In the beginning of Crackdown 2, the objective is simple: The Agency has developed a weapon called the "Sunburst Defense System," designed to quickly rid Pacific City of its mutated inhabitants, or "freaks," by melting them vampire-style with artificial sunlight. In order to locate the freak hot zones (various underground breeding areas for the infected humans), Agents must activate a series of beacons to triangulate the precise positions onto which the Sunburst weapon should be deployed. Unfortunately, a terrorist group known as "The Cell" are protecting the last beacons, so it's up to you -- a new generation clone soldier -- to reclaim the beacons and activate the Sunburst Defense System.

Although it starts slow, Crackdown 2 shows promise for fans of the original sandbox adventure. The introductory plot is razor thin and is in place simply to encourage Agents to explore the open landscape of Pacific City, which has been devastated by the mysterious infection.