Common Sense Note
Parents need to know Condemned 2 is not only scary but quite graphic with violent and gory imagery, including beating an enemy to death with blunt weapons, grabbing their neck and throwing them into a wall, shooting them with guns or breaking their arm before kicking them to the ground. An enemy's face will often become bloody during combat. "Environment kills" let you throw an enemy's head into a TV set or through a big window -- depending on the location. Blood-smeared walls, creepy clowns, empty wheelchairs rolling, and dark environments also add to the fear factor.
Families can talk about what makes a game scary besides blood and gore. Is there anything psychological here that truly terrifies? How does the dark environments, creepy enemies, and an immersive first-person perspective contribute to the horror aspect of the game?
Common Sense Review
Unlike Hollywood, video game sequels are usually better than their predecessor -- and Sega's frightening CONDEMNED 2: BLOODSHOT is no exception. Gamers once again play as Ethan Thomas, now a down-and-out Serial Crimes Unit (SCU) investigator called back to duty to track down his missing partner. While this visceral and atmospheric dark tale involves some forensic analysis and character interaction (such as selecting the most ideal answer during a conversation), combat is the name of the game in this first-person thriller, with a greater emphasis on melee attacks this time around. Be forewarned this "survival horror" game has some gruesome and graphic fighting scenes, complete with bone-crunching sound effects and high-pitch violin crescendos that peak before impact. Weapons range from fists, guns, and swords to pipes, bowling balls, and toilet seats.
While the first game was good, gory entertainment for mature players, this sequel builds upon the concept nicely – but be forewarned this "Mature"-rated game should not be played or viewed by players under 17 years of age. With its slick graphics and clever lighting techniques, Condemned 2: Bloodshot delivers plenty of nail-biting moments. After all, it was created by Monolith who brought us the creepy F.E.A.R. series, Aliens Vs. Predator 2 and the Blood 3-D shooters. Add multiple online modes for up to eight players and the game also deliver chills, thrills, and spills when played together with friends – especially with the lights turned off and your 5.1 surround sound system turned up.
Some gripes, however, including some long load times between levels and inconsistent frame rates that translate to some choppy animation when a lot of action takes place onscreen at the same time.
Other action-heavy survival horror games worth considering include Resident Evil 4, Silent Hill: Origins, F.E.A.R. and Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly. For a less violent but still scary game, try Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles.
Rate It!
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ViolenceGraphic and gory, this first-person survival horror game lets you kill enemies with your hands, guns, pipes, 2x4 boards, and more. You can slam a door onto someone's head (and hearing a crunch), hit them with bowling balls or toilet seats, or pummel an enemy to death with blunt weapons. You can throw an enemy's head into a TV or through a big glass window. There are blood-smeared walls and lots of gore. |
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LanguageThis game includes "F--k" and "S--t", as well as "hell," "damn" and "bastard." |
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Social BehaviorThis is a horror game about killing enemies. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoThe main character is an alcoholic and is inebriated at the beginning of the game. He pops pills, too. |
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