Condemned: Criminal Origins
Nov 21, 2005
Edgy and atmospheric are two of the many words that help describe Condemned: Criminal Origins. Much like David Fincher's acclaimed film, Se7en, Condemned tells the story of a tormented FBI agent on the hunt for a serial killer. The environments you face are dark and gritty; the sights are often repulsive. While Condemned doesn't quite reach the level of Se7en, it does leave you with a distinct sense of being stalked. The beauty here isn't in the game -- it's in the adrenaline-powered terror that hasn't been matched since Rockstar released the overlooked Manhunt.
Condemned starts out normal enough, with the player taking on the role of Agent Thomas. You're on assignment, trying to track down a serial killer when he manages to get the drop on you. With two cops killed by your gun, you're now on the run attempting to prove your innocence by capturing the man that did it.
Split across 10 levels, Condemned's story unfolds in a series of episodes that leave you predictably one step behind the criminal. At times, you'll feel like the hunter -- but more often than not you're playing the role of prey, as a number of crazed maniacs attempt to prematurely end your life. It is here that the AI really shines, as both the drug addicts and the homeless attack with a frenzy that isn't typically seen in games. They'll charge at you ruthlessly, hide behind corners to give themselves an advantage, and genuinely look alarmed if you manage to disarm them.
Because Condemned is so atmospheric, you're forced to rely on the sense of sound to accurately place your opponents before an ambush. When played on a 5.1 surround system, every last noise is important. You can hear the echoing of movement in the distance, the constant buzz of flies when a dead animal is nearby, and the scuttling of feet as an enemy approaches sight unseen. Before long, you'll be turning the flashlight on at every little sound in anticipation of what it might be.
Condemned pulls much of its visual design from film noir -- think old school detective films crossed with a little Doom 3. They're dark, dingy, and require the constant use of a flashlight (which, thankfully, you can hold while fighting). Unfortunately, there is a bit of dichotomy to the visuals, as certain bits are extremely polished, while others seem rough.
For example, enemies look great when in motion, but often lay in unnatural positions when beaten down. Hair doesn't sag, but sits on a corpse like an immobile shell and your shadow is nothing more than a rough black outline. These oversights are almost inexplicable, given the touches that did make it in.
Level design is another mixed bag. Some environments, such as the store, feel well realized, but much of the game relies too heavily on repetitive textures. This, combined with the linear layout of the levels tends to make the majority of them look alike. It's also disorienting when one hall can look just like the next.
Combat is where Condemned really shines, as you have a nice selection of melee weapons to choose from. If you don't have one, just pick up whatever piece of trash is lying around. Guns can also be found, but they are limited to the few bullets in the chamber, so it's best not to rely on them. When fighting, you have to properly time your attacks as well as your blocks, which adds a bit of depth to the combat engine.
A taser is available to momentarily stun your opponent, but beware: If you miss the shot it takes a few seconds to recharge. Crafty combatants will quickly note that the crazies don't care who they fight, so in a group setting it pays to get two or more fighting each other instead of focusing on you.
The level of environment interactivity with the weapons is impressive, but like the visuals, it's uneven. Sure, you can grab a piece of conduit off the wall and cause the lights to short out, or use a fire axe to break down a door. But if you need to bust open a fence, you better have a shovel because that mighty axe won't dent it. This duality yanks you out of the otherwise immersive world.
Finally, there's the game's story. Though Condemned is presented as something of an interactive thriller, don't plan on doing any investigating. The plot is just as scripted and linear as the level design. You've got a wide selection of investigative tools, but you can only use them when the game tells you to. Of course, this prevents players from getting stuck or missing something important.
Condemned is a rather short, but thrilling ride. The plot is linear and there's virtually no replay value, but it's a hugely compelling ride thanks to the pure visceral nature of the experience. It's probably better value as a rental, but either way, you'd be crazy not to check it out... seriously, don't make us grab that pipe off the wall. We know how to use it.