Graphics

• Graphically the game looks good.
• It’s better than the last generation, but doesn’t live up to what the Xbox 360 is capable of doing.
• Character models are detailed with a grizzly scars and deformations. However some of the character models still have a level of blockiness to them that seems below average.
• Most of the game is dark and dreary, making it perfect to play with the lights off.
• That said, the lighting effects are done well and add to the great atmosphere of the game.
• Overhead lights will flicker and go out leaving a lot of the stages pretty dark.
• Luckily you are equipped with a flashlight, which might be cliché, but it works.
• You can even use enemies shadows to find their presence before they jump out from behind a pole to kill you.
• Overall, the graphics do a serviceable job in creating an environment where druggies and serial killers run rampant.

Sound

• Sound is one of the most important aspects of any good suspenseful game.
• Condemned does this job very well, with excellent use of 5.1 surround sound.
• Walking through various deserted buildings, you’ll hear your own echoing footsteps.
• But as you bump into things like buckets and other items of debris, you’ll cause your own jolting moments as you’ll think it’s someone else.
• You’ll also hear enemies scurry down hallways to all sides of you as you make your way through some of the levels.
• Most even make a grunt or a yell as you get near, but they don’t always come after you, sometimes they like to run and hide.
• Each of the different weapons makes a satisfying sound as you burry them into your foes.
• Even your own character will grunt or yell sometimes when wielding a weapon, which can startle you as it can sound like it’s coming from someone else.
• The voice acting was also well done.
• Most notably, the main character Ethan is voiced by Greg Grunberg from the popular TV shows Alias and Heroes.
• The rest of the actors also do a great job.
• Over, the developers do a great job in using the sound to enhance the gameplay.

Captivation

• I found Condemned to be quite captivating for various reasons, despite the fact that the gameplay was a little shallow and repetitive.
• First the story was good. This just kept me wanting to keep playing to find out what happens next.
• Second, the level design was pretty creepy. One level after another just grows in weirdness and I definitely wanted to see what was coming next.
• Since the sound was so well done, it was easy to get pulled into the game. (Remember play it alone and in the dark!)
• Finally it was a pretty short game lasting between 6 and 10 hours depending on if you want to search for all of the achievements or not.
• I only played one level a night, but any more of the game and it would have become old and repetitive pretty fast.
• Still, I enjoyed the game and really hope we see a sequel some day.

Final Thoughts

• Condemned is a really fun game for those who like a little psycho thriller.
• Good graphics and a good use of sound and voice acting put the creepiness into the game.
• The story while not horribly original was still good and interesting to follow.
• The only downside was the lack of a deep combat system, which made the combat a little repetitive.
• However, at a bargain price this game should not be missed.

Bottom Line

• A must play for those that like a good thriller.