Dark atmospheric brutality
I finished this game awhile back, and I tend to agree with the review.
Definitely more enjoyable than the first I would say is the bottom line for Condemned 2: Bloodshot.
Especially in terms of level design, surprisingly I really didn't get lost at all in Condemned 2.
As this was a big problem in the first game due to the fact that the environments, while incredibly detailed, were also recycled a lot. This made it easy to get lost and think to yourself "Have I already been here?" constantly.
Condemned 2: Bloodshot has an easy to access GPS system to help guide you through the levels. This would have been a great addition in the Condemned 1, but in this current incarnation of Condemned I barely used the thing because it the games levels are set up much more varied and streamlined.
The locations also set this game apart. While they may not most original idea's, they certainly work in terms of the fright factor.
A couple of the locales had me thinking "Oh great, not this kind of place" before I even started moving around the level. The lighting is also very strong in this title, and in many instances really has you wondering what is going to jump out at you momentarily.
Many of the enemies character models are also tailored to the levels environments making already strong designs look even better.
So yeah, the levels are really memorable and put together great.
Of course the main reason you may love or hate the Condemned series is it's fairly unique combat system. Smashing dudes in the face with blunt weapons has never been so satisfying or brutal.
The sound effects and enemies reactions to being hit, while slightly exaggerated are great and come off as totally believable. Once you learn the nuance's of the controls you can seriously do some damage and have a blast doing it.
New this time around is a completely revamped meleecombat system beyond your basic punches and kicks. Now you can fill a combo meter, and when full if you time attacks just right and push the right combination of buttons you can do some series melee damage.
I suppose I should also mention this game has guns. They work well and can be very effective, but ammo is usually short, and administering pipe/axe/crowbar/ect. beating's is far more satisfying.
The story isn't incredibly bad, and is a continuation of the first games. Of course, this means it isn't incredibly good either.
It does in fact have a few bright moments, especially during some of the investigative scenes.
Good voice work and great sound design creates a great atmosphere for the setting and also helps move things along at a decent pace.
I would also highly recommend using a 5.1 surround setup or better if possible while playing this game, because the sound designers really did a great job of immersing the player into the action in this area of the game as well.
In short: Come for the dark atmospheric brutality, stay for the fairly unique and satisfying combat system
