Just when you thought you were done with Crackdown and ready to use the disc for next week's Halo 3 beta, Microsoft throws a curveball: a patch, a free content pack and some for-pay content that might actually be worth the price.
The free, mandatory patch improves the game:
What's funny is how Microsoft bullied Epic into releasing its bonus Gears of War maps for money, then a few weeks later offers this perfect blend of free and premium content. More games should do this.
Oh, and if you're not too busy, there's a new Blacksite: Area 51 demo, too...
The free, mandatory patch improves the game:
- Option to reset gangs after wiping out all bosses
- Orbs can be heard from a greater distance when they're down to the last few
- Stunt rings are easier to spot
- New ground strike attack for agents with 4-star strength
- Improved target lock prioritization of enemies
- Firing over low walls is more effective
- Fire hydrants can be smashed
- Lefty flip removed from vehicle controls (shouldn't this just be a separate option?)
- Mines and charges are persistent even if you leave the area
- Improvements to permit all vehicles to use ramp trucks
- Camera works better when driving/performing stunts
- Players can't lock onto other players, but they can shoot them with precision shots using normal targeting
- "Keys to the City" sandbox mode that grants access to an array of cheats - including skill enhancements, summoned ramp trucks and agency vehicles, infinite ammo (sans achievements and leaderboards, naturally)
- Vehicle impounding, so you can save vehicles at the Agency Garage just like you save the weapons you find - and there's even a new achievement for collecting them all
- Co-op trophies
- Psychotic Mission Trials - keeps a record of your time trial scores at the psychotic skill level and adds a new achievement for getting a perfect 21
- New agency vehicles: buggy, racecar and armored tank
- New weapons: MSK Lobber (mini-rockets), EX1 Proximity Charge, HRX Harpoon Gun, MZ360 Mini-Gun and the VS1 Cloaking Device
- New game types (see video below): Max-Agility Rooftop Races, Stockpile (timed orb collection), Checkpoint Chase and Rocket Tag (a pistol vs. rocket launcher match)
- Street racing tournaments
- Additional achievements for street racing, the Stockpile mini-game, harpoon gun mastery and a triple car flip
- Bonus pack features can be shared during co-op sessions with players who haven't purchased the content (and some achievements can even be earned this way)
What's funny is how Microsoft bullied Epic into releasing its bonus Gears of War maps for money, then a few weeks later offers this perfect blend of free and premium content. More games should do this.
Oh, and if you're not too busy, there's a new Blacksite: Area 51 demo, too...
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