| Condemned: Criminal Origins | |
|---|---|
 The official North American box art |
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| Developer(s) | Monolith Productions |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Designer(s) | Frank Rooke |
| Composer(s) | Nathan Grigg |
| Engine | Lithtech Jupiter EX |
| Platform(s) | Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows |
| Release date(s) | Xbox 360 NA November 15, 2005 EU December 2, 2005 Microsoft Windows April 11, 2006 |
| Genre(s) | Action, Survival horror, Psychological horror, Brawler |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | BBFC: 18 ESRB: M PEGI: 18+ USK: No rating & banned |
| Media | DVD-DL |
| System requirements | Minimum System Requirements:
Recommended System Requirements:
|
| Input methods | Gamepad, Keyboard and mouse |
Condemned: Criminal Origins (known in Asia as Condemned: Psycho Crime) is a psychological survival horror video game with brawler elements. The game was developed by Monolith Productions and published by Sega. It was launched fall 2005 worldwide the Xbox 360, with a Microsoft Windows version released later in 2006. The Windows version had little changes from the console version.
The developers cite such films as The Silence of the Lambs and Se7en as inspiration for their game. Monolith Game Designer, Frank Rooke, was also noteworthy of design collaboration in the game Tron 2.0, a sequel to the 1982 motion picture Tron.
The game uses a first person perspective. Condemned: Criminal Origins places an added emphasis on melee combat and puzzle solving, including searching for fingerprints and gathering evidence. It is firmly placed within the horror genre, and more specifically survival horror. The game also implements elements of psychological thriller. It was also notable at time of release for its cutting edge graphics and advanced artificial intelligence. Stylistically, Condemned shares many similarities with Monolith's own F.E.A.R..
Upon release, Condemned was met with moderate to good reviews by many aggregates and critics. Many reviewers cited poor storyline and progression as the game's biggest fault. As a reprieve, the game's solid controls and fresh approach to the horror genre were praised. This allowed for a sequel, entitled Condemned 2: Bloodshot, to be released on March 11, 2008 for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. Other media forms include an internet prequel and a planned film adaptation to expand the Condemned universe.
Contents |
Although the game is played entirely from a first-person perspective (only broken for cut scenes) it is not a traditional first-person shooter. Firearms are present, but are somewhat uncommon. Unlike many other first-person shooters, though, firearms are especially deadly, often killing enemies with a single shot. The guns that can be found, or taken from enemies, are only good for as long as the current ammo in the magazine lasts; once this is depleted, the butt of the gun can be used as a weapon. To complicate matters further, enemies operate firearms from the same ammo reserve, meaning once the enemy has been dispatched, the player only gets what ammo was left over from the fight. This encourages players to attack enemies with firearms quickly.
The focus of the experience is on improvised melee, allowing players and enemies to collect, or even pull, weapons from their surrounding environments, such as pipes, locker doors, shovels, and 2x4s. The word often employed by the developers of the game to describe the combat is 'visceral'. A Duke Nukem 3D style quick-kick is available for attacking without, or alongside, a hand-held weapon, and attacks can be unleashed in different directions and configurations, such as left to right or overhead, but combat is notable for not utilizing a combo system, unlike similar titles such as The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay. In many cases, blocking is necessary both before and after landing a successful hit. The player can also perform "finishing moves" when the opponent is on his knees, such as headbutting or breaking their neck.
The artificial intelligence displayed by enemies requires the player to think on their feet a great deal more than similar games. Enemies are able to flee and hide effectively, often surprising the player by quickly appearing from a concealed spot. Enemies can also effectively feint, in order to trick the player into blocking at an inopportune time, leaving themselves open for the real attack.
It should be noted that although there are sharp weapons in the game, one cannot stab or dismember enemies. In fact, the player can almost never wield an actual knife or sword, with the exception being in the School level, where the player has brief access to a meat cleaver. Some mêlée weapons fall under the class of entry tool, (like a fire axe for a rotten door, or a crowbar for a locked safe) and act as keys in the gameworld, allowing the player to access new areas or locked boxes.
