Crackdown

If you think you're sick of hearing Grand Theft Auto comparisons, you've got nothing on Crackdown Producer Phil Wilson: "Too many mediocre rip-offs of an outstanding franchise have definitely made people wary, but it's still annoying when it's assumed that any open urban action game will play the same," he says. So what's his game do differently? Gears of War-style jump-in-and-out-whenever co-op play for one. Additionally, the developers have intentionally kept the main mission structure simple for you and your supercop pal (both of whom have upgradeable abilities). Though taking out gangs always involves assassinating the leader, "Crackdown is all about the free-form experience," Wilson says. "There is no correct way to take out a gang boss because there are never any failure conditions other than death."

Ever since Grand Theft Auto took the muzzle off morality, developers have been pimping a bunch of out-of-control antiheroes.

Well, in the futuristic metropolis of Crackdown, cops are the new criminals you play as an agent of the law who isn't against cap-pin' crooks to bring about a little justice. Customizing your cop goes way beyond picking up lame power-ups, too; every combative action you perform in the game (fighting, shooting, etc.) helps turn your officer into a beefed-up crime fighter. So that means the more asses that meet your foot, the stronger your crime-fighting kick will become (for instance, you'll gain abilities like tossing cars).

You wont find random battles or bunny-eared hotties, but cool character customization gives this third-person action game a few role-playing touches. In addition to the futuristic Grand Theft Auto-style gameplay characters evolve based on their actions--gun junkies become skilled marksmen; continually chucking chumps builds up your biceps so you can eventually toss automobiles; even your cars change depending on how you drive.