Condemned: Criminal Origins disappears from Xbox Store without notice and sparks rumors of a remaster review

The Xbox 360 launch classic has been delisted just ahead of its 20th anniversary, and everything points to a possible return in the form of a remaster.

More stories in the category News

• ARC Raiders gives 500 free coins to players due to recent glitches
• Fortnite begins to leave clues of Chapter 7
• The art director of Gears of War celebrates that E-Day recovers the original terror of the saga

One of the most memorable titles from the Xbox 360’s initial catalog has vanished from Microsoft’s digital store without any prior warning. Condemned: Criminal Origins, developed by Monolith Productions and published by SEGA, has been removed from both the Xbox Store and Steam, according to TrueAchievements, a decision that has surprised many players and sparked speculation about its possible return.

The timing of the removal has not gone unnoticed: the title will turn 20 years old on November 22, 2025, leading many in the community to believe that Microsoft and SEGA might be preparing a re-release or a remaster tailored for Xbox Series.

Fans believe a remastered return is on the horizon

Condemned: Criminal Origins was one of the most impactful games at the Xbox 360’s launch in 2005, with a focus on psychological horror and first-person melee combat. Its tense atmosphere and police-themed storyline made it a genre benchmark and one of the most memorable titles in Xbox’s retro-compatible catalog.

Following the removal, some users on social media and forums like Reddit point out that Nightdive Studios, responsible for recent remasters like System Shock 2 or DOOM + DOOM II, have expressed interest in the series to its original creator, Jace Hall, the current owner of the Condemned rights. This reinforces the theory that the series could return sooner than expected.

For now, the game can only be obtained in physical format, although it’s not difficult to find second-hand copies. Meanwhile, horror fans remain vigilant for any news about the future of Condemned on Xbox, a franchise that could be revived just in time for its anniversary.