The player also has a taser gun which when used stuns the target, does some damage and allows the player to seize the stunned enemy's weapon. Later in the game, Lieutenant Rosa gives the player a new upgraded taser, which is much more powerful, causing the enemy's legs to give out. One hit or shot after that will kill any enemy. Common uses for it are safely attacking enemies with guns (since it allows players to stun them from a distance and then seize the gun while the enemy is incapacitated), countering an immediate attack (since using the taser does not require the precise timing that blocking does) and obtaining the chance to make a free hit (a hit where the player does not risk being hit first). However, it has to recharge between shots so it cannot be used to bypass the game's system of carefully fighting enemies.
The entire game takes place in derelict urban environments, with minimum lighting. The player must use a flashlight to navigate through the game's constantly darkened environments, while dealing with frequent enemy ambushes.
Near the end of the game the player loses both the flashlight and the taser. This means all strategies which required the taser become impossible and the only personal light source becomes burning planks which means carrying a gun reduces visibility. This effectively forces the player to rely exclusively on blocking, hiding and evasion for defense and close range attacks for offense.
Condemned directly involves the player in crime scene investigations, offering the ability to, at the press of a context-sensitive button, call upon a suite of forensic tools to find and record evidence. The player character is linked to an FBI lab via his mobile phone throughout the investigation, allowing (almost immediate) remote examination and analysis by his support worker, Rosa. Crime scene evidence can be used to solve puzzles, allowing the player to pass previously impassable barriers, and provide clues to the overall mysteries of the story.
Examples of evidence include fingerprints, footprints, fibers, fluids (such as blood or chemicals), particles, residues, markings/etchings, material, imprints, wounds, small objects, documents, and body parts.
The player character is gifted with the instinctual ability to detect when forensic evidence is nearby, allowing players to bring up the detection and collection tools when appropriate. However, the "instincts" of the character only vaguely highlight the area in which the evidence resides, it is up to the player to methodically sweep the scene and catalog any findings.
In Condemned: Criminal Origins, players take the role of Ethan Thomas, a SCU agent (Serial Crime Unit investigator that uses forensic tools) framed for a double cop murder who becomes trapped in the condemned sections of a fictional American city named "Metro City" while hunting a serial killer. Thomas' investigation is further complicated by a mysterious phenomenon that is transforming the transient population of these areas into insane, violent psychotics. As Thomas, the player investigates crime scenes using forensic tools and techniques, while fighting off the constant assaults by "the condemned" in the hopes of catching the serial killer and escaping alive, and prove that he is innocent to the police.
The game’s protagonist is Ethan Thomas (voiced by Greg Grunberg), an SCU investigator with unusually acute investigative instincts. He also is stated to have superhuman durability, as demonstrated by his ability to recover quickly from electrocution, long falls, and blunt trauma to the head, among others. He is aided in his investigations by Rosa, a forensics investigator at headquarters.
The primary antagonist of the game is Serial Killer X, who is hunting the serial killers that Ethan is searching for, killing them by the methods that they themselves use. Near the end of the game, he is revealed to be Leland Vanhorn, nephew of Ethan’s friend Malcolm. Malcolm believes that Leland is being influenced by mysterious mutilated humanoid creatures that are causing an increase in insanity throughout the city. These creatures are more fully explained in the sequel.
The game begins with the protagonist, SCU agent Ethan Thomas, arriving at the scene of a murder. He and his fellow officers go into an abandoned building that is surrounded by psychopaths and criminals. The murder they observe is one of a young woman. She is on the floor with strangled wounds across from a male mannequin. Ethan along with his colleagues agree that the murder was most likely one of the Match Maker's, a murderer that Ethan has been on the trail of for quite a while. After they observe the scene further they move into another room where they smell smoke. They decide to go after the suspect they hear above them by splitting up. While searching for the suspect, Ethan is flung from an electrical box by the resulting charge of activating it. This makes him accidentally drop his weapon. A man hiding in the shadows takes it and flees. When Ethan manages to chase the man into a small dead end room, the man subdues Ethan and begins to try to convince him that they were on the same side. Ethan's colleagues enter the room as this event takes place. The man then shoots them with Ethan's gun and shoves Ethan out a window onto the street.
