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Crackdown 2 'Deluge' DLC overwhelms Pacific City
The new "Deluge" DLC for Crackdown 2 adds a co-op arcade mode where players must protect designated city zones from Pacific City's worst. It'll set Agents back 560 points ($7) and also adds several Achievements, Avatar awards and a "Capture the Orb" mode for up to 16 players, spanning six arenas.
Expect a 'Deluge' of Crackdown 2 DLC, Windows Phone 7 tie-in this month
Microsoft has announced that a new batch of Crackdown 2 DLC will be released later this month. The "Deluge" add-on will add two new multiplayer modes to the game, as well as new Achievements and Avatar Awards. Deluge mode is a new co-op mode that sees up to four players defending "against increasingly more challenging waves of denizens from Pacific City." Meanwhile, Capture the Orb is a new adversarial mode for up to 16 players. Presumably -- and this is just a hunch -- players compete to capture the orb. Interestingly, the DLC will be offered in both trial and premium versions. The free trial version will include the complete Capture the Orb mode and a single-player "sample" of Deluge mode. For 560 MS Points ($7), the premium version includes the full Deluge mode as well as the aforementioned goodies. Microsoft is also planning to release a Windows Phone 7 tie-in project later this month. Entitled Crackdown: Project Sunburst, the game offers up tower defense gameplay utilizing Bing Maps. Playing Project Sunburst will unlock new features in Deluge mode and, conversely, Deluge mode will unlock new weapons in the mobile game. The press release notes that this is the first time such integration has been seen between Xbox Live and Windows Phone 7. Assuming the platform takes off, we doubt it will be the last. %Gallery-106388%
Crackdown 2 'Toy Box' DLC crashing issues resolved by reissue
A new, bug-free version of Crackdown 2's "Toy Box" DLC pack was released yesterday morning on Xbox Live Marketplace, according to Ruffian Games. Unfortunately, rather than a patch, the DLC has been re-issued, meaning that folks who downloaded the content will need to delete it and redownload. The new version fixes issues ranging from "crash on loading" to issues with the narrator's voice and Achievement problems, which we reported on earlier this week. Ruffian says that the glitches were "caused by problems mastering the DLC package," thus the reissue rather than a patch. The developer assures players that "all will be fine" after the download, which was available publicly as of yesterday morning. We've yet to hear of any issues with the re-release, but feel free to let us know if you find any.
Crackdown 2 'Toy Box' DLC trailer gives us a taste of what's to come
In today's fast-paced world, we don't always have time to read everything. You've got things to do, places to be -- you expect a high quality video showing you what will be available in an upcoming DLC pack. That's why we've posted this video showcasing Crackdown 2's "Toy Box" DLC. You're welcome!
Crackdown 2's 'Toy Box' DLC hits the streets on September 2
Anxious to 'splode more stuff in Crackdown 2? Well, on September 2, you'll be able to access the "Toy Box" DLC pack. The DLC will come in two different flavors: as a free download, players can access the "Keys to the City" cheat unlock, the "Thruster" ability and a new multiplayer mode called "Vehicle Tag;" or agents can shell out 560 MS Points ($7) for an enhanced version including five new weapons, two new vehicles, a couple of Avatar items and 10 additional Achievements to unlock.
Crackdown 2's 'Toy Box' DLC handing over keys to Pacific City
Ruffian Games is making good on last month's promise of Crackdown 2 DLC, with the announcement this morning of a forthcoming add-on for the game titled "Toy Box." The free version of the content pack will come with a rethought "Keys to the City" cheat unlock, the "Thruster" ability (described as "jetpacks for your boots") and a new multiplayer mode -- "Vehicle Tag." For those of you willing to shell out 560 MS Points ($7), the pack also contains five new weapons, two new vehicles, a couple of Avatar items, and 10 new Cheevos. Are you keen on dressing up your agent in various colorful suits? Who isn't? The paid version of the pack additionally contains eight fancy new outfits, with ambiguous names like "Terror Firma" (also our second favorite Doctor Who spinoff) and "Dem Apples." The pack is said to be "coming soon," though a solid date hasn't been given for release. We do have a trailer of the content in action, just after the break. [Correction: The video documentary was unrelated to the DLC. We've posted a Youtube trailer of the new content after the break. Thanks, Ryan!]
