Crackdown

"Crackdown More than just a Halo 3 Beta Pack-In."

Crackdown is more than just a Pack-In for the Halo 3 beta. This game may not be a great sandbox game but, I'm not sure that is what the developers were aiming for. This game has a huge enviroment with open ended gameplay true but, this not your average sandbox at all. It is more off a platforming game combined with a shooter. The game enviroment is filled with buildings, cannons, boulders, factories, towers, and even an amuzement park. You have the ability to climb and explore any of these objects. You will want to because you have to climb them to collect agility bonus in the form of orbs. Also hidden among the landscape are hidden orbs which net a bonus to each of attributes. Your main goal however is to locate supply points and take on gang bosses and generals. There are three distinct gangs with their own tactics, vehicles, weapons, and area of control. The game also hasa few other side quests in the form of rooftop races, roadraces, and stunt markes. However these side jobs aren't as far reaching in most sandbox games but fun nonetheless. This is a solid title and provides hours upon hours of fun.

Graphics: 8/10

The graphics are quite well executed. The cel shading is beautiful and well done. The graphics never grew boring to me. Explosions are vibrant and bullets leave contrails as the whizz buy your character. rz buildings and people are well rendered. The eagency cars well extremley creativly don.

Sound: 6/10

The sound does get old. The gangbangers are allways yelling. Los Muertos gangbangers are especially annoying as the only seem to have about 5 phrases the yell. The vhehicles do have radio stations but you wont use the car too much. The gones and explosions however sound great.

Control: 7/10

controls are pretty tight but the auto lock sometimes trys to target vehicles as a higher priority than the people shooting at you. Driving is frustrating at first but once you reach level 3 or four in driving it is much better. Swiming is well done also. Most of the game handles very responsivly.

Gameplay: 9/10
The gameplay is truely fun. The orb hunting is a blast. The boss are challenging at times a just fun to kill. The rooftop races are a bit too easy. The driving races are so-so. The stunt rings are a good challenge. Their could be a lot more here but what is here is well implemented.

Overall 8/10
I give this game an 8because while it is by far not perfect it is a great game and hopefully the start of a great series. You will have hours of fun if like killing things. You may even find that you love to find orbs as much as I do. Regardless the game is well worth 60$ especially if you can still finda copy with a halo 3 beta packin.

All in all your wont regret buying this game. You will have hours and hours of fun ahead of you. Also look foward to that halo 3 beta whenever it does release. Though I am a bit frustrated it still hasnt surfaced because it promised as a packin. But hey you've already got a great game on your hands to enjoy til that beat pops up.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 03/12/07