Condemned: Criminal Origins Review - Xbox 360 @ [H] Console

[Kyle_Bennett]

Condemned: Criminal Origins - An unnatural wave of serial murders terrorizes the city. As a member of the Serial Crimes Unit, you will rely on sharp instincts and sophisticated forensic tools to investigate crime scenes, and find clues that will lead you to the killers.

Condemned has a fairly involved story line that, at times, seems like it needs a flow chart to keep up with everything that is happening. The further you get in the game the more information is revealed. You are given just enough information to keep you guessing. So much in fact that there are points in the game where you aren’t even sure if YOU are the killer or simply out of your mind.

Please read our review (http://console.hardocp.com/article.html?art=OTEyLDEsLGhjb25zb2xl) and discuss your thoughts here. Thanks.

[Domingo]

Nice take on it.
I'd say that the only real flaws in the game are length and difficulty related.
The game scares the CRAP out of you because you fear what *might* happen and what *might* be around the corner. Once you get further into the game, you realize that there really isn't anything new around the corner any longer. It's just another mutant guy. The audio is possibly the best I've ever heard. Even when you're on the final level, you're still scared by those same 3-4 enemies.
The game is pretty easy overall. I won it with about 80% of the rewards within 5 days of playing a level or two a night. Even though it's a slow paced horror game, there are really only about 15-20 enemies per level...if that.
I would've liked to have seen more "foresic tool" usage, too. They felt very tacked on and could've just been cut scenes for all they really mattered. The fact is that you could only use them once or twice per level and the game dictated when and how.
It sounds like I'm being negative, but in reality this game could've been AMAZING but ended up only being "really good." It's a renter and likely won't keep your attention past 1-2 trips through the game.
Throw in an extra 5-6 levels and bring back the suspense of the department store level...the game peaked too early.

[Nuzzles]

That was a great review. I hope to see this part of [H] going strong. It could easily become my main source for game-reviews if so.

I wasn't even particulary interested in Condemned, and I could never read the other reviews (usually I have to be interested in the game to bother reading it). This, however, gives me a much more down to earth feeling, and the writing direction just felt a lot more homesome than other sites.

Overall, it was great, and you're making me want to buy a Xbox 360. :(

[ScreamingBroccoli]

I can't wait till it comes out on PC, and yes it is coming out on the PC!

[beanman101283]

Man, i don't know. I tried the demo and hated it. Why did you move so SLOW? The enemies definitely had some Chuck Norris speed going on, while everything you did felt like you were moving through molasses. Definitely a scary game, but a different kind of scary than FEAR was. Maybe i'll try the demo again.

[magoo]

Great review of an AWESOME 360 game. Ive been saying this for a while, this game is the bomb......I think its by far the best for the 360 to date.

I have played through three times. I love bashing those dudes in the department store the best. I have to argue a point, I think the slow movement of "your player" only adds to the suspense and the need to think about the choice of weapon and movement through a level.

Excellent review and most excellent game.

I look forward to your next review. In the same league with the PC reviews, IMO.
I hope you continue this process to PC games as well.

[All Killer No Filler]

I think its by far the best for the 360 to date.

Agreed. Scariest game I have ever played. And it only gets worse the further you get into the game.

Good review.

[Steve]

Thanks guys, as always, we appreciate the feedback.

We are trying to bring the [H] perspective to our game reviews because this is your hard earned money we are talking about. It is important to us that you guys have enough information to make an informed buying decision (without giving away every detail of the game either). And it is equally important that you get a solid recommendation (yes/no/rental) from the conclusion of the review and know where we stand when all is said and done.

I do recommend everyone at least grab the demo and give it a whirl, you'll be glad you did ;)

[fowlrock]

It was a great game...loved it...but alas, no replay value AT all once you've completed the game using melee only and collected all metal pieces and birds...

Traded it for PD0....yay great multiplayer! ;)

[Viper87227]

Great review. Nice to see game reviews coming to [H].

One thing I did notice though... on the first page. The games MSRP is $60, not $50.

[Torgo]

I'm waiting for my support guy to call me back to fix the multi-six figure server he sold me, so I might as well give some feedback.

Don't worry, I'm not going to be all persnickety and nitpicky. Although I'm only running on 4 hours of sleep in the past 48 hours.

Things I liked about the review format:
Lots of pictures
Short, to the point.
Nice summary box of platform resolutions
Player tips. Very nice
Player conclusions offering differing opinions. (Lacks a Torgo opinion though. You need to fix that. :p )

Things that could be better:
I liked the controller graphic with the layout, but the accompaying text afterwords seemed overkill to me. The picture said it all. I really liked the picture. It summed it all up. A thousand words. Did I mention I like pictures?
I'm always up for more verbage, but that's your call. It's a fine line to walk between a short review and suddenly it becomes a giant game guide.

