Crackdown 2 – Review – Xbox 360

Story: The story of this game begins 10 years after the original Crackdown’s end. Before the games release there were a series of videos released on the internet that gave some of the background story to the game. Specifically the events that occurred during the 10 year span between games. What’s interesting is that you learn more of the story in those videos than you actually learn playing the game. You play the role of a cop called an “Agent” and you are genetically modified super human. As an Agent it is your job to serve and protect the peace in Pacific City. Within the span of 10 years a virus has infested Pacific City in a way that turns normal people into mindless savages with mutated bodies called “Freaks”. This virus was invented and released by a woman named Catalina Thorne. With the city in a panic she leads and group called “The Cell”. The Cell is a terrorist like group that attacks the Agency that maintains peace in Pacific City. The Cell has taken over the territories where the gangs from the past game reigned. The Agency had a plan to take care of the freaks by way of devices called Absorption Unit’s and Beacons.  It turns out the freaks die when exposed to ultra violet light. Absorption Unit’s collect sunlight and feed the energy collected to Beacons. Beacons are basically sunlight bombs that are positioned in the heart of a Freak lair. Catalina Thorne maintains power over her group by maintaining a fear of freak to her loyal followers. They will try anything to stop you. Your goal throughout the game remains the same. Use the Beacons to destroy the Freaks and take over territories held by The Cell.

Gameplay: For those of you that played the first game it play’s exactly like the original, for the few of you that haven’t, you are a Robocop on steroids. You start off with a wimpy Agent but as you fight and collect items called “Orbs” your character gets stronger, faster, and meaner. Gameplay is pretty basic. The game is presented in Third Person and controls and pretty easy to learn.  The main premise of the game is to have fun, which you can have a lot of while playing the game. As you move around the city you will find orbs. These items boost your abilities. Helping you jump higher, run faster, and smash people to bits. You earn the majority of experience by fighting, you earn experience by killing people with specific types of weapons whether that be guns or explosives. Once you level up each facet of your character you become the top dog in the world. Leaping from the tops of buildings and crashing down to the earth like a Meteor.

Graphics: The game in done in cel shading but it isn’t cartoony and doesn’t distract from the game. The graphics are on par with the first one and maintain what you expect from an Xbox 360 game.

Multiplayer: Multiplayer is setup relatively simple with basic hoppers like team rockets, Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch. Each hopper has a lobby and when you are in a lobby you have just about as much control as you do in Halo 3. The only difference is you can only veto the map and not the gametype. You can have a maximum of 16 players in a match and you are confined to some areas that can be found in single player. There is also a co-op mode in which you can team up with up to four people and play through the game. This is by far the most entertaining portion of the game.

Overall: This game is a faithful sequel to the original and people who have or have not played the original Crackdown will have a lot of fun.

Pros: Fun Fun Fun!!!

Super Powered Hero

Cons: Story is a bit lacking.

Score: 8 out of 10

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