Condemned: Criminal Origins [X360]

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.