Condemned 2: Bloodshot is shaping up to be an action-packed sequel.

*Note: At the time of this preview, no screenshots were made available to the press.* 

Sega is ready to explore another mysterious adventure in the world of Condemned. Depending on whom you ask, the original Condemned was one of the best launch titles for the Xbox 360 in 2005.  With Condemned 2: Bloodshot, the next chapter in this terrifying series is shaping up to be a worthwhile experience.

Fans of the original can be thankful to hear that Monolith Productions are returning as the developers of the project.  Monolith will be introducing an all-new fighting system for the sequel.  There will be defensive and offensive combos added into the fighting system.  Players still need to make use of unique weapons such as fire axes, road signs, and giant kitchen knives to survive the onslaught of enemies.  The killing will primarily be done in the close range, but there are a few mid-range weapons such as the shotgun.  What I loved about the first Condemned was that it made combat in every other FPS look primitive.  

If players have never played the original, think CSI meets Saw.  There are a string of horrendous murders that players must solve with use of their detective skills.  Tracking down the killer(s) won’t be easy as they’re elusive and always find impossible ways to escape.  Condemned 2 follows in the footsteps of the first by continuing with a first-person view that sends players into the world of a psychological thriller.  From what we hear, the game's overall tone will be more brutal and merciless.

Carrying over, in terms of the storyline, players will again assume the role of Ethan Thomas.  Ethan is set on a path to solve the disappearance of his partner.  On top of all that, if players remember from the original, Ethan will have to deal with inexplicable occurrences that happened at the end of the original.  The disturbing events from all throughout the initial Condemned have left him a broken man – a desperate burnout if you ask me – drifting aimlessly through a society in unfathomable decline.  This one-man investigation guarantees to be action-packed, no doubt about it.

Players can expect to use a whole new set of high-tech forensic tools. What I personally want, as a fan, is more gore.  I want to be able to cut off body parts and tear the enemies from limb to limb.  That could just be the sadistic side of me talking though.   The original had great atmosphere, but I thought it lacked variety in the environments.  Nothing too bad, but it became frustrating to get lost when I thought so many places looked alike.  Though, the first’s art style is superb and will benefit with better modeling of the levels.

The biggest addition to the series is online multiplayer.  Deathmatch should be attracting for two reasons.  The first reason is that it could lure in new players that felt the first didn’t warrant a purchase since it excluded multiplayer.  Secondly, it could draw back players of the original.

The release date is set for 2008 for both the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3.  The port of the original never made its way to the PS3, so this will be the first time the PS3 is graced with a title in the series.  On the PS3, the potential for six-axis control is going to be great. Unluckily, PC gamers are on the outside looking in.  Currently, there are no plans to release it on the PC.  If you haven’t played Condemned: Criminal Origins, I recommend downloading the demo on the Xbox 360 right now and taking a test run.