Ethan wakes up in his apartment with Malcolm Vanhorn, a friend of Ethan’s father, at his side. Malcolm warns Ethan that he is wanted for the deaths of two of the officers that the man at the crime scene shot. Ethan is determined to prove his innocence.
He soon finds evidence that the man is interested in Ethan’s SCU career. Later, he finds the body of the Match Maker, killed by his own method of operation, in an old department store. He presumes that the man at the crime scene is trying to kill the serial killers that Ethan is looking for, referred to in the game as "Serial Killer X", so he searches for the one that he thinks is next, the Torturer.
Ethan tracks the Torturer and Serial Killer X to an abandoned apple orchard in the rural town of Brier. Shortly before finding the Torturer in the farmhouse, Ethan is attacked by a strange man-like creature. Ethan kills the creature, and then finds the Torturer dead, also killed in the same way he killed his victims. Soon Ethan finds the mysterious killer, who is revealed to be Leland Vanhorn, nephew of Malcolm Vanhorn. Malcolm arrives and knocks Ethan out to prevent him from hurting Leland. Leland then knocks Malcolm out.
When Ethan revives, he is tied up and at the mercy of Leland. He explains to Ethan that he has been killing the serial killers that Ethan had been hunting, and that he intends to kill Ethan as well. As Leland thinks of all the ways that he can kill Ethan, cutting Ethan's finger off in the process, Ethan notices another man-like creature hiding in the rafters. This creature is known as the Hate and is identified as the source of the madness gripping Metro City. Malcolm jumps Leland from behind and begins to wrestle him. Ethan manages to free himself, and Malcolm tells him to kill the creature saying that it is the cause of Leland’s madness. Ethan pursues the creature as it tries to escape. He eventually corners it in a barn and kills it.
As Malcolm drives Ethan home, Ethan discovers that Leland is alive in the trunk of the car. When Ethan looks in the trunk, he is given the option to shoot Leland as he lies tied up. If he does not shoot Leland himself, Leland pulls out his gun and waves it at Ethan before committing suicide. Later, Ethan and Rosa are having a conversation in a diner when Rosa reveals that she is wired, possibly explaining that she still trusts him. Rosa then leaves the diner, after which Ethan goes to the bathroom. Something bizarre happens in the bathroom and Ethan's mouth becomes that of the man-like creature before the game comes to an abrupt halt.
The version of Condemned: Criminal Origins for the Xbox 360 console employs the achievements system mandated by Microsoft. As the criteria for the achievement awards are met, bonus content is unlocked, which can then be accessed from a special menu. Content includes concept and production sketches and paintings, work-in-progress animation, video from motion capture sessions, and a rather lengthy video showcasing a complete level from an early version of the game. These features were later carried over to the PC version of the game. One interesting thing to note about Condemned's achievements is that they only total up to a value of 970 gamerpoints, with every other retail 360 game having a total of 1,000 (with the exception of Rock Band track packs and AC/DC Live pack, which each contain 400 gamerpoints). 30 points were reserved for "additional future use", but as of yet, no game update has supplemented the deficiency in gamerpoints.
In certain pieces of unlocked concept art, street names can be seen in the subway stops which make it clear that the game was at least originally intended to take place in New York City. Furthermore, if all birds and metal pieces are collected, a series of Propaganda Reports will be made available. These provide further background to the story in the form of classified documents.
Condemned: Criminal Origins was originally known as The Dark, quite far into production. Under this name, the game was largely similar but differed in several key areas. The player character was known as Agent Cross, and the game appeared to follow him on a Government-sanctioned investigation, or investigations, rather than acting as a rogue on the run from the law. Although Cross possessed the supernatural leanings of Thomas from the final game, he could actually use various magical spells. For example, a spell could be uttered to pull a gun from an enemy's hands and bring it to you through the air, and another spell saw doors and other obstacles break in front of you, seemingly negating the need for a fire axe. The forensic tools used by Cross also differed, as the detection and collection tools were typically one individual item - the UV light, for instance, could illuminate clues and then be used to physically swipe across them, to take samples.
