Condemned 2: Bloodshot

PLATFORM (PS3, Xbox 360)

PUBLISHER (Sega)

PRICE $60

ESRB RATING (M for Mature)

PLAYERS (1-8 online)

The first Condemned came out alongside the launch of the Xbox 360. I found myself completely immersed in it's visceral blend of the survival horror and first person shooter genres. The first person melee made the game slower, but this worked well because it added to the claustrophobia and sense of dread this game instilled.

I have been waiting for Condemned 2 since I finished that games rather vague ending, hoping for answers to the many questions that game presented and now find myself waiting for Condemned 3 to get any real answers.

Condemned 2 is not a complete loss. The developers made many improvements that make it a vastly better game than the first one. The combat is deeper and quicker. Enemies are more varied and have better artificial intelligence. The graphics have a good, if not huge, upgrade. Still, with all these improvements, many mistakes were made with concerns to the pacing of the game, and the way to story is portrayed.

Condemned 2 drops you right into events, without any real set up for players who may have missed the first game. Add to this mistake the fact that what is going on is so vaguely explained, and players might just find themselves lost as to the motivation behind the main character, and the events taking place.

Things get much better midway through the game, but my fear is that many players will have given up on it long before things turn around. The game is also relatively short at only about ten hours, and the addition of online multiplayer will probably not extend the life f this game for most gamers, as it feels rather tacked on.

Condemned 2 is a good rental for fans of the first game, but the numerous problems contained in the game make the $60 price tag a little too steep.

I really hope the developers of this game can keep the improvements this game makes as far as gameplay, and add in a story that is worth caring about for the next game.

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Alone in the Dark

PLATFORM (Xbox 360, PC, Wii, PS2, PS3)

PUBLISHER (Atari)

PRICE $60

ESRB RATING (M for Mature)

PLAYERS (1)

THE QUICK AND DIRTY : The first Alone in the Dark game was one of the first survival horror games ever released. This new game looks like it brings the series into the present in rather stunning fashion. Word is things are a little rough right now, but as long as these problems are fixed, it should be worth a look.

Obscure: The Aftermath

PLATFORM (Wii, PS2)

PUBLISHER (Ignition)

PRICE $30

ESRB RATING (M for Mature)

PLAYERS (1-2)

THE QUICK AND DIRTY : This series is, well, Obscure. Not many players played the first game, but it is one of the only survival horror games to offer multiplayer. The story in the game is a bit like those teeny bopper horror movies. That either excites you, or totally turns you off.