Things I want more of:
More descriptions of level design.
When was the first crate spotted?
More player tips.

Things I need explained to me (because I'm really really tired and things don't make sense):
Could you explain the award system? I must have missed it. What makes a game Gold worthy? Are there other rankings? Is there a mythical Torgo Worthy Game status? (As if... nothing can hold up to my overbearing.. nay, unreasonable standard of perfection).
Is there a posted review policy somewhere? Like do you have to finish a game before reviewing it? Do you buy all the games or do you get advanced copies?

See? I was nice. Looking forward to see how the next few go.

[Nasty_Savage]

do the cartoon pics at the end of the review indicate a possible animated series? Steve in a bra? Steve experimenting in lizard cryogenic re-animation? :D


game reviews for the win...now i won't have to go ton other sites :cool:

[Pwnrer]

I'm waiting for my support guy to call me back to fix the multi-six figure server he sold me, so I might as well give some feedback.


Dont know what that has to do with the review except to brag that you work with expensive stuff.

I'm always up for more verbage, but that's your call. It's a fine line to walk between a short review and suddenly it becomes a giant game guide.


Most people like to have something simple and to the point tell them whether or not that the game is worth playing, if you start telling them the whole story and how to accomplish all the goals, whats the point of buying the game. Like most [H] reviews I'm glad that that Steve isn't trying to show off how many big words in the English language he knows.

More descriptions of level design.
When was the first crate spotted?
More player tips.

Its a review, not a walkthrough. I think Steve did a really good job balancing a review with added tips.

Things I need explained to me (because I'm really really tired and things don't make sense):
Could you explain the award system? I must have missed it. What makes a game Gold worthy? Are there other rankings? Is there a mythical Torgo Worthy Game status? (As if... nothing can hold up to my overbearing.. nay, unreasonable standard of perfection).
Is there a posted review policy somewhere? Like do you have to finish a game before reviewing it? Do you buy all the games or do you get advanced copies?


I dont exactly get how you have an unreasonable standard of perfection when Im guessing you were the same Torgo (QA lead for AoE2) and yet that game was still released. (Just my opinion of AoE2)

Also, who cares how he gets the games for reviewing, its not like hardware where someone can alter a system so it runs better, a game is a game. It's nice to see a system other than the 6.7 out of 10 or 3 out of 5 star way for reviewing games since that system doesnt even begin to tell you whether the game is worth buying.

What it comes down to is I'm glad [H] has branched out into the gaming world and give me a place where I can get game reviews now that I can trust. (though more than just consoles would be cool)

[Torgo]

This post has been deleted. Please use the report post button if you have issues. - Kyle

[Torgo]

I totally forgot to say something last night about Steve that I meant to say. (The post deleted above was about totally different.)

I just wanted to quickly say that I think that Steve is going to be an excellent reviewer for console games. Something that Steve brings to the table is a passion for games and an understanding of classic gaming history, which is sorely lacking at many sites.

Sure, Steve and I have tussled from time to time, but that's because he's dedicated, a straight-shooter and opinionated. If he can hold his own against me (and he definitely has) then I want him as my reviewer. I mean that with all honesty.

[beanman101283]

I wouldn't mind seeing a "review policy" either, kind of like you guys did when you started the OEM system reviews. I think it's great that the [H] is bringing their perspective in on these games, but i guess i'd like to know more about what that perspective really is. It seems like there was a lot of navel gazing in the game review press around the holiday season about the state of game reviews and how they supposedly don't add anything to the industry. I just don't want to see [H]Console turn into another Gamespot or IGN. Those sites don't really tell me much. Also, good point about finishing a game before reviewing. Is there gonna be any hard and fast rule on that? It'd be kind of hard to "finish" a game like Oblivion. I know you guys are still getting comfortable with the changes around here so nothing's set in stone. Keep up the good work and i look forward to all the reviews in the future.

[bazylik]

I guess I'm on an old fashion review side of games which means I like to see rankings/scores at the end. This is a great review with a lot of pictures, hints, and informative stuff but I also don't get the gold status award thingy. I have the game in my backpack actually ready to be returned to rental video store, I beat about 60% of the game and I guess I lost interest... Anyway, I'm looking forward to read more reviews from you guys, things are getting really interesting here and for the good :) If you guys have no intentions of implementing rankings/scores than it would be great to have explenation of what are requirements for different awards.