| Reception | |
|---|---|
| Aggregate scores | |
| Aggregator | Score |
| GameRankings | 82% |
| Metacritic | 81% |
| Review scores | |
| Publication | Score |
| Game Informer | 8.75 of 10 |
| GameSpot | 8.0 of 10 |
| IGN | 8.7 of 10 |
| Official Xbox Magazine | 8.5/10 |
The Xbox 360 version has a score of 82% on Game Rankings based on 81 reviews [1], and a score of 81% on Metacritic based on 72 reviews.[2] GameSpot awarded Condemned an 8.0 saying "it captures hand-to-hand combat with intense, lifelike brutality like no other game before it."[3] IGN gave Criminal Origins a 8.7, stating that its combat had a lot of depth to it. Game Informer gave the game an 8.75 saying that it's a fresh start in the horror genre with great graphics and fun gameplay, but criticised its short campaign and questionable plot.
The PC version has a score of 79% on Game Rankings based on 31 reviews,[4] and a score of 78% on Metacritic based on 24 reviews.[5]
In February 2008 all copies of Condemned were confiscated in Germany because of §131 StGB. Distribution in Germany is now prohibited by law.[6]
A 6 Part Episodic Online Game was released on the Condemned: Criminal Origins Website [7] and was set before Condemned: Criminal Origins. The protagonist is Agent Mallory, who is searching for a serial killer. In the last episode, Mallory is killed by Serial Killer X. The game ends where Condemned begins.
A direct sequel to the game was released in 2008. It was entitled Condemned 2: Bloodshot to show the character evolution in protagonist Ethan Thomas. The game was developed by Monolith and published by Sega, the same companies as the original. It expanded on the gameplay elements from Condemned and added several new features such as online multi-player and environmental kills.
On October 4, 2005, Warner Brothers Studios announced plans to release a film adaptation which is set in the same "universe" as the then upcoming Condemned: Criminal Origins.[8] Warner Bros. Studios had acquired Monolith Productions during 2004 and is expecting for the movie to receive a currently to be announced 2008 theatrical release date. A report from The Variety states that Kurt Sutter, co-executive producer of the television series The Shield, would be writing the screenplay for the film under the working title Unforgettable. [9]
According to earlier drafts of the script, a police officer hunts down a serial killer in an attempt to clear his name from murder. However, during the process he discovers that he may be tied to other ongoing murder cases in an unusual way. The cop soon begins to question throughout his investigation upon discovering his supernatural abilities, "who he is as a man, until he realizes he's not a man. A tug-of-war emerges among a faction of good and evil aliens."[8]
Also connected with the project is Jason Hall, a former Monolith CEO who joined Warner Bros. to become Vice president of Operations over their gaming division. Hall, along with Nathan Henderickson, was responsible for the film's concept and state that he seeks to "come up with something specifically designed to use multiple mediums to tell stories that had some continuity and connective thread... We wanted to create a universe that, like a Star Wars, was big enough where different stories could exist."[10] Variety indicated that the plan was to introduce audiences to the "universe" of Condemned with Criminal Origins, followed by a film adaptation which will tie-in with a sequel video game gradually expanding the story's universe.[10]
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| Condemned: Criminal Origins | |
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| Developer(s) | Monolith Productions |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Designer(s) | Frank Rook |
| Engine | Havok 3.0 physics engine |
| Release date | November 15, 2005 (NA) |
| Genre | First-person action, Action, Survival horror |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Age rating(s) | ESRB: M PEGI: 18+ |
| Platform(s) | Xbox 360 |
| Credits | Soundtrack | Codes | Walkthrough | |
Condemned: Criminal Origins, or simply Condemned, as it is known as in Europe, is a horror game developed by Monolith Productions for the Xbox 360. Gameplay takes place in a first person viewpoint using melee combat as a central element. There is also emphasis on puzzle solving, including searching for fingerprints and gathering evidence. In the game you take on the role of FBI agent Ethan Thomas as he tries to track down a serial killer and figure out the mysteries behind a rise in violence within the bleak confines of a deteriorating city.
It is firmly placed within the horror genre, and more specifically survival horror. The game also implements elements of psychological thriller. The game is also notable for its cutting edge graphics and advanced artificial intelligence. Stylistically, Condemned shares many similarities with Monolith's own F.E.A.R.
