Condemned: Criminal Origins
" Atmospheric action horror with skillful melee combat but poor PC performance and controls "
Condemned: Criminal Origins Review
Condemned: Criminal Origins is a first-person horror game with a strong focus on melee combat and atmospheric exploration. Players navigate grim urban environments, engaging in intense close-quarters fights and detective-style investigations. The game is relatively short, typically completed in under six hours, but its pacing and level design offer a mix of tension and action. Despite its age, the game retains a cult following due to its unique combat mechanics and eerie atmosphere. However, the PC port has notable technical issues including framerate drops and occasional bugs, which can detract from the experience. The story, while intriguing, is considered straightforward and sometimes leaves questions unanswered. The game’s sound design and soundtrack contribute significantly to the immersive horror experience. Overall, it is praised as a classic of the genre but is marred by some dated visuals and gameplay quirks.
Highlights
Players particularly praise the game's unique melee combat system, which requires skillful timing and anticipation, adding tension and depth to encounters. The atmospheric environments, ranging from abandoned buildings to grim urban settings, effectively create a sense of dread and immersion. The detective mini-games and investigative elements provide variety and encourage exploration. The soundtrack and sound design are highly regarded for enhancing the horror ambiance. Despite some dated graphics, the overall mood and gameplay mechanics remain engaging for horror fans, making it a memorable experience.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on technical issues, especially poor framerate performance and bugs in the PC port, which can interrupt gameplay. The movement system is often described as sluggish and frustrating, with slow running speeds and awkward controls on stairs. Combat, while innovative, can feel inconsistent and barebones, with some players frustrated by the stamina system and limited combat moves. The game’s short length and linear level design reduce replayability. Some players find the story underdeveloped, and the ending is viewed as rushed and unsatisfying. The inability to save reliably early on and occasional enemy AI flaws also detract from the experience.
Pros
- • Unique and engaging melee combat system requiring skillful timing.
- • Highly atmospheric environments that build tension effectively.
- • Detective mini-games add variety and encourage exploration.
- • Soundtrack and sound design enhance the horror experience.
- • Enemy AI that attempts ambushes adds unpredictability.
- • Strong nostalgic value for fans of classic horror games.
- • Well-designed levels with immersive, grim urban settings.
Cons
- • PC port suffers from poor framerate and technical issues.
- • Sluggish movement and awkward controls frustrate players.
- • Combat can feel inconsistent and limited in moveset.
- • Short game length with low replayability value.
- • Story is somewhat underdeveloped and ending feels rushed.
- • Saving system issues cause unnecessary difficulty spikes.
- • Enemy AI sometimes behaves unrealistically or dumbly.
Rating Criteria
What twists the mind of an ordinary human into a serial killer?
