Two open-world shooters for free on Microsoft Store

Microsoft is offering the first two games in the Crackdown series for free. Originally released for the Xbox 360, both titles are compatible with the Xbox One (available used on Amazon for $250) and the Xbox Series X|S (priced at $300 on Amazon). Crackdown is an open-world shooter that puts players in the role of a superhuman agent. Their mission is to free the gritty metropolis of Pacific City from the control of three powerful criminal organizations. Enhanced abilities like superhuman strength, precision and extraordinary jumping skills allow for creative combat and unrestricted exploration of the city. Additionally, a co-op mode lets players team up to bring order to Pacific City together.

Released in 2007 for the Xbox 360, Crackdown was developed by Realtime Worlds and is now considered something of a retro classic. Its sequel, Crackdown 2, created by Ruffian Games Ltd., followed in 2010. In this installment, Pacific City has undergone a dramatic transformation. Beyond the threat of criminal gangs, the city is now plagued by mutant freaks that emerge at night to unleash chaos.

Crackdown is available on Amazon for about $18. While some players found the storyline somewhat shallow and wished for more mission variety, the game holds respectable Metacritic ratings, with a Metascore of 83 and a User Score of 7.2. Crackdown 2, priced at approximately $15 on Amazon, fares less well on Metacritic, earning a Metascore of 70 and a User Score of 6.0. Critics and players criticized its lack of innovation, particularly the reuse of the original game’s map.

With the first two installments of the open-world shooter series currently free on the Microsoft Store, the mixed reviews are easy to overlook. However, act quickly, it's unclear how long the offer will last. If you enjoy Crackdown and want to continue with the third installment, Crackdown 3 is available on Amazon for about $15. Alternatively, it’s also included in the Game Pass.

Prices are subject to change. The offer was available at the time of publication of the article, but may be limited in time or quantity. All information without guarantee.