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Crackdown 3 Review (XB1)

Written by Anthony L. Cuaycong

Title: Crackdown 3
Developer: Reagent Games, Sumo Digital, Cloudgine
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Genre: Action, Adventure
Price: $59.99
Also Available On: Windows (Xbox Play Anywhere Title)

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Crackdown was released with much fanfare in 2007. It wasn't merely that Microsoft Game Studios bundled launch copies with multiplayer beta access to hotly anticipated Halo 3. More importantly, it was because the involvement of developer David Jones (the force behind sandbox giant Grand Theft Auto) heightened interest in the open-world action title. And he wasn't attached just because he so happened to be head of Realtime Worlds; he conceived it and helped shepherd it through a five-year turnaround process that included shifting programming focus from the Xbox to the next-generation Xbox 360.

The result was a critical and commercial success that, simply put, had legs. Despite being on store shelves early in the year, Crackdown became — and, more importantly, stayed — top of mind for reviewers and gamers alike, making "Best of 2007" lists and garnering industry awards for its capacity to push the envelope in terms of gameplay and presentation. It was, as Jones envisioned, Grand Theft Auto, but better. And, as he also envisioned, the positive response led to the green-lighting of a sequel. Unfortunately, Realtime Worlds by then had other commitments, compelling Microsoft, which held its intellectual property rights, to commission another developer for the project.

When Crackdown 2 hit store shelves in mid-2010, it was met with a more modest reception relative to that of its predecessor. Perhaps because of the participation of former Realtime Worlds staff in its progression, it retained many of the elements that made Crackdown a hit. And perhaps because of the absence of Jones from the Ruffian Games team behind it, it likewise presented design changes that not a few quarters viewed in a less favorable light. Still, it was deemed good enough — and, of course, profitable enough — to keep the franchise going. That said, Microsoft figured he needed to be overseeing the next release from the get-go.

As things turned out, Jones did get on board for Crackdown 3 via Cloudgine and Reagent Games, companies he formed following his departure from Realtime Worlds. Announced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2014, it was envisioned to harness the potential of cloud computing to generate in-game models and environments. At the time, Sumo Digital was likewise tasked with providing the game's campaign mode. Following delay after delay, however, the latter took over principal development, and, after a year at the helm, finally managed to bring it to fruition.

For gamers, the good news is that Crackdown 3 continues the series narrative. Picking up a decade from where Crackdown 2 left off, it has the Agency — the organization previously tasked with keeping order in Pacific City through the deployment of artificially enhanced soldiers — stepping in to stop terroristic Terra Nova from establishing a new world order. To do so, agents are deployed to New Providence, the stronghold of the supposedly humanitarian outfit, carrying out with the aid of Echo, the established local rebel group, missions aimed at eradicating the threat.

Just as crucially, Crackdown 3 displays all the core elements that have enabled the franchise to claim a loyal following. Of particular note, back is the "Skills for Kills" Campaign mode mechanic that increases the motivation of gamers to complete missions with a horde of weapons at their disposal, traveling around extremely expansive New Providence using any and all means of transportation they find. The more deaths they cause, the more they are able to level up their attributes and, in turn, gain access to new equipment.

Parenthetically, freedom of choice is the biggest draw to Crackdown 3; how objectives are met, as well as in what order they are met, depend entirely on player predilections. In this regard, it builds, and delivers on, its premise and promise of an open-world setting where anything can — and everything does — happen. As an aside, it amps up the independence factor in its Wrecking Zone multiplayer options; whether in the Agent Hunt or in the Territories milieu, gamers in teams of five obliterate enemies and, in the process, destroy everything in sight. Mindless fun? Sure, with the operative word being "fun," dialed up to a rip-roaring 11.

If there's any demerit to Crackdown 3, it's in an apparent inability of the series to improve in look. For all the time between releases and notwithstanding pledges of maximizing the cloud-computing facilities of the Xbox One, it feels, well, dated. No doubt, the long gestation period and the late transfer of reins to Sumo Digital didn't help. In any case, the latest saga of the Agency features not inconsiderable softness and lack of visual detail, giving the impression — no doubt unfair in the face of its myriad pluses — that those behind it left a lot of the console's graphical power untapped.

