Condemned: Criminal Origins Preview (XB360)

Console launches are usually the best time to test out new franchises and determine if they've got legs, or if it's time for more sequels of games that will definitely sell. Sega is testing the waters with their Xbox 360 launch window title, Condemned: Criminal Origins. The game centers around FBI agent Ethan Thomas, who begins to lose his mind while tracking a serial killer. We spent some time with a preview build of the title, and we were pleasantly surprised with our findings.

Our play test of Condemned took us through the fifth level in the game. Things started off with an eerie introduction cut-scene that had the main character questioning his own sanity as a figment of his imagination tried to take him out from behind. The level then began in an abandoned department store with all kinds of mannequins and various other items lying around.

To get an idea of how eerie things looked, the level reminded us of Midway's title, The Suffering, which takes place in a gritty jail. Of course, with the power of the Xbox 360, the surroundings looked considerably scarier, and downright disturbing in many ways. The shadow effects were top notch with every light source casting a proper shadow, no matter how small. We were playing with 5.1 headphones so we didn't experience the full effects of the surround sound, but what we did experience added even more to the eerie mood of the title.

As we played through the level, we found that just about everything could be used as a weapon or interacted with. We walked up to one of the mannequins and were able to rip off its arm to use as a weapon. A rusted old bed was sitting in the middle of the floor, so we ripped off one of the bars from the end of the bed and that too became a weapon. The game features over 30 different weapons, each with unique attributes. Damage, speed, range, and guarding ability will differ depending on your weapon of choice.

The weapons also come in handy for other means. We had to use a sledgehammer to get through one area of the department store. Other weapons will have the ability to pick locks and various other attributes. However, even with the secondary options, combat will be the main focus of your weaponry. Unlike other similar titles, you can't just swing away and expect to take down all of your enemies. We had to carefully time blocks to make sure we weren't mobbed by the zombie-like creatures coming after us.

Once we reached the main crime scene we pulled out our FBI gadgets and got to work. Our first gadget was a scanner that picked up on traces of blood. Once we found something that didn't look quite right we whipped out our trusty transmitter, snapped a shot of the blood in question and had it sent back to headquarters for analysis. Our people back at HQ told us that we needed more info, so we went searching for more evidence, and were greeted with another disturbing cut-scene of a bloody murder.

After playing through the level, it's clear why Sega has so much faith in Condemned. Not only does the game provide a psycho thrill ride that no other launch title can compete with, it's actually a solid title. Dealing with your character's wavering mental state, while trying to solve the mystery and find the serial killer makes for an intriguing and unique gameplay experience.

We're definitely looking forward to the final build of Condemned. As it currently stands, the game is just about finished and looking to easily make launch. We'll be keeping a watchful eye on Sega's upcoming title as it looks to be the first Xbox 360 sleeper hit. Hopefully we'll get our hands on a final build of the game sometime soon and bring you a bit more insight into the eerie world of Condemned: Criminal Origins.