Crackdown 2 Review

Crackdown 2 is, in short, a guilty pleasure. It is a game that I describe as very "gamey". You can tell it is a game when you can jump and maneuver yourself around a corner to get somewhere you're not supposed to reach yet. You can tell it is a game when you stand on something you're supposed to be shimmying on so that you can jump up higher. You know it is a game when you can go off a ramp with a jumping SUV and make it do a barrel roll or a front flip with the right analog stick. Crackdown 2 is a game; one that offers unconditional fun and multiplayer action.

Crackdown 2 picks up where the first game left off, which isn't saying much because both games have next to no storyline, providing some at the beginning and then some at the end (for the most part). But then again, I suppose this game goes back to the purpose of games and the original reason for which they are mad: fun interactive entertainment. With an industry that has recently seen a number of games that attempt to bring cinematic aspects and dark themes (Heavy Rain, PS3) as well as ones that attempt to play the mind (Alan Wake), it is a nice break to leave the solo soul-searching trek to some unadulterated and moronic fun. Who doesn't like smashing people with a car or running zombie creatures over for points? I know I sure as hell do.

It is also a nice change from what has dominated the multiplayer aspect for consoles. First Person Shooters like Halo 3, Modern Warfare 2, and Battlefield Bad Company 2 have seemingly monopolized the online aspect (for platforms) for as long as I can remember. Crackdown 2 offers multiplayer fun. You and four of your friends can rampage through the game with superhuman strength and cars than can scoop innocent commuters off the road. It is fun, and the game has a lot of replayability. However, the game is held down by other aspects.

The game lacks things to do. What you can do normally consist of remedial tasks that involve you clearing Pacific City (I suppose the New York City of the game) of one of two enemy groups. That said, it is fun to do, but once you begin to do it, there are less things to occupy your time in the game. As you progress through the "campaign" mode, there are less and less enemies for you to plow your vehicle through or throw your vehicle at. And once all is said and done, there honestly is not a lot to do. This was not a good decision to make in a combat-driven game. Especially when (after a certain point) you can walk through rockets blasting into you and punch the dude in the face, making the enemies not so dangerous anymore. This leaves me to wonder if the game scales according to how many of the four available co op slots are filled. I went through the entire game with one of my friends and we demolished the entire thing. Now, how much easier would it be with four people? Time will tell.

One thing I must say though is that the game missed a plethora of good story twists and possibilities, as well as a few gameplay opportunities.


My Consensus: Crackdown 2 is a game that is fun while it lasts. It offers silly fun throughout and remains fun for some time. But if you are looking for things to do later in the game, you will be hard pressed. There are a few technical issues, but nothing that should largely be worried about. The game is at it's best online with friends.

Crackdown 2: 8/10
Recommend? Yes
Live up to the Hype? Is as expected
Buy or Rent? Rent