Crackdown 2 holds on to top UK sales spot; Xbox 360 S has solid launch
Crackdown 2 just barely held off Dance on Broadway last week to maintain the top spot on the UK all formats chart for a second week in a row. According to Chart-Track, "Orb Collector 2" sales dropped 36 percent and only sold about 800 units more than Ubisoft's show tune-themed Just Dance successor (the original Just Dance retained a supporting role in the ten spot). Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 and Red Dead Redemption each slipped one spot to third and fourth, respectively. The lone new entry in the top ten was Disney's Toy Story 3 in fifth place. In hardware sales, although Chart-Track didn't reveal specific numbers, the Xbox 360 Slim (or Short) enjoyed the UK's most successful launch for a "revised" console. The redesigned console surpassed the relaunches of both the PS2 and PS3 slim models and, in its opening weekend, matched the regional launch figures of the Pro and Core Xbox 360 SKUs from back in late 2005.
Crackdown 2 jumps to top of UK charts
Crackdown 2 has broken the "petrificus totalus" spell cast upon the UK sales charts for the last couple weeks. Skills for broken spells, agent? Ruffian's compulsive orb-collecting sequel leaped ahead of Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 and Red Dead Redemption, which found comfortable homes on the range at second and third, respectively. Ubisoft's Just Dance took its greatest tumble to date, dropping all the way down to ninth place -- most likely because everyone in the UK already owns it. However, proving that Just Dance wasn't a singular sensation for the publisher, newcomer Dance on Broadway steps up from sixth to fourth. Check out the UK top ten after the break.
Two Crackdown 2 DLC packs teased
We might not have loved Crackdown 2 as much as anticipated, but we're glad to see that's not stopping developer Ruffian Games from supporting the game post-launch with downloadable content. Speaking to MTV Multiplayer, producer James Cope revealed two (tentatively titled) packs already planned for release: "The Toy Box" and "Deluge." According to Cope, The Toy Box will be available first and features "new gadgets and vehicles," as well as opening up Pacific City in the same way that the first game's "Keys to the City" mode did. Next will be the Deluge pack, which will contain "new game modes to expand the play" -- Cope says the team at Ruffian is aiming for "a completely new way to play the game you've already got." No release prices or dates were given for the DLC add-ons, though, presumably Crackdown 2 owners are still plenty occupied collecting all of them orbs. It's a hunger that can't be satisfied, folks!
