Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to the horror genre. Sure, a larger and more elaborate follow-up to a horror property can sometimes result in a masterpiece, like in the case of Aliens or Evil Dead II, but added complexity can often sabotage an over-ambitious sequel. This also applies to videogames, with developers sometimes trying too hard when attempting to expand on a solid foundation. This curious desire to fix what isn’t broken is why I think Monolith Studios’ 2008 hit Condemned 2: Bloodshot is such an interesting sequel, as it simultaneously misunderstands and improves on its iconic predecessor, making it still worth discussing after all this time.
A follow-up to 2005’s Condemned: Criminal Origins, which chronicled the trials of FBI agent Ethan Thomas as he attempts to apprehend a rogue serial killer that only murders other serial killers, Condemned 2 was meant to bring the urban thrills of the original game to a wider audience. Like Silent Hill: Homecoming and Resident Evil 5 before it, Bloodshot was another victim of the late 2000s trend of over-emphasizing the action elements of a horror franchise in order to make it more appealing to non-horror fans. While this more generalist approach miraculously worked, as Monolith’s sequel was ultimately better received than the first game, its inflated budget and more mainstream appeal turned it into a completely different beast.
Leaving artistic sensibilities and personal preference aside, there’s no denying that Condemned 2: Bloodshot is an objectively superior title when it comes to gameplay and overall production value. Nearly every aspect of the original game was improved this time around, from smoother traversal to more lifelike animation. Even the returning cast now look and sound more like traditional Hollywood actors rather than the grungy law enforcement personnel of the first game. However, all this extra polish came at a cost, as the game’s slick visuals and enhanced controls ended up overshadowing some of Criminal Origins’ exceptional horror elements while also eliminating many of its janky charms.
In the 2008 title, Ethan is now a homeless alcoholic with a penchant for fist-fights, justifying the game’s new bare-handed combo system. While Criminal Origins always made you feel like you were just barely surviving combat encounters, it appears that our main character has spent some time polishing his boxing skills on the mean streets of Metro city, making combat more fun than terrifying this time around. Gunplay is slightly more important now as well, with the game featuring fully-fledged FPS sequences to break up the melee showdowns. Beyond the combat, the investigation aspects have also been redesigned, with the title now allowing for more player input as you attempt to unravel a bizarre web of serial-killing conspiracy with hi-tech gadgets and some good old-fashioned detective work.
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She’s going to jump out and attack me, isn’t she?
And speaking of conspiracies, Bloodshot truly embraces the unbridled lunacy of the previous game’s final moments, doubling down on the preternatural elements that were only hinted at in that story. Featuring ancient secret societies and absurd sci-fi technology, the sequel focuses on the return of Serial Killer X and a mysterious cult that has been driving the citizens of Metro City to homicidal madness. From sonic mind-control to super-powered Messiahs and more serial killing vagrants than you can shake a rusty pipe at, the plot takes players for another terrifying ride through the dingy back alleys of a city on the edge.
Of course, even more than the first game, the story isn’t exactly the star of the show here, though I enjoy how the narrative elements are now more in sync with the actual gameplay. I particularly appreciate how Ethan’s struggles with alcoholism affect his shooting abilities (with symptoms of withdrawal making it hard to aim), and his nightmarish hallucinations also make for some appropriately creepy moments. That being said, it’s the gloomy depiction of Metro City itself that makes Bloodshot worth revisiting.
The level design here is just as terrific as it was the first time around, though the sequel often throws players for a loop with added gimmicks and memorable encounters – like a certain unkillable boss and an entire level built around booby-trapped baby dolls. One of my personal favorite moments is the museum chapter, where madmen have stolen medieval armor and weapons and are running amok throughout the building, just waiting to cleave you in half with ancient axes and swords.
The original game may have focused more on making Metro City feel like a real breathing place, but this ambitious follow-up is more concerned with crafting an urban hyper-reality, depicting a city plagued by apocalyptic riots and supernaturally cruel killers in a nightmarish hellscape that still stands out from other horror media despite its game-y excesses. Bloodshot’s ludicrous story may be more akin to an action-heavy episode of The X-Files rather than a True-Crime-inspired David Fincher film, but it’s an equally valid horror experience even if it’s not as grounded as its predecessor.
Cults, Serial Killers and Bears, oh my!
Moments like the deadly magic show and the infamous bear attack may be a far cry from the down-to-earth scares of Criminal Origins, which I personally think is the scarier title, but I still find this kind of pulpy creativity to be admirable – and I’m clearly not the only one. In fact, the sequel sold better and was slightly better reviewed than its predecessor, though the increased budget meant that it wasn’t big enough of a hit to warrant another sequel (or the long-rumored cinematic spin-off, which was rumored to somehow involve extraterrestrials).
That being said, Monolith co-founder Jace Hall has claimed that he’s simply waiting for the right indie studio to come along and revive the franchise, though I think enough time has passed that developing a traditional sequel simply wouldn’t make much sense at this point. Unfortunately for fans, Condemned 2: Bloodshot is also one of the few games in Monolith’s massive catalogue that never saw a PC release, meaning that you’ll have to track down a copy on either PS3 or Xbox 360 if you feel like diving into this schlocky urban nightmare.
Condemned 2: Bloodshot may not be a masterpiece, but I respect Monolith for experimenting with new ideas while still trying to appeal to a larger audience. In fact, I think it’s a shame that we still haven’t seen anything like these games in the years since, as I’d love to take another trip down the rain-slicked streets of a derelict metropolis and beat up some grubby serial killers. As it stands, I guess we’ll just have to be content with the existing duology. I mean, there’s a entire level where you get chased by a rabid bear in the middle of a serial killer investigation. The scares aren’t exactly subtle, but what more could you want from a horror game?
Boo!