Crackdown 3 (XB1/W10)

Crackdown 3 multiplayer hands-on preview: Cloud, combat, and concerns

We went hands-on with Crackdown 3. The "power of the cloud" is real.

We've finally been able to go hands-on with Crackdown 3's multiplayer, running on Xbox Live, several years from its initial announcement. First and foremost, I'm happy to report that the cloud destruction is as awe-inspiring as all those early trailers eluded to. Our demonstration was not in closed-network conditions, it was running live on the same Xbox network we all use, and the technical achievement on offer is undeniable.

Where Crackdown 3's multiplayer may fail lies in the gameplay systems layered on top of that destruction, which, for now, have a concerning lack of depth. Microsoft emphasized that the game is still four months away from launch, set for a February 2019 debut, so take this as an early feedback preview rather than a definitive look at what the finished product may look like.

Despite some concerns, I had a blast with Wrecking Zone. The cloud-based physics rendering is staggering, and has wide-reaching implications for the future of gaming.

While I am concerned about the overarching gameplay experience in Wrecking Zone, the implications for the cloud-based physics Microsoft is putting on display here is quite incredible. Envisage Gears of War Horde mode with hundreds of enemies rather than dozens, imagine a Halo Warzone mode with destructible environments. Unfortunately for Crackdown 3, therein lies the problem: I'm more excited about the possibilities for the future than what we played.

That said, Crackdown 3 is still four months from release as of writing, set for a February 15, 2019 debut. The towering environments Ruffian Games and Crackdown 3's other collaborators have built for the game are gorgeous, made all the more exciting when you tear them down, explosion by explosion. I just hope that they're not relegated to gimmick status by the multiplayer systems layered on top of it, which at least for now, are indeed infectiously fun, but potentially lacking in staying power.

It's true that we haven't seen many of the weapons or progression mechanics yet, though, which keeps me feeling optimistic. We'll have to see what comes next for Wrecking Zone.

twitter.com/JezCorden/status/1061796113009836033

Most dev time was getting the cloud tech right, sounds like it was difficult

Frank wrote:

Most dev time was getting the cloud tech right, sounds like it was difficult

Imagine spending so long on a mode that isn't even the main game. Surely you'd get to a point and just think "why are we still bothering?"

Frank wrote:I don't think their first project *will* be a success, considering how long it's taken. It's certainly isn't going to be doing much to sell their management.

Also seems a weird project to hitch your technological marvel to. A not-very-interesting multiplayer mode of a sandbox franchise that people have stopped caring about (first game - great, second game - zombies? ). Why not develop something individual that actually made it look as impressive as the possibility of cloud computing is?

Or just do what games seem to be doing now (cough RDR) and release the singleplayer and multiplayer as separate releases. Neither are going to be as mindblowing as they should be considering the time spent on it.

Frank wrote:The time spent on cloud computing, but not the time that they've spent on Crackdown 3. They're going to release CLOUD COMPUTING MULTIPLAYER and it's going to instantly be saddled with Duke Nukem Forever-style disappointment.

CRACKDOWN 3'S CLOUD-POWERED MULTIPLAYER IS REAL AND WE FINALLY PLAYED IT

Before I talk about gameplay, I should mention that I was really amazed by what I saw compared to the last time anyone saw something during E3 2017. What catches my eye is not the details on buildings or characters, but the level of destruction. This doesn’t mean that the whole level can be destroyed, but it's not just walls that can fall. You can smash through windows to escape from sight, and use your weapons to make parts of the buildings fall, all depending on the level of explosion. It was really fun to drop bridges during the demo, as many people never saw that coming, and when a piece of virtual concrete falls over you, it can be devastating. With all the chaos, falling debris, and explosions, the framerate never dropped, which is amazing (yay cloud!).

Something that should be mentioned is that this demo showed us a really basic multiplayer experience, so it’s difficult to know how deep the final multiplayer will be. With few weapons, just one level, and no signs of any type of progress (nor, thankfully, microtransactions), it’s difficult to know how it will hold up long-term. But at least it’s finally, finally almost here.

Venom wrote:I was just browsing through the Game Pass titles on my Xbox. The Crackdown 3 Campaign is there and can be downloaded, it doesn't mention a date. Has it been released?