Condemned: Criminal Origins [X360]

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.