If the first Condemned had a target audience, it was me. I love exploring derelict urban environments, I have a crushing fear of the homeless, and I love hammering the faces of my enemies with Home Depot merchandise. So I was understandably excited to check out the recently released sequel. How does it stack up so far, you ask?

It stacks up like a quartet of square beef patties on a Wendy's hamburger. That is to say, "Deliciously."

I played about four hours of the game today. Like the first Condemned the story in Condemned 2: Bloodshot is obscure if you're being generous. It's downright obtuse if you're being critical. All you really need to know is you are a hard drinking cop with gauze warped around his hands, an Urban Outfitters haircut, and a city full of rampaging bums who need a good face punching like I need a cold, delicious Chocolate Frosty. Also, the world is sometimes covered in tar.

The graphics have improved marginally over the first game. The game's developer, Monolith, has a tendency to recycle models. You may find yourself thinking, "Haven't I seen that trash bag before?" or "This rack of paint pails and empty buckets seems eerily familiar." And you're not wrong to think that. This sort of visual deja-vu even bleeds across games. In at least one later level you will get the distinct feeling that you are playing F.E.A.R. This can be a bit bothersome, but it also helps give the game that Monolith feel. Luckily for Monolith, that's a good thing.

While the F.E.A.R. series has always been Monolith's showcase for advanced opponent A.I., the Condemned series is becoming their showcase for horrific atmosphere. Chillingly realistic dilapidated environments, insanely canny level design and peerless scripting all combine with some of the best sound design I have ever heard in a survival-horror FPS to create something exceedingly rare in video games: an honestly frightening atmosphere that is unparalleled in recent memory (with the notable exception of BioShock).

I enjoy the new combo-based combat as well, though I find myself relying heavily on counter attacking. I find the timing element appealing. It reminds me somewhat of the timing-based combat in Assassins Creed. Hitting your block at just the right time stuns the enemy and leaves them open for a vicious wallop from your pipe, wrench, bedpost, prosthetic arm, or trusty knuckle sandwich. There are a number of other combo types in the game, but I haven't found them nearly as useful.

Another area that has seen a revamp is the crime scene investigation. During certain sections of the game you will be prompted to investigate an area for evidence. Whenever you see the little dead bird logo on screen you can hit the A button to go into what is essentially "puzzle mode." I investigated one murder scene with this technique and found it to be a vast improvement over the hand-holding mechanic of the first game. Answering questions about what type of wounds were on the body and what sort of action the blood spatter patterns suggested was more satisfying than a Baked Potato with Sour Cream and Chives. This mode is also used to solve some environmental observation puzzles. For instance, one of your erstwhile squad mates might ask you to identify your location so you need to look for a sign or some other clue that will help them figure out where you are. I only hope there are more crime scene investigations. I have a sinking feeling they may be sparse.

So far, Condemned 2 walks a fine line between being downright harrowing and kitsch-creepy. Nowhere is this line more thin than the Doll Factory level. Condemned 2 has a nasty habit of falling back on cliched horror movie standbys: spooky dolls, evil clowns, pig masks. Fortunately, it's all done so well and the atmosphere is constructed with such care that it never feels like Fright by Focus-Test.

I can't wait to play more of this game. It's a game that, much like the woefully under appreciated Call of Cthulhu - Dark Corners of the Earth, feels like playing a virtual haunted house, and for a guy who makes his living in the haunt industry you seriously can't ask for much more than that.

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