You’ve wanted to be a super-hero. I’ve wanted to be a super-hero. It’s probably human nature, but we’ve all thought about being Spider-Man at least once. Or Superman. Or maybe even Aquaman, if you’re into that sort of thing. He was always a bit of a wimp. But with the upcoming release of Crackdown 2, a wimp you shall not be. You play as an Agent, a mysterious super-chap working for “The Agency” with a tendency to punch first, then ask questions later, by punching.
The game is the free-roaming follow up to Ruffian Games’ original Crackdown. The developers have obviously tried to take everything people loved about the original and expand it. But regardless Crackdown 2 is a hard game to like. But also a hard game to fault, in its own way. Confusing, right?
The game relies heavily on the good-will generated by its predecessor. If you liked Crackdown, you’ll probably enjoy the sequel. Not because of fantastic game design, or revolutionary features. Because it’s the same game. It even has the same map. Crackdown 2 feels much like an expansion pack, something that should be downloadable. On the flip side to this, what else would you expect? It’s not a game changer; Crackdown 2 knows exactly what it is and unashamedly supplies you with wanton destruction.
Crackdown 2 has redeeming features though, the freaks probably being the main new improvement. Obviously the game has new vehicles, new guns and stronger powers (which are supremely frustrating to level up if you’re a Crackdown veteran), but where the game shines is at night. The streets are overrun with mutant, zombie whatsits who enjoy munching on faces. They’re very fun to kill. Blowing up a huge group of freaks is probably the most fun you’ll have in the game. It’s a weird transition between fun and repetition. My time with the game was filled with face-punching and super-jumping glee, which was great until I realised I wasn’t having fun anymore. At some point along the line I had completely lost interest. Which is a shame, Crackdown 2 deserves to be an orgy of childlike destruction from start to finish. Maybe I’m just jaded, but it feels too much like revisiting the first game, and what new variety is introduced gets fairly old quite quickly.
That said, up until you get bored, you’ll have a blast. You wimp.
– Calum W Austin
1 comments
Great review man can't wait to get my stickies on the game…