Crackdown 2 Teaser Trailer Video Released, Full Reveal During 2009 Video Game Awards

The sequel to the somewhat underappreciated 2007 sandbox style third person shooter developed by Real Time Worlds (currently working on APB) is the responsibility of the newly formed Ruffian Games this time around. Ruffian’s founders include two members from the Real Time team responsible for the original Crackdown — which should prove to be good news to fans of the first installment like myself.

Crackdown 2 will offer up similar gameplay complete with collectible power up orbs and a revamped expanded set of super agent abilities. In addition, the game will allow for up to four players in the games co-op mode, where as the original allowed for two.

You may not have played Crackdown, so I’ll tell you that it was one of the most fun online co-op experiences I’ve ever played. My friend and I once spent a good two hours with one of us climbing to the highest point in the city while the other tried to shoot them down with a rocket launcher from the streets below. The only rule was you couldn’t move once you reached the building top. Think dunk tank only from a drastically further distance with a much steeper fall and no water. Good times.

It’s true that the boss fights weren’t very challenging but the open world environment paired with superhuman abilities and a powerful arsenal of weapons and vehicles made for an excellent means to blow off steam while blowing things up with a friend.

If The Punisher, The Hulk, and Shaft were mashed together into a sandbox style third person shooter, the result would be Crackdown. I’m definitely going to grab this one, and if Crackdown 2 is anything like the original, I’d recommend you do the same.