Condemned 2: Bloodshot Demo Now Available (Xbox 360)

[fitbabits]

SEGA sends word that a demo for their (so far) critically acclaimed horror epic Condemned 2: Bloodshot is now available for download from Xbox Live Marketplace.

LONDON (14 March, 2008) – SEGA Europe Ltd. today announced gamers can sample the highly anticipated Condemned 2™ video game from esteemed development studio, Monolith Productions, via a demo released on the Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®. Available for immediate download, the demo is taken from mid-way through the first level and gives players an opportunity to get to grips with Ethan Thomas, the former Serial Crimes Unit investigator, in his crusade to discover just what is going on in the sinister world around him.
I think this is limited to Europe only.

[fitbabits]

Full press release:

LONDON (14 March, 2008) – SEGA Europe Ltd. today announced gamers can sample the highly anticipated Condemned 2™ video game from esteemed development studio, Monolith Productions, via a demo released on the Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®. Available for immediate download, the demo is taken from mid-way through the first level and gives players an opportunity to get to grips with Ethan Thomas, the former Serial Crimes Unit investigator, in his crusade to discover just what is going on in the sinister world around him.

A truly cinematic masterpiece, Condemned 2 is the next instalment in the chilling Condemned series where players get to investigate disturbingly visceral crimes using a combination of brain and brawn. With an all new set of high-tech forensic tools available to Ethan, and virtually everything in the environment at his disposal, players will discover that Condemned 2 is a terrifying yet thrilling ride from start to finish.

What the press have said so far:

Germany, Gamepro 90% & Platinum Award
Germany, 360 Live 90%
Germany, Eurogamer.de 9/10
Germany, Games Aktuell 87%
UK, GamesMaster, 86%
UK, X-360, 84%
UK, Official Xbox 360 Magazine 8/10 & Must Buy Award
UK, Official Playstation Magazine 8/10
UK, Xbox World 360 8/10
Sweden, Gamereactor 9/10

Condemned 2 is set for release across Europe on April 4th, 2008 for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.

[Spigot]

You don't need the demo. Just go get the game. It's that good.

Just don't buy it for the multiplayer. It gets the job done but this game is all about the singleplayer experience. I'm not someone who scares easily, at least not when it comes to games, but I had at least 2-3 times last night when I was playing it where the game made me jump... and that's only on the second level.

[menage]

Awesome! Check it out tonight I will.

[Loki_09]

I still havent decided if I'm going to pull the trigger on this one yet. I may just rent it. I loved the first one. Besides RE:0, its the only game that has every made me jump.

And no, multiplayer is completely unnecessary for this series.

[Spigot]

And no, multiplayer is completely unnecessary for this series.Agreed. That said, the multiplayer they have in this game is actually ok. Nothing I'll likely spend much time in but it's better than something like The Darkness' tacked on MP component. At least the online stuff in Bloodshot has a bit of fun attached :)

[karak]

Agreed. That said, the multiplayer they have in this game is actually ok. Nothing I'll likely spend much time in but it's better than something like The Darkness' tacked on MP component. At least the online stuff in Bloodshot has a bit of fun attached :)

Totally true. NOT needed but completely awesome that's it's added. And it is actually done incredibly well. I am very impressed by the implementation of it.

[Spigot]

Totally true. NOT needed but completely awesome that's it's added. And it is actually done incredibly well. I am very impressed by the implementation of it.It's nice to do a deathmatch game where you're whacking people with shovels and other implements instead of just shooting everyone. If nothing else, it is something different.

I tried doing the Crime Scene thing yesterday but I haven't really learned how to use the forensic tools yet, so I didn't do too well.

[Bumbuliuz]

Hmmmm dont see it yet.

[GodFather]

I picked this badboy up on Weds, and so far I think its alot better than the first one. If you were a fan of the first this is a must buy.

[divinechaos]

I really wanna play this but I forgot us Silver members have to wait an extra week. Stupid Microsoft.

[Sandman]

The sad thing is I actually started moving towards my controller....then I saw my console sitting there without a faceplate and no HDD waiting on a coffin......sigh.

[Alexotronic]

I don't think it is out for US XBL yet. I did download the bliss island demo though, and had a flashback to the minigames in pokemon stadium :-p

[DarkDaY]

gotta finish LO first, man this is killing me, I want this game, but I cant have anymore stack up, and my stack is mighy.

[menage]

This isn't up yet. Sigh.

I need new demo's. :p

[Wedge]

Demo still not up. I want this puppy, but I got a really, really big stack of backlog now, and all I end up doing is play CoD4. I'm putting it on hold until summer.

[Draft]

Condemned 2 is amazing. If you liked the first one at all, it's an auto buy.

[Draft]

I have been playing this the last couple days, and it is AWESOME. There are a couple terrible spots. One where you face an infinite wave of bums until you figure out that you're just supposed to run away (though to my credit, over the course of about 5 continues, I probably murdered 50+ bums.) The other one that's popped up a couple times are these scary goop levels where you get hounded by goop bums who are kind of hard to see. Goop on goop.

Mini-impressions:

Combat system is totally revamped and spectacular. There is a whole combo system built around the parry mechanic, switching out left and right jabs with hooks, kicks and running attacks. The combos are absolutely required, as they have damage increasing modifiers. Without that extra damage, you can beat on a bum for MINUTES and he won't go down.

Forensics are much improved and feel more like an actual investigation.

Investigation is expanded to a whole bunch of mini-games. The object is to observe the evidence in question, and then answer questions about the evidence. It's some real Carmen Sandiego shit but it actually works.

The bums are back and badder than ever. I just hit this level, and it is incredible. Spoilers for environment, enemies and weapons, no story spoiler:

Bums take over a museum and arm themselves with medieval weapons and armor. You get all sorts of medieval weapons to fight back with, like broadswords, battle axes and war hammers.

The game is still scary as fuck. Whoever's in charge of sound design at Monolith is amazing. Creates palpable dread and heart pounding terror with all manner of noise.

There is now an upgrade system in place. Your performance in the forensics minigame and optional sub-missions determines how good of an upgrade you get. I've earned a brass knuckle, a bullet proof vest, an amped up taser, a gun holster and sneaky rubber soled boots so far.

[Grifter]

Where's the freakin' demo!?! I want to play this soooo baaad but can't afford to pick it up until next month.

[Grimgrock]

It's some real Carmen Sandiego shit but it actually works.

That's a compliment in my book. The Carmen Sandiego series was great. For that time period, it was the only game the school computers had on them by default. This was before Windows.

[Draft]

That's a compliment in my book. The Carmen Sandiego series was great. For that time period, it was the only game the school computers had on them by default. This was before Windows.Well imagine Carmen Sandiego, except in between investigations, you beat hobos to death with the metal soccer player rod from a foosball table (this is an actual weapon in Condemned 2.)

[ResistanceAddict]

I love this game. It's amazing. I don't scare easily either, but this game is freaky and makes you paranoid and alert the whole time. In my first sitting I played it for 20 minutes, and it took me another 15 minutes afterwards to snap out of the strange state of mind I was in after playing. It messed with my head. And that's a testament to how realistic games are now. It's easier to take them seriously.