Tactics in Condemned 2

Slugging your way through Condemned 2: Bloodshot™ as Ethan Thomas is no easy task even on Normal difficulty, let alone Hard. If the murderous vagrants don't get you, chances are some psychotic exploding doll, mutated beast, or even figment of Ethan's imagination will send you screaming back to the latest checkpoint.

The Oro are everywhere.

However, with the following tips to fall back on, you should at least stand a fighting chance against the gruesome and wonderfully deranged challenges faced along the way.

Back Up Combo

You can bet that any time you've established a combo attack your opponent will lash out at you immediately, canceling your power attack if they land their blow. To avoid this, immediately back away once you've established your combo. Let your opponent swing away, and only after they've tried to attack should you close and finish off the combo.

It takes a bit of careful timing to dodge and attack before your combo timer ends, but master this technique and you'll land a good deal more power attacks than by button mashing alone.

Flambé Time

Not only is there a twenty-five point Flambé achievement to shoot for, but when properly executed, the Flambé attack works as an instant kill on most enemies. Grab a flask of liquor (bottles of wine and champagne don't work) and toss it at an enemy. Once they're properly doused, tag them with your taser to light 'em up.

Beat on Each Other

A good majority of the psychotic enemies you face in Condemned 2: Bloodshot will attack both you and each other in their thirst for violence. When you can, take a step back and allow the enemies to go after one another. Also, if one enemy is pursuing you while you're engaged with another, position yourself so that you place the attacking opponent between you and the pursuer. Arrange yourself just so, and the pursuer will unleash their anger on the enemy you're fighting.

Might want to turn around.

Kick 'em While They're Down

Any time you knock an enemy to the ground, they're fodder for an instant kill. All that's required is a single strike before they get up, and you'll finish them off for good. Keep this in mind if one enemy knocks another down. Even if you're not close to the action, try tossing your weapon to eliminate the fallen opponent.

Steady Your Nerves

The ability to find and consume alcohol isn't just a character quirk or even just a component of the gruesome Flambé attack, but also a calming, steadying influence on Ethan's ability to aim. Whenever you carry a gun in Condemned 2, make sure to keep a sharp eye out for wine, champagne, and liquor scattered throughout each level. Do so, and aiming with the left trigger will be a much steadier, more precise experience.

Nothing Optional

Throughout Condemned 2 you'll be given the opportunity to complete optional objectives (such as photographing artifacts), and while you can sidestep these goals, you would be wise to treat them with the same importance as your primary objectives.

Completing optional objectives, including destroying sound emitters and tuning in antennas, all contribute to your end-of-level rating, and the better your rating, the better gear and upgrades you'll receive. For example, walking stealthily past guards is a good deal easier with a Gold level set of boots rather than the Bronze set you'd receive for completing a level while ignoring secondary objectives.

Classically handsome he is not.

Swap it Out

Every melee weapon you wield possesses a Condition rating. The more you use it, the weaker the weapon becomes until eventually it breaks altogether. Make sure to replace your weapon after every fight, lest you shatter the bedpost you're wielding on a muscle-bound enemy, leaving you to defend yourself with nothing but your fists.

Achievement Backtracking

Take the time to painstakingly search through every level your first time through Condemned 2 to ensure you unlock the Gold Plated, Master Investigator, Tune in Tokyo, and Can you Hear Me Now achievements. If you get frustrated, you can bypass perfection in a level, and still replay the level after you've beat the game to pick up the odd sound emitter, antenna, or Perfect investigation rating you missed your first time through.

Perfect Reload

Careful deduction along with a thorough examination of the evidence will usually result in a Perfect investigation rating, but no doubt you'll miss some clue or overanalyze a situation from time to time, and therefore flub an investigation. Luckily, each investigation section is almost always immediately preceded by a checkpoint, so you can reload and try the section over again without having to play through extensive sections of the game.

Armed with the preceding tips, grim determination and a few of your own homebrew tactics, there should be no challenge you can't meet in Condemned 2: Bloodshot. Good luck, Agent Thomas.

Article by Ryan Treit