Condemned: Criminal Origins

Well, i haven't found a film thats managed to scare the life out of me...so who would've thought a video game would ACTUALLY make me genuinely terrified! I absolutely loved this game, and I completed it 100% (yes, it was abit difficult to find all of the metal pieces and the birds, and pick up and use every weapon - but it's possible).

The first level just gives you a real taste of whats to come...you will jump out of your skin so many times, it will start to hurt...the game is never in light...it's always dark, and you've always got the torch to help guide you. At points in this game, I wouldn't do it alone...I had to have someone in private chat with me (360 owners will know what i mean).

I was so scared, this game really frightened me, but in such a good way! I enjoy being made jump and made to feel terrified when I watch a film or whatever...and I think because you are this person in the game, it just makes it scary...it's you who is there, you are controlling this person...you are making the decisions....it's amazing! Everyone who I spoke to, who has this game, agrees that this is quite disturbing and not for the faint hearted...it was reviewed in the official xbox magazine as being the scariest game ever! beating the likes of resident evil and F.E.A.R etc.

If you want to jump out of your skin...and witness some pleasing and gory scenes...get this! Play it in the dark...it makes it all the more terrifying!

I received an Xbox 360 on Christmas 2008 and Condemned: Criminal Origins was the first game I played for it. It had me from the get go, and I still play it from time to time. The combat is visceral and full of impact, a successful block leaves enemies open to attack, while at the same time not allowing the player to become complacent and swing wildly and make every fight a joke.

But what really appeals to me is the environments, every location is decrepit and ruined, it gives the city a wide, deserted feel, murky lighting and crumbling structure are plentiful, good places to hide or be killed.

On the other hand, the final level is a bit foolish, yet the ending is always the hardest part of a story. And the voice acting could be better.

Overall, it's a cult classic for good reason and a worthy addition to the horror game library.

This game is scary, violent and extremely stylish. Ultra-slick visuals, awesome hand to hand combat and enemy AI to as close to real as possible, this game is most definitely one to pick up. The fully interactive elements are good and the actually playability of the game is very easy to pick up. The back drops are detailed and varied, characters look human and smooth and the plot is intriguing. A game to really get the Xenix 360 off the ground. Original and most of all, genuinely frightening. Every time an enemy jumps at you from around the corner your heart will skip a beat and seeing them running past in the background will most definitely send a shiver down your neck.

But it's the little attentions to detail that really make this game stand out, the use of lighting, awesome sound effects and the lack of music to create atmosphere are very good.

The cut scenes telling the story are well animated and voice acted. The plot itself is exceptionally intriguing, you actually want to know what has happened and how it's resolved.

Over all this is most definitely a must own title for the 360, one of many to come I hope.

I think this game is simply amazing. It mixes the action and horror genres beautifully in one, including gore, moments that will make you jump and disturbing images and implications as well as melee and firearm combat. There is a whole aresenal of weapons out there, mostly melee, but truth be told, in a game such as this, I believe it is more fun using fire axes, sledgehammers and crowbars as weapons other then a measly pistol or shotgun. Plus, the ability to search for evidence at the crime scenes adds a little extra spice in the game. The storyline as well is very interesting and keeps you on the edge. Although I did run into a few technicalities, the game is definitely a buy for Xbox 360. 9/10.

One of the best, if not the best, horror game I have played. Despite the very dated graphics, the game has plenty of good scares and tense moments. The story dragged a bit in the middle but picks up again in the end chapters. The melee focused combat is unique and pushes you into the enemy more, creating even more tense moments and adding some decent amount of skill as well. Overall, this game is a must for every horror game fan. Highly recommended.

PS: I originally wanted to post this on Steam, but then I forgot that the game is banned in Germany, so this review goes here instead. Just keep that in mind of you are in Germany and want to get this game.