REVIEW: Crackdown (Xbox 360) - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

xepherys · 06-02-2007, 12:19 AM

There was a time, long ago, when action games were my favorite category. Sadly, those times seemed to have passed. Action games, for the greater part, seem to be rehashes of the same overdone concepts. Even Grand Theft Auto, a series I generally enjoy, is getting a bit stale. The super-hero genre, which seems to be somewhat popular, boosted by newly released movies every couple of seasons, just rehash what we've all already done. Shooters are shooters, even in the FPS realm, little sticks out as new and impressive.

Enter Crackdown. For those of you who are XBL fanatics (as am I), the achievements alone can keep the game fresh even when it feels like it might be time for a break. The collection of "orbs" for general and agility experience, while simple in it's approach, can keep you hoping building to building and searching nooks and crannies long into the night. The nearly RPG-style abilities and their progress add an extra edge to this fantastic game. The graphics are good, despite my usual distaste for cell-shading.

The overall game play, especially with the first (Latino) gang is fairly easy. Though the AI seems pretty decent in many cases. The bosses themselves aren't even that difficult, but the mass of gangsters throughout the city can keep you on our toes.

The variety of weaponry (though I overuse the Limpet Charges I admit), the collecting of weapons at the drop points and the vehicular usage in the game is on par, at least, with other games in the genre. Your ever-improving strength capability, even to the point of throwing vehicles, gives you yet another weapon, so-to-speak, in your arsenal.

Overall, the game is not terribly difficult, but it's "fun factor" is pretty dang high. I definitely recommend this game to everybody, doubly so for those looking to reignite a passion for action games.

Esoteric · 06-02-2007, 04:26 AM

Have you played it on Psychotic yet? It's insane. My friend and I have spent many hours on Co-Op through Live just hunting for orbs and trying to get certain achievements. I personally think the game can only truly be fun if you're playing with another person over XBL. We've actually renamed the game to Crackorbs because I'll be running for my life because I'm about to die and I suddenly say "Oh! an orb!" and that's my #1 priority, getting that orb.

guthmund · 06-03-2007, 08:45 PM

I love Crackdown. I bought it for invite to the Halo 3 beta, but after I played around with it, I ended up enjoying it quite a bit.

xepherys · 08-08-2007, 11:48 PM

I still haven't tried co-op... soon though. I've beat the game, and leave crime turned on with psychotic. It is pretty nuts. Right now I'm trying to complete all the achievements. I'm an achievement whore... *sigh* I've got 450+ stamina orbs and about 140 mystery orbs. Th stamina orbs shouldn't be hard, but getting all 300 mystery orbs may take a VERY long time.

Yesterday I spent a few hours completing road races. Some of the races are tough. And also tried getting more of the stunt markers. Some of them are damned near impossible, even with 4-star driving.

guthmund · 08-20-2007, 07:19 AM

If you don't mind a little help, there is a great map floating around that lists all the hidden orbs.

This appears to be the same one, although I found it at xbox360achievements.org. Courtesy of a bloke named Mandalore.

I haven't used it myself, but it's getting to that point. 482 agility orbs found and 163 hidden orbs, if I recall correctly.

xepherys · 08-20-2007, 11:43 AM

guthmund, I'm in the same boat... 486 agility and 165 hidden. *sigh*

guthmund · 08-21-2007, 09:33 AM

I'm really, really close to just printing out the maps and be done with it. These are the only two achievements left that I want.

Maybe after I'm done with Bioshock, eh?

