Crackdown Xbox 360 Video Game Review

Last year at E3 several games got my attention. Some went on to be released and were great while others looked better on the floor of E3. One game that really grabbed my attention was Crackdown. It was explained as an “Over-the top action game with graphics used in graphic novels”. Right away I knew this game was going to be a hot title. By now everyone knows the name of the game either due to the decision of Microsoft to add the “Halo 3 Beta invite” in with the game or from the tons of posts on forums comparing the game to the GTA series. Crackdown is definitely not a GTA Clone! The game has enough to stand alone. I will even go as far as saying I wish the title would not have the “Halo 3 Beta” included. Read my full review of Crackdown to see why game developers should be looking at this game and taking notes.

In the video game industry we throw a ton of words around to describe a game. Most look at Crackdown and right away want to use the word “Sandbox” to describe the gameplay element. While it has that in it, the game Crackdown is a lot deeper and offers players the chance to play through the game in a Co-Op style or go at it alone. While at first glance the game seems to have a weak storyline, once a player takes down a few of the 21 leaders in the three cities that make up the world of Crackdown, you soon see there is a decent storyline. For the sake of the review all you really need to know is that you are a new crime fighter able to use your genetic enhancements to Superhero-like levels. Unlike The GTA world there are rules you need to abide by — including protecting the innocent and other crime fighters in each of the three cities. Turn on either one of these and the game will become very hard for you to get through. While the punishment won’t last the whole game, it sets up the story and the game basics perfectly.

Enhancements are your friend including Agility, Strength, Driving, Firearms and Explosives. Each one has a meter and one of the goals in the game is to max each one to level four. Each time you gain a level your body changes both in appearance and by what you can do in the game. At first jumping up to a small ledge takes a lot of effort, but after reaching a few agility orbs, you soon can leap smaller buildings with ease. Every ability has a purpose and reaching a new level has a reward or more power. Now throw in the Co-Op angle and the game is very interesting. The mechanics of the gameplay are simple yet they show originality; something very refreshing and rare.

It is true that Crackdown requires merely a few hours to level-up depending on the gamer’s ability. I sat down the first night and played until the next morning and wanted more. It is addicting and fun while still having elements that most look for in a fighter or shooter. It is best when played in the Co-Op mode. However, playing the game in single-player mode is just as fun and thanks to the way it saves the game, players can join anyone’s game and continue where they left off, ability wise. Realtime Worlds did not trap players in a sandbox, they created a bigger and better one. After playing and beating the game, when playing again I was still finding new things and completing achievements. The fact I wanted play again says a lot for this game. I have heard a few complaints that the game is too short in content. While it can be beat in about 12 hours, there is no way most players will be able to max out their abilities and complete everything in that time. It leaves you wanting more and I wish I could say that for every game I have played in the last few months.

When the demo hit the marketplace, it seemed there were a few issues with the driving controls. In fact the version I played at E3 seemed to suffer the same thing. Fortunately, the final version has great controls although agency vehicles seem to have an advantage and more control overall. I will say overall the game’s control scheme is perfect for the Xbox 360 controller. Each button seemed mapped out perfectly and responded well. Once you have the ability to jump and climb the higher buildings, you will need to also use the right joystick and watch the camera angles at certain times. The time to learn the basic controls is about 15 minutes and mastering the finer points is an on-going process.

Crackdown uses the game menu for everything and this may take a little time to get used to. You’re online even in a single player game so you may want to change the settings to invite only to avoid ten or so friends trying to join when you first try the game. You will accept and join friends’ games from the menu and not just the dashboard. Once the Halo 3 Beta is up, you will launch and join from the Crackdown disc as well.

Overall there is little issue with playing with a friend or even with a stranger over live for a Co-Op game. Just remember the game has two saves: your Co-Op and your single-player game. After playing for several hours, I only had one disconnect and reconnecting was a breeze. There is no slow down and with multiple gang members, vehicles, bombs and shooting, the online play is great. Anyone who has or is getting this one needs to play it in the Co-Op mode to fully enjoy the game plain and simple. This game has a great interface, is easy to connect and is fully adjustable to your playing preferences. This is how all games should be online.

The graphic novel look or Cel Shading adds to the game and the way each agent grows once their abilities go up. The vehicles and enemies look great and the way they were able to capture the look and feeling of the very high angles is simply amazing. Each weapon looks and feels different. You’ll even see the gun shells eject and look very realistic. The amount of detail adds to the overall game, while they did not go overboard with the gore and blood effects. I am really surprised more games have not tried to use the Cel Shaded look since it really helps to add a unique look and feel of the game. Overall the graphics are top notch and clearly not rushed.

Crackdown Xbox 360 Screenshots

Just like the graphics, the audio in Crackdown is done well and shows the time that was spent making this game. Instead of spending a ton of time on voice-over actors, Crackdown uses the announcer and the story teller and the person to egg you on. He adds another level to the game one minute by praising you or offering vital info and the next throwing an insult your way. It’s a balancing act and while at times he seems a bit too eager at the end of the game, it worked perfectly. I personally wanted to use custom soundtracks while driving but I can also see why the in-game music is used. If that allowing a custom soundtrack is my only suggestion, then the devolpers and testers did their jobs well.

While Crackdown seemed a little short in the overall story, it made up it with the extras they threw in. Replay value is always hard to judge in any game. With two modes of play and the way the game can be played later with or without crimes, the amount of replay seems unlimited. If you think of something to try, chances are it can be recreated in the game. It has more replay than expected and almost begs to be tested at what else you can do in the game.

Overall Score: 9.2/10 [not an average]

Crackdown has to be my favorite out of the newer games released so far this year. It has quickly become a favorite around XBS. Any game that you can pop in and not get bored of it shows a lot. I started off by saying Crackdown is not a GTA clone and it’s not. Any game can and probably will be compared to another but Crackdown takes the “Sandbox” idea and adds so many layers that it becomes its own. You need to take the time and enjoy the game first to see how this game breaks the mold and not conforms to it. It will stay in my collection as a personal favorite forever!

• Developer: Reatime Worlds
• Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
• Official Crackdown Web Site
• Crackdown Cheats Index from About.com’s Video Game Strategies
• Crackdown Achievement Guide – Learn How to Acquire all Crackdown Achievements
• Crackdown Achievement List
• Crackdown Agility Orbs and Secrets Orbs – Find them All
• Crackdown Agility Hints and Tips
• Crackdown Driving Hints and Tips
• Crackdown Explosives Hints and Tips
• Crackdown Firearms Hints and Tips
• Crackdown Strength Hints and Tips

Review by XBS Head Writer Rich Reed.

Filed under: Reviews • Xbox 360

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