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Condemned: Criminal Origins

Also known as: Condemned Criminal Origins [UK]

The lambs are still screaming -- you're next

Condemned is all about confrontation, whether it's trying to survive gang attacks or the gulp you take before facing down a magnum-packing lunatic packing armed only with a length of rebar. The AI really is unpredictable, as crazed maniacs prepare their attacks depending on your actions. If you turn your back, they'll chase you down; approach them, and they may stand back with caution. Then there's the nutcases who just want to pummel your face in with a nail-ridden 2x4, or any other makeshift weapons they might scavenge from the environment. And they don't even come close to the really terrifying enemies, which we'll leave for you to discover all on your own.

Even though the unfulfilling ending leaves a lot of stuff unexplained, exciting exclusives like this one give the Xbox 360 some much-needed respect at launch. If you like getting frightened, you need Condemned -- it's the scariest game of the year.

You'll love
  • Good god, this is scary
  • Truly terrifying, beautiful environments
  • Excellent sound design
You'll hate
  • Easy to get lost -- and frustrated
  • Investigating may be boring to some folks
  • Areas should be fully destructable
 
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The Knowledge

Condemned: Criminal Origins

Genre: Action
Release date: Nov 15, 2005
Published by: Sega
Developed by: Monolith Software, Monolith Productions
Features: Progressive Scan (480p, 720p, 1080i), Online leaderboards
8 GREAT
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