Crackdown demo about to hit Xbox Live Marketplace

[UPDATE: Read our full length review of the retail version] Crackdown is the latest brainchild of Dave Jones, whose prior masterpieces include smash hits such as Lemmings and Grand Theft Auto. Realtime Worlds have developed the title exclusively for Microsoft Game Studios and the Xbox 360, and a demo offering both single and multiplayer modes is set to hit the Xbox Live Marketplace later today. [UPDATE: Read our full length review of the retail version]

Crackdown is a sandbox game (think Grand Theft Auto, Saints Row...or get the complete, long-winded explanation here) set in the futuristic Pacific City. Surprisingly, Crackdown turns the genre on its head, and the player takes the role of a police officer trying to eliminate the gangs that control the city. At your disposal are superhuman abilities that increase throughout the course of the game, and will eventually see players leaping over tall buildings, and able to pick up cars to throw at enemies.

The demo will hit the Xbox Live Marketplace on Tuesday the 23rd of January at 2 am PST. For your convenience, this link at timeanddate.com will tell you when that is in your city.

An invitation to join the Halo 3 beta (scheduled for Q2 2007) is included in specially marked retail copies of the game, which will be available worldwide. This alone is guaranteed to see copies flying off shelves, so if the demo floats your boat, be sure to pre-order your copy to avoid being disappointed.

Retail Release Dates

North America: February 20th, 2007

Japan: February 22nd, 2007

Europe/Australia: February 23rd, 2007