Condemned: Criminal Origins Profile

What we've seen and played so far of Monolith's Condemned: Criminal Origins has proven that this title is much darker and more disturbing than we'd initially anticipated. In addition to the focus on especially brutal melee combat, Condemned seems to be just as much about atmosphere and tension. To shed some light on what might be behind all the violence that seems to pursue your character, we've put together a selection of videos and screens showcasing the game's atmospheric tension and your main enemy, Serial Killer X.

Very little is actually known about the killer, so we'll tell you all we've been told. As far as we know, at the age of 13, Serial Killer X's mother and father were ambushed and slaughtered. His last memory of his parents was the sound of their painful screams and grisly death. The night of their death, something deep in his head snapped, something that never healed.

In terms of his physical appearance, Serial Killer X is tough and scarred. His dark, matted hair tops a brutish face. He could easily be mistaken for common thug if not for the gleam of purpose in his eyes. Though he only appears briefly throughout the game, he has a wide reaching impact on how the events in Condemned take place.

This first video shows a group of police, including yourself, investigating a warehouse when the lights suddenly get shut off. Surprise, you're the one that has to investigate. Next, you can check out what happens as you roam through the battered warehouse hallways, including a few creepy Mind's Eye sequences. These aren't supernatural occurrences, but rather premonitions that will periodically afflict your character as he uncovers more of the plot.

Investigation Discussion Low | High Serial Killer X Fuse Box Incident Low | High These next three videos showcase more Mind's Eye effects as well as introduce one of the few friendly characters in the game, Malcolm Vanhorn. As you and Vanhorn furtively whisper to each other, police are mounting the stairs of your apartment to arrest you and Serial Killer X is right outside your window. You'll eventually have to flee the apartment and the third video shows what you find after you get out, including a Mind's Eye sequence showing Serial Killer X snapping pictures of your apartment.

Vanhorn Intro Low | High Serial Killer X at the Window Low | High Serial Killer X Mind's Eye Event Low | High In this final video you'll be able to see Serial Killer X up close, as he mercilessly beats you in the stomach. Incidentally, he kills two people as he's pummeling you. Clearly he is not a kind man. Watch and be afraid.

Serial Killer X Administers a Beating Low | High

Keep checking back with IGN, we should have more enemy profiles up later this week.

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