On the flipside, Crackdown 3 does keep the action moving with nary a slowdown in play; frame drops are nonexistent even when the screen exhibits instances of frenetic mayhem. Whether or not the tradeoff should exist is subject to discussion. That said, there can be no discounting its capacity to deliver an excellent gaming experience. To this end, it's aided in no small measure by a properly modulated audio mix. Sound effects are bombastic and expectedly over the top, and the music evokes the appropriate ambience. And precisely because the voice acting is first rate, the dearth of cutscenes and somewhat brief appearances of Terry Crews as the main character represent missed opportunities.

At any rate, Crackdown 3 ultimately manages to pay homage to its source material. It makes no pretensions on its roots and does well to preserve the legacy of the franchise. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but, then again, it didn't promise to. Even as it seems to want to attract the more mature set with its treatment of its content, its immersive gameplay figures to reel in a wide swath of the gaming demographics. Bottom line, it deserves a place in the library of longtime fans of the series and newcomers alike.

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THE GOOD

• Continues the series narrative
• Retains core gameplay mechanics of previous releases
• Excellent sound mix
• Ramped-up fun factor

THE BAD

• Visuals lacking sharpness and detail
• Story on the thin side, coming off as a missed opportunity
• Absence of innovation

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RATING: 8/10

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What's The Opposite Of Humble?

I had intended to stay quiet about everything I know, but this post here on Tenkar's Tavern was, I suppose, the straw that broke the camel's back.

Or maybe because it's almost St. Paddy's Day and the Irish in me just won't let it go.

As much as anything, this blog post is a warning against centralized power, its corrupting nature, cults of personality, and the slippery slope of authoritarianism (yet I hope to keep this apolitical).

Now that I re-read this, it's really long, but I wanted to provide as much as possible so people wouldn't respond with "But, but sour grapes and stuff..."  Yes, some of my interactions left me with bitter feelings, but this is not retaliation for a few slights.  Rather, I want to shine a light on a very public figure before he becomes "too big to fail."  This is to open discussion while it's still feasible to critique the Tenkar Empire without disastrous reprisal.

A little backstory, I've known Erik Tenkar for years, since I started blogging and writing OSR stuff back in 2014.  He was a prolific and well known blogger in those days and his power and recognition has steadily grown since then.

For awhile, Erik and I didn't get along.  But then we kind of got over that and became the kind of friends that's really more like online acquaintances.  He helped me out with promoting various projects, and I tried to show him the same consideration and loyalty (like defending him against Facebook attacks from Stacey and company).

There were isolated moments, like when someone would mention Erik's name in a g+ thread, saying it would be nice if he'd blog about whatever they were kickstarting or selling, but didn't tag him, and he'd find out about it and angrily blog about people who think they're owed.

Looking back, that kind of thing was a trademark of Zak S.  You'd mention his name in passing, and if it was anything but a glowing endorsement, he'd find out about it and criticize you or defend himself by clutching his "tavern keeper beyond reproach" pearls. 

Or when I commented on his blog post with less than complimentary remarks, like Frog God Games virtually giving their old Pathfinder compatible stock away at a convention... those comments either never made their way to his blog or were deleted without comment.

Not too long ago, I asked if I could guest post on his blog, which he regularly encouraged.  He said sure, but when I sent him the content, there was zero response and it never appeared.  That I can sort of understand, because it was a little risque, having to do with Alpha Blue and legalized brothels in Nevada.  Nevertheless, an email saying, "Sorry, that's too much." would have been nice.

And then there's the proposed OSR answer to the ENnies. Erik brought me into discussion and even asked me to be one of three judges.  It was going to be Erik, one of the Spahn guys (I think) and myself.  The OSR was going to have its own annual award.  After several back and forth emails, it was suddenly dropped.  I have no idea why.  I asked, and got no reply.  I assume it was because several OSR products were actually up for an ENnie award that year and a separate OSR award would seem redundant, but I'm still in the dark about those details.

