Condemned 2: Bloodshot (PS3) Review
Released: March 2008
Developer: Monolith Productions
Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Condemned 2: Bloodshot is a dark, gritty, and brutally violent first-person horror game that builds on the foundation of the cult classic Condemned: Criminal Origins. It takes everything that made the first game a sleeper hitmelee combat, psychological horror, and forensic investigationand amps it up with more action, more insanity, and a twisted descent into madness.
What Works
Visceral Melee Combat
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At its core, Condemned 2 delivers some of the most intense first-person melee combat of its time.
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Improvised weapons like pipes, boards, toilet seats, and even mannequins make every fight feel raw and personal.
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There's a satisfying weight and crunch to every hitit's not just violent, it's ugly violent.
Grimy Atmosphere and Worldbuilding
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The environments are grimy, decayed, and unsettlingfrom abandoned hotels to blood-soaked alleyways.
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The game oozes atmosphere, leaning heavily into urban decay and madness.
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Lighting, sound design, and level layout all build constant tension.
Improved Forensics System
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Investigations are more interactive than in the first game.
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Instead of just pressing a button to collect evidence, you're tasked with analyzing crime scenes, answering questions, and choosing the best tools.
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Its still mostly linear, but adds welcome depth and variety.
Unpredictable, Psychological Horror
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The story blends serial killer detective noir with supernatural weirdness.
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The protagonist, Ethan Thomas, is mentally unraveling, which adds hallucinations, unpredictable enemies, and some truly creepy set pieces.
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Certain sequences (like the doll factory) are nightmare fuel.
Multiplayer (Kind of)
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It includes several combat-focused multiplayer modes, though none gained much traction.
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Mostly a novelty, but worth a mention.
What Doesnt Work
Controls Feel Clunky by Modern Standards
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Movement and aiming can feel stiff, especially in gunplay segments.
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Not unplayable, but definitely dated.
Gunplay Is Underwhelming
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The game introduces more firearms than the first entry, but the gun mechanics lack the polish seen in FPS-focused games.
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Melee remains the star; guns feel tacked on.
Story Gets Wild (Not Always in a Good Way)
Lack of Replayability
Final Verdict
🟠 Final Score: 7.5/10
Condemned 2: Bloodshot is a brutal and atmospheric horror experience that thrives in its melee combat and disturbing environments. While it stumbles in its story direction and gunplay, it still offers a unique and unsettling ride for those brave enough to dive into its decaying world.
Pros:
Intense, satisfying melee combat
Incredible atmosphere and horror set pieces
More interactive forensics system
Genuinely scary moments and enemy design
Cons:
Clunky controls and awkward gunplay
Story spirals into the absurd
Some uneven pacing
Weak multiplayer and replay value
Recommendation: If you're into psychological horror, gritty detective stories, and you can handle a bit of rough-around-the-edges gameplay, Condemned 2 is a cult horror gem worth checking outpreferably with the lights off and headphones on.
