Preview: Condemned 2 (360)

Taking a darker, arguably less mature turn in the story department hasn't diluted the sense of dread and forboding that the game proper provides, though the near-ubiquity of oily, nightymarish creatures that spawn from nowhere and seemingly at random detracts somewhat. Human opponents a more terrifying proposition, often seen in the distance well before they are encountered, and brilliantly animated. The brutality of hand-to-hand combat is a given, but quick-time events and repetative attacks don't bode well for the long-term entertainment value of the fighting. How many times can hammering someone's face into a television set be fun?

The Lithtech engine is put to great effect on the new console, blurring and post-processing effects adding atmosphere and texture to simply walking through the desolate streets, despite some noticable pixelation in the dynamic lighting and bloom effects- hopefully merely a result of an early build. Controlling surprisingly well on the legendarily awkward Sixaxis pad, the game also supports the new Dual Shock 3, bringing the port pleasantly close to the Xbox edition. The multiplayer modes will likely show up the difference between the two, but an in-depth analysis of the releases will have to wait until a future review.

Words by Colin Whiteside