So you slagged it off mercilessly, but you still gave it a six?

If that's a six, what does a game have to do to score a one or two?

It literally has to be a pile of turd on Joe's desk

In cases like this it can be hard to put the exact point across. In short, I didn't like Crackdown 2. I found it tired, dull, repetitive and bolstered with cheap and boring content (orbs, rather than interesting missions for example). That said, all the underlying systems do work and work reasonably well. It has co-op, which is nice. There's a certain amount of joy to be gleaned from "Can I climb up that?" and "I'll try this!".

In the end, a five or lower felt too harsh given that these mechanics do work. A seven too high, given that it is flat and depressingly shallow and familiar. A six communicates that this isn't a great game, but makes it clear that it isn't outright broken. It also makes it clear that, if you think you like what Crackdown 2 offers, then you might have a different opinion.

Originally Posted by bpdlr
If that's a six, what does a game have to do to score a one or two?

mB1zWEhgrLs

Contrary to popular opinion, we do use the full scale. I have given 4s and lower in the past. However, we also filter the games we review so we tend not to review the games that nobody would ever buy and are obviously rubbish.

Joe, it's interesting that you never mention the first Crackdown. Did you play it? If so, how would you compare it with the sequel?

Personally, I found the first game to be as dull and uninspiring as your review makes the second game sound, but I know lots of other people liked it.

This is a shame. I loved the first Crackdown, and played it incessantly(sp?) with my cousin cooperatively. Great fun. I guess I'll find something else this time around.

I saw a Quick Look of the demo over on Giant Bomb. After only 20 minutes they too started commenting on the repetitiveness of the gameplay - I can't imagine what the full game would be like.

I suppose this is what happens when one good developer, Realtime Worlds, splits into two separate developers (Realtime Worlds and Ruffian Games) - you end up with two disappointing games.

I actually quite liked the first crackdown, it was funny, fun and different I can't remeber any other game that had this mix of sandbox, RPG, Action adventure to it the closest games to it now in my opinion are prototype and infamous. Anybody know any other games that are similar? and better?

Originally Posted by Apexgun
I actually quite liked the first crackdown, it was funny, fun and different I can't remeber any other game that had this mix of sandbox, RPG, Action adventure to it the closest games to it now in my opinion are prototype and infamous. Anybody know any other games that are similar? and better?

Just Cause 2

I really like the first Crackdown game on the 360 (I don't know if these follow on from the old top down Mega Drive games, I suspect not), which suprised me as I was expecting a bad GTA clone (and it's not as if I liked any of the GTA games).

tbh, I have the feeling that Joe wouldn't have liked the first game either.

I had a go at the C2 demo and it didn't feel as good as the first one for the reasons that Joe said, but is that not what always happens with squeals to big games?

I think I'm gona have to try out Just Cause 2 based on what people have said here.

Originally Posted by NuTech
I suppose this is what happens when one good developer, Realtime Worlds, splits into two separate developers (Realtime Worlds and Ruffian Games) - you end up with two disappointing games.

APB is the better of the 2 games, and is not bad really, but I was hoping that APB would be an online crackdown.

Also:

www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/497076

If you liked Crackdown 1, you'll love Crackdown 2.

If you're called Joe, you obviously didn't play the first, and hated Crackdown 2 so much you gave it a six. That's a 2:1 in terms of university grading, well above a pass.

On what planet is playing an earlier version of the game a requirement to enjoying the sequel? Especially if one of the criticisms levelled at said sequel is a lack of originality and tedium.

Based on this review, this game looks like a boring version of Just Cause 2.

Which is saying a lot, considering Just Cause 2 was boring as hell.

I've got to go with the flow here, Just cause 2 would seem the better game although I'm willing to bet that the voices in crackdown 2 are no where near as annoying as those in just cause 2.

I enjoyed the first game and missing Crackdown 2 was the only thing I'd have regretted about not having an RROD 360 anymore. Now I feel better about it.

Originally Posted by Hovis
On what planet is playing an earlier version of the game a requirement to enjoying the sequel? Especially if one of the criticisms levelled at said sequel is a lack of originality and tedium.

A lot of people like more of the same. Look at Nintendo's recent release catalog.

I think this should have been a 5 at the most based on the conclusion.

Everything said in the review is essentially what I found with the first Crackdown. Then again I really enjoyed the first one! Now I'm wondering though if Crackdown 2 is worth a go or if things have moved on (Just Cause 2).

Maybe when it comes down in price I'll have a punt.

Originally Posted by Hovis
On what planet is playing an earlier version of the game a requirement to enjoying the sequel?

Not a requirement as such, but it's always nice to know how a game stacks up to a previous version so that those who liked said earlier game can decide if they think it's worth a go or not.

Sounds like a five to me:

"A five indicates a product that is satisfactory, but is by no means great. It neither falls short of nor exceeds our expectations on the whole, but it does have some fairly significant drawbacks that you need to be aware of before purchasing – approach with caution."

I've got the Just Cause 2 demo sat on my 360, I'll give it a go when I've got the time. I find for Sandbox games you need a certain level of self-motivation to make the most of them. When it's late and your tired, sometimes a hand-holding game is more preferable. </thought for the day>

I was going to ask if Joe played the original.
My other thought is that maybe he missed the target of Crackdown's audience.
I don't think Crackdown *ever* tried to be Just Cause 2.
It shares more in common with Saints Row (GTA) + Halo (or even Ratchet & Clank) with some nice humor too.

I *loved* the demo for the first game, but never got to picking it up.
I have actually been downloading the demo to the sequel over the last few days.
In all honestly, I think comparing CD2 to JC2 is kind of like comparing flatbread to a doughnut.
I mean they're similar, yeah, but I don't think they're going after the same things.

At anyrate, I lost my point in coming up with that damn metaphor.
I just think the game got sold a bit short, but at the moment I have no comparison.

I think six would be a fair number, since that usually is an indication of
"If you liked the original, here is more of the same."
Which, with Crackdown, is EXACTLY what I wanted.

Just played the demo. Dull, repetitive and offered nothing new over the first game (which I rather liked btw).

What's happened to gaming recently? Where's the new original ideas, I'm bored of playing and paying for crappy sequels! It's enough to make me go retro for a few years to wait out this current trend.

Irony is try an original idea, such as APB, and it gets torn to shreds for not conforming to expectations. Mirrors Edge too largely fell flat because people couldn't immediately place it in a category. If you want to succeed in the games industry the motto seems to be do exactly what the guy before you did, with a new hat.