Sega and Monolith’s Condemned: Criminal Origins is a 2005 first-person survival horror game originally developed as an Xbox 360 exclusive. The title’s original release on November 22, 2005, would soon be followed up by a PC port in April 2006, with the title eventually arriving on Valve’s Steam marketplace. Condemned‘s release would prove to be fortuitous for the title, with it serving as the sole survival horror game on the then-new Xbox 360 console before titles like Dead Space and Resident Evil 5 would make their way to the platform.
Condemned would receive plenty of critical and commercial acclaim, with reviewers praising it for its visceral melee combat, intense story, and unique implementation of crime scene investigation gameplay. Notably, the game is the 5th-best-selling Xbox 360 exclusive and one of the more successful launch titles for the console. Despite its success and cult following, the Condemned series would only receive one sequel before developer Monolith moved on to other projects.
Condemned: Criminal Origins Premise

©Condemned: Criminal Origins gameplay screenshot – Original
While other survival horror games put players in the role of a law enforcement officer, few games dive into the actual investigation and detective work elements of the job as Condemned does. As FBI Serial Crimes Unit investigator Ethan Thomas, players head to the fictional Metro City to look into a mysterious rise in violent crime. Though the subject of the investigation is initially the still-at-large killer The Match Maker, the focus of Thomas’ investigation eventually shifts to the mysterious Serial Killer X (SKX) — a vigilante killer whose victims are all serial murderers. Thomas’ investigation takes him from being a typical detective to a man fighting for his survival against hordes of crazed, bloodthirsty vagrants.
In terms of its gameplay, Condemned is a first-person horror game that primarily features melee combat. Though players eventually unlock firearms later in the game, the main focus of the combat system is using melee weapons, as well as Thomas’ taser and kicks, to dispatch foes attempting to thwart his investigation. The actual investigations of crime scenes play an important part in Condemned‘s gameplay, especially earlier in the story. Players use various scanners and devices to look for evidence in crime scenes, connecting these clues to advance further in their investigation. Aside from its combat and investigation gameplay, Condemned is notorious for its dark atmosphere, unnerving sound design, and many jump scares.
Condemned: Criminal Origins Main Characters

©Condemned: Criminal Origins gameplay screenshot – Original
In Condemned, players step into the shoes of FBI agent Ethan Thomas. A member of the FBI’s Serial Crime Unit, Thomas is investigating the rise in violent crime in the fictional Metro city, which he believes to somehow be connected to the mysterious “Match Maker”, as well as a new serial killer who goes by the acronym SKX (“Serial Killer X”). During the course of his investigation, Thomas is framed for murder by SKX, leading to him losing his connection to the Bureau and needing to continue his investigation in an unofficial capacity, heading deeper into the heart of darkness. Main characters in Condemned include:
- Ethan Thomas: An FBI agent and criminal investigator, Ethan Thomas is the main protagonist and player character of Condemned. His investigation success rate and knowledge of the Match Maker case led to him launching a probe into the strange occurrences in Metro City.
- SKX: Ethan’s foil and the main antagonist of Condemned, SKX is a sadistic killer whose victims are all serial murderers. He is somehow behind the rise in violent crime in Metro.
Games in the Condemned Series
Monolith’s Condemned would end up being one of the more popular and unique exclusives on the Xbox 360, eventually paving the way for the game to receive a PC port the following year and an official sequel in 2008. Despite the Condemned series’ cult following and influence on the future development of the survival horror genre (including an increased prevalence toward first-person horror experiences), the series would end after its second entry, with Monolith going on to work on the Middle Earth series based on JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings IP. Games in the Condemned series include:
- Condemned: Criminal Origins (Xbox 360, 2005)
- Condemned 2: Bloodshot (PS3, Xbox 360, 2008)
Condemned: Criminal Origins Cheats & Secrets
Normally, players would unlock all bonus features and secrets in Condemned: Criminal Origins by unlocking the game’s various Achievements (Xbox 360 only). However, Condemned does feature a cheat code that circumvents that requirement. Additionally, PC players have the option of using third-party cheat engines and cheat trainer files.
Condemned: Criminal Origins Cheats
Cheat Mode
When starting a new game, players can enter the name ShovelFighter (case sensitive) to immediately unlock level select and other bonus features players would normally unlock by earning achievements.
God Mode (PC)
PC players have the option to activate God Mode in Condemned. Note that this requires players to go into the game’s files, which means making a backup of the original, unaltered files is strongly recommended.
Head to the install location for Condemned (which, by default, should be C:\Program Files\SEGA\Condemned – Criminal Origins). Note that Steam users will need to navigate to the game’s files within the main Steam file directory. Inside Condemned‘s file directory, click on the “View Player Data” folder. Navigate to Save/Profile000/SinglePlayer and select the save file on which you wish to activate God Mode. Open the file with a hex editor (such as Hex Workshop) and find the following line of code:
- DemoModeInvulnerable..0.000000
Change this to DemoModeInvulnerable..1.000000 (changing the first “0” to a “1”) and save the file. You will now be invincible when playing on the save file you just edited.
Condemned: Criminal Origins Tips
Sprinting
Sprinting is not indefinite and will eventually run out. Instead of using the sprint function on stairs, save it for when you are on level surfaces. Sprinting on stairs is less effective.
When to Use Firearms
Though most combat in Condemned is melee, you will unlock firearms later in the game. Since these weapons are limited, it’s best to save guns to deal with mobs of enemies or a particularly challenging foe. Weaker enemies are susceptible to standard kicks, melee attacks, and taser shocks, so don’t waste valuable ammunition on them.
