^Crackdown did have a plot, you just had to complete it to see what it was.
I don't think Crackdown was hyped. A lot of people bought it for the Halo beta and then were surprised that they got a good game for free with it.
It is limited, short and very samey all the way through, but it's also great fun.
The Agency set the three gangs up to take power in the city so that they would cause absolute chaos. They then sent you in to get rid of them so people would be happy to accept absolute control in exchange for dealing with the gangs.
I don't think Crackdown was hyped. A lot of people bought it for the Halo beta and then were surprised that they got a good game for free with it.
It is limited, short and very samey all the way through, but it's also great fun.