Now that Nex and Nagiko have warmed you up to the idea of Crackdown, let me sweeten the pot with some choice video of in-game action. Hear that Scottish accent? That's Billy, and you can see that Billy knows a thing or two about playing Crackdown.

While he may not be pwning you this very second, come Feb 20th, he will do so and do it hard. You see "Billy" is actually Billy Thomson, lead designer of Crackdown. He and the rest of the folks at Microsoft invited the three of us down this week to give a sneak peek of their next big title.

Wooed by big TVs, comfy couches and burritos filled with strange ingredients, the day was off to good start. I found a good couch to set up my base camp (sans weird burrito) and settled in to try Crackdown for the very first time. Knowing that I had not yet played the demo (and not particularly a fan of sandbox games, either) the development crew was very interested in seeing what my impression would be.  

I would like to tell you that upon starting the game, a giant crack appeared in the sky, and through this opening a swarm of angels came down and lifted me up to gaming heaven. I would like to tell that story, but if I did, I'd be lying. Now, if I told you that this ascension into gaming nirvana happened after my first hour of game play, you'd be incorrect in doubting my veracity.  

In other words, don't let the demo fool you; this game is the f*cking bomb. Not only does Crackdown offer big guns, immense explosions and intense action, the graphic novel style of artwork satisfies a superhero envy I didn't even realize I had. After playing for the next five hours straight I realized that Crackdown is going to be my new obsession for quite some time.  

Sadly, the reports of NDA's swarming like locusts are true. While we can only give you our impressions (and life changing epiphanies) about the game, hard details about Crackdown must remain sealed in the Destructoid vaults. Until the time that the powers that be break open the bonds of embargo and allow us to comment on the warm gooey goodness that is Crackdown, you'll have to let the demo keep you busy.