I also have a quick question. Will we see game reviews closer to release days in the future? :P

[Json23]

One of my favorite parts of the game is when you are in the abandoned department store with the creepy out of tune christmas music. You walk out into an area where you can see the ground floor below you and a couple levels above you. Then you hear a woman scream at the top of her lungs "What are you doing here?!?!?" in a crazed female voice, then she takes a shot at you. I couldn't even see where she was until she took a shot at me.

I thought this game was really good for what it was. It was not that hard, but it wasn't exactly easy either. It was spooky as hell, the fighting was good, the story was even good... until the ending. I didn't like the ending. My only gripe about the game.

[WorldRunner]

This game is most excellent. For a launch title and considering some of the other games on the 360 this is a must have title. If you're able to pass games pretty quickly then it's a rental as there's not much replay value and no global leaderboards except for hours played.

...and based on some guy playing 300+ hours of this game you're not going to be #1....and why would you want to :p

[Kyle_Bennett]

I guess I'm on an old fashion review side of games which means I like to see rankings/scores at the end. This is a great review with a lot of pictures, hints, and informative stuff but I also don't get the gold status award thingy. I have the game in my backpack actually ready to be returned to rental video store, I beat about 60% of the game and I guess I lost interest... Anyway, I'm looking forward to read more reviews from you guys, things are getting really interesting here and for the good :) If you guys have no intentions of implementing rankings/scores than it would be great to have explenation of what are requirements for different awards.

I also have a quick question. Will we see game reviews closer to release days in the future? :P

Steve is going to write an editorial covering our goals with this program. For the time being, you might consider a Gold Award to be a 4-5 out of 5 if you need a metric. I was the one that gave it the award based on three editors all having a glowing suggestion to buy the game. But we will get more into that later.

As for your timeline question, this review was written November. The site was sceduled to launch in November, and we are late. So we have some older content that we will be pouring through that may not be cutting edge, but will give the site some depth, and quite possibly act as a good way to judge our reviewers. Seeing that you have played some of the games they are reviewing will give you a good comparison for measuring whether or not they are full of shit. ;)

[Mazgazine1]

Ok in the beignning section - you had a list of availiable video formats. I did not see in the review if you tried using all 3 different formats. (I assume most people that have the 360 run it at 720p all the time) -

Did the game run faster in 480p? Can you run the game in 1080i?

I've heard reports of games running slower or being 'strange' in different resolutions.

Also, I'd like to know how rating this as a "GOLD MUST HAVE! OMG GET IT!!" compare to other games on other systems? Like compared to a similiar game like Splinter Cell or Man Hunter. Maybe a section that says "I'd rather play 'such and such', or I prefer this 'over blank'. I like comparisons because it gives me a better idea about the game.

Will you guys just be reviewing Xbox360 games, or will there be reviews for other consoles too?

[Netrat33]

Nice review

Hope to see more like this.

I don't have an xbox360 but I know it's coming to the PC very soon and now I'm really interested. Curious to see what scared the crap out of three people ;)


(who am I kidding...I get freaked out by all these kind of games)

[yujie]

nice review, and the way you guys review is much better than some game magazine/websites that i read before. I like how you describe the gfx instead of just saying is greatcellent. Did the programmers went to Chuck Norris for special training since you mention him? lol

[Json23]

I've heard reports of games running slower or being 'strange' in different resolutions.

I have beaten every single 360 game that doesn't involve sports (I played PGR3, but never beat the game)

I have played in EVERY format available, and not once have I noticed or experienced what you are talking about.

[bazylik]

Steve is going to write an editorial covering our goals with this program. For the time being, you might consider a Gold Award to be a 4-5 out of 5 if you need a metric. I was the one that gave it the award based on three editors all having a glowing suggestion to buy the game. But we will get more into that later.

As for your timeline question, this review was written November. The site was sceduled to launch in November, and we are late. So we have some older content that we will be pouring through that may not be cutting edge, but will give the site some depth, and quite possibly act as a good way to judge our reviewers. Seeing that you have played some of the games they are reviewing will give you a good comparison for measuring whether or not they are full of shit. ;)
Thank you, I can breath with ease now... I'm looking forward to read some more

[meanmodda[H]]

Great read , love the review style.
I also do prefer of not having any score as it always gives people food for a shitfight.
Good job , keep them coming.

[Domingo]

Did the game run faster in 480p? Can you run the game in 1080i?

Actually I agree that many 360 games DO tend to run faster in low-res mode. It's still worth it to bump it up if you can...but it does trim the framerate.
Want examples? Full Auto and NFS for sure.