Players can expect a particularly gritty tone, as the developers cite such films as The Silence of the Lambs and Se7en as inspiration for their game. Monolith Game Designer, Frank Rooke, was also noteworthy of design collaboration in the game Tron 2.0, a computer sequel to the 1982 motion picture Tron.
Condemned: Criminal Origins is rated Mature by the ESRB for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, and Strong Language.
Contents |
Condemned: Criminal Origins was originally known as The Dark, quite far into production. Under this name, the game was largely similar but differed in several key areas. The player character was known as Agent Cross, and the game appeared to follow him on a Government-sanctioned investigation, or investigations, rather than acting as a rogue on the run from the law. Although Cross possessed the supernatural leanings of Thomas from the final game, he could actually use various magical spells. For example, a spell could be uttered to pull a gun from an enemy's hands and bring it to you through the air, and another spell saw doors and other obstacles break in front of you, seemingly negating the need for a fire axe. The forensic tools used by Cross also differed, as the detection and collection tools were typically one individual item - the UV light, for instance, could illuminate clues and then be used to physically swipe across them, to take samples.
In Condemned: Criminal Origins, players take the role of Ethan Thomas, an FBI forensic investigator who becomes trapped in the condemned sections of a fictional American city named "Metro City", while hunting a serial killer. Thomas' investigation is further complicated by a mysterious phenomenon that is transforming the transient population of these areas into insane, violent psychotics. As Thomas, the player investigates crime scenes using forensic tools and techniques, while fighting off the constant assaults by the "crazies" in the hopes of catching the serial killer and escaping alive.
In "Metro City", disturbing events are unfolding: in abandoned areas, violent crimes are increasingly prevalent amongst the homeless, addicted, and deranged. The police are helpless and avoid treading within these places, both because they fear for their own safety and because colleagues assigned to such locations seem to become increasingly violent themselves. Strange localized audio linked to all this is also affecting birds, causing them to flock to the affected areas and die of induced brain hemorrhaging.
In response to a police call, FBI agent and protagonist Ethan Thomas arrives on a homicide crime scene in an abandoned building. On-scene evidence shows a modus operandi matching that of the "Match Maker," a serial killer who abducts and strangles young women, posing them in twisted tableaux with male department store dummies, their faces always partially disfigured.
While Thomas collects evidence, which shows that the Match Maker is missing his right index finger, after smelling cigarette smoke and later hearing loud shuffling noises it becomes apparent that there is still someone nearby: the cops scramble to find him, but the man evades them and is also able to take Thomas' firearm while Thomas is briefly incapacitated from an electrical short. Thomas escapes immediate danger, but is later again ambushed by the killer, who spares Thomas for unknown reasons. Before the fellow police find Thomas, the killer states: "...don't mess this up for us. We are on the same path of righteousness." The killer then hears the door open and the cops shout for him to drop the weapon. He does exactly the opposite, turns and fires at them then hitting Thomas in the head and dragging him for a quick second to push him out the window and onto a car roof.
Later that night, Thomas awakens on his apartment couch after an eerie dream about being attacked by a strange man-like creature. Standing over Thomas is Malcom Vanhorn, an old friend of his deceased father, who warns him to flee the police: the two dead officers were killed with his gun and with his disappearance from the crime scene, it appears that he was the murderer.
Now wanted himself, Thomas flees to the adjacent metro station and finds evidence of the killer showing a distinct interest in his Bureau career. Fortunately, Thomas' FBI lab worker Rosa still trusts him and continues analyzing the evidence he is collecting on his quest to prove his innocence.
Thomas traverses the station fighting off violent squatters and their ilk, all the way following the real killer to his hiding place. Aware that he is being hunted, the killer manages to lose Thomas, who continues investigating. He finds a second hideout supporting evidence found on the initial crime scene, and also linking him to a Burnside department store.
Thomas is forced to visit the abandoned criminal-infested Department Store, with evidence and a residual blood trail leading to another Match Maker tableaux. This time, the dummy is female, and the victim male. The victim's facial markings match that of the earlier male dummies and surprisingly is also missing his right index finger. As fingerprints confirm, the corpse is the Match Maker himself.
