The time is now for the unappreciated survival-horror gem to make its return! No, not the divisive sequel but the true to itself original title. Condemned: Criminal Origins – a brutal, detective thriller crafted in the vein of films like Se7en and Silence of the Lambs, released nearly 20 years ago. With the noticeable resurgence of survival horror in new titles such as Alan Wake 2 and the Resident Evil games, as well as the upcoming closure of the Xbox 360 Marketplace, I can’t help but reflect on what once was and find some hope for what could be! There may be no better time than now for a refresh of this 7th-generation cult classic!
A BRIEF OVERVIEW
Condemned: Criminal Origins is a game that was stuck in a strange time for both gamers and the genre as a whole. In a limbo spot. An awkward growing period. The game was chartered as a brand-new concept, bolted onto the Xbox 360 launch. It was cast out in an era where horror and mystery in gaming sat patiently in the backseat, in exchange for a flood of in-your-face military shooters like Call of Duty and Battlefield. Although there was a sequel released in Condemned 2: Bloodshot, I would gather that myself and most fans would rather a return in the spirit of the first game.
Building on the Back of the Original – Potential Improvements in a Revival
Although it may not have garnered legendary status or perfect scores, Condemned: Criminal Origins was nominated and won several awards after release. Many of which for its music and sound design. Additionally, the game shined in many ways ahead of its time. The tight claustrophobic level design, grotesque enemy types, visceral first-person combat, and fundamentally unique set of investigation mechanics all stood out to players and reviewers. This often-forgotten thriller has all the hallmarks of a dark, noir movie and is a blast to play as SCU Agent Ethan Thomas, even today!
A few things that I would love to see in a remake of the first Condemned game – elevating the original experience and building on it’s already strong framework:
- Modern Viceral Combat: Improved fps combat. More weapons, environmental finishers and environments that react to the brutal action.
- Player Agency and Exploration: Semi-opens levels or a more open ended level design allowing player agency.
- Be the Detective. Solve the Crime: Expanded mechanics and tools during investigation segments, forcing the player to think critically about the crime scene in front of them.
- More Hellish Enemies: More diversity in enemy types while still being rooted in the sense of haunting reality.
- Keep the Grunge Aesthetics: Keep the grimy and washed out art style while improving texture and lighting with modern engine tech.
- The History of Evil and What Tears a Man Down: A deeper dive into Agent Ethan’s family history and his spiritual-like ties to evil.
Return to Metro City – Chances for a Condemned Revival or Sequel?
Where it stands now, ownership of the Condemned IP sits in the hands of Jace Hall, a games industry icon and co-creator of the original concepts while at Monolith Productions. Many years ago now, Hall talked with Polygon and said, “I am contemplating finding an interested and proven Indie development team and providing it to them, so that they can take over the franchise and move it forward.”
Shining a small ray of hope for fans like myself looking for another entry! Yet, nothing has been confirmed. Radio silence ever since.
The way I see it, several competent AA or indie studios out there could revive such a cult classic franchise as Condemned. Breathing new, sick horror into the already-established lore. With the power of tools like Unreal Engine 5 and the graphical strides we have made over the years, I can only imagine the potential of a Condemned 3!
So… that begs the question. Will we be gifted with a return to the garbage-lined alleys of Metro City? Will a capable indie studio take up arms and answer Hall’s offer? Or will the IP remain dormant in the foreseeable future? As Ethan says to the illusive Malcom Vanhorn upon the games beginning twist of events, “I can never go back, can I?” And while they may be true, we cannot go back. That leaves the door open to many more stories to be told in the Condemned universe going forward. Here’s to hoping we see more bloody goodness of Condemned real soon.