Metareview: Crackdown 2
Crackdown 2 left us with the feeling we were missing something -- like, an entire sequel's worth of content. It appears we weren't alone for the most part. Then again, if you've got AOO (agility orb obsession), you'll be too busy to care. Chase down the review orb links below for the full content: Eurogamer (80/100): "Besides, they're offset by everything that Ruffian gets right: the masterful way the developers have turned simple neighbourhoods into set-pieces; the moments where nightfall triggers neon signage that reveals a hidden pathway up the side of a skyscraper; the way in which a chain of seemingly random Agility Orbs picks out a perfect racing line of superhero bounds from one chimney to the next and off into the horizon." IGN (75/100): "The new additions, specifically the expansion to four-player co-op, are welcome, but this hardly feels like it was worth the three-year wait. It's mostly just more of the same, in the same city, with the same shortcomings and a slightly expanded set of missions. Crackdown 2 feels uninspired and rushed, and it certainly doesn't feel like a full sequel." Game Informer (73/100): "Yes, the fights with gang leaders got old after a while in the first game, but they instilled a sense of progress. Without them, you're just jumping around ruined versions of the same old places, tracking down nearly 1,000 orbs, and working through the same pair of "kill 'em all" story missions until the credits roll. Crackdown is still ripe for an ambitious sequel, but this Crackdown 2 thing clearly isn't it. What a squandered opportunity." 1UP (B-): "There's no question that Crackdown 2 is a mere shadow of the first game, which stands as an absolute classic. The sequel feels more like an ambitious user mod than a true follow-up." Giant Bomb (3/5) "There's a narrow subset of people that will absolutely love Crackdown 2 for it's "it ain't broke, so we didn't fix it" approach to sequel development. ... If you're in that group or if you're just looking for something absolutely mindless to do with a few online friends, Crackdown 2 is practically perfect for that." %Gallery-95758%
Review: Crackdown 2
As the always astute Chris Hecker once pointed out, the thing video games do best are power fantasies. While we're literally trying to rescue our family or kill the evil guy, the metaphorical (and arguably more important) journey is in watching our character grow from weakling to demigod, whether that's through the collection of the most powerful weapons or the fastest cars. The balance then is in making the literal journey just present enough that the metaphorical one means something. For all its strengths, Crackdown's major failing was in not nailing this balance. Punching, jumping and exploding your way to superherodom was amazing, but the story and missions were so threadbare that there was nothing really pulling you through, there was no momentum. Though narrative was never going to be its strong suit, it needed just a few more breadcrumbs to get you from point A to point B. Disappointingly, Crackdown 2 does not fix the balance between literal and metaphorical journey. In fact, it seems much more content to pretend it doesn't exist. %Gallery-74365%
Crackdown 2 demo now available; Facebook game unlocks bonuses
Can't wait to earn 'Cheevos for the many, many heads you'll be busting in Crackdown 2? You can get an early start today -- the 1GB demo of the game, now available on Xbox Live Marketplace, features accelerated character leveling, four-player co-op and the ability to start earning Achievements, which will fully unlock when you boot up the retail version of the game, coming July 6. In addition, the Crackdown 2-themed Facebook game Chuck's Duck 2 unlocks a new difficulty in the demo and a multiplayer weapon for use in the retail version of the game. Appropriately, said weapon is an exploding, sticky rubber duck. That ought to strike some fear into the hearts of Pacific City's mutant inhabitants, shouldn't it? Xbox.com: Add Crackdown 2 demo to your Xbox 360 download queue
Crackdown 2 demo drops in Monday, June 21
Agent, you ready to get more skills for kills? Return to Pacific City with the Crackdown 2 demo next Monday, June 21. The "generous demo" will apparently be huge, according to our recent interview with Ruffian's James Cope. You can likely increase your chances of getting the demo early by following Ruffian Games' Twitter account. The company appears to be giving out passes early to those with a quick enough Twitter finger. We also have 10 codes to give out, five on Twitter and five on Facebook this Saturday, June 18. %Gallery-85271%
New Crackdown 2 prequel short explains origins of the mutants
Ever since we found out that the mean streets of Pacific City had been ravaged by even meaner mutants in Crackdown 2, we've been curious about from whence said mutants sprung. Our curiosity was satisfied by the second episode in the animated "Pacific City Archives" prequel series, which tells of the exploits of twisted ex-Agency medical researcher Catalina Thorne. Check out the episode after the jump to see Thorne's fall from grace and how she introduced the mutant virus into the helpless population of Pacific City. If that's not grounds for reaching archvillain status in Crackdown 2, we're not sure what is.
The worlds of Crackdown and Crackdown 2 compared
If the recent animated prequel didn't convince you that Pacific City, the setting for the Crackdown series, has gone to hell in a handbasket since the franchise's first installment, then perhaps this will do the trick. BitMob recently posted a panoramic comparison of the city as it looked in Crackdown to how it looks in Crackdown 2. In short, it looks like a really, really terrible place to live now. Watch as some of the notable landmarks from the first game crumble, decay or simply become derelict due to the influx of violent mutants that plague Crackdown 2. It looks like Pacific City has become a generally more dangerous place to take up residence -- though, as a concern, we imagine that ranks second behind what this gruesome makeover has done to the city's property values.
Third Crackdown 2 ViDoc revels in mass destruction
We should warn you right off the bat that the ViDoc for Crackdown 2 embedded above does at one point feature a Ruffian Games employee using the word "awesomeness," though he thankfully catches himself quickly before the madness spreads too far. While his excitement for this summer's Xbox 360 release is appreciable, we're not so sure that devolving into Valley Girl-isms is the way to play up the game's comically destructive sandbox gameplay. As senior designer Dean Smith puts it, "For some reason, there's a lot of explosive things lying around Pacific City as well, so there's always a new prop to grab or a new explodable of some type." Now that's what gets us excited for more Crackdown: stuff exploding! Lots of stuff exploding! Hooray explosions!
Viral Crackdown 2 contest offers early demo access
This is your lucky day, agent. Today you get to participate in viral marketing, easily the best kind of marketing in Pacific City. This marketing, as you may have guessed, is for Crackdown 2. You might be wondering why you'd participate in such a thing. After all, you loved the first Crackdown, you've read the hands-on coverage for the sequel, your pre-order money has been set aside and you're just coasting your way to July. The answer is simple: early demo access. To get started, pick up Microsoft's Tag Reader app for your mobile phone (find it at gettag.mobi). Then, watch this video. At the end you'll see a hidden orb, which you can scan with Tag Reader. If you'd rather not watch the video (again), you can just scan the image to the right. Once scanned, you can register for a contest account, which will provide you with text message clues about the locations of the remaining "orbs." Find them, scan them and you're in. Orbs for demos, agent. Orbs for demos. Unless you don't have a texting plan, of course.
Crackdown 2 gets ultra-violent prequel cartoon
You know what violent video gaming franchise we always thought would make an excellent Saturday morning cartoon? Crackdown. We're thinking of a modern day GI Joe series, with rugged super soldiers, death-defying acrobatic feats, the occasional car chase and a helpful PSA at the end of each episode. However, Machinima.com recently posted the first episode in a real cartoon series based on Crackdown 2, and ... well, let's just say they went in a much different direction with it. A much bloodier direction. Check past the jump to see the first installment in "The Pacific City Archives," and think about how happy you are that whatever city you may be living in is relatively killer-mutant-free. [Via Kotaku]
Interview: Audio Director Kristofor Mellroth on the sounds of Crackdown 2
It's fair to say Crackdown was a surprise -- even if you didn't buy it for the Halo 3 beta key, odds are that you downloaded the demo and found a pretty impressive pre-GTA IV open-world shooter. That seems like a blessing and a curse for Audio Director Kristofor Mellroth and the rest of the dev team at Ruffian Games working on the sequel: on the one hand, we have fond memories of the original game, but on the other, there are more great open-world games out there now. Will we go back to Pacific City now that we've got a choice? Mellroth is doing everything on his end to make sure that we do. From the music of the game (which features remixes from the likes of Bob Dylan and Creedence Clearwater Revival, as well as electronic beats by artists like Tokyo Black Star and Adam Freeland) to gunshots, explosions, and the ever-present tones of Michael McConnohie, he's put a lot of thought into what Crackdown 2 should sound like and why. Read on for an exclusive interview with the game's audio director.
Crackdown 2 vidoc shows that nothing is sacred
Despite its title, the latest Crackdown 2 vidoc, "Nothing is Sacred," reveals at least one sacred thing in Ruffian's upcoming game: humor. The amusing action becomes apparent when you knock someone upside the head with a sign post, or attach a satchel charge to their face. The first game certainly had its share of guffaw-inducing moments and, come July 6, we'll know if -- on top of skills for kills -- agents will get lulz for kills.