Timing Swings With Larger Melee Weapons
Using larger melee weapons requires becoming familiar with their timing. On weaker enemies, practice hanging back and then veering ahead far enough to hit them, giving yourself time and room to immediately retreat backward. Getting this timing down allows you to make the most of the larger weapons’ reach while also staying out of range of enemies’ smaller, faster weapons.
Weapons and Items Stay Put
Though it’s sometimes necessary to drop items or weapons, you can always retrieve them later. Make sure to leave important items near memorable spots or landmarks so you can easily track them down and retrieve them during a particular mission.
Condemned: Criminal Origins Cheat Engine Cheats (PC Only)
PC players can utilize third-party cheat engines and cheat trainer files to cheat in Condemned: Criminal Origins. Players can find one such cheat trainer file here and it contains the following cheat options:
- Infinite Health
- Infinite Stamina
- Infinite Ammo
- No Reload
Condemned: Criminal Origins Achievements
Completing the following in-game activities will unlock the corresponding achievements:
Achievement | Description |
---|---|
Gold Detective Badge | Find the TV in Chapter 9 |
Silver Detective Badge | Find the TV in Chapter 6 |
Bronze Detective Badge | Find the TV in Chapter 1 |
Gold Melee Master | Complete the game using only melee weapons |
Silver Melee Master | Complete 3 Chapters using only melee weapons |
Bronze Melee Master | Complete 1 Chapter using only melee weapons |
Chapter 1 Completion | Finish Weissman Office Building |
Chapter 2 Completion | Finish Central Metro Station |
Chapter 3 Completion | Finish Metro Station Platforms |
Chapter 4 Completion | Finish Grid 4 Subway Tunnels |
Chapter 5 Completion | Finish Bart’s Department Store |
Chapter 6 Completion | Finish Burnback Alley |
Chapter 7 Completion | Finish Metro City Library |
Chapter 8 Completion | Finish St. Joseph’s Secondary School |
Chapter 9 Completion | Finish Apple Seed Orchard |
Gold Game Completion | Complete Condemned: Criminal Origins |
Compassion | Do not shoot SKX |
Revenge | Kill SKX |
Melee Mayhem | Find every type of melee weapon |
Fire-Arm Freedom | Find every available firearm |
Chief Investigator | Find all evidence |
Chapter 1 Bronze Bird | Find one bird in Chapter 1 |
Chapter 2 Bronze Bird | Find one bird in Chapter 2 |
Chapter 3 Bronze Bird | Find one bird in Chapter 3 |
Chapter 4 Bronze Bird | Find one bird in Chapter 4 |
Chapter 5 Bronze Bird | Find one bird in Chapter 5 |
Chapter 6 Bronze Bird | Find one bird in Chapter 6 |
Chapter 7 Bronze Bird | Find one bird in Chapter 7 |
Chapter 8 Bronze Bird | Find one bird in Chapter 8 |
Chapter 9 Bronze Bird | Find one bird in Chapter 9 |
Chapter 10 Bronze Bird | Find one bird in Chapter 10 |
Chapter 1 Silver Bird | Find all 6 birds in Chapter 1 |
Chapter 2 Silver Bird | Find all 6 birds in Chapter 2 |
Chapter 3 Silver Bird | Find all 6 birds in Chapter 3 |
Chapter 4 Silver Bird | Find all 6 birds in Chapter 4 |
Chapter 5 Silver Bird | Find all 6 birds in Chapter 5 |
Chapter 6 Silver Bird | Find all 6 birds in Chapter 6 |
Chapter 7 Silver Bird | Find all 6 birds in Chapter 7 |
Chapter 8 Silver Bird | Find all 6 birds in Chapter 8 |
Chapter 9 Silver Bird | Find all 6 birds in Chapter 9 |
Chapter 10 Silver Bird | Find all 6 birds in Chapter 10 |
Golden Bird | Find all birds in the game |
First Propaganda Report | Find 9 Metal Pieces |
Second Propaganda Report | Find 20 Metal Pieces |
Third Propaganda Report | Find 29 Metal Pieces |
Fourth Propaganda Report | Find 30 Metal Pieces |
Ripple TV | Find the Ripple TV in Chapter 2 |
Static TV | Find the Static TV in Chapter 4 |
Bird Bath TV | Find the Bird Bath TV in Chapter 7 |
Test Pattern TV | Find the Test Pattern TV in Chapter 8 |
Condemned: Criminal Origins Cheat FAQs
In what city does Condemned: Criminal Origins take place?
Rather than use a real-world setting for its plot, Condemned takes place in the fictional “Metro” city. Many players associate the city with major metropolitan areas like New York City or Chicago. Notably, Metro mimics some of each location’s various landmarks and architecture.
Is Condemned: Criminal Origins a horror game?
Yes, Condemned is a horror game with detective elements. Though the game starts with an emphasis on investigating crime scenes, things eventually ramp up in intensity to focus more on combat and survival. The game features several notable jump scares and utilizes light and sound to unnerve and disorient players. While it’s not a traditional survival horror game, Condemned is no less scary than many of the genre’s more landmark titles.
Can you use cheats in Condemned: Criminal Origins?
Regardless of which version of Condemned players have (PC or Xbox 360), there are cheats available for use. Both the PC and Xbox 360 versions of Condemned feature a “debug mode” cheat that unlocks all levels and bonus features, and the PC version has a “God Mode” cheat players can activate by editing the game’s files.
How long to beat Condemned: Criminal Origins?
A single playthrough of Condemned will take most players around 7-9 hours. However, the game features an ending-changing choice as well as several achievements to unlock. To see both endings and unlock all achievements, players can expect to spend 12-15 hours to 100% complete Condemned.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Condemned: Criminal Origins key art.