Puzzled by this, Thomas and Rosa surmise that someone is tracking down serial killers and murdering them with their own methods, a "killer of killers" whom they name "Serial Killer X". The two rendezvous in the downtown library, currently closed for extensive repairs; intending to find an operating computer terminal which they can use without fear of FBI monitoring. Evidence from the Metro hideout suggests he concluded 7 out of Thomas' 9 serial killer cases: they assume the Match Maker to be 8, which leaves number nine, "The Torturer."
There, Thomas is shown an addendum to his personnel file; in addition to superhuman bone and muscle density plus a hyperactive brain serotonergic system, his chest x-ray has the esophagus and larynx areas redacted, with the revelation that the redaction has its own special highly-classified and inaccessible addendum. Shortly thereafter Rosa is kidnapped and forced to detail the Torturer's Modus Operandi to Serial Killer X. When reunited, they link the Torturer's hideout to newspaper reports of Mr. Tibbits, a recently-missing ex-teacher who provided information on him. Serial Killer X is eavesdropping on their discussion and once discovered, flees the library, thus forcing Thomas into a race to find The Torturer and Tibbits.
Thomas and Rosa identify the Torturer as Carl Anderson, a former student at a local secondary school. Believing the school to be the Torturer's hideout, Thomas goes there to investigate. The run-down school is infested with deformed, emaciated people, led by a huge and insane cleaver-wielding lunch lady. Fighting his way past them, Thomas manages to find Tibbets hiding in a locker, with his lips and right arm cut off; but still just barely alive. Before finally dying, the man manages to tell Thomas that someone knocked out Anderson and took him away.
At the crime scene, Thomas finds traces of a restricted pesticide, which he links to Serial Killer X. Coupled with prior evidence, Rosa sends Thomas to the rural town of Brier, where an outlying and dilapidated apple orchard uses the same item.
Thomas enters the house, and begins his search for Serial Killer X. Through discovery of clues hidden throughout the house, Ethan is able to determine where his hideout is, and manages to gain more information about the man and his motives. While in the house he fights more deformed creatures, crazed vagrants and a mysteriously deformed, man-like creature who seems to disappear into thin air. At that moment, The Torturer breaks in to the house, obviously on the run from Serial Killer X. He runs upstairs, and Thomas pursues him. However, he is too late. He discovers The Torturer is dead, having impaled himself with the weapon he was carrying. As Ethan inspects the body, Director Farrell informs him that his lab access is now terminated, and orders him to turn himself in. Meanwhile, Serial Killer X enters the house, in pursuit of The Torturer. Ethan dresses himself up in The Torturer's clothes, and lies on the ground, in wait. Serial Killer X approaches him, exclaiming his disappointment that The Torturer was not brave enough to kill himself, when Ethan strikes at him. A brief fight ensues, but before Ethan can apprehend the killer, Malcom Vanhorn appears, and knocks him unconscious. While on the floor, Malcom Vanhorn confronts Serial Killer X, who is revealed to be Leland Vanhorn, Malcom's nephew. Malcom explains to him that what he's been doing is not his fault, and that he was not strong enough to fight off these homicidal urges. At that moment, Leland lunges forward and strangles Malcom, just before Ethan blacks out.
Thomas wakes up to find himself at the mercy of Leland Vanhorn: he reveals using Thomas to find serial killers, and then killing them by their own methods. As Leland speaks, on the rafters Thomas sees a man-like creature similar to but significantly more mutilated than the one he fought earlier, watching. Meanwhile, Leland taunts Thomas, then cuts off his left index finger with a combat knife. Before Leland can harm Thomas further, he is suddenly jumped from behind by Malcolm Vanhorn, who wrestles his nephew to the ground. As Thomas breaks free of his bonds, Vanhorn yells to him "Quickly! You must find and destroy 'It'. 'It' has caused all this madness. Go! Kill it now!"
The creature taunts Ethan, telling him "You belong to us Ethan. You have always belonged to us". Thomas tracks the creature across the orchard, fighting off deformed freaks as well as a few of the strange man-like creatures. Thomas finally confronts the main creature in the roof of the Orchard's barn, and succeeds in killing it by ripping out its metal prosthetics.
