A Review of 'Deluge' DLC for Crackdown 2 on Xbox 360

Crackdown 2's latest DLC "Deluge" breathes desperate new life into the title, with players gaining two new multiplayer variants: "Capture the Orb" and "Deluge."

"Capture the Orb" is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of a flag, up to 16 players compete to capture an orb. That sounds a lot simpler than it is, especially with all the deadly weapons that will be flying your way. To say that "Capture the Orb" is intense would be an understatement. Rockets, grenades, trucks, any every other item that can be thrown your way are constantly whizzing through the air past your character. Trying to dodge all of the weapons fire and not die while playing "Capture the Orb" gives an adrenaline rush.

In the "Deluge" variant, players can take on a horde of seemingly never ending enemies. Unlike the Firefight mode in Halo: ODST or Halo: Reach, players in Crackdown 2 aren't confined to a small map where enemies come to you. In fact quite the opposite. You and your teammates must track down enemies proactively, and before the time runs out. Each wave of enemies destroyed will yield a time bonus. There are 150 waves in total, and it'll take a good hour to kill them all - that's if your time doesn't run out beforehand.

Because you're constantly on the move in search of the next freak to kill, Crackdown 2's "Deluge" mode doesn't feel as monotonous as an hour long Firefight in Halo: ODST or Halo: Reach. Additionally, every so often you'll have to capture a strategic location while defending the position from enemies, which also helps to break up the repetitive nature of the variant.

While all of this is going on, you'll be acquiring points for your kills. Manage to stay alive, and your point multiplier will build. The downside is these points are meaningless due to the lack of scoreboards.

It should be noted that those with a shiny new Windows Phone 7 and Crackdown 2: Project Sunburst receive special unlock-able weapons while participating in "Deluge". Don't own a Windows Phone 7? That's ok, if one of your teammates does then you'll score access to the same weapons too.

One thing to note is that without a team of four, "Deluge" is neigh impossible to beat. When playing by oneself there's nothing more irritating when the game ends not because you've died but because the time has run out. "Deluge" is meant to be played cooperatively in teams of four and any number short of that just isn't as fun.

Both "Capture the Orb" and "Deluge" modes are enjoyable, however I personally preferred "Deluge."

The Crackdown 2 Deluge DLC can be purchased for 560 Microsoft Points from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

For more information about Crackdown 2, visit www.ruffiangames.com.

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