phenomena causing insane violence and mass psychosis amongst Metro City's homeless population has worsened, with riots breaking out across the city.

Ethan Thomas, having resigned from the FBI's Serial Crime Unit after the events of the Serial Killer X investigation in the first Condemned game, has been caught in a downward spiral and now finds himself homeless, violent, and alcoholic.

The start of Condemned 2 sees Ethan recruited back into the SCU to investigate the murder of his one-time mentor Malcolm Vanhorn. He is aided by his old partner Rosa and commanded by the hostile and antagonistic Agent Dorland, SCU's tactical commander. Which imbroils him in a cunningly weaved plot of intrigue, power play and darkness.

When first playing this game I have to say it took some getting used to. Initially I found the hand-to-hand combat clunky, the level of difficulty quite tough (even on the 'Normal' difficulty setting) and I found it difficult to see where to go due to the nature of the dark and decayed surroundings that you find yourself in. In fact, I found the game so unforgiving I got as far as the second level and gave up on it, thinking there was no way I could plough through another 10 levels of it. However, I decided to give Condemned 2 one last go and returned to it. I have to say I am glad I did; after getting past the second level Condemned 2 seemed to blossom. The hand to hand combat got easier, the locations became more interesting and it turned out to be one of the most engrossing, atmospheric and delisciously dark games I have played in a long time.

Negative points: In some of the levels, the way forwards isn't entirely intuitive. Hand to hand combat can be uneven: some opponents fall relatively easily, whereas some seem to take Tyson-like punishment before they're defeated. The first few levels are pretty tough to get into.

Positive points: Crime scene investigations are great fun and very engrossing. The level design is very inventive and varied after you get past the second level. Intriguing storyline. Great sound and graphics. Finishing moves are varied and entertaining.

Overall, this isn't a perfect game. It is unforgiving to start with, and I can understand how it might put players off. However, it is well worth sticking with, the difficulty level eases off after the second level and what you end up with is a brutal, entertaining, dark story that that tries to do things a little different. Recommended.

If you're a fan of the first don't get your hopes up...
Condemned : Criminal Origins has become something of a cult classic since its release in 2005 and I for one was greedily awaiting the follow up, Bloodshot, this year. Sadly, it wasn't worth the wait.

What made the original special was the tense, claustrophobic atmosphere which took it's lead from movies like Seven, Silence of the Lambs and Saw. Sure it had it's flaws. The combat system, especially the blocking, was very temperamental and the forensic investigation sections where little more than point and click exercises. Nevertheless, playing this game with the light off was a bone chilling and memorable experience. Who could forget the department store level when the mannequins silently surround you or having to take the close-up picture of the victim in the school locker only for him to return to life. It makes me wonder then why the developers chose such a different tact for the sequel.

Condemned 2 play much more like a traditional FPS and two of the levels in particular where assault rifles can be found every few minutes turn the game in to a poor mans Call of Duty. There are still some levels where hand-to-hand combat prevails but they are now so many options the whole process feels diluted. Ironically the poor combat system in the first game probably added to the experience as every foe you took on was a challenge.

The storyline for the second outing is, to be blunt, an absolute mess. Forget hunting down a serial killer this time. Now we are off to the sci-fi land of secret organisations and plots for world domination. Yawn. Is it just me or has the whole conspiracy theory that goes all the way to the president idea been done to death in recent years? And in the case of Condemned 2 it has been done much, much better. Oh, and why has Rosa from the original gone from being a squat, bespectacled women in her forties to a skinny model come actress?? I liked the original Rosa!

Don't get me wrong. This isn't a terrible game but with expectations being so high it has fallen some way short. I really do hope that the team behind the game see their folly and start Condemned 3 with Ethan Thomas waking up to discover that Condemned 2 was just a dream and he is back working the beat as an SCU agent tracking down another psychopath.