This next-gen launch title gives some of the best looking PC games a run for their money. Although the game uses FEAR's engine, it looks quite different and manages to incorporate a look of its own. It's this blurry, eerie, creepy, scary look that is what is so great about this game's graphics. The flashlight effect is something you get used to quickly, as you see it from the first second of the game and never stop using it as the game gets darker and darker. Many nice effects are seen throughout the game such as, bump mapping, great lighting effects, and some very high-res textures. The effects projected on your metal, beaten-up, scratched weapons give the game the certain next-gen feel. The environments become more and more interesting and the levels never really feel like the previous.
However there are a few shortcomings in the graphics department for Condemned. You will see some odd animations performed by your enemies, especially when they are running away from you. They may also get stuck on each other when there is 2-3 of them in a small hallway.
The only other problem I had with the graphics in Condemned are the character models. The faces are very bland and seem to have a very low skin texture on them. It seems only the crazy addicts that attack you are the only ones that have any type of face texture.
Condemned does an amazing job in scaring the crap out of you with the sound. Whether it's the creepy ambience of enemies ahead, or the chillingly realistic sounds of bats and pipes hitting your head, Condemned sounds will never really disappoint you. The voice acting in this game, although not the best out there, does a good job as well. If there's anything Condemned does closest to perfection, it is sound.
Final Word
Condemned is definitely worth owning. The game is very immersive, many times I felt like I was in a dark empty hallways with crazy criminals hiding behind the next door, just waiting to bash me in the face. All the levels were very impressive and although the story may raise a few eye-brows in confusion, I felt that it was good enough most of the game. Condemned is probably the best Single-Player experience you can have for your Xbox 360 at the moment.
Condemned does not feature any type of online play or co-op features. Although this is a huge negative to the game, many great games in the past stand alone with single-player (i.e. Max Payne 1 and 2). Condemned does offer a huge list of achievements to unlock and this could give a player a pretty long replay value. Could Condemned have featured some Co-Op play? Sure, although the investigating parts would need some sort of innovation to spread them between 2 or more players.
If you enjoy horror games, or if you just want to experience a true next-gen game, you owe it to yourself to pick up Condemned: Criminal Origins.
