All points bulletin
Anyone who is a fan if first person shooters has probable seen, if now picked up “Crackdown”. A great FPS that combines an incredibly open environment with super human abilities to make a very fun and interesting take on a fairly standard experience.
Realtime Worlds the creators of that have been very quiet since its release working on their next game. Having handed over the follow up to “Crackdown” to Ruffian. Due to be released later this year “Crackdown 2″ will be pretty much more of the same. I am sure they will have added some new twists, and improved the engine. But to be honest I have done that now, and I don’t really play “Crackdown” other than to have 10 minute blasts of crazy jumping around the city, and driving the great cars.
What looks much more interesting is APB. A game Realtime have had in development for a long time now.
Initially it looks very much like a standard open FPS (think Grand Theft Auto) but as the video shows it is something a lot more interesting than that. The on-line aspects of the game make for a much more immersive and fun looking game. We have all played where the computer AI is just no good at all, APB looks like it can solve that problem.
Being able to call for backup is a clever idea and one that I have wished for in a lot of games. How well it plays out depends a lot on the muppets who are in the world with you, but it has the potential to be a lot of fun.
Customisation
The level of customisation you can put into this game is also another fantasic addition. Making it a lot more interesting than just a plain shooter.
The BGR team has already decided on at least two customisations we need to put into this game.
The A-Team
This is a must. We will need a custom GMC van with correct livery (Black and Grey with red stripe and spoiler in case you did not know) plus White and Red Corvette. Then of course there is the team to go with that, something of a running joke here at BGR but we enjoy it. But we are in need of a forth to take the role of BA.
Gunsmith Cats
Another must, just because it would be fun to see a classic Shelby Cobra GT 500 turn up with Rally and Mini inside.
After a long time in the making it is looking likely this is coming in the next few months. The potential is fantastic, and I for one am looking forward to it.
Update:
IGN have put up a great post looking at ABP. Looks like they are looking forward to its release, though it looks like the release date has slipped back to summer.
