CSI but ow the edge | Condemned 2: Bloodshot

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andynomical

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Published on March 24, 2023 8:35:49 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aqxw-_HO3Hk

Game:

Condemned 2: Bloodshot (2008)

Duration: 5:56:46

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My Chemical Romance has seen better days

REVIEW
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It never hurts to enjoy a blast from the past, relics of bygone eras that were willing to spice up genres through that 2000's feel. Outdated and forgotten they may be, they'll always serve as examples of a time that striving for a quality single-player experience was emphasized over ineptitude and greed fueling game development. Condemned 2: Bloodshot certainly belongs in this category.

Violence and social unrest fuels this game's story as Ethan Thomas, ex-FBI/SCU agent drowns himself in alcohol to cope with unexplainable hallucinations. Reluctancy doesn't hold him back from being pulled in from the agency to investigate a series of psychotic attacks ranging from insane vagrants, abominations, serial killers and a soon-to-be-discovered secret society that spreads pandemonium for nefarious purposes.

*Apparently there was a post credits scene where SKX is fitted with a metal jaw and potentially becoming a member of the Oro. This seems to hint at his return as an antagonist but until then, serves as a "to be continued...".

This game undoubtedly sets up quite a lot of lore to flesh out a combination of thriller-noir to science fiction themes spaced throughout the game. Pacing is often slow to immerse yourself in ambient creepiness but the game does ramp up to intense combative scenarios on occasion. Add on to different story elements impacting the overall atmosphere and gameplay and you have a reasonable enticing experience.

The fighting mechanic is certainly the bread and butter of this game. To match the murky and rough undertones of the game is your character's ability to fight unarmed or with a variety of tools to defend yourself from any threat. For melee purposes, the game provides a lot of combo potential using your limbs as well as utilizing the environment for whatever might be lying around to use, or for brutal takedowns when enemies are wounded enough. Ranged combat is increased which seems to scratch the classic FPS itch people may have but arguably makes combat a lot easier and risks taking away the charm of up-close-and-personal fighting that Condemned introduced. I didn't mind it too much but it definitely takes away the threatening nature of enemies I came across, getting 1-tapped easily.

I did say this at the end but to clarify, I felt like this game makes some weird choices behind the plot. Not filler per se, but of a "wild goose chase" and branching ridiculousness. Ethan Thomas becomes some gruff anti-hero "badass" caricature (complete 180 from the first game) as seen in many games where for almost a year, he doesn't do anything to improve his situation. SKX is a serial killer yet teases in the sequel what he teased in the first game, making him redundant after his use expired. Places like the toy factory appeared to only drag out the game without attachment to the story (no reporting on the weird clown woman either, just serves as a mini-boss of sorts). An cheesy use of some Illuminati rip-off that "wants to end the world" or whatever has been done a dime a dozen times. And worse of all, a cliffhanger ending that doesn't get expanded upon in future releases, providing no resolution to the player. The game has a lot of positives going for it but not without a few hiccups along the way.

Another thing I noticed that has stark difference between the first half and the later half is the dilution of being scary. It starts off strong and has well executed horror moments but as the plot deepened, the scariness factor is reduced as the game becomes more action-oriented. Creepiness and weirdness seem to be a constant but after a while, it does a good job of desensitizing you being afraid. This might just be me though with meta knowledge of the game and being acquainted with horror for a long time but I can't help but point it out all the same.

A first-person beat-em-up game throwing every horror/action trope in the book is, for better or for worse, Condemned 2; Bloodshot. I'll admit, I had my nostalgia goggles on and was already fond of the game. Upon playing it and beating it after all these years, it holds up to a charm of attempted uniqueness and being representative of what 2000's titles fought for. Eventually though over time, it suffers rehashing themes and mechanics seen in the same era. Whether or not you're fond of what the game espouses, it's a classic all the same.

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