Condemned 2: Bloodshot is a great experience, the atmosphere, fun combat system, crazy homeless lads and everything else included in the game makes the second installment of Ethan Thomas' wild life. Apr 22, 2009  The original condemned is a horror classic, enjoyable start to end. Condemned 2 is good up to about half way and then the problems start. Then some fights become far too tough (and I played on easy) and too many go on forever, turning levels into long boring slogs.

This post has not been edited by the GamesBeat staff. Opinions by GamesBeat community writers do not necessarily reflect those of the staff.The first Condemned came out alongside the launch of the Xbox 360. When I played it I found myself completely immersed in it's visceral blend of the survival horror and first person shooter genres.

The inclusion of first person melee and lack of ammo for the guns made the game a bit slower than most, but this worked well because it added to the claustrophobia and sense of dread the game instilled. I had been waiting for Condemned 2 since I finished that games rather vague ending, hoping for answers to the many questions that game presented. Now, I find myself waiting for Condemned 3 to get any real answers.Condemned 2 is not a complete loss. Sky force anniversary (switch review).

The developers made many improvements that make it a vastly better game than the first one. The combat is deeper and quicker. Enemies are more varied and have better artificial intelligence. The graphics have a good, if not huge, upgrade.Still, with all these improvements, many mistakes were made with concerns to the pacing of the game, and the way to story is portrayed.Condemned 2 drops you right into events, without any real set-up for players who may have missed the first game. Add to this mistake the fact that what is going on is so vaguely explained that players might just find themselves lost as to the motivation behind the main character.

Because of this lack of clarity the game simply ends up being the events taking place. Any deeper meaning or sense of an overriding plot get lost and what remains is the equivalent of walking through a house of horrors.Things get much better midway through the game, but my fear is that many players will have given up on it long before things turn around. This is a shame, because anyone who does give up on Condemned 2 will be missing out on one of the scariest encounters ever in a video game. Nothing beats the combination of a rabid bear and a run down cabin.The game is relatively short at only about ten hours, and the addition of online multiplayer will probably not extend the life of this game for most gamers. It feels rather tacked on and at this late date does not have many other players online to play with.Condemned 2 was a great rental for fans of the first game at launch, but the numerous problems contained in the game made the $60 price tag a little too steep. Now does seem like a much better time to try this game out. The price is hovering around $20 for a new copy, and you can pay even less if you don't have any quibbles about buying used games.Condemned 2 might leave you wishing that the developers had spent some time making the game good from front to back, but you are at least guaranteed a few scares.

I really hope the developers of this game can keep the improvements this game makes as far as gameplay, but add in a story that is worth caring about for the next game If there is a next game.Developer Monolith has proven that they can make dark, scary games that have cool gameplay innovations. What they have not proven is that they can make a clear and concise story to buoy all the hard work their artists, level designers and scripting programmers put into each game. Maybe if the company hired a few good writers their titles could step up to the next level. As they stand now Monolith is a good developer that has yet to make a truly AAA game.While I enjoy both the Fear and Condemned series, it might just be time for Monolith to return to square one and start things fresh in a new series not bogged down by past failures.

This game shines in 1080i. Characters, environments, and bad guys all look sharp and detailed.

One thing that really stood out to me was how realistic the facial expressions of the characters were during cinema scenes. Characters furrow eyebrows, tighten lips, and make other various subtle facial gestures that aren't usually seen in modern video games. This level of detail really impressed me and made many of the characters more believable.Even though the story and the visuals make this game pretty scary, by far the scariest element of this game comes from the sound department. Imagine: the room goes deathly silent. Suddenly you hear the lonely squeak of a metallic wheelchair down the hall. Then, out of nowhere, you hear a maniacal laugh, and this time it's loud.

You whip around just in time to see an 'Influenced' in a clown mask wailing on you with a weapon. The sounds are amazingly scary, mainly because of the timing. Most of the levels are silent or feature some light ambient music or noise. When you hear some low growling or something unexpectedly fall to the floor, it definitely makes you jump.

The voice acting in this game is also excellent, and the various characters sound very believable. The single-player mode is extremely enjoyable, and is definitely worth the price of the game. But this title also includes online multiplayer modes. However, these modes are not as impressive as the single player mode. If you're looking for an in-depth or lengthy multiplayer experience, this may not satisfy your needs, but if you want some fun and diverting short-term multiplayer, then this game's multiplayer modes are right up your alley.

There are two main multiplayer modes: Bloodshot Fight Club and the standard multiplayer mode. Bloodshot Fight Club mode is exactly what it sounds like, and features combat-based multiplayer challenges where you and your online teammates have to take down several different types of enemies from the single player mode, like thugs, speedballers, and mutated dolls. The objectives vary, and some modes require you to kill a certain number of enemies, while others require you to keep certain NPCs alive.

The other multiplayer mode features more classic multiplayer gameplay, with modes like deathmatch and team deathmatch. It also has a pretty cool Crime Scene mode that tests you ability to quickly gather and interpret evidence.Condemned 2: Bloodshot definitely has all the ingredients for a memorable horror game. It has enjoyable gameplay, an engaging story, some freaky visuals, and super-effective sound. And while it is the single player mode that stands out as the best part of this title, the multiplayer is not too shabby either. This game is definitely worth adding to your library.

That is, if you're not easily scared. Don't worry; we won't tell if you leave the lights on while you're playing!ByAmanda L.

KondolojyCCC Freelance Writer.