Thomas returns to Malcolm Vanhorn and they drive back to town. Vanhorn tells Thomas that he can never go back to the Bureau or his old life. He has seen the visage of hate. They are the ones who drive people to violence and murder. Along the way and much to Thomas' dismay, he discovers that Leland is alive and in the trunk of the car: the agent wishes to exact revenge from the killer and the older Vanhorn protests, pleading that both Thomas and Leland still have a chance at redemption. After Thomas argues with Malcolm, Malcolm pulls out a gun and several of the creatures from before surround Thomas and Malcom and mutter things in the background. It zooms in on Thomas' face and as a possible easter egg you hear a rambling that is not major to the storyline and is just a random rambling. The voice says "Power for life" or "Cower for life" At this point the player is given the option of taking revenge or showing compassion. If the player chooses to shoot Serial Killer X, the scene ends. If the player chooses to spare him, Serial Killer X pulls out his own gun and aims it around at both Malcom Vanhorn and Thomas. He then puts the gun to his mouth and pulls the trigger.
Some time later Rosa confronts Thomas in a diner after the whole debacle, informing him that the Bureau can link the whole thing to an ancient cult: Thomas finds the idea preposterous, but is unable to provide any evidence to the contrary. While Thomas wishes to tell Rosa all he knows, she warns him with a note that she's wired, so in the end Thomas says nothing. When Rosa leaves, Thomas enters a bathroom. When he enters the lights flash a little and he begins a small cough. He throws up all over the sink and moves in to wash his face, and as he does so one of the creatures appears behind him in the mirror. The screen darkens for a second as Thomas brings his head up slightly. The screen goes back to normal view as Thomas quickly turns toward the screen roaring, revealing that his face has transformed into a mutated visage with a metal jaw, similar to that of the creatures.
Though handguns can be found and used while playing Condemned, it definitely isn't a First person shooter. Almost all of the action is focused on melee combat. When a rare firearm is found the bullets quickly run out and you are forced to either quickly find something lying around to use as a weapon, such as a pipe or shovel, or use the butt of the gun as a weapon. Ammo in the firearms found are what is left of what the AI has used, so the player is encouraged to take out those with firearms in a quickly.
The focus of the experience is on improvised mêlée, allowing players and enemies to collect, or even pull, weapons from their surrounding environments, such as pipes, shovels, and 2x4s. The word often employed by the developers of the game to describe the combat is 'visceral'. A Duke Nukem 3D style quick-kick is available for attacking without, or alongside, a hand held weapon, and attacks can be unleashed in different directions and configurations, such as left to right or overhead, but combat is notable for not utilizing a combo system, unlike similar titles such as The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay. In many cases, blocking is necessary both before and after landing a successful hit.
It should be noted that although there are sharp weapons in the game, one cannot stab or dismember enemies. In fact, the player can almost never wield an actual knife or sword (the usual melee weapons in first person games), with the exception being in the School level, where you have brief access to a meat cleaver. Some mêlée weapons fall under the class of entry tool, (like a fire ax for a rotten door, or a crowbar for a locked safe) and act as keys in the gameworld, allowing the player to access new areas or locked boxes.
The artificial intelligence displayed by enemies requires the player to think on his feet a great deal more than similar games. Enemies are able to flee and hide effectively, often surprising the player by quickly appearing from a concealed spot. Enemies can also effectively feint, in order to trick the player into blocking at an inopportune time, leaving themselves open for the real attack.
The player also has a taser gun which when used stuns the target, does some damage and allows the player to seize the stunned enemy's weapon. Later in the game, it also becomes very damaging, causing the enemy's legs to give out. Common uses for it are safely attacking enemies with guns (since it allows players to stun them from a distance and then seize the gun while the enemy is incapacitated), countering an immediate attack since using the taser does not require the precise timing that blocking does and obtaining the chance to make a free hit (a hit where the player does not risk being hit first). However it has to recharge between shots so it cannot be used to bypass the games system of carefully fighting enemies.
The entire game takes place in derelict urban environments, with minimum lighting. The player must use their flashlight to navigate through the game's constantly darkened environments, while dealing with frequent enemy ambushes.
