Condemned 2 has more NPCs, better forensics

Eurogamer has posted a new preview of Condemned 2: Bloodshot from Monolith. The preview details the game's new combat engine and the Fight Club mode as well as some new information about non-player characters and forensics. We've heard about Fight Club (even though we don't talk about it) and the new combat engine before, but the NPC and forensics stuff hasn't been discussed before.

First of all, NPCs will play a larger role in Condemned 2, and will add depth to the story. When NPCs talk to Ethan -- Bloodshot's returning protagonist -- players can choose to respond with a gesture and conversation. The new and improved forensics, according to Eurogamer, don't seem too improved so far. The example Monolith showed them -- which may or may not be in the final game -- involved identifying a dead police officer. Mostly it sounds like the same setup, using UV lights and whatnot to discover hidden clues. Occasionally, you'll have to answer a mutliple choice question. In the case of Eurogamer's preview, they were asked what the officer's badge number was. Considering you can look at the badge, picking the right answer isn't exactly rocket science. The forensics are optional, but they do net you points that you can spend on upgrades. Kind of takes the "optional" part away, huh? Still, we didn't love Condemned for the forensics, we loved it for the sheer thrill of surviving by your wits alone. It looks like Condemned still has enough of that to spare. Hit the "read" link for the full preview.