The Crackdown on crime continues. However, things seem to have taken a turn for the worst. Pacific City has transformed into a more gritty, manic city than ever before. The Agents are back, upgraded greatly to help flush out the “Cell” and “freaks.” You’ll be seeing a LOT of these throughout Crackdown 2. Whilst their placement isn’t exactly unique, they do make an interesting addition. More on these later.
The original Crackdown made its debut in early 2007 and was a success (in part thanks to its inclusion of allowing you to enter the Halo 3 beta through its menus). Crackdown was a surprise to some who had only really gave in for the Halo 3 beta. It was a fresh take on the sandbox genre and was an exclusive title for Xbox 360. Crackdown 2, a few years later, now from developer Ruffan Games, continues the dirty fight against corruption in Pacific City. Yes, we’re still in Pacific City but it has changed a lot (think: collapsed structures, the Agency and of course the many new features). It’s more of less the same thing you had with the first game – just a few extra features. Nothing too big.
Having played and enjoyed the original Crackdown, I was very excited on hearing the news for sequel. I logged so many countless, fun hours into Crackdown. Although, a lot of time was wasted on loading between extraction and jumping into the co-op mode. Jumping into Crackdown 2 works better – loading times seem to have been greatly improved. No more long waits from extraction and lots of seem-less co-op action. More gameplay, less loading.
Pacific City becomes more dangerous when the sun goes down.
Menus have been overhauled and now feels more generic but fits in a lot more options. The original Crackdown menus gave a beautiful view of Pacific City. This is not present in Crackdown 2. The menus this time feel a bit on the cheaper production side and have taken away the familiar electronic theme that one could go as far to say as the “Crackdown music.” In fact, the menu music in the original was a version of “Paradise Bird Theory” from DJ Krush. This theme isn’t present in Crackdown 2 – instead composer Kevin Riepl (Gears of War, Unreal Tournament 2004) went on board to provide various pieces for the game. There’s also a theme you may be familiar with that was present in the Grand Theft Auto IV launch trailer – a theme from Koyaanisqatsi, composed by Phillip Glass. The soundtrack continues through the radio in vehicles too with a varied selection of tracks.
Progression works a little differently this time in Crackdown 2. You should have no fear about jumping into co-op. A lot of things, including the various orbs, can be collected still – even if you’re in someone else’s game. They won’t be able to see or collect yours but at least whilst in their game, it can still give you a chance to collect more. In addition to agility orbs, hidden orbs and stunt rings, there are now new types of orbs (or slight variations).
There a few special kinds of agility and vehicle orbs that now you have to chase after also, making things a little more special. 50 LIVE orbs can only be collected when at least one other agent is nearby too. Orb hunting seems to be a little easier this time round thanks to your orb detecting abilities and stats. Using up on the d-pad will put any nearby orbs (except audio diaries) on your radar. These only show up for a few seconds and it takes a short amount of time to use this again. Quite possibly the most welcoming feature seeing as the hunt for orbs in the original Crackdown proved a real time consumer.
Fed up of climbing back to the top of the Agency tower just to get that one achievement? Get in the chopper!
Story-wise, Crackdown 2 does have a rather lack-luster effect. The original Crackdown connected the story together through the various gangs and gang leaders. Here you’re pretty much just activating some beacons and taking out a very active horde of freaks. It feels the same throughout, with the occasional varied thing happening. I certainly am missing some of the elements from the previous game. At least things aren’t entirely what they seem, though, as you will find out through your collection of audio diaries.
Some of the new features feel very welcoming but a few felt rather annoying. Take your gliding ability that you eventually unlock. It really takes time to adapt to this, although I can never get a true sense that I have mastered it. Agency vehicles like the SUV are back, although this time these do not upgrade as you increase your level. A new addition is the helicopter. For a game like this, it’s definitely a very worthy thing to put in. Fed up of climbing back to the top of the Agency tower just to get that one achievement? Get in the chopper!
Crackdown 2 has its fair share of annoyances, just like the first game did. These are often made up from the rather helpful flaws present. For example, that one annoying rooftop race could be done using a helicopter, since the game doesn’t recognise it as a vehicle (and no…you can’t use this to go through the stunt rings…that would just be too easy). Then there’s the random achievements that seem to pop up despite you not really aiming or actually doing the intended thing for.
As well as co-op mentioned earlier in the review, Agents can now battle it out (16 total players) in a PVP match, which is the competitive side to the game. Although, Crackdown 2’s strong point isn’t necessarily this side but it’s a good feature to include for those wanting something more varied. Freaks change things up a bit too in the game. These come out in the night and pretty much get in your way a lot – especially the giant forms.
Wingsuit:- Hard to use; Harder to Master
Compared to the original, Crackdown 2 does place in a lot of worthwhile features but fails to an extent of really pushing it that much further. It’s maybe not quite Crackdown 2 to some. Having played the original, this was rather easy to adapt to. Even if you haven’t played the original, Crackdown 2 does a good thing of gradually introducing the feature set as you progress through levels and the story. Don’t feel that the original must be played in order to enjoy Crackdown 2.
It is expected that DLC will come to Crackdown 2. This is made apparent through the Avatar Awards descriptions. Whilst I am probably expecting something like the “Keys to the City” mode in Crackdown, I feel this could have at least been included on the disc for the sequel.
Crackdown 2 is worthy of getting for pure mayhem all over again in Pacific City and lots of experimenting with the new Agent abilities. There’s something that makes you want to keep searching for orbs, keep trying those races – this is what a game should make you feel. It doesn’t feel like a chore for the most part and you have a lot of freedom to do whatever the hell you feel like doing. That is once you’ve turned down the volume of the repetitive Agency guy voice.
Thanks to Microsoft for providing us with a review copy.
