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MAJOR Improvement

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: March 13, 2008
Author: Amazon User

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.

Better then the first? In Most Ways, YES!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: March 16, 2008
Author: Amazon User

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

Three & A Half For Some Great Levels

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: March 28, 2008
Author: Amazon User

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.

Outshines the original

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: March 20, 2008
Author: Amazon User

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.

Better in every way...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: March 13, 2008
Author: Amazon User

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...

More action and cutscenes, less atmosphere

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: June 17, 2008
Author: Amazon User

THE GOOD:

Great graphics, the gameplay has been HUGELY improved from the original, and the story is interesting. It definitely feels more supernatural than the first one, because they hit you with the mental stuff right off the bat. So right away, this game feels like the awesome, hallucinaton-filled second half of the first game. That's a very good sign. It goes back to "reality" a few chapters in, and the hallucinations/supernatural elements become less common, but it's still fun.

The combat is fun - some people say it's become too easy to beat down on the thugs, and so it takes away from the suspense...but it's fine with me, because 1.) It's not THAT easy to beat up the thugs, you're still on your toes, plus they often attack in packs, and 2.) Story-wise, it makes sense. Ethan's been through so much, he *should* have learned to fight better since the original. So instead of feeling cheap when you're doing a Chain attack on someone, you feel awesome and powerful.

The investigation segments...gah, they're so much better it's ridiculous. Instead of just finding the victim's wound and taking a picture, you have to decide whether they were stabbed or shot; whether it's an entry wound or exit wound, etc. It's awesome.

Now, for...

THE BAD:

The environments you explore are reminiscent of the first game - run-down, deserted buildings. You spend more time outside in the city, which I don't particularly like...at least in the first game, you could pretend that the outside world is "normal", that you're really exploring a deserted department store in a real city. In this game, you're often outside, and the city is ridiculously deserted and the sky is green. Stupid.

It has more cutscenes...more cutscenes that either try to show how "cool" Ethan is, or cutscenes that make you think "What the hell just happened?" For example....*MINOR SPOILERS*....I found a body, took some pictures, thinking how fun that was. I had been with two cops, and we got separated, so I had to tell them the number of the room I was in. And then suddenly a cutscene started which showed those two cops running with the body on a bridge, with Ethan running after them at the head of a gang of thugs. One of the cops turned and shot some electrical box that made a line of fire block the bridge, so Ethan and the thugs had to stop. It wasn't until the "good" cop cried "Ethan's still back there!" that I realized Ethan was NOT suddenly aligned with the thugs. It was just a stupid-looking cutscene, and something you'd never find in the first game.

Anyways, the constant moves from gameplay to action-packed cutscene are jarring and pretty much kills any of the lonely, mysterious atmosphere the first game had.

Another thing I just don't like is the "upgrade" system. If you find things throughout the level (like the dead birds from the first game), you get Mission Points. Do good enough on a Mission (chapter), and you get an Upgrade. Stuff like bullet-proof vests, silver knuckles, etc. It sounds cool...but I kind of like the idea of surviving with whatever you can find in the environment, and getting upgrades that, well, make sense with the game world. It's ridiculous to jump off a roof in Chapter 2, and land in the factory in Chapter 3 with a brand-new bulletproof vest. It feels like it came straight out of a videogame from 1995.

So...overall I think it's still a good game, and I think it's worth $30, but not $60. It seems to have the "Prince of Persia 2" syndrome. It's like the marketing people didn't like the sales of the first game, so they made Monolith put in "more action" and stuff like that. Although at $30, it's kind of tough to go wrong when you know what you're getting into.

Over Rated..

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 4 / 17
Date: March 23, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Although it at least attempts to be creepy (unlike other games for whatever reason) this game is average at best. Im amazed at some of the reviews it has received. The graphics arent good and its even disguised because its constantly dark so perhaps the average gamer could overlook this issue. On the cover you see a peep hole and this is the spectrum of visibility you get throughout this game. Things will attack you many times and you will struggle to find them. Even when you find the enemy you can barely see them in many situations. The flashlight is optional (you can turn it off and on) and Im not sure why. I have a 40inch 1080p TV running this game direct from the 360 at 1080i. What really gave me distaste was the area where they opted to use the "brain" to further blur and distort the view you are seeing. Send crazy glasses with the game if you want to make people struggle to see what they are doing. Their approach just doesnt enhance the fear the game is supposed to bring because of the annoyance and the writings on the wall are cheesy.

All in all they bring a lot of the same back from the first - same fighting instruments, etc. The manequins that follow you are back as well.

Pros
1. Combos
2. No other games seem to be able to produce creepy.
3. Invesigations add puzzles to a 1P shooter.

Cons
1. Frame rate issues.
2. Poor graphics disguised by dark (jumpy, etc.).
3. Very repetitive - definitely not open ended.
4. Its a repeat of the first with minor updates.

one of the better survival horror games for nxt gen systems

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 3
Date: March 15, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Im a big fan of survival horror games, and for condemned 2 it's all worth it. OK if u never played the first condemned it's ok, lots of improvements were brought up in 2. Play control.. this time u can combo up with ur fists, grapple and finish off enemies directly into the background, blocking really requires some skill,(u just can't simply hold down and block thinking ur not going to recieve damage, u actually have to time enemy attacks to maximize inflicting damage to enemies). GRAFx..from deep dark street hallways, to alleyways, to inside ur head pyschosis dreams of medical tables ect. everything looks good and creepy/fearful(i just love the fact ur character is so opened to the enviroment, anyone/anything can come at u at any direction and attack u, this always brings fear and suspenseful emotions to oneself). story...story is deep and intriging it comes directly from part one but enough for first timers to "get the picture". sounds r one of the elements any SH game should have, creepy shadows lurking everywhere, footsteps, object being thrown down wow scary. overall in a simply way... if ur not a fan of SH games don't get this, but if u love SH games get condemned 2 its all the worth it. oh, the online modes r really fun to play. team up go against other group of people. I just hope in the long run if there's any plans to make condemned 3 sega should make the story mode co - op make ethan have a partner just as tough. Nuf said..."fear is facinating".. superbeast7877

What u do

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 2
Date: May 09, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Running around as a drunk; shootin and beating the hell out of everything in sight.

you will all die

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: April 17, 2008
Author: Amazon User

this game is hot better than the first but the first was great to but this one was better more serious envestigations more terror its like the suffering ties that bind combined with resident evil4 this game was not scary though it was great playing this game after beating part1 i new part 2 was going to come out and this is better more great effeacts great weapon use and you can use your fist you could'nt do that in part one but this game is great

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