Condemned: Criminal Origins

Critic reviews

• GRGames Radar+

  David McCutcheon · Dec 21, 2006

  8.0

  The sound design here justifies a surround setup; there's nothing creepier than hearing footsteps behind you and turning around to find nothing, only to hear the metal cabinet to your left get perforated by a shotgun blast. Little things from birds cawing to kicking a glass bottle across the room not only showcase the interaction of the environments, but also make an already terrifying setting that much scarier. Rarely does a survival horror game frighten you on so many levels.

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• CCheatcc

  Vaughn Smith · Apr 12, 2006

  8.8

  CCO has all of the gameplay, story, visuals and atmosphere that you could possibly want in a mystery game and I think does them all to a proverbial "t". It's not the longest game you'll have ever played the first time through (10 hours or so), but since it offers a selection of difficulty modes, the robust roster of collectibles which unlock movies that shed more light on just the hell is going on and rewards you for meeting various objectives, there is a decent dose of replay value.

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• VGVideo Gamer

  Tom Orry · Apr 12, 2006

  8.0

  At its core it's about as simple as a game could be, but it's presented in such a deranged and immersive way that it's hard not to get caught up in it all. Smacking someone around the face with a spade and watching blood spray from their mouth is a sight that will give many people the wrong view of videogames in general, but if you're old enough to play it and can stomach it, there's plenty of perverted pleasure to be had from Condemned.

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• IIGN

  Charles Onyett · Apr 11, 2006

  8.5

  Condemned: Criminal Origins isn't a long game and it only has one game mode, but it's an unforgettable experience while it lasts. At no point in the game will you be calm or feel comfortable, and that's the best part about it. Even if you're squeamish, be sure to play this at least once at night with all the lights off and by yourself and you'll understand just how frightening it really is. The graphics, animations, enemy behavior, and utterly unnerving sound make this easily one of the most immersive and atmospheric games I've ever played.

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• GGameSpot

  Greg Kasavin · Nov 18, 2005

  8.0

  Condemned's success in delivering the best-looking first-person melee combat of any game to date is truly admirable, along with its unusual premise. It's just that the longer you play, the more you'll wish that there were more substance to the experience. Fortunately, the game's main area of focus is executed on incomparably well, and it's thrilling for a good while if not all the way to the bitter end

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• EGEuro Gamer

  John Walker · Apr 26, 2006

  6.0

  Often the PC receives lazy-ass conversions of dodgy shooters from unknown developers. And it's rightly condemned (fnarr) each time. But what on earth are Monolith doing, sinking that low? These are the people who gave us F.E.A.R. (And Cate Archer!). The most lazy example is the presence of Achievement Awards. While such frame-breaking frippery is apparently acceptable in all Xbox 360 games - you weirdoes - it's absolutely intolerable on a system that doesn't record Achievement Awards.

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