As many of you know, Erik expanded his empire from blogging to podcasting and becoming a Discord fan.  He and his helper, Pex, asked me to join.  They created a channel or sub-section or whatever for Kort'thalis Publishing even before I could say yes.  That kind of reminded me of the whole U2 and itunes debacle, but I didn't want to make a fuss.  Ok, fine, I said.

Pex in particular would gently remind me on a regular basis to keep posting into the Discord void, so I did, even though it seemed no one was listening and I just didn't like the Discord format.  In fact, I was so impressed with Pex's constant encouragement (eventually, it probably would have seemed like nagging, but maybe that's because I've been married for 7 years), that I asked if he'd be interested in working for Kort'thalis Publishing.  He said yes after we negotiated compensation.

A short while later, I released my transhumanist blog post.  It was a day or two before I could respond to anything because of my usual busy family life. 

Basically, I was booted from Tenkar's Discord machine and Pex told me he wanted nothing more to do with me.

I received an email from Tenkar. The subject line was "Man did you step in it."  In the email he states that he wasn't sure what my intent was, but that "flames were spreading" and there was a decision made to remove my publisher's channel."

Despite a few people coming to my defense and calling Erik "transphobic," I attempted to inform Erik on what was going on, why I posted it, etc.

He derisively responded with "Thanks for your concern. If I have something to say, You know where to read it".

I mentioned what had been happening on Twitter, and again one of Erik's spies reported the news back to him where he passive-aggressively responded in an email the following...

Twice on Twitter you claimed you were "kicked off" or expelled from The Tavern's Discord Server. Both times you were incorrect. Your Publisher's Channel was removed (as you were informed of) but you were still a member of the server. Since you desire to be removed from the server (based upon your own claims) we have now removed your membership from the server as you have indirectly requested.

Sincerely,

Erik Tenkar

I responded by asking why I'd want to stay somewhere I was clearly unwelcome?  And that he was effectively exiling me from the Tenkar Empire.  I haven't spoken to him since (but seeing him at GaryCon might be awkward).

Before the whole transhuman blog post, Tenkar had mentioned his support of my upcoming Cha'alt project.  Said that he looked forward to seeing more and talking about it on the various places where he discusses RPG matters.

I never bothered to ask for his support when the kickstarter went live, weeks after the za'akier post.  Partly because I was confident he'd refuse, but also because I didn't want the backing of someone like that, someone who turns his back on a friend because of some ruffled internet feathers, someone who purports to be an ivory pillar of virtue and integrity, but when it really comes down to it is no better or worse than the rest of us. 

Erik, if you had taken money in exchange for mentioning products, that would be a lot less shady than what I've seen from you thus far. 

At least I admit that I'm just an old school smut-peddler who's just as easy to corrupt as the next guy. Sure, I can be a dick sometimes.  I also like to poke fun at sacred cows.  Hell, that's why I've taken Satanis as part of my name.  I'm down here in the dirt - below the dirt, actually; where the dungeons are... bedrock.  Hell itself!  I don't fire back at gamers with "How dare you, sir? I'm a humble bartender and have the utmost reputation!" pretentious twaddle. 

Erik, get over yourself.  The majority of people who've claimed that you have harassed them, most likely deserve it (deadbeat KS people, Stacey, etc.).  But also know that you're presence is intimidating to regular folks, too.  I, myself, hesitated before writing this because of who you are (OSR Emperor, Frog God representative, ex-cop, etc.), but I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I stayed silent.

To Erik's audience, I say this: Be careful of idolatry.  The neutral ground of today may become the golden calf of tomorrow...

VS


p.s.  If anyone wants to get something off their chest or get sensitive information into the right hands, feel free to email me.  If you'd prefer to remain off the record, I have no problem quoting you anonymously.