 Stumbles a bit |
| Review Date: July 20, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Animyr, |
Story
+It takes the premise of the first game, which was pretty awesome, and like any good sequel continues and expands the plot and world, partially through helpful tv and radio broadcasts and many more cutscenes than the original. Whereas the first game ended inconclusively, we now get some questions answered, with others left for the inevitable sequel. The pacing is better this time around, and relies less on the originals' "find tool to proceed" objectives.
-Though there's more plot movement in Bloodshot, the haphazard way of storytelling that brought the first down is still here, and all the more noticeable. Plot details and twists fly by without fanfare, and the cutscenes that tell the bulk of the story often feel comically rushed. There's also less tension to the story, in large part because the main mystery (why everyone is going insane) is explained, and in the last third the game takes an outright sci-fi turn that kills the tension for sake of action. Overall it's a good idea sloppily executed.
5/10-Adequate
Gameplay
+The tense and brutal melee combat and judicious use of guns that made the first game fun returns largely intact, with an expanded arsenal and array of enemies. The devs refined, balanced and changed several things-the health system, tasers, kicks, weapon ironsights, etc. The biggest plus is to melee, as alternate strikes, combos, QT chain attacks, throwing, and a revamped finisher system have all been added. All in all it's bigger, better, and more refined but still at heart just like the first game, and a few gameplay twists are thrown in the mix towards the end. The other main gameplay activity, forensics, has also received a major boost, now requiring some thought and being much more involved yet without requiring a major in chemistry.
-For all the improvements, the combat can(for me, at least) still become a bit of a drag, which means the game becomes a drag too.In the second half gunplay becomes much more prominant, which both kills the tension and displays the fact that Condemneds' shooter mechanics are sub par. The FPS bonus mode, which gives you infinite ammo, doesn't help in that regard. A few other gripes; the I found QTEs' stupidly hard to do, which made the(thankfully few) mandatory ones a royal pain, and sometimes the game doesn't indicate that you're being hit, so I occasionally found myself on my last legs with no idea how I got there. The forensics also becomes boring the second time through.
7/10-Good
Design
+Plenty of cramped, claustrophobic level design, tight yet not (usually) too confusing, just like the first game. Environmental puzzles spice things up. There are numerous extras hidden in the level-in addition to the usual hidden items, there are timed responses that flesh out the main character a bit, and radio/tvs that elaborate on the plot. In combination with forensics, all of these come together to form a level performance score, determining an upgrade you get at the end of each level. This gives you an actual reason to do these things, as well as character progression that opens up new abilities as you go.
-The contextual oriented controls can confuse and frustrate people over exactly what they can do and how to proceed, though after playing CO I was a bit more familiar with the tricks. The level design can get confused and mixed around on occasion, especially in the hotel level where the same layout is repeated floor after floor.
6/10-Average
Presentation
+The sound effects are the star here; the creaks, enemy sounds, and so on all contribute to the edgy, gritty atmosphere. There are definatly some good creep-out moments(dispite what I'll say below), and the enemies themselves in combat-the way they look, move, and jump out of the closet-all put you on edge. So basicly, everything is edgy. Graphics and gore effects are good and the environment palettes mix it up a bit from the usual urban look. Hit reaction, especially for guns, is well detailed.
-Voice acting is merely adequate. The game tends to rely on cheap visual effects in an attempt to scare you-hunchbacked figures flitting in and out of sight,etc.-which with some exceptions fall flat. Overall, the feeling of hostility and menace isn't as acute as it should be. One favorite cheap trick is that it sometimes blurs the screen during supernatural trips, making it very hard to see, and on a few disastrous occasions forces you to fight like that. There are a few glitches-floating objects, etc.
7/10-Good
Content
+The main campaign is longer than CO, clocking in at around eight hours. Take time to explore and you can stretch it to ten, or speed through it and it'll probably last around six hours. The mission scoring system gives it above average replayability, and the bonus FPS mode is fun.
-The multiplayer and fight club challenge modes, while better than the Story-only original, are sparse and won't last more than a few hours, if that. And like all horror games, playing through the campaign for the second time is much less engrossing than the first time.
5/10-Adequate
Overall
6/10-Average. It's worth playing, but only once. This is a good game to rent or buy used. It's undeniably more refined than the first game, but in my opinion something was lost in the translation.
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A dark, muddy, ugly game with a stupid storyline
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| Review Date: June 27, 2010 |
| Reviewer: An IT Pro, Georgia |
Condemned 2's developers clearly played Manhunt 1 on PC and PS2. This game woefully tries to mimic its mood and storyline but instead provides ugly, muddy graphics and a storyline chock full of expletives for shock value.
I couldn't get pass the first level. The entire game looks like a huge oil slick was dumped on everything. One can barely make out characters or details because of the ugly color scheme and detail given to everything. The story is cheap and stupid - rather than provide an intriguing storyline and main character, the player is given cuss words and a main character that's about as ugly and filthy as his language. The combo system is clunky, frustrating, and pointless. Hell, the main character should be able to curse everyone out and just walk off. That's how the fight system should've been. Choose the best cuss word and watch what happens.
It's a stupid game developed by stupid people that knew they could cash in easily with the use of strong language that (mostly kids, wink wink) would be shocked at. I'm sure they were pissed with the M+17 rating as this game clearly was not targeting an intelligent, 20yr old+ audience.
Condemned 2 is dog excrement. |
Surprisingly Fun
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| Review Date: June 24, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Joseph Drake, |
I got this game when it was on the cheap because of good reviews I've seen for it.
I had no idea what the game would be like going into it and was decently surprised with the results. This game has a fun combat system and a variety of gameplay so it doesn't get old very quick. Can't say it is my favorite game, but it was definitely worth playing. |
Another terrifying title from Monolith.
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| Review Date: February 24, 2010 |
| Reviewer: PG, San Diego, CA |
| From the guys who brought you F.E.A.R. comes this terrifying first person fighter horror title. This game is truly awesome. It was one of the first three or four games that I finished on my PS3 and still have great memories of it. Sure it was dark but that is kind of the point. Sure the story is twisted. It still made a hell of a lot more sense than the first one(which I did play in the short time that I had an Xbox) The killer finishing moves made you want to jump out of your seat and yell "Hell yeah." My favorite part of the game was the variety of different environments you were in. Most were dirty and disgusting but each had a certain individuality. Funny that the scariest part of the game(in my opinion) was a part outside with no monsters at all(that I recall) You are in the snow looking for a cabin. The noises and ambience were freaking terrifying. Note: this game, although considerably more user friendly then the first one, is not an easy game and many times can be pretty frustrating. As long as you use the combo system to continue piling hits on your enemies until the button prompt comes to clobber the crap out of them, the game is not too bad. The problem is you can make it through nearly the entire game just mashing on the R1 and L1 buttons. This will not work with the final level as the enemies respawn. The lesson is use and master the combo system and you will love this game. Despite the dark and dirty setting, I still think this game has some of the best graphics that I have seen. At this price, you can't beat it. This is another one that I wish they would release trophies for as I would definitely give it another go through if that were the case. PSN ID GREMdude. |
This game SUCKS!
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| Review Date: January 17, 2010 |
| Reviewer: David Lazar, |
| I played this game for maybe an hour before ejecting it and putting it back in the case. It's boring, it sucks having to do over levels again and again (as with any game), and the first person viewpoint is annoying. It's easy to get turned around and get killed while trying to find your opponent again. |
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