Anyone who played Condemned: Criminal Origins or F.E.A.R. can see that developer Monolith knows how to create a terrifying atmosphere. In Condemned 2: Bloodshot the rich get richer. Not only does Bloodshot continue where Criminal Origins left off, but by adding a deeper combat system and more terrifying locations it surpasses its predecessor in nearly every way imaginable.
Ethan Thomas, the series’ protagonist, has fallen away from public life and into the bottle. It is at that point when a character from his past, Malcolm Van Horn returns to his life and sets in motion the games’ series of events. The narrative in Bloodshot is direct and straight forward, but the story that it portrays is very well told and interesting. But, as the end of the game approaches, the story moves down a ridiculous path that is ultimately unsatisfying.
As we all know that Bloodshot is not about the story. It’s about the scares. And they are fantastic. At one point the game had me spinning and swinging my fists at nothing just because I heard footsteps. Bloodshot is the only game I’ve ever played that has nearly scared me into absolute hysteria, and in that it is unique. No game I have ever seen has created a world that the player can so easily get lost in. The settings are so meticulously detailed, so caringly made that it is impossible not to completely believe that every sound, every movement is something that is going to kill you.
At its heart Bloodshot is a brawler. And the combat in Bloodshot is better than Criminal Origins by far. The hand to hand combat is a welcome new addition that deepens the shallow combat form the first game. Near the end, the combat devolves into a corridor shooter which, while fun, is not as strong as any of the other game play elements.
One of the best game play elements is the “new” revamped investigation mode. The investigations aren’t mindless “follow the blood trail” any more. In Bloodshot you actually have to examine bloodstains, exit wounds, and more in order to solve various mysteries. These modes are fun and had me looking forward to them instead of dreading them as I did before.
Condemned 2: Bloodshot is one of the best experiences that I’ve had with a videogame in a long time. Although, if you don’t like a good scare, if you have a week stomach, or if you’re under 17 this game is probably not for you. That said, if going insane with Ethan Thomas sounds fun to you, check this one out.
A-
Ethan Thomas, the series’ protagonist, has fallen away from public life and into the bottle. It is at that point when a character from his past, Malcolm Van Horn returns to his life and sets in motion the games’ series of events. The narrative in Bloodshot is direct and straight forward, but the story that it portrays is very well told and interesting. But, as the end of the game approaches, the story moves down a ridiculous path that is ultimately unsatisfying.
As we all know that Bloodshot is not about the story. It’s about the scares. And they are fantastic. At one point the game had me spinning and swinging my fists at nothing just because I heard footsteps. Bloodshot is the only game I’ve ever played that has nearly scared me into absolute hysteria, and in that it is unique. No game I have ever seen has created a world that the player can so easily get lost in. The settings are so meticulously detailed, so caringly made that it is impossible not to completely believe that every sound, every movement is something that is going to kill you.
At its heart Bloodshot is a brawler. And the combat in Bloodshot is better than Criminal Origins by far. The hand to hand combat is a welcome new addition that deepens the shallow combat form the first game. Near the end, the combat devolves into a corridor shooter which, while fun, is not as strong as any of the other game play elements.
One of the best game play elements is the “new” revamped investigation mode. The investigations aren’t mindless “follow the blood trail” any more. In Bloodshot you actually have to examine bloodstains, exit wounds, and more in order to solve various mysteries. These modes are fun and had me looking forward to them instead of dreading them as I did before.
Condemned 2: Bloodshot is one of the best experiences that I’ve had with a videogame in a long time. Although, if you don’t like a good scare, if you have a week stomach, or if you’re under 17 this game is probably not for you. That said, if going insane with Ethan Thomas sounds fun to you, check this one out.
A-
1 comment:
This is an excellent review and has convinced me to start playing condemed 2 as soon as I get a chance.
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