Hardcore Gets Condemned

I can only applaud a first person game that eschews the standard run-and-gun formula for a more deliberate, sinister, first person thriller the likes of which we've never seen before. I can only applaud a game that breeds terror with every step and thrills with each brutal encounter. From beating lunatics senseless with a cement block, to holding my breath as I investigate the remains of a grisly murder scene, Condemned: Criminal Origins™ tremors with taut intensity.

The hardcore find the good secrets.

Condemned pulls no punches; it's harsh, it's terrifying, it's visceral in every aspect of its presentation, and best of all, it caters to every whim of the hardcore gamer. From a story and gameplay perspective, it already delivers in that regard, but it also provides in-game options whose only purpose is to ratchet up the difficulty and intensity of the experience. If you truly want get down and dirty with this launch title worthy of any generation, you'll adhere to the following edicts.

Set the Mood
Every texture, sound effect, scream, and bludgeon filled battle pulses with its own creepy delight, and it deserves to be witnessed in the proper setting. Dim the lights -- better yet, turn them off -- turn up the volume, boost the bass, turn off your phone, and make sure to discourage intrusions of any kind: no email, no IM, no cell phone chirping in your ear, and no visitors (unless they can sit quietly and enjoy the show).

Hardcore Tip: If you live in the city or a busy neighborhood, you might try cracking a window and letting the street noise filter in. Outside street chatter, the sounds of cars driving by, and the occasional siren all add to experience, especially at night.

What the hardcore Options screen looks like.

No Reticule, No Hints
By default there is no targeting reticule when you're holding a gun. You need to do your own aiming, so get used to it, and don't let the option to turn it on in the Options menu lure you into complacency. A well placed manually aimed shot is oh so much more satisfactory than the fake reticule guiding your aim. However, the hint system is turned on by default, so make sure you turn it off. Quite frankly, Condemned is about exploration, so don't let the game cheat you out of your own discoveries. Use your noggin and figure stuff out on your own.

I'd Rather Die than Stun
Agent Thomas has access to a tazer, which is no doubt handy when you nearly soil yourself after an unexpected enemy lunges, sledgehammer in hand from around the corner. Do not give in to temptation though! Pretend that left bumper button doesn't exist. No tazer for the hardcore!

That's a no no.

No Shots Fired, No Heavy Weapons
Regarding weapon selection, there are two set rules. Don't ever fire a gun (in fact, if you go the whole game following this advice, you'll earn an Achievement and boost your Gamerscore), no heavy weapons (the fire axe, shovel, and sledgehammer). Use the heavy items when you need to in order to clear an obstacle, but toss them once their use is exhausted. You got to give the crazies at least a fighting chance! As for gun use, you can truly prove your worth by using them every time you pick one up, but instead of firing them, flip them upside down and use them as a melee weapon. They do little damage, and break easily. That'll truly test your mettle.

Wuss!

Break it Up
You'll often find two enemies turn their attention from you to each other. Now we can't have that! Get in the middle of the fray and break that nonsense up. If there's two or more baddies on screen at once, they should be after you, not each other! Don't let the AI fight your fights for you.

Scrap Metal and Dead Birds
There are three pieces of scrap metal and six dead birds in every level...you see where I'm going with this I'm sure. All hardcore gamers should be completeists at heart, so make sure you search every nook and cranny for the collectable items.

Bludgeoning time.

Condemned: Criminal Origins is hardcore enough without the preceding recommendations, but when you find a hardcore treasure trove like this, you must dig deep and unearth all it has to offer. Now get to it!

Article by Hardcore