Near the end of the game the player loses both the flashlight and the taser. This means all strategies which required the taser become impossible and the only personal light source becomes burning planks which means carrying a gun reduces visibility. This effectively forces the player to rely exclusively on blocking, hiding and evasion for defense and close range attacks for offense.
At certain areas you will find crime scenes which need to be investigated. You are directed to press a context sensitive button which, when pressed, automatically selects whichever forensic tool is needed in that given situation. You collect the evidence and then, by cell phone, instantly relay any information gathered to a support worker at an FBI crime lab, opening new areas to explore and also furthering the story.
The player character is gifted with the instinctual ability to detect when forensic evidence is nearby, allowing players to bring up the detection and collection tools when appropriate. However, the "instincts" of the character only vaguely highlight the area in which the evidence resides, it is up to the player to methodically sweep the scene and catalog any findings.
On October 4, 2005, Warner Brothers Studios announced plans to release a film adaptation which is set in the same "universe" as the then upcoming Condemned: Criminal Origins. Warner Bros. Studios had acquired Monolith Productions during 2004 and is expecting for the movie to receive a currently to be announced 2008 theatrical release date. A report from The Variety states that Kurt Sutter, co-execute producer of the television series The Shield, would be writing the screenplay for the film under the working title Species X. The project's name had since been changed to The Unforgettable by 2006.
According to earlier drafts of the script, a police officer hunts down a serial killer in an attempt to clear his name from murder. However, during the process he discovers that he may be tied to other ongoing murder cases in an unusual way. The cop soon begins to question throughout his investigation upon discovering his supernatural abilities, "who he is as a man, until he realizes he's not a man. A tug-of-war emerges among a faction of good and evil aliens."
Also connected with the project is Jason Hall, a former Monolith CEO who joined Warner Bros. to become Vice president of Operations over their gaming division. Hall, along with Nathan Henderickson, was responsible for the film's concept and state that he seeks to "come up with something specifically designed to use multiple mediums to tell stories that had some continuity and connective thread... We wanted to create a universe that, like a Star Wars, was big enough where different stories could exist." Variety indicated that the plan was to introduce audiences to the "universe" of Condemned with Criminal Origins, followed by a film adaptation which will tie-in with a sequel video game gradually expanding the story's universe. As of January 25, 2007, David S. Goyer and Basil Iwanyk are attached to produce.
As of May 6, 2007, the Xbox 360 version had a score of 82% on Game Rankings based on 81 reviews [4], and a score of 81% on MetaCritic based on 72 reviews.
The PC version had a score of 79% on Game Rankings based on 30 reviews, and a score of 78% on MetaCritic based on 24 reviews.
A sequel titled Condemned 2: Bloodshot was officially announced by Sega on May 10, 2007 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The game is scheduled to be released in early 2008 and will contain a multiplayer aspect, however no official word has been given regarding it save for it's inclusion.
   | GameRankings Xbox 360 reviews - Condemned: Criminal Origins for Xbox 360 - GameRankings |
| | Official Website - Condemned 2: Bloodshot ::: 2927948330 |
| | Condemned at Gamespot - condemned reviews and news at GameSpot |
| | IGN: Film Tie-In for ''Condemned: Criminal Origins''. Posted October 6, 2006. Retrieved January 25, 2007. - IGN: Film Tie-In for Condemned: Criminal Origins |
| | IMDb: The Unforgettable (2008). Status updated December 20, 2006. Retrieved January 25, 2007. - The Unforgettable (2011) |
| | Variety.com: WB hatches dual species. Posted October 4, 2005. Retrieved January 25, 2007. - WB hatches dual species - Entertainment News, Exclusives, Media - Variety |
| | GameRankings PlayStation 3 previews - GameRankings - Video Game Reviews from around the Internet |
| | Achievements List - Achieve360Points.com - Condemned: Criminal Origins - Xbox 360 Achievements |
| | Review for ''Condemned: Criminal Origins'' Xbox 360 - The Horror Channel - Home |
| | The Horror Channel - The Horror Channel - Home |
| | ''Condemned: Criminal Origins'' Cheats & Stragegy Guide for Xbox 360 - Condemned: Criminal Origins Cheats, Codes, Cheat Codes for Xbox 360 |
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