06-02-2007, 12:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
xepherys <3 TFP Location: 17TLH2445607250	REVIEW: Crackdown (Xbox 360) There was a time, long ago, when action games were my favorite category. Sadly, those times seemed to have passed. Action games, for the greater part, seem to be rehashes of the same overdone concepts. Even Grand Theft Auto, a series I generally enjoy, is getting a bit stale. The super-hero genre, which seems to be somewhat popular, boosted by newly released movies every couple of seasons, just rehash what we've all already done. Shooters are shooters, even in the FPS realm, little sticks out as new and impressive. Enter Crackdown. For those of you who are XBL fanatics (as am I), the achievements alone can keep the game fresh even when it feels like it might be time for a break. The collection of "orbs" for general and agility experience, while simple in it's approach, can keep you hoping building to building and searching nooks and crannies long into the night. The nearly RPG-style abilities and their progress add an extra edge to this fantastic game. The graphics are good, despite my usual distaste for cell-shading. The overall game play, especially with the first (Latino) gang is fairly easy. Though the AI seems pretty decent in many cases. The bosses themselves aren't even that difficult, but the mass of gangsters throughout the city can keep you on our toes. The variety of weaponry (though I overuse the Limpet Charges I admit), the collecting of weapons at the drop points and the vehicular usage in the game is on par, at least, with other games in the genre. Your ever-improving strength capability, even to the point of throwing vehicles, gives you yet another weapon, so-to-speak, in your arsenal. Overall, the game is not terribly difficult, but it's "fun factor" is pretty dang high. I definitely recommend this game to everybody, doubly so for those looking to reignite a passion for action games. __________________ The prospect of achieving a peace agreement with the extremist group of MILF is almost impossible... -- Emmanuel Pinol, Governor of Cotobato My Homepage

06-02-2007, 04:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
Esoteric Tired Location: Florida	Have you played it on Psychotic yet? It's insane. My friend and I have spent many hours on Co-Op through Live just hunting for orbs and trying to get certain achievements. I personally think the game can only truly be fun if you're playing with another person over XBL. We've actually renamed the game to Crackorbs because I'll be running for my life because I'm about to die and I suddenly say "Oh! an orb!" and that's my #1 priority, getting that orb. __________________ From a head full of pressure rests the senses that I clutch Made a date with Divinity, but she wouldn't let me fuck I got touched by a hazy shaded, God help me change Caught a rush on the floor from the life in my veins

06-03-2007, 08:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
guthmund big damn hero	I love Crackdown. I bought it for invite to the Halo 3 beta, but after I played around with it, I ended up enjoying it quite a bit. __________________ No signature. None. Seriously.

08-08-2007, 11:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
xepherys <3 TFP Location: 17TLH2445607250	I still haven't tried co-op... soon though. I've beat the game, and leave crime turned on with psychotic. It is pretty nuts. Right now I'm trying to complete all the achievements. I'm an achievement whore... sigh I've got 450+ stamina orbs and about 140 mystery orbs. Th stamina orbs shouldn't be hard, but getting all 300 mystery orbs may take a VERY long time. Yesterday I spent a few hours completing road races. Some of the races are tough. And also tried getting more of the stunt markers. Some of them are damned near impossible, even with 4-star driving. __________________ The prospect of achieving a peace agreement with the extremist group of MILF is almost impossible... -- Emmanuel Pinol, Governor of Cotobato My Homepage

08-20-2007, 07:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
guthmund big damn hero	If you don't mind a little help, there is a great map floating around that lists all the hidden orbs. This appears to be the same one, although I found it at xbox360achievements.org. Courtesy of a bloke named Mandalore. I haven't used it myself, but it's getting to that point. 482 agility orbs found and 163 hidden orbs, if I recall correctly. __________________ No signature. None. Seriously.

08-20-2007, 11:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
xepherys <3 TFP Location: 17TLH2445607250	guthmund, I'm in the same boat... 486 agility and 165 hidden. sigh __________________ The prospect of achieving a peace agreement with the extremist group of MILF is almost impossible... -- Emmanuel Pinol, Governor of Cotobato My Homepage

08-21-2007, 09:33 AM	#7 (permalink)
guthmund big damn hero	I'm really, really close to just printing out the maps and be done with it. These are the only two achievements left that I want. Maybe after I'm done with Bioshock, eh? __________________ No signature. None. Seriously.