The Pacer

Issue date: 2/27/07 Section: Technology

If you ever dreamed of taking to the streets and taking the law into your own hands, then now is your chance.

In Crackdown, you play as a genetically altered clone who works for an organization known simply as the Agency. You can choose a number of different avatars, including a pale Goth and a Russian. As you progress through the game and level up, your chosen avatar will change appearance.

The purpose of the game is to curb the violence that has overrun the city. It has become too much for the law-enforcing Peacekeepers to handle. With limited abilities you are sent out into Pacific City to take down three separate gangs.

One of the best points of the game is that when you gain more and more points, you are able to do a multitude of tasks. For example, as your strength levels up, you find yourself able to lift objects such as trucks and throw them long distances. Your increased agility allows you to jump to higher points in the city, which allows you to reach strategic advantage points. Also, you can level up your driving, firearm and explosive skills.

The game is short. You only have three gangs to beat. Granted, there are seven leaders per gang that have to be taken down, but this can be down in just a matter of days. And there is almost no replay value, as you can simply switch characters and they will all be at the same level.

The saving point of this game is the multitude of mini-quests that you can participate in, such as footraces and street races. This will help you to up your agility and driving skills. The Agency vehicles also provide some interest to the game. Most of the other vehicles are useful only as weapons, once you've leveled up enough to pick them up and throw them.

The one reason that you'll find this game difficult to locate in stores is the fact that it contains the Halo 3 beta. Granted, you have to have Xbox Live Gold to be able to play it, but some people are finding the $60 worth spending just to get a sneak peek at the new Halo game, which is scheduled for release this fall, despite the fact that the game itself is rather disappointing.

All in all, the game itself is worth a rent. It's great to be able to pick anything up and use as weapon once you're strength is high enough. But the shortness of it will keep many people from purchasing it.

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