Condemned actually runs REALLY well in HD mode, though. I didn't even have a reason to try low-res as you won't have a problem staying over 50-60FPS in HD. Of all of the release games, I'd say this one and CoD have the best framerates...and even without having to "cheat" by turning off vsync.

[Godmachine]

Condemned: Criminal Origins - An unnatural wave of serial murders terrorizes the city. As a member of the Serial Crimes Unit, you will rely on sharp instincts and sophisticated forensic tools to investigate crime scenes, and find clues that will lead you to the killers.



Please read our review (http://console.hardocp.com/article.html?art=OTEyLDEsLGhjb25zb2xl) and discuss your thoughts here. Thanks.


its awesome to see you guys doing videogame reviews i know most of ya are pretty [H]ardcore gamers :) i enjoyed the lay out but the screenshots where too fuzzy something i am sure you guys will tweak in time but just thought i would throw ya my thoughts. Keep up the awesome work and i love the site redesign!

[BladeMrk]

It's a good game, although I found the movement a bit too slow for my liking and I couldn't disable the screen bob (tends to make me feel a bit motion sick after a couple of hours). I've only played the first level so far, but I got more engrosed in the other games I got with my 360 package (Condemed, Kameo and Call of Duty) and haven't got round to playing it again.

As for the review, it was pretty good. Although I would like to know what you think of reviewed games running on a non-HD TV, as I have heard of some games which have issues running on a non-HD TV (ie. Kong).

[Netrat33]

Bringing this post back up due to FINALLY playing it on PC (same game). I buy a lot of games and I don't always get to the them right away. But due to recommendations and Hardocp's was the final hit to say "just go buy it already" I wanted to make sure I didin't forget about this game.

What a great game this is! Now the thing is that I love scary games even though I'm a big chicken, but I was shocked to find out how not really scary I thought this is SO FAR. I've jumped like 3-4 times due to actions I couldn't control (open a door and get jumped for story or knocked down escalator for exampe) Now i have to say the creepiness is building. I think the first time I noticed me getting disturbed is when you first see the guys crawling low to the ground. you don't even fight then for 2 more stages but they definately made me want to crawl fetal position. Felt Silent Hillish when I saw them (nightmare) I just finished the mall stage and well...that did it for me. Creepy. The manquiens everywhere and then suddenly...some start walking. And coming at you calm. (yelling at game) ppleeease stop that!

Storyline is very intriging. I know when the team at [H'] reviewed this and said it this was a short game. Probably for the better I think because granted I'm having fun, but the level design always seeing the same thing again (run down buildings) can get a bit old. This suffers I think the same thing with FEAR but seeming to be about the same length time (quality of quantity).

I love and hate the game engine. Graphically it does a GREAT job of making things look pretty realistic...for indoors. Which I thought at the time with FEAR but this game seems to be really driving it home. I would like to see this engine try some outdoor renderings some time.

[junehhan]

This game almost scared the crap out of me numerous times. I would definately have to say that this game is one of the 3 scariest I have ever played. It was definately one of my favorite launch day titles, and i'm glad that PC gamers are finally getting a taste of this game. Much better than FEAR in my opnion, although they are pretty different games.

[Netrat33]

This game almost scared the crap out of me numerous times. I would definately have to say that this game is one of the 3 scariest I have ever played. It was definately one of my favorite launch day titles, and i'm glad that PC gamers are finally getting a taste of this game. Much better than FEAR in my opnion, although they are pretty different games.

Two different yet scary games. Love them both equally due to the differences.

Almost done with the game. I'm at the end of the highschool....Yea...Each stage is getting creepier and creepier. It's probably a few notchs down from playing a first person Silent Hill more and more. Meaning getting bloodier and bloodier and that's crawling under my skin. Level design is definately improving too.

*laughing*
LIke I said I'm leaving the highschool right now and now more supernatural stuff is happening. The doors actually lifted up from the ground and closed the path I can take. Playing right before I had to go to bed I was like "uh...lets turn this off"

Game has 10 stages and this is 8. So today or tomorrow will probably beat it.

[Netrat33]

Damn! Ending sucked! Mood, story...all good! Ending? Let down! It didn't wrap up or make me want to play a sequal :(

Good game otherwise though. Definately worth the buy. Just the VERY VERY END! (*thumbs down*)

Liked how the last stage was *gasp* outside! For the FEAR engine, nice to see it somewhat outside. Still technically inside (fenced, dark) but to see trees was something refreshing.

[junehhan]

I have to agree that the ending was a bit disappointing. However, I think that it does have the possibility of a sequel. I'm curious to see how any sequel will play out, as we now know that Ethan is a bit supernatural and possibly evil.