CrimeCraft

Developed on the Unreal Engine 3 platform for next-gen systems, CrimeCraft is a massively-multiplayer online game that combines the action of a tactical shooter with the strategy of an RPG. The game is set in a modern world that has been torn apart by economic, political and natural crisis ... just the kind of life of strife that an up-and-coming gangster could make use of on his way to the top!

- IGN

ESRB Rating: M for Blood, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Genre: Persistent Online Action

CrimeCraft is a game I came upon recently. I did not hear it until I stumbled upon it by chance on a listing for a certain MMORPG website. It may not have the number of players World of Warcraft has but it has a certain flair and enjoyability to it.

The game is a combination of a tactical shooter and MMORPG known as a PWNS. Basically you start in the game lobby which is a virtual 3D world filled with missions, vendors, and transportation to other areas of the city.

Combat takes place in instances which are located on the edges of the city. This is due to the outside world being post-apocalyptic and dangerous. The characters tend to look ghetto or police like, but the weapons are futuristic and yet not cartoony or fake looking. They look like possible future weapons which are great to use.

The great thing is its' casual nature. It is extremely easy to level up in the beginning compared to your regular MMORPG and any MMO really. If your like me - you hate the grind you have to do to be a great player every time you play a new game. With this game it is more about skill and teamwork then your level, although having higher levels and better weapons will always help.

Within an hour or two I was leveled up enough and had the basic weapons I needed to compete in PvP with more established players. Based on my tactical experience both in-games, real life, and the study of military - I was doing just fine fighting players with better weapons then me. That is how a online game should play.

The great thing is that this world is persistent so you can build up your reputation, stats, and skills. Also you can change the appearance of whatever you are wearing to whatever you want it to look like. That means you can have the best gear in the game and make it look like something you want to look. Imagine having uniforms for your gang (aka clan) yet having the best protection your gang crafters can make. Yes, there is a crafting system as well. Although its drug and illegal atmosphere themed which works out just fine.

This game also focuses on ACTION and not traveling. You still have a large city to explore which is a 3D representation of the game lobby and serves as the standard RPG city complete with vendors and mission givers. All in all this is a great game tactical shooter where skill and teamwork are important, you can customize your character more then in regular shooters, and you don't have to waste thousand upon hours to be a highly competitive soldier.

Oh yea I almost forgot to mention - you get nice slutty looking female characters in the game that look like prostitutes. Gang females eh? I love it!

-John Hawk, aka MiamiHeat87