I have to say, I'm a little worried that the devs have been to lazy with the sequel. I could be far from wrong, but it's not quite as high on my Radar after reading this.

"It is hard to really get excited about Crackdown 2, despite obvious qualities. Paradoxical? Yes and no. This sequel should be at least just as fun as the first game, even more maybe if the multiplayer turns out to be good, but it still remains to be seen if it will have much to offer to those who played Crackdown and got the most of it three years ago. Will the new gadgets, the new vehicles and the new features be enough of an incentive to appeal to them? Maybe, but we will wait for the final version to make sure. When the first game was released, it was a pleasant surprise and it was something new. Since then though, games like Prototype and InFamous have raised the bar in terms of sensations and possibilities. It is probably a good thing to have borrowed a few ideas from other games like Just Cause 2, but players will need more to be convinced. It is now 2010 and they have gotten very picky on about just anything. I guess we will find out soon, as the game will be released in early July."

http://gamersyde.com/news_gamersyde_preview_crackdown_2-9335_en.html

Comparison pics.

I didn't realize the map was the same. I'm gonna have to explore some more.

For those who might not know the demo is available on Live so they can judge for themselves. Honestly I feel that the demo has actually caused me more concern then I had before playing, and honestly a thirty minute timer riding my ass was not helping me to make a good value judgment. I was just basically overwhelmed with objectives, and prompts to do all kinds of things, and I was hardly given time to just get my bearings. Basically the game felt like complete chaos, and I had no idea where I was going, or what I was doing. Icons flared up everywhere, and there wasn't a second I wasn't under attack.

I enjoyed Crackdown, but this game feels like Crackdown on Crack. I got to try the demo again, and break away from the starting area to see if I can gain a better appreciation.

huuuuge fan of the demo, before wasnt early purchase, now i want to get crackdown 1 as well :)

I was doubtful at first after everything I've seen and read, but last night me and 3 buds did 4 player co-op and, yep, here we go all over again.  TONS of fun.  We played the demo about 4 or 5 times just because we couldn't get enough and the 30 minutes flew buy so fast its not even funny.

Still, seems like it should be a $40 game.  Not as much Crackdown 2 as 1.5, but that's still great.

If you guys check this thread here: http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread.php?id=112038&page=1&str=129421938#8

I explained how to get inifite time in the demo. The only drawback is you can't do any races or the timer will start.

Didn't think they'd do it,  it but after the demo I was sold, they improved the lacking things in Crackdown 1 like more fun combat, turrets, gliding, melee weapons etc. and still retained the fun.