Here Comes the Crackdown

We already know that Crackdown™, exclusive to Xbox 360™, looks to revolutionize the action/sandbox genre made famous by the Grand Theft Auto franchise. At E3 we became familiar with the stylized graphic-novel visuals and the sprawling scope of Pacific City that Crackdown promised. We've even heard rumors of the three crime syndicates that you will wage war against in your campaign to clean up the city.

Work with a partner to bring an end to crime.

What no one's been able to tell you about, until now, are gameplay details. Crackdown introduces us to a dangerous and illicit world, and after several hours of gameplay in this world, many more details of the game have come to light.

The First of Your Kind
Your role as an enforcer for the Agency is a new one. You represent the first generation of genetically modified super agents designed to meet and defeat the criminal underworld head on, using their own tactics against them. Your genetic modifications allow you to evolve the following attributes and abilities:

• Agility: As this ability develops you will be able to run faster and jump higher.
• Driving: Complete stunts, take out enemies while driving, and set record race times to boost your driving skills.
• Strength: Push your strength to superhuman levels and gain the ability to lift and throw entire vehicles!
• Firearms: Develop more accurate aim and access to more exotic weapons as you use your various guns.
• Explosives: Much like your firearm skills, the more explosive carnage you dish out, the more advanced explosives you can use.

Every street is a warzone.

The skill upgrade system in Crackdown is a natural one, as your skills increase in their effectiveness simply as you use them. You can also find hidden ability orbs throughout the game, which will provide you with an instantaneous skill boost.

Regeneration
Crackdown takes advantage of its subtle science fiction roots to add a bit of logic where most games have none. Instead of miraculously reviving at a hospital each time you die, your character is cloned by your employers at the Agency. This clone is based on your most recent genetic profile, and so it boasts all of your current skills.

Supply Points
Bringing three powerful crime organizations to their knees may be your ultimate goal, but your immediate concern is seizing supply points in criminal-controlled neighborhoods. These supply points allow you to re-arm yourself, unlock new weapons that will be available at all supply points, and even warp between any other supply points you have captured. These will give you the edge you need to take back the city.

Lock on and Free Control
The shooting mechanics of any third-person game always call for close scrutiny, but thankfully the mechanics in Crackdown look to be a benefit, not a drawback. Not only does Crackdown offer standard dual-analog control if you choose to use it, but you can also choose to lock onto an enemy with the left trigger.

What's more, once you do, you can then pinpoint different body parts, such as a leg to knock an enemy off his feet, with a simple flick of the left stick.

The agency supercar responds and evolves according to your skill.

Lieutenant's Influence
In order to weaken the stronghold each kingpin has over his realm, you must take out each of their lieutenants. Each underboss controls a different aspect of the gang, and taking them down will weaken the organization as a whole. For example, if you eliminate the recruiter, then the gang's numbers will wane, and you will have less soldiers to fight. With each lieutenant you remove, the Agency will recalculate the odds of a successful attack on the kingpin.

Exploratory World
One of the first things highlighted about Crackdown was the dynamic vertical nature of Pacific City. While most games focus exclusively on a horizontal spread, every inch of Crackdown is designed to be scaled and explored. More importantly though, such exploration is constantly rewarded with strategic access points to missions and ability orbs for increased skills and attributes.

For example, early in the game, while trying to bring down a gang boss, you may have trouble accessing the apartment complex she hides in. Parked in a nearby lot is a semi truck with a trailer that doubles as a ramp. Place the truck in front of the apartment complex, hurl your Agency supercar off the ramp, and you're on top of the apartment complex, avoiding an army of gang members.

It may be handy to avoid some enemies, but accessing the apartment this way will also give you several ability orbs that you might have missed otherwise. More than any other sandbox game to date, Crackdown is worth exploring and experimenting with.

Crackdownfor Xbox 360 is intent on creating the most interactive and intelligently designed city the gaming world has ever seen, and it looks to be successful. Combined with intuitive skill upgrades, well-designed third-person shooting mechanics, a cause and effect method of weakening enemy gangs, and exciting side missions for boosting your skills, you have a premier title looming just after the holiday rush. Crackdown is coming. Will you be ready?

Article by Ryan Treit