Lots of new Crackdown 2 screenshots released

Every time we walk past the bargain-priced copies of Crackdown in our local videogame shop, we shed a silent tear. The kids, it seems, continue to ignore it, choosing to play their homogenous sequels instead, while one of the jewels of the Xbox 360 software library still doesn't get the level of love it deserves. Bah.

On a brighter note, it did do enough business to warrant a sequel, although it's not the same development team who are putting Crackdown 2 together. Development duties are being handled by a new studio, Ruffian Games, which does feature many alumni of the original Crackdown developer team. And it's taken the wraps off some of its work with the release of a clutch of new screenshots from the game.

Crackdown 2 is set a decade after the first game, and there are hordes of freaky creatures that you need to send back to their maker. From the screens, the sandbox approach is very much still in place, along with all the collectables along the skyscape to help upgrade your powers. It also, fortunately, looks just as over the top as the original.

Crackdown 2 is due for release next year, and it's easily one of our most anticipated of an already juicy-looking 2010.