9 Mediocre Video Games Made Awesome By Twists

9. Crackdown 2 - The Villain Isn't The Villain 

Crackdown’s long-awaited revival may have seen mixed reception last year upon arrival but before then, it’d been 2010 since we’d seen it. An open-world action adventure, Crackdown 2 took place 10 years after the original, finding Pacific City under threat from the “Freak” virus.

Ordered by The Agency, you’re informed that former Agency scientist Catalina Thorne caused this outbreak. Stating she performed unauthorised experiments, this led to her expulsion, and Crackdown 2 tells a tale of revenge. Seeing her infecting an agent cloning facility, she forms a terrorist group called “Cell”, who unleash Freak Pacific City’s population, claiming The Agency has its cure.

Except that’s not actually what happened at all. Through a series of collectable audio logs, it's revealed that The Agency manufactured Freak outbreak, providing incorrect public justification to maintain control of the city. Having seen her clinic invaded by Freaks, Thorne instead lead protests against The Agency and was targeted by their propaganda as a result.

It's a great twist, but it was no surprise to those who completed the original Crackdown, where it was revealed The Agency had manipulated Pacific City’s gang crisis behind the scenes, allowing them to save the day.

The sequel received mixed reviews, but this subtle revelation